1. Forms
2. WC
3. WC-00-03

What the Form Code Represents

The form code WC 00 03 does not represent a single, standalone insurance form. Instead, it is a generic NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) classification prefix that identifies a series of countrywide endorsements. These endorsements are designed to amend both Part One (Workers Compensation Insurance) and Part Two (Employers Liability Insurance) of the standard Workers Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance Policy (typically, form WC 00 00 00 C). Each specific endorsement within this WC 00 03 series is further identified by two additional digits and sometimes a letter (e.g., WC 00 03 01 A, WC 00 03 13). These endorsements serve to tailor the policy to the unique needs, exposures, or contractual obligations of the insured by adding, deleting, or modifying specific coverage terms, conditions, or exclusions related to both statutory workers' compensation benefits and employers' liability.

Classes of Business It Applies To

As a broad category, WC 00 03 series endorsements can be relevant to nearly any class of business that carries Workers Compensation and Employers Liability insurance. The specific applicability of an individual WC 00 03 XX endorsement depends entirely on its distinct purpose. Real-world examples include:

• Temporary or Leased Employees: Businesses that use temporary staff or lease employees from a PEO might use the WC 00 03 01 A - Alternate Employer Endorsement to extend coverage appropriately.
• Contractual Requirements for Waiver of Subrogation: Companies that enter into contracts requiring them to waive their insurer's right to recover from a third party would need the WC 00 03 13 - Waiver of Our Right to Recover From Others Endorsement.
• Exclusion of Individuals: In states where permitted, business owners, partners, or executive officers may elect to be excluded from coverage using an endorsement like WC 00 03 08 - Partners, Officers and Others Exclusion Endorsement.
• Voluntary Coverage: Employers who wish to provide workers' compensation type benefits to employees who are not legally mandated to be covered (e.g., in states with employee number thresholds or for certain exempt employments) might use WC 00 03 11 A - Voluntary Compensation and Employers Liability Coverage Endorsement.
• Designated Workplaces: If an employer needs to exclude a specific job site from their policy, perhaps because it's covered under a wrap-up program, the WC 00 03 02 - Designated Workplaces Exclusion Endorsement could be used.

Special Considerations

When working with endorsements falling under the WC 00 03 prefix, insurance professionals should note:

• Specificity is Key: Always refer to the full endorsement number (e.g., WC 00 03 01 A) as the generic WC 00 03 prefix alone does not define the specific policy modification.
• Jurisdictional Variations: While '00' in the prefix indicates a countrywide NCCI standard form, individual states may have adopted these endorsements with modifications, have their own state-specific versions, or may not permit certain endorsements. Always verify the specific state's rules and approved forms.
• Contractual Drivers: The use of many WC 00 03 series endorsements, particularly those like the Waiver of Subrogation (WC 00 03 13) and Alternate Employer Endorsement (WC 00 03 01 A), is frequently dictated by written contractual agreements between the insured and other parties (e.g., clients, property owners).
• Monopolistic States: In monopolistic states (North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, Wyoming), where workers' compensation must be purchased from a state fund, some WC 00 03 endorsements (like WC 00 03 03 C for Employers' Liability) may still be relevant for providing employers' liability coverage not available through the state fund.

Key Information for Agents and Underwriters

• Base Policy Knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of the underlying Workers Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance Policy (WC 00 00 00 C) is fundamental, as these endorsements modify its provisions.
• Individual Endorsement Purpose: Agents must clearly understand the function of each specific WC 00 03 XX endorsement to accurately assess a client's needs, explain coverage implications, and avoid gaps or overlaps.
• Pricing and Premium Impact: Some endorsements may have a direct premium charge or credit associated with them. Others might not have a direct price but can significantly alter the insurer's exposure, which is an underwriting consideration.
• Underwriting Guidelines: Insurers maintain specific underwriting criteria for the use of these endorsements. For example, a Waiver of Our Right to Recover From Others Endorsement (WC 00 03 13) is generally only provided when a written contract mandates it. Risk assessment is critical; for instance, excluding partners or officers (WC 00 03 08) changes who is covered and who is not, impacting premium basis and potential uncovered liabilities for those individuals.
• Clarity in Scheduling: Many WC 00 03 endorsements require specific information to be detailed in their schedules (e.g., names of alternate employers, specific locations, individuals excluded). Accuracy and completeness in these schedules are vital to ensure the endorsement functions as intended.