Missouri businesses are experiencing declining rates for Workers Comp

In 2020, Missouri Workers Comp Rates will be declining for the 6th consecutive year

Earlier in December of 2019, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance recommended a 1.6 percent decrease for workers compensation loss costs next year. If approved, this decrease marks the sixth consecutive year of declines for Missouri Workers Comp Rates in 2020.

Gateway Arch, Kiener Plaza, Saint Louis, Missouri

The reason for the decrease in premium for 2020 is because of declining lost-time claim frequencies and increasing average medical claim costs. In a statement from Chlora Lindley-Myers, Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance, “Missouri’s lost-time claim frequency continues to decrease due to safety improvements in the workplace, but average medical claim costs have increased every year since 2014,”

Saint Louis Cardinals, Major League Baseball, Baseball, Busch Stadium

When Missouri Workers Comp Rates decline it is a boom to the economy throughout the state. Not all businesses nor all industries will experience positive rate declines. Depending upon the businesses experience modification rating, the classification code of the business, and the annual revenue of the business; some businesses may experience more or less of a decline in workers comp premium. The NCCI’s proposed average changes in loss costs by industry group are:

Manufacturing: -0.7%
Contracting: -1.7%
Office and Clerical: -1.6%
Goods and Services: -1.9%
Miscellaneous: -1.8%

Kansas City, Union Station, Skyline

Moderate Decline in store for Washington in 2020

Washington Workers Compensation Rates will be declining by a modest 0.8%

As of the first of January 2020, Workers Compensation Rates for the business community in the state of Washington will be staying relatively stable. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced a moderate decline of 0.8% in 2020. While the decline this year is modest, it is the third consecutive year of declining Washington Workers Comp Rates 2020. The previous two years included a 5 percent cut in 2019 and a 2.5 percent cut in 2018. Before these declines, rates for Workers Compensation in Washington were the 16th most expensive rates in the country.

According to L&I Director Joel Sacks, “Our workers’ compensation system is in good shape. Every year we help tens of thousands of people recover from on-the-job injuries and go back to work. Our programs to help injured workers are making a real difference, and workplace injury rates in Washington are declining. That’s great for workers and their families and is helping us keep costs down.” Because of the high cost to purchase workers compensation coverage, any movement in a positive direction is welcomed by the small business community.

The Workers Compensation System in the stte of Washington is unique. First and foremost, it is unique because it is what is referred to within the insurance industry as a monopolistic state. North Dakota, Ohio, and Wyoming are also monopolistic states. The term monopolistic comes from the fact the state requires employers to purchase coverage from a government-operated insurance fund. This is especially important for businesses that operate across state lines. Workers compensation is governed by the state governments, not at the federal level. Most states have reciprocity rules in place to deal with issues involving multiple states. Monopolistic states require any business operating in any capacity to purchase some form of coverage within the state. Usually a stop-gap insurance product can meet the reqirements for coverage needs that aren’t covered by the funds in each state they operate in.

New Jersey Workers Compensation 2020

The Workers Comp System in New Jersey will experience changes in 2020

Previously in 2019, the State Senate in New Jersey approved a series of adjustments to the supplemental benefits for some types of injured workers. These are workers receiving compaensation within the workers compensation system. As a result of these changes, insurance carriers anticipate increased costs to cover injured workers throughout the state. Because of these changes, New Jersey Workers Comp Rates in 2020 may be the same or more compared to previous years.

In September of 2019, The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance requested a 3.8% decrease in overall premium effective January 1, 2020. At the moment, this is just a recommendation. If approved, this work mark the 4th consecutive year of declining rates within the state of New Jersey. The recommended decarease is based upon several years of declining claims throughout the state and an annual review of classification relativity. This is good news, because since 1997 the amount paid out for Temporary Disability and Total Disability has nearly doubled ($496 max /$132 min in ’97 and $945 max/$252 min in 2020). Experiencing a few ears of better claims frequency is certainly good news compared to these increases over the past two decades.

