A recent survey by Employers Holdings Inc. found a whopping 96 percent of workers' compensation insurance decisions are made by restaurant owners themselves, and nearly three-quarters of owners use price as the main determinant in their decision.

Nearly half of all respondents reported having at least one expensive claim in the last five years, but none reported switching carriers for more effective loss control and safety program support.

"Price can logically serve as a deciding factor in many restaurant purchases, but when it comes to workers' compensation insurance, a carrier's claims management, financial strength, safety and loss control expertise can bring added value," noted Martin Welch, president and COO of EHI subsidiaries Employers Compensation Insurance Company and Employers Insurance Company of Nevada.