ARA Insurance Launches Workers’ Compensation Insurance Program

ARA Insurance, Kansas City, Mo., a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Rental Association has partnered with Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Southfield, Mich., to provide ARA members with a new workers’ compensation program.

“Workers’ compensation insurance, like health insurance, becomes very regional with different delivery systems,” said Phil Kelling, president and CEO of ARA Insurance. “Certain states can direct people to certain hospitals and in other states you can’t, so you need a national program with strength. We believe we’ve found that with Meadowbrook Insurance.”

Kelling said that Meadowbrook Insurance specializes in writing association programs and has more than 30 such programs around the country. “They also offer a safety dividend depending on claims, which can benefit ARA members who sign up for the program. Very few companies offer a dividend program, but we are able to offer this to ARA members.”

ARA Insurance started rolling out the program to its agents this month and now is contacting ARA members directly. By providing minimal information, a rental company can find out if it might qualify for the workers’ compensation program and what the premium would be.

Kelling said rental centers are often lumped into a highly rated and expensive classification by those that offer workers’ compensation insurance because those companies do not understand the industry. By working with Meadowbrook, ARA Insurance hopes to educate the company about the equipment rental industry.