For members of the Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation, the Owner Direct Insurance Program presents a unique opportunity to save money on capital projects.

County Mutual’s ODIP has once again paid off, with Waushara County recently receiving a dividend check for nearly $200,000 for the construction of its new government center and highway shop.

“The ODIP is a cost-saving insurance product that allows County Mutual member counties to take control of their workers’ compensation insurance needs on building projects such as jails, law enforcement centers, and courthouses,” said Vance Forrest, vice president of risk management for Charles Taylor, which administers County Mutual. “Our team conducts the program administration, regular safety visits, and on-site training.”

At a Waushara County Board meeting in March, Forrest presented the dividend check and explained that Wisconsin County Mutual’s policyholders are its owners. He noted that the company was pleased to provide workers’ compensation insurance to the Samuels Group, which worked as a contractor on both projects. 

Under the leadership of Samuels Group vice president Kurt Berner, assistant project manager Brian Winter, and senior project manager Tim Nordlund, only two minor workers’ compensation claims were filed during the Waushara County projects. As a result, the county was awarded a significant dividend.

“Workers’ compensation insurance for trades and contractors can have a high cost. But well-managed projects, like the Waushara County ones, can recover up to half of the premium as a dividend by participating in the ODIP,” said Forrest. “Alongside the Samuels Group, we were able to execute our safety plan, and a lot of people went home safe and sound.”

Photo (left to right): Brian Winter, Samuels Group assistant project manager; Vance Forrest, vice president of risk management for Charles Taylor and administrator for Wisconsin County Mutual; John Jarvis, Waushara County board chair and a member of the Wisconsin County Mutual Board of Directors; Kurt Berner, Samuels Group vice president; and Tim Nordlund, Samuels Group senior project manager.