This is good news, but business owners should plan for an increase in the years ahead. Increases or moderate declines may be coming because at the current time, the amount paid out for Total Permanent Disability (70% of wages) is now at a maximum rate of $945.00 and a minimum rate of $35.00 per week. The amount paid for Temporary Disability (70% of wages) is now set at a maximum rate of $945.00 per week and a minimum rate of $252.00 per week. The maximum duration a person can be on temporary disability is currently at 400 weeks. Death benefits are again at 70% of wages with a maximum rate of $945.00 and a 450 weeks plus the spouse’s statutory benefits. An allowance for funeral is now capped at $3,500.00.

California Workers Comp Rates 2020 are Declining 5.7%

Marking 5 Consecutive Years of Continuing Declines

California Workers Comp Rates 2020 are going to cost the business community less. This is because in August of 2019, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) voted to lower Workers Comp Pure Premium Rates by an average of 5.7% below the rates of 2019. In 2019 Rates were down 23.5 percent compared to what businesses paid in 2018. This year marks the fifth year of declines and the ninth consecutive biannual decrease dating all the way back to 2015. These decreases mark a total decline of approximately 44 percent.

What is contributing to Declining California Workers Compensation Rates in 2020?

As of Jan. 1, 2020 advisory pure premium rates are $1.58 per $100 of payroll. This represents a significant decline of 5.7% compared to California Workers Comp Rates 2019. These declines are continuing because of continued downward loss development, claim settlements accelerating, declining pharmaceutical costs, as well as a decline in the number of filed liens. When this many factors are improving, insurance carriers are able to pass some of those savings on to the businesses purchasing coverage.

What is limiting the declines from being larger?

California still suffers from the most expensive workers comp rates in the entire country. There are numerous reasons rates remain high despite multiple years of declining premium. In the filing, the WCIRB also noted that factors such as increases in cumulative trauma claims, rising claim severities and continued high levels of allocated loss adjustment expenses are moderating the pure premium rate declines and warrant continued monitoring.

Information about Inclusions and Exclusions for California Workers Comp

In the state of California, all employers are required to purchase workers comp regardless of the number of employees. Sole Proprietors are not automatically included for coverage and are not required to carry coverage on themselves. SOle Proprietors are allowed to be included if they so choose by using the Acord 130 application. Partners are automatically included for coverage and are not allowed to be exempt. Corporate Officers, who are the sole shareholder, are excluded from coverage. LLC Members who work within the business are included for coverage unless the elect to be covered using the Acord 130 form.

Payroll Requirements for California Business Owners in 2020

The Payroll Requirements for Sole Proprietors who decide to include themselves for coverage is a minimum payroll amount of $52,000 and a maximum of $133,900 for rating purposes (As of 01/01/2019). Partners, Officers and LLC Members who are included for coverage must utilize a minimum payroll of $52,000 and a maximum of $133,900 for the purpose of rating workers comp premium (As of 01/01/2018).

8.1% Decrease for Nevada Workers Compensation Rates 2019

Nevada Workers Compensation Rates 2019 are Some of the Lowest in the Country

Effective March 1, Nevada Workers Compensation Rates in 2019 will be declining by 8.1%. According to the Oregon Premium Rate Ranking Study Nevada was the 46th most expensive state in the country to buy Workers’ Comp Insurance. The cost for coverage in Nevada is 71% of the national median. Each individual class code will see varying amounts of savings depending upon class code and experience modification rating. The range of changes in premium are between -29% and +15%. A sizable majority of classifications would receive decreases, often substantial decreases, as a result of this filing. A few still will see an increase in what they pay.

Las Vegas, Nevada

How is the Nevada Workers Compensation System Unique?

In the state of Nevada all businesses, must be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. Nevada operates under what is referred to as a no-fault system. A no fault system protects employees by providing medical and disability benefits along with some lost wages. The system also protects employers by limiting liability in the event of a workplace injury.

In the past Nevada was a monopolistic state. Being a monopolistic state means the employer must obtain workers compensation insurance from a compulsory state fund or qualify as a self-insurer. This means all businesses that operate within the state must purchase coverage from one provider. There is no open market for coverage. To be self insured, the business must meet certain financial criteria to qualify.

Currently, Nevada is an NCCI state. This means the state pool for high risk businesses that have been denied coverage on the open market is administered by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). Typically states who partner with NCCI enjoy more favorable rates on workers comp coverage.

Sandstone, Nevada Desert

Why are Nevada Workers Compensation Rates Declining?

