The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Fund (MRL Fund) is a member-owned program sponsored by the Michigan Restaurant Association. The MRL Fund was created by the association to help our members by lowering the cost of workers’ compensation insurance. The MRL Fund returns all profits back to its members, which for most, is the primary reason why they insure with the Fund.

The MRL Fund just released over $1,490,750 of surplus premium back to its members. This return represents one of the largest to date. In less than six years, the MRL Fund has returned over $6.8 million. The profits returned to date represent only a portion of the total excess premium available for eventual return.

Over 560 restaurants and hospitality businesses in the state currently participate in the program. Members have dramatically reduced their overall costs of workers’ compensation insurance. How much of a reduction? For some, this latest return of profit is equal to over 45% of their annual premium.

MRL Fund members say that the cost savings from competitive rates and substantial profit returns is the main reason they participate. But there are also several other reasons why self insurance has emerged as a very stable alternative to traditional insurance. These reasons boil down to control. From safety and loss control programs specific to the industry to claims management, the MRL Fund is working to drive costs down.

In addition to this solid return, the Fund reached several milestones over the current fund year:

• Surpassed 500 fund members
• Surpassed $4,000,000 in annual premium
• Surpassed $6,000,000 in total profits