Georgia Education Worker's Compensation Trust
	The Georgia Education Workers Compensation Trust has been established to provide a stable source of workers' compensation insurance for safe-working Georgia education facilities in the State of Georgia.

The Trust offers a full range of services, including but not limited to, claims management, loss control, and training designated to assist Trust members in controlling work-related accidents. The Trust strives to create an environment which encourages members to commit to long term participation and effective loss control measures. The overriding goal of the Trust is to reduce the administrative costs of workers' compensation insurance, and to direct those funds saved to the education of our students.

What is the Georgia Education Workers' Compensation Trust?

On July 1, 1991 the Georgia Education Workers Compensation Trust (GEWCT) was formed. School Superintendents of Georgia established the Trust to develop a stable and cost effective way to control the escalating costs on the workers' compensation insurance. This program was designed specifically for Georgia Educational Facilities. When losses are reduced, the cost on claims should be impacted in a favorable manner. Because the GEWCT is owned by its members, the excess premium remaining after the cost of administration and claims, is returned to its members in the form of a dividend.

When should I join?

An educational facility may join the GEWCT at any time -- but the sooner you join the sooner you will begin to share in the savings being realized by the existing members. Lower premium rates coupled with the added benefits received by our loss control services create an immediate advantage over most standard insurance programs. Effective loss control, state of the art safety instruction, and the opportunity for the return of premium through earned dividends can make a substantial impact on your workers' compensation costs.

Fund Administration

The Trustees' of the GEWCT are selected by the Fund members. These Trustees' operate the Trust and serve at no cost to the Fund. One of the many duties of the Trustees is to select a service company to administer it day-to-day business. Affinity Service Group has been selected to administer the loss control programs, claims handling, billing of premiums, safety management, and other duties necessary to enhance and fulfill the ongoing needs of the GEWCT.

Cost Control

When evaluating your educational facilities' stability there are a number of variables that must be taken into consideration. One of the most costly is your workers' compensation insurance. Since you probably don't own an insurance company, you are at the mercy of those companies, which dictate your workers' compensation costs. Although you can't control your rates, there are a few things you can do to reduce your cost. Owning an insurance company or trust is a great start, and that's exactly what the members of GEWCT have done. By banding together each member is sharing in the profits their past insurance companies would have earned. Superior safety practices further help drive down the frequency of losses and their associated costs to the GEWCT members. These loss control programs are available to each and every GEWCT member, and are instrumental in creating safer working environments. The members then share in the profits realized by reduced rates and the distribution of dividends. If you take into consideration the cost of the loss control and safety meetings, coupled with the dividends returned to each member, the savings to your educational facility can be substantial.

GEWCT features:

* Formed by School Superintendents of Georgia
* Trust participants enjoy access to safety and risk control services targeted specifically for Georgia educators.
* Deductibles are available to further reduce your cost of workers' compensation insurance.
* Discounted premiums based on your experience and participation in the fund.
* We will work with your existing agent.
* Financially strong.
* Fair and prompt handling of claims.
* Designed to fight fradulent and questionable claims.
* Sensitive to members' needs.
* Return of unused portion of premium.
* Distribution to members of investment income.

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Headed up by Doug Froemke, The Georgia Education Worker's Compensation Trust Safety Consultants possess more than 100 years of safety and loss control experience. Statistics have shown that loss ratio percentages for G.E.W.C.T. members are considerably lower than national averages and as a result, premiums and related insurance costs can be substantially lower. The G.E.W.C.T. safety specialists work for members and would be available for any safety or workers' compensation related issues.

Safety Training

As a member of the Georgia Education Workers' Compensation Trust, you will have the opportunity to train staff members with subject matter emphasizing issues relating to their respective fields. Statistics show that training is beneficial in the development of safety awareness in the workplace and has the potential to reduce the frequency and severity of workplace accidents. Training may include Back Injury Prevention, Kitchen Safety, Maintenance Safety, Custodial Safety, Hazard Communication, Fire Safety, Blood Borne Pathogens, and many others. If you have a particular need that requires assistance, chances are the G.E.W.C.T. Loss Control Department can assist you.