Nevada Workers Compensation Rates are declining significantly in 2019. This is because of a number of reasons. The payroll cap is one factor, most other states do not implement that somewhat contribute to lower rates on premium in Nevada. What a payroll cap means is that most states require the full payroll of all covered employees to be factored in the insurance premium. The rate is multiplied by each $100 in payroll. After this additional debits or credits are applied. Nevada only requires the first $36,000 of payroll for each covered employee, which reduces insurance premiums for businesses with employees who have higher salaries.

Also contributing to lower workers comp rates, is declining claims frequency. This is a trend that is happening throughout the country. Most people credit improvements in automation and workplace safety for the decline in claims frequency.

Purchasing Nevada Workers Compensation Insurance is very complex. It requires the help of a trusted advisor. More often then not the most trusted advisor is an independent insurance agent. In order to make sure your business is purchasing the right policy is to seek help from a Independent Insurance Agent. An independent agent can help you get quotes from multiple insurance companies so you can be sure you get the most comprehensive coverage at rock bottom rates.

Alaska Workers Compensation Rates in 2019 are going down!

The Largest Decrease for Workers Comp Insurance Premium in 40 years for Alaska Business Owners

In 2019, Alaska Workers Compensation Insurance Rates are expected to fall the most they have in 40 years. The governor office announced this past October that workers’ compensation insurance premiums should decrease by an average of 17.5 percent statewide starting the first of January. This decrease follows a 5.4 percent decrease in 2017 and workers’ compensation premiums are down roughly 25 percent since 2015. These reductions amount to an estimated $35 million in savings for the Alaska Business Community. According to Alaska Governor Bill Walker, “These proposed rate reductions are welcome news for Alaska businesses — lower workers’ compensation costs reduce the burden on the small businesses that strengthen our economy,” Walker said in a formal statement. “Thank you to the Alaska state Legislature and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development for their work on payment reform, contributing to significant rate reductions for 2019.”

Mount McKinley, Denali National Park, Alaska

What Caused Alaska Workers Compensation Insurance Rates to Decline?

There were a number of factors that contributed to the large decline in Alaska Workers Compensation Insurance Rates. Claim frequency and favorable medical costs continued to decline in 2018 which were two of the major factors contributing to declining rates. The claims frequency means that across the board there were less claims filed in 2018 compared to previous years. This is a favorable measurement for insurance carriers because this decreases the costs related to paying out insurance claims and processing those claims. Declining medical costs is largely because of streamlined processes throughout the medical facilities operating within the workers compensation system.

There was also legislation passed in 2018 that will contribute to lower rates in 2019 and for the foreseeable future. The legislation was House Bill 79 (HB79). the legislation clarified who is classified as an independent contractor and who needs to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance. This bill made it easier to obtain exemptions, to acquire reporting data, and to make payments.

Alaskan Cruise Ship

What can Business Owners do to Maximize Alaska Workers Compensation Insurance Rates?

There are many ways a business owner can save, in addition to the savings the Alaska Business Community is receiving from workers compensation premiums declining. Here are 5 things a business owner can act upon to maximize savings on Alaska Workers Compensation Insurance.

Make sure your Business is Classified Properly
Implement a Safety Program
Incorporate a Return-to-Work Program in the Safety Program
Consider Pay-as-You-Go Workers Compensation
Partner with an Independent Insurance Agent

Proper Classification Codes

In any given year, there are more than 700 different classification codes for businesses and employees to use when it comes to workers compensation insurance. Making sure your business is classified correct is a step that can save a lot of headaches during a mid term or end of term audit. Proper classification can prevent your business from over or under paying premium throughout the year. If you under pay throughout the year, it can cause your business to owe additional premium at the end of the term. Even if your business over pays through out the year and gets a credit on their policy, it means your business has had unnecessary cash flow tied up in workers comp premium payments. This is money that could be used on other necessary business needs.

