What Is a Comp Only Workers' Comp Program? A Broker's Guide

Meta description: Learn what a comp only workers’ comp program is, when it may fit a client, and what brokers should clarify before submitting an account.

When a client needs workers’ compensation but does not want to change its payroll or HR setup, a bundled solution may not fit. A comp only workers’ comp program can offer another path: coverage without requiring the client to take on bundled payroll or HR services. Here’s what the term means, what to assess, and how a wholesale partner can help you explore an option.

What “comp only” means

“Comp only” is shorthand for a workers’ compensation arrangement that does not require the client to bundle payroll or HR services with its coverage. The client can keep its existing business operations and consider workers’ compensation separately.

The phrase describes the service arrangement, not a universal policy form or a guarantee that every account can be placed. Program structures and eligibility can vary. Eligibility and terms are determined at submission. Rules also vary by state, so confirm any state-specific questions with the carrier or counsel.

Broker Solutions uses the term BSO Comp Only for its standalone workers’ compensation programs. For a retail broker, the useful distinction is straightforward: the client can explore workers’ compensation without being required to adopt a bundled payroll or HR arrangement. That may be worth considering when a client wants to keep its existing workforce setup or is evaluating a change to its current arrangement.

When a standalone option may be worth exploring

A comp only option may be relevant when your client wants to separate its workers’ compensation decision from other workforce services. For example, the client may want to maintain its existing payroll provider, or it may be assessing whether a bundled arrangement remains a good operational fit.

It can also be useful to consider when you are working on a difficult account and want to explore more than one kind of market structure. Broker Solutions lists BSO Comp Only programs alongside other options, including self-insured groups, captives, and PEO partnerships. The right structure depends on the client’s needs, the account details, and the terms available at submission, not simply on the label attached to a program.

The goal is not to assume that “comp only” is automatically the right answer. It is to recognize it as a possible route and compare it with the client’s current setup and other available options.

What to clarify before you submit

Before recommending any program, establish what the client needs and what the arrangement actually includes. A focused conversation can help you determine whether a standalone option is relevant and what information to gather.

Consider asking:

• Does the client want workers’ compensation without bundled payroll or HR services?
• Is the client looking to retain its current payroll or HR arrangement?
• What operations, locations, states, and employee roles should the submission reflect?
• What current coverage and loss information is available for review?
• What questions does the client have about the program’s structure and terms?

These are starting points, not a substitute for a complete submission. A clear account picture helps your wholesale partner assess the opportunity and identify what else may be needed. Avoid treating the program name as a description of every policy term or service. Confirm the details for the specific submission.

How a wholesale partner can help

A managing general agent, or MGA, is an insurance intermediary that may perform certain functions for an insurer. Its authority and responsibilities depend on the applicable rules and agreements. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Managing General Agents Act provides a model framework; state requirements vary.

For a retail broker, working with a wholesale partner can provide access to programs and help with the submission process for accounts that need a different market approach. Broker Solutions describes its role as working with retail agencies on complex workers’ compensation accounts and offering access to BSO Comp Only programs, among other structures. The company works exclusively with retail brokers across all 50 states.

That partnership does not replace your role with the client. You remain the broker managing the client relationship. Your wholesale partner can help you explore a suitable market option, clarify what information is needed, and discuss the program’s terms once the account is submitted.

Where we fit

Broker Solutions is a national workers’ compensation MGA based in Newport Beach, California, working exclusively with retail brokers. We hold one of a limited number of authorized distribution points for the DHR (DecisionHR) AIG BSO Comp Only program. Eligibility and terms are determined at submission. Learn more about our services and company.

Start with the account, not the label

“Comp only” is a useful way to describe workers’ compensation without a required payroll or HR bundle. It is not a promise of eligibility or a substitute for reviewing the terms of a specific submission. Start with the client’s needs, confirm the structure, and decide whether it belongs in your market review.

To discuss an account or send a submission, contact Broker Solutions at submissions@brokersolutions.net, call (949) 395-0511, or visit brokersolutions.net. Transparent. Equitable. Accountable.

Sources

• Broker Solutions, Our Services
• Broker Solutions, About Us
• Broker Solutions, Submissions
• National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Managing General Agents Act
• AM Best: Credit rating action for American International Group and core property/casualty subsidiaries

Facts to verify

• Confirm the current AIG AM Best rating and the specific issuing entity before including a rating claim. The brief states A+, while the linked AM Best release identifies an A (Excellent) Financial Strength Rating for AIG’s core property/casualty subsidiaries.
• Confirm the current description of the DHR (DecisionHR) AIG BSO Comp Only program and Broker Solutions’ authorized distribution status before publication.
• Confirm the current contact details and submission process.