Every summer, a wave of temporary hiring hits the market. From county fairs and food festivals to outdoor concerts and fireworks crews, thousands of workers clock in for short-term jobs. These roles are often physically demanding, fast-paced, and overlooked by traditional carriers. For retail agents, these accounts come with elevated exposures and common pitfalls, especially when trying to place them through standard Workers’ Comp channels.

That’s why placing high-risk Workers’ Comp insurance requires more than just submitting a class code. It takes a partner who understands seasonal labor dynamics and how to protect clients from the risks they don’t always see coming.

What Makes Summer Labor So Risky?

Think about who’s working the fairgrounds, festival tents, and local event sites: grill operators, cash handlers, janitorial staff, security teams, and temporary laborers setting up and tearing down infrastructure. It’s intense work, often performed in high heat, under pressure, and with little time for formal training.

These environments produce a unique combination of risks:

• Heat illness and dehydration: Long hours in high temperatures put workers at risk, especially without scheduled breaks or hydration protocols.
• Manual labor injuries: Lifting tents, hauling equipment, and setting up electrical systems all carry a higher chance of strain or trauma.
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards: Unfamiliar terrain, cords, wet surfaces, and late-night takedowns make accidents more likely.
• Quick onboarding and high turnover: Limited experience and training increase the chance of missteps or misclassified workers.
  

According to OSHA guidelines, many of these hazards are preventable with the right planning and supervision — but only if employers and agents are aware of them in the first place.

The Coverage Gap & How Agents Can Close It

Seasonal businesses often assume Workers’ Comp coverage will be easy to add or extend. In reality, many standard markets decline high-churn labor or reject event-based risks altogether. Others impose minimum premium requirements or restrict certain class codes.

That leaves retail agents stuck trying to place clients who are either underinsured or forced into assigned risk pools.

Worksperity changes that.

Here’s how we help you place tough summer clients:

• No minimums or maximums: We don’t turn away smaller payrolls or part-time operations.
• Multi-state coverage options: Perfect for regional events or clients operating in multiple venues.
• Rapid quote turnaround: Our team moves fast — because summer jobs don’t wait.
• Specialized markets that understand seasonal risk: Our 90+ market network is built to handle these accounts and support flexible programs.

For even more summer-specific insight, explore how seasonal staffing affects Workers’ Comp placement.

FAQ: Summer Labor & Workers’ Comp

What industries spike in summer Workers’ Comp claims?

Outdoor events, food service vendors, temporary staffing, entertainment, hospitality, moving companies, and construction trades may experience an increase in claims during warmer months. According to a 2024 report by the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau, claim frequency increases when temperatures rise beyond 80 degrees, especially in the construction and goods and services industries.

Can you cover event workers with just a short-term policy?

Yes, depending on the client’s size and location. Many of Worksperity’s programs are flexible enough to support seasonal terms. Contact our team for guidance.

Are certain class codes automatically excluded by most carriers?

Not automatically, but many class codes tied to high-risk industries (like event setup, outdoor labor, or short-term staffing) are flagged for increased underwriting scrutiny. That can lead to higher premiums, coverage limitations, or outright declines. Misclassifications also create issues when activities fall outside the scope of the assigned code. With Worksperity’s specialized markets and hands-on support, agents gain an edge in securing the right fit.

Keep Summer Profitable, Not Risky

Fairs and festivals might only last a weekend, but a single claim can impact your client long after the crowd goes home. Don’t wait until someone gets injured to start the conversation.

Send a submission, and let’s build the right solution now.

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 at worksperity.com.