Commonwealth Contractors Group Self-Insurance Association
(CCGSIA)
In 1978, the Virginia
General Assembly formed a legislative committee to study the problem of high
Workers' Compensation premiums for employers and to determine what other
states may be doing to combat this problem.
The result of the study was legislation enacted in 1979 by the Virginia General Assembly to allow
the formation of Workers' Compensation Self-Insurance Funds. In Virginia,
these entities are referred to as Group Self-Insurance Associations (GSIA's).
The task of regulating the GSIA's was assigned to the Virginia Bureau of Insurance and not
the Industrial Commission, which handles all other Workers' Compensation
matters. After considerable work by the Bureau of Insurance, a set of
regulations was promulgated under which GSIA's would operate in Virginia. The
first Group to be licensed by the Bureau of Insurance began operations on July
1, 1980. Since then, others have been licensed in various categories of business
and tremendous interest has been created by the concept in Virginia.
Commonwealth
Contractors Group Self-Insurance Association (CCGSIA) was organized in 1981 and
licensed on May 1, 1981. Initially formed as a roofing contractor group, the
association was originally called the Virginia Association of Roofing
Contractors. From the beginning however, we accepted non-roofing contractors and
in 1985 the name was changed to Commonwealth Contractors Group Self-Insurance
Association. Today roofing contractors make up approximately 27% of our member
premium base.
CCGSIA provides workers' compensation insurance coverage to Virginia
businesses engaged in construction, erection or other related occupations. These
businesses become members of the Association and share in profits from
operations. A Members' Supervisory Board elected by the members supervises the
administration of the Association. The membership agreement contains a provision
whereby each member jointly and severally agrees to assume, pay and discharge
any liability of the Association under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act.
For this reason, each member of the Association must provide an annual financial
statement showing a positive net worth.
The by-laws of the Association provide, among other things, that the portion of each members'
premium contribution which shall not be required to pay claims, administrative
expenses and fees or to fund required or appropriated reserves may be returned
to the members of the Association from time to time but only when specifically
authorized or approved by the Members' Supervisory Board and by the Bureau of
Insurance.
The offices of CCGSIA are conveniently located in central Virginia at 100 Walton Park Lane,
Midlothian, Virginia,
23114.
Telephone: (804) 858-2000
Toll Free: (888) 321-1995
FAX: (804) 858-2001