Observed Reality
Restaurant workers comp costs rise after a string of small burns or cuts.
Why That Happens
Frequency moves experience mods and underwriting tiers, even when claims are minor. Carriers price for kitchen injury patterns and turnover.
Why It Stops Working
Switching carriers can help when appetite differs, but high frequency follows you through experience data.
Tradeoffs
Higher deductibles lower premium but raise cash-flow shock. Aggressive class codes can backfire at audit.
Price Levers
- Risk signals: injury frequency, safety program documentation, turnover.
- Coverage structure: deductibles, class codes, payroll reporting.
- Market timing and carrier fit: restaurant appetite and audit posture.
Deeper context
For the extended explanation, see Kitchen Injuries: Why Frequency Beats Severity in Pricing.
Decision Rule
If injury frequency is rising, fix training and controls before shopping. If it is stable, compare deductibles and class codes.
Minnesota note: claim patterns and contractor timelines vary by county, so Twin Cities experience isn’t always a perfect proxy for outstate Minnesota.