Zenith insured a video-editing firm that was classified by the California Rating Authority as "Motion Picture Editing-Development of Negatives." While the firm used computers to edit scenes in motion pictures, it did not process or develop film in any way. Because it did not use chemicals, it posed less risk to workers than its classification would imply.

After our premium auditors met with our insured's management, we helped them appeal their classification to the California Rating Authority. We argued that their business more closely resembled data entry operations, not the development of film negatives.

Zenith's knowledge of the workers' compensation rating system persuaded the California Rating Authority to reclassify our client's business to a rate that was 39% lower!

But we didn't stop there. Our Zenith team helped establish a new statewide classification, "Video Post Production," which applies to businesses solely engaged in video editing. This rate is 64% lower than "Motion Picture Editing-Development of Negatives." More than 276 companies throughout California now qualify for this Post Production category. These firms cumulatively are saving approximately $5.7 million in premium a year thanks to Zenith's spearheading the change to a new classification.