Well-Documented Safety Program

A safety program can help a small business lower what they pay for commercial insurance by decreasing the frequency and severity of workers compensation insurance claims. The safety program does not have to be exhaustive. It can be as small as part of the new staff training program and a few 15 minute huddles each week. It is important to have these meetings documented. Your insurance agent can use this documentation to get you an additional discount when purchasing coverage. The documentation can also be used when a business experiences a year in which there are several claims or one large claim. Usually when this occurs your can expect your insurance premium to rise. If you have a documented safety program, your independent insurance agent can use it to show the claims are more of an outlier and not a sign of more claims to come.

A Return-to-Work Program

A return to work program is a great way to show your employees you care about them and help them get back to their daily routine quicker. When executed properly, a return to work program can help get your injured workers back on the job, even in a limited capacity, and back a part of their regular work routine. This is the best way to keep insurance claims under control and help keep your experience modification rating low.

Pay-as-You-Go Option

Some businesses may benefit from Pay as You Go Workers Compensation. Most traditional workers comp policies require 25 to 33 percent of the entire premium up front just to get coverage in place. With the Pay as You Go Option, most businesses can get coverage in place for as little as a few hundred dollars. This allows cash strapped businesses to get coverage in place, but use their needed cash flow for other more urgent business needs.

Partner with an Independent Agent

An independent agent is always the best way to find the most comprehensive insurance coverage at the lowest rate possible. Especially if the independent agent has several years of experience and relationships with multiple insurance carriers. They can use this knowledge and these relationships, to know which carriers are actively looking to quote your industry and and force carriers to compete for your business.

Oregon Workers Comp Rates are Declining in 2019

A 9.7 % Decrease Marks 6 Consecutive Years of Declining Oregon Workers Compensation Rates

Workers Compensation Rates for the business community within the state of Oregon are declining by an average of 9.7 percent in 2019. The rates went in to effect the first of January and they mark the 6th consecutive year that workers comp rates have declined for Oregon Business Owners. Over this six year period Oregon Workers Compensation Rates have declined by 40 percent from 2013 to 2019. The average pure premium rate will be $1.12 per $100 of payroll for workers compensation coverage. In 2018 this rate was $1.28 per $100 in payroll. Comparatively, the cheapest state for coverage is in Texas at $0.75 and the most expensive state in Alaska at $2.74. As of 2018, the last year rankings were made, the state of Oregon was the 45th least expensive state to purchase coverage. Utah, West Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, and North Dakota are the only states that have cheaper rates than the state of Oregon.

Portland, Oregon

Why are Oregon Workers Compensation Rates declining in 2019

There are several contributing factors to declining workers comp rates for Oregon Businesses. Lower medical care costs and less severe claims in recent years are two of the strongest contributing factors. Cameron Smith, Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) Director, “Everyone from employers and workers to insurers and government has played a role in making workplaces safer and keeping business costs low. As the numbers show, Oregon’s comprehensive approach continues to pay off.”

There are additional measures that are contributing to positive rates in recent years. The Workers Compensation Division for the state of Oregon have increased several efforts that include enforcing employers to carry insurance, keeping medical costs under control, and helping injured workers return to work sooner. Additionally, in Oregon the state government has recently put a focus on preventing on-the-job injuries by enforcing workplace safety and health rules, as well as advising employers about how to improve worker safety and health. Governor Kate Brown stated, “Oregon continues to demonstrate that it’s possible to maintain low employer costs while providing strong support to workers. We must remain committed to working together to balance employer rates and worker benefits, and to help injured workers heal and return to work quickly.”

Oregon Business Owners enjoy a strong workers compensation system that provides the state with favorable rates on premium, but business leaders should still look to maximize savings. Partnering with an independent insurance agent is always the best way to get comprehensive coverage at rock-bottom rates.

Louisiana Workers Compensation Insurance Rates are Declining in 2019

Louisiana Workers Compensation Rates have declined over the past decade and the declines are continuing in 2019

Louisiana Workers Compensation Insurance Rates are declining in 2019 by an average of 5.6 percent. According to Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, “Rates have had a cumulative drop of 19 percent over the last five years and 51 percent over the last 20 years.” This has had a dramatically positive impact on the business community throughout the state of Nevada over a time when the state has needed all the help it can get.

