From a certain perspective, there is nothing more esoteric than the myriad of regulations governing the use of policy forms and the impact they have on consumers and carriers' business practices. While drafted as a contract that spells out the obligations of an insurance company to a policyholder, when it comes to the average consumer purchasing auto or homeowners' coverage, the hard truth is that few look past the amount of premiums they must pay and read the fine print of what they've agreed to. When it comes to business-to-business policies, however, the policies are even more intricate and encompass a much wider range of issues. In fact, the details of a policy can rival the amount of premiums. Nowhere is this more evident than in the case of professional employer organizations. As popular as PEOs are among employers for providing workers, human resource capabilities, and insurance, PEOs are nevertheless at the center of an insurance debate; namely under what terms the organizations and its clients should be insured for purposes of workers' compensation.

New Rules

PEOs have long been a popular choice among employers as a means to fulfilling their staffing needs while gaining assistance in other areas where the employer may not have the resources. Among other things, PEOs can offer insurance programs at affordable rates while also helping employers to manage payrolls, institute safety programs, offer human resource services, and comply with all state and federal regulations. By providing these services, PEOs allow employers to focus on their primary goal of growing a profitable business, which, in turn, provides new jobs and helps expand the state's economy.