Free Safety Tools
EMOD Savings Estimator: What a Lower Experience Mod Is Worth
Published · 1 min read
Your Experience Modification Rate (EMOD, or e-mod) is one of the few safety numbers that shows up directly on your workers’ comp bill, and many general contractors check it before they look at your price. A mod of 1.00 is average. Below 1.00 you pay less than a typical contractor your size and trade; above it you pay more, and some GCs will not let you bid.
This free estimator takes your current mod and premium and shows what a different mod would mean for your annual premium.
Safirst · Free Tool
What could a lower EMOD save you?
Your Experience Modification Rate (EMOD) is one of the few safety metrics that shows up directly on your workers' comp bill — and on the bid sheet before a GC even looks at your price. Estimate the impact of moving it.
What is EMOD, quickly?
Your EMOD (also called an "e-mod" or experience modifier) compares your company's actual workers' comp claims history to what's expected for a business your size and trade. 1.00 is average. Below 1.00 means fewer/smaller claims than expected — you pay less. Above 1.00 means more — you pay more, and many general contractors won't let you bid at all above a set threshold (often 1.00 or 1.20, depending on the project and the GC's policy).
It's calculated from a trailing history of claims (typically the most recent three policy years, excluding the most current one), so it moves slowly — but every point of improvement compounds over multiple renewal cycles.
Your numbers
Found on your workers' comp policy declarations page, or ask your broker. Example shown: 1.10.
Your actual annual premium (after the current EMOD is applied) — not the class-code rate. Example shown: $180,000.
What this means
Est. manual premium
$0
Projected premium at target
$0
Estimated annual savings
$0
This doesn't show up on next month's bill. EMOD is based on a trailing 3-year claims window, so a safer year today typically starts moving your mod at your next renewal and keeps improving over 2-3 renewal cycles as older, worse years roll off.
Getting there is the hard part
A lower EMOD comes from fewer and smaller claims — which comes from consistent inspections, documented training, and fast corrective action, not a number you can negotiate directly. Safirst ONE is built to drive exactly those inputs, and Safirst Corp has been helping AZ contractors move their mod for over a decade.
Not sure where your risk actually is?
Before you can lower your EMOD, you need to know which OSHA-cited categories your jobsite is weakest on. Our Citation Risk Score tool breaks that down in under two minutes. And if an injury does happen, our Injury Response Risk Score checks how well your first 24 hours hold up.
This is a simplified, illustrative estimate for planning purposes only. Actual experience modification rates are calculated by NCCI or your state's rating bureau using class-code expected loss rates, primary/excess loss splits, and other factors this tool doesn't model. Confirm real figures with your insurance broker or carrier. Your estimate is calculated in your browser. If you ask Safirst to email it, Safirst keeps your name, email and the numbers you entered to follow up.
How the estimate works
The estimator backs your current mod out of your premium to get the premium before the mod is applied, then applies the target mod to it. Your mod is calculated from a trailing window of claims, typically three policy years excluding the most recent one, so an improvement starts to show at your next renewal and keeps building over two or three renewals as older years roll off.
This is a simplified estimate for planning. Your actual mod is calculated by NCCI or your state’s rating bureau with factors this tool does not model; confirm real figures with your insurance broker or carrier.
Lowering your mod
A mod comes down through fewer and smaller claims, which come from consistent inspections, documented training and fast corrective action. If you want a plan for your company, talk to Safirst.
