RENO, Nev., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While the trend among consumers is to buy insurance via direct channels like the Internet, more than two-thirds (69 percent) of small business owners who have workers' compensation insurance say they want to purchase this type of insurance in the future through an agent, according to the Small Business Opinion Poll conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. Commissioned by EMPLOYERS®, America's small business insurance specialist®, the Small Business Poll surveyed 500 small business decision makers across the country.

"The Small Business Poll data reinforces the important role insurance agents play in helping small businesses take a strategic approach to workers' compensation, which can be a complicated and cumbersome process to manage," said Martin Welch, president and COO, EMPLOYERS. "Similar to business taxes, workers' compensation is required by law for nearly all companies, yet many don't approach it with the same attention they do their taxes. Much like CPAs, knowledgeable insurance agents are trusted advisors who provide much more than just a competitive price. They provide smart counsel and services to protect a business and lower costs."

The Small Business Poll also revealed that nearly half of small businesses with worker's comp (45 percent) are currently simplifying the process of buying and managing their workers' compensation insurance by bundling with complementary coverage and services like general liability, business insurance, health insurance or payroll. EMPLOYERS provides bundled programs with strategic partners like Automatic Data Processing (ADP) and Anthem Blue Cross of California. ADP offers a Pay-by-Pay® premium payment program for workers' compensation in partnership with EMPLOYERS, which is an integrated payroll and workers' compensation service. Anthem Blue Cross of California offers Integrated MediComp(SM) in partnership with EMPLOYERS, combining workers' compensation and healthcare coverage policies. Both integrated offerings help small businesses improve cash flow and reduce confusion associated with managing workers' compensation premium payments.

Additional small business decision maker sentiments garnered from the Small Business Opinion Poll include:

• The Internet's role in workers' compensation purchase decisions will grow from 11 percent to 17 percent in the next year, with many respondents reporting that they will turn to the Internet for information and quotes at their next renewal
• 9 percent currently bundle workers' compensation with health insurance
• 16 percent say they are interested in bundling workers' compensation with health insurance in the future
• 12 percent currently bundle workers' compensation with payroll
• 14 percent say they are interested in bundling workers' compensation with payroll in the future

EMPLOYERS recognizes the challenges small businesses face as they focus on doing what is necessary to make it through the recession. "Naturally, small business decision makers are carefully evaluating cost structures and working to enhance operational efficiencies, which is smart business no matter what the economic climate. And because most businesses are required by law to carry workers' compensation insurance, EMPLOYERS is committed to providing them with helpful information and insights into how they can ensure their businesses are protected while simultaneously minimizing costs," Welch said.

About the Small Business Opinion Poll

The survey commissioned by EMPLOYERS sampled 500 owners or managers of small businesses with 1-99 employees. Data was collected through telephone interviews during the period July 9 - 16, 2009 at the 95% confidence level. The sample is stratified across business size and industry grouping, including manufacturing/construction, transportation/ communication, wholesale/retail, financial services, or personal/professional services businesses. The survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation.

About Employers Holdings, Inc.

Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EIG) is a holding company with subsidiaries that are specialty providers of workers' compensation insurance and services focused on select small businesses engaged in low-to-medium hazard industries. The company, through its subsidiaries, operates throughout the United States. Insurance is offered by Employers Insurance Company of Nevada, Employers Compensation Insurance Company, Employers Preferred Insurance Company, and Employers Assurance Company, all rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Additional information can be found at: http://www.employers.com.

Copyright© 2009 EMPLOYERS. All rights reserved. EMPLOYERS® and America's small business insurance specialist.® are registered trademarks of Employers Insurance Company of Nevada.

SOURCE Employers Holdings, Inc.

Media,
Ty Vukelich,
Vice President,
Corporate Marketing,
+1-775-327-2677,
tvukelich@employers.com;
or
Analysts,
Vicki Erickson,
Vice President,
Investor Relations,
+1-775-327-2794,
verickson@employers.com