The LRA is recognized as one of the strongest industry-specific associations in the country. This makes sense with the emphasis put on food in this part of the country. Twenty-seven years ago, the LRA formed a workers' compensation insurance program specifically for our members, the Self Insurer's Fund (LRA/SIF).

The LRA/SIF provides ONLY workers' compensation insurance; no other form of insurance is underwritten by this program. Because the LRA/SIF is a "mono-line" insurance provider, all of our emphasis and attention to detail can be given to our members' workers' comp needs. The LRA/SIF is also "homogeneous" versus "heterogeneous," which means we target industry-related businesses only. We are not interested in businesses unfamiliar to our experts. We know restaurants and hospitality-related businesses, and that's what we insure.

Our commitment to setting the industry standard for excellence continues into the 21st century. We're dedicated to providing our members with service that extends beyond the business of insurance.

The LRA/SIF is the fund that pays its members back. To date, this fund has paid our eligible members more than $81 million of unused premium in the form of dividends and safety credits and rewards. This year alone, our eligible participants received $4.6 million in dividends, representing unused premium from 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

This year's eligible dividend recipients received an average of 30 percent of what they will pay in premium in 2008.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association provides vital benefits beyond workers' comp for succeeding in the current competitive market: Your membership strengthens our impact both in the state Legislature as well as the national arena in Washington, D.C. Our professional lobbyists fight for you and your rights to operate in a profitable manner with fewer restrictions.

To view the LRA/SIF 2007 Annual Report, please click here.