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Classification Inspection Site Visits

The WCIRB is authorized by the California Insurance Code (§11750.3) and Part 3, Section VI, of the California Workers' Compensation Uniform Statistical Reporting Plan—1995  to inspect the premises of any insured business for classification assignment purposes. These comprehensive inspections ensure that insurers use the proper classification assignments when reporting data to the WCIRB regarding an employer's workers' compensation insurance policy. Accurate classification assignments and payroll reporting are necessary to ensure the integrity of the data used in the experience rating system. Once an inspection is completed, the WCIRB will automatically send a copy of the inspection report to the employer.

Further Information:

Types of Inspections

  • Original – When an employer first qualifies for experience rating, the WCIRB will perform an inspection.
  • Renewal  Experience-rated employers are reinspected approximately every seven to ten years. Renewal inspections are performed to verify that the classification codes assigned in the previous inspection are still valid.
  • Special – A special inspection may be requested in writing by an insurer or the agent/broker of record to conduct a physical inspection to confirm the classification applicable to the employer’s operations. Special inspections do not require that the insured be experience-rated. The cost of the special inspection is $200 per inspected location. 
    • Payment – Insurer: The WCIRB will invoice the insurer at the end of each month for the total number of special inspections conducted.
    • Payment – Agent/Broker: When the special inspection is completed, Authorize.Net will email an electronic invoice to the requester on behalf of WCIRB California and process the credit card or ACH payment. The WCIRB accepts Visa®, Mastercard® and ACH.

Request a Special Inspection

Insurer

To request a special inspection, the insurer must complete Form 501, Request for WCIRB Inspection of Insured (available via WCIRB Connect®) and submit it electronically to the WCIRB Contact Center. The WCIRB will invoice the insurer at the end of each month for the total number of special inspections conducted. 
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Agent/Broker

To request a special inspection, the agent or broker of record must complete Form 501a, Request for WCIRB Inspection of Insured (available via WCIRB Connect®) and submit it electronically to the WCIRB Contact Center. The Contact Center will then initiate a digital authorization from the policyholder to ensure that the policyholder approves of the request. When the special inspection is completed, Authorize.Net will email an electronic invoice to the requester on behalf of WCIRB California and process the credit card or ACH payment. The WCIRB accepts Visa®, Mastercard® and ACH.
Login to WCIRB Connect>

Employer

Employers who would like to have a WCIRB inspection must pursue the request through their insurer or agent/broker of record.

Test Audit

The WCIRB randomly selects a number of employers for a test audit based on a quota for each insurer. The test audit is performed to verify the accuracy of your insurer's final audit and will generally not occur more than once every four years.

We welcome your feedback on this guide. Please send comments and suggestions to communications@wcirb.com.