Hazelrigg to Open up Claims Shop in Ventura County
By Robert Warne - June 17, 2002Since 1995, the County of Ventura had purchased workers’ compensation insurance through a commercial carrier. Prior to that, the county was self-insured. On the eve of policy renewal and faced with a 100 percent premium increase, the county opted to self-insure once again.
The county selected Hazelrigg Risk Management Services, Inc. to service its claims. The third party administrator (TPA) will start handling the account effective July 1, and plans to open up an office in the county.
Employees speculate that the office will be opened within the next couple of months.
Hazelrigg insiders said the office is expected to grow at a slow pace since it won’t inherit any of the county’s tail from American International Insurance Group (AIG).
Paul Ruffin, director of the General Services Agency for Ventura County impressed the Board of Supervisors with a convincing presentation for the county to self insure for workers’ compensation at a June 6 meeting.
In his report he said for 2002 the county paid $14.4 million for its workers’ compensation policy. To continue insuring through a commercial carrier it would cost the county approximately $30 million for 2003.
So if the county set aside $16 million to cover its predicted future liabilities and put $3.8 million towards self insurance services, the county will still be saving over $10 million for the year, according to Ruffin. Another benefit he pointed out is the cash flow the county would retain. Instead of paying a premium up front to a carrier the county would benefit from having more control over the cash.
The county had purchased workers’ compensation policies through AIG since 1999.
Hazelrigg currently has offices in Chino and San Diego. | 
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