For agents placing Workers’ Comp coverage in high-risk sectors like staffing, Q4 is decisive. Many of the industries you serve are already preparing for January hiring spikes. Others are facing renewal deadlines, policy audits, or coverage gaps that can’t wait until after the holidays.

If you wait until January to get proactive, you’re already behind. Underwriters get overloaded. Market availability narrows. And clients who haven’t planned ahead may find themselves defaulting into the assigned risk pool.

This checklist will help you take control of your book now. Use it to clarify risks, collect documents, and prepare staffing Workers’ Comp insurance submissions that avoid delays and get placed before Q1 congestion sets in.

Review Loss Runs and Claims Trends Before Submitting

Underwriters don’t just want loss runs; they want context. Start by ordering updated year-to-date loss runs for every client up for renewal or remarket. Then take time to review them strategically.

Look for claim frequency trends, shock losses, severity spikes, or incidents tied to job functions or locations. If you see something that could raise flags, don’t wait for underwriters to guess. Prepare commentary, clarification, or evidence of corrective action taken.

Particularly in staffing, where temporary workers are more likely to get injured, being able to demonstrate awareness and improvement can make or break a placement.

Build Strong Staffing Workers’ Comp Insurance Submissions

A complete, clean submission is still the best way to get underwriter attention and a quick turnaround. In Q4, it’s non-negotiable. Incomplete files will likely get delayed or passed over entirely once the Q1 rush begins.

Confirm you have:

• A fully completed and signed ACORD 130
• Current payroll projections and employee counts
• Accurate class codes, especially for clients with seasonal exposure
• A note on any operational changes, like new contracts, expansion into new states, or risk-management improvements

If you’re targeting placement for staffing clients, document how they manage job-site supervision, safety training, and onboarding. These factors influence appetite and rate.

Identify Gaps, Cancellations & Assigned Risk Pool Clients Now

Agents often scramble to place clients who were non-renewed or fell into the state fund because they didn’t prepare in Q4. These last-minute placements often result in poor terms, limited options, or worse — missed deadlines.

Now is the time to audit your book to find out who is:

• Bare or uninsured?
• Canceled, non-renewed, or temporarily out of coverage?
• Sitting in the assigned risk pool with suboptimal rates?

Flag these clients, and move them into a fast-track queue for December submissions. Having the conversation now gives you time to collect the necessary paperwork, position the account correctly, and access competitive alternatives — before they’re locked into another year of unfavorable coverage.

Prepare for Q1 Staffing Surges Now

January is peak hiring season for many industries, as companies renew their budgets and unfreeze positions they may have put on hold in Q4. Staffing agencies are a part of that surge. From warehousing and transportation to healthcare and logistics, your clients may see their headcounts increase overnight.

Ask your clients:

• Are you planning for Q1 growth?
• Will headcounts or job classes shift?
• Are you adding states, changing contracts, or onboarding new clients?

Then assess whether their current coverage model still aligns with their needs. Many staffing agencies benefit from PayGo programs, which allow for real-time premium adjustments based on actual payroll and job class fluctuations. Others may benefit from multi-state coverage consolidation or even a professional employer organization solution if they’re expanding rapidly.

Establish Clear Cut-Offs for Submissions & Binding

It’s not just about what you collect — it’s about when. Underwriters start hitting capacity by mid-December. If your submissions aren’t in by then, there’s no guarantee of quotes before policies expire.

Set clear internal deadlines:

• Final submission files by December 10
• Binding paperwork by December 20
• Renewal effective dates confirmed by December 31

Communicate those dates to your clients early. Agents who proactively manage expectations and drive urgency get documents faster and are positioned as trusted partners, not just intermediaries.

Close the Year With Strong Wins & Fewer Surprises

This staffing Workers’ Comp insurance checklist isn’t just about avoiding delays. It’s about showing your value. Agents who get ahead in Q4 walk into January with a strong pipeline, loyal clients, and fewer coverage fires to extinguish.

If you’re working with staffing, high-risk industries, or clients with coverage barriers, you need wholesale partners who can move quickly, handle complexity, and offer flexible solutions.

At Worksperity, we help retail agents place tough Workers’ Comp accounts through our network of over 90 specialized markets — with fast turnaround, dedicated support, and proven success with staffing and barrier clients.

Start the process now by sending a submission.

About Worksperity

Worksperity is a specialized wholesale brokerage focused exclusively on Workers’ Compensation. We partner directly with retail agents to simplify placements for hard-to-place industries and clients with coverage barriers. Our deep expertise, rapid quote capabilities, and access to 90+ niche markets empower agents to win more business, faster. Learn more about staffing Workers’ Comp insurance solutions at worksperity.com.