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WORK COMP programs
Controlling Risk, Saving Lives
As you may know all too well, logging is an inherently dangerous profession. Because of the risks involved, the cost of workers’ compensation insurance greatly exceeds that of other professions. These high costs have an adverse affect on employment and on compliance with Montana’s workers’ compensation laws.
In 1980, the MLA and the State Fund began a partnership to promote safety and loss control within Montana's logging profession and to enhance compliance with Montana's workers' compensation laws. The MLA and the State Fund remain committed to these goals as demonstrated by a Trade Group Agreement.
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MLA/MT State Fund Trade Group Agreement components:
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Safety & Loss Control: The MLA is authorized to develop member-specific loss control measures and to conduct on-site safety consultations for MLA members. This component also expands the State Fund's capacity to provide for a safe working environment.
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Premium Payment: This component allows MLA members to pay premiums on a monthly basis and on actual wages paid, as opposed to the standard practice of prepaying premiums on an estimated basis. The members pay a 20% deposit based on an estimated annual premium. This also promotes the timely reporting of payroll and facilitates the regular payment of large premiums incurred by many in the logging profession.
The Associated Loggers Exchange has been the leading insurance carrier for loggers in Idaho for over 30 years. They are licensed in Montana and policies are offered exclusively through MLA Services, Inc. The ALE currently insures about 55 Montana companies that include logging contractors, sawmills, building material dealers and several trucking firms.
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In Montana ALE works with the MLA’s safety consultants to provide effective safety services. The commitment of the Associated Loggers Exchange is evident in the ALE policy council that was formed in July 2003. This is a group of Montana policyholders that works with the ALE to see that all participants are meeting the common goal of keeping losses of the group to a minimum.