Oak Alley Plantation in rural Louisiana

What is Contributing to Declining Louisiana Workers Compensation

Louisiana Workers Compensation Rates 2019 are declining again. There are a number of reasons for the declining rates. At the top of the list of reasons for declining rates is competition in the market place, improved workplace safety, and better risk management practices being used throughout the business community. According the the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Louisiana has one of the lowest non-fatal work-related injury rates in the United States. Speaking about the reasons for the decline in premium Donelon said “Louisiana businesses are benefiting from the competition in the workers’ compensation market. Through improved workplace safety and better risk management practices, rates have continued their downward trajectory and are more affordable for businesses statewide”.

French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana

Additional Savings Tips for Louisiana Businesses

When it comes to maximizing savings on Louisiana Workers Compensation Rates, there are a number of factors that contribute to what a business pays for workers comp premium. Being mindful of your operations and taking some time to make safety a priority can have a lasting effect when it comes to your business and the relationship with an insurance carrier. Here are three tips for saving the next time you purchase commercial insurance.

Focus on Safety

Safety, first and foremost, is the most important thing any business can emphasize in their operations. This is because focusing on safety is the right thing to do on a human level as well as on a business level. Your business cannot operate without employees. Keeping employees healthy and happy should be priority number one for any business owner. Not only are healthy employees happy, but they are more productive and commit less accidents. Less accidents means less damage to the businesses equipment and less missed time due to injured workers. This can have a long-lasting impact on what your business pays for commercial insurance and it does not have to take an exhaustive amount of time.

Create an Ergonomic Friendly Workspace

Some of the biggest workers compensation claims stem from repetitive motion injuries. Problems like carpal tunnel can be very debilitating for your employees. When an employee suffers from a repetitive motion injury it can take an enormous amount of time to recover. Luckily man of these injuries are preventable. Working with your employees to create an ergonomically friendly work space can help prevent much bigger problems down the road. Creating an ergonomically friendly workplace is not easy and there is not a cookie cutter formula for how to make it happen. What will benefit one employee will not be ideal for another employee. Having open doors for communication and talking about ergonomics, safety, and comfort can help you start this conversation with your staff.

Understand your Experience Mod

The full term for experience mod is the experience modification rating. This rating is what a carrier uses to determine if they are going to offer a business insurance and what to charge each business for coverage. By speaking with your insurance agent about this rating, a business owner can get an idea of what they have the ability to control that will have a positive impact on this rating. The main thing a business can do to keep this rating low is to limit the frequency and severity of insurance claims processed by your business. This does not mean you should keep everything secret from your insurance agent, but it does mean you should do everything possible to limit claims from happening. Operating a safe organization and limiting the frequency and severity of claims is the best way to keep this rating low.

Kentucky Workers Compensation Rates are Declining by 10.8 % in 2019

The Business Community in Kentucky Will be benefiting from improved Workers Compensation Rates in 2019

In Kentucky, the business community will pay significantly less for Workers Compensation Premium next year. The rates will actually be 10.8 percent less in 2019. The decline in premium will apply predominantly to the industries of manufacturing, office, clerical, and contracting. These means some industries will see less of a decrease and some industries may see no decline at all. No matter what industry a business operates in, the business community overall will benefit from better Kentucky Workers Compensation Rates 2019.

Kentucky Bluegrass on a Horse Farm.

Why are Kentucky Workers Compensation Rates Declining in 2019

There are a number of reasons why Kentucky Workers Compensation Rates in 2019 will be declining by more than 10 percent. Some reasons contributing to the decline in premium throughout Kentucky is stability in written premium, lower combined ratios throughout the state, and lower loss-time claim frequency. This means the number of businesses buying workers comp coverage is the same or increasing compared to the previous years. The experience modification ratings of the businesses operating in the state are lower. This low rating comes from businesses operating safely and filing less claims. The lower loss-time claim frequency means workers who have been injured have been able to get back on the job fairly quickly, lowering the amount the workers compensation system has had to pay out for claims.

Additionally, the strongest factor contributing to declining workers comp premium rates is House Bill 2. According to the Department of Insurance Commissioner Nancy Atkin, “much of the decrease in costs to the passage of House Bill 2, which made significant reforms to the workers’ compensation system for the first time in over twenty years”. Many of the statutes in the previous workers compensation system were ruled unconstitutional by the state supreme court. These rulings brought about instability throughout the workers compensation market in the state. House Bill 2 stabilized that market.

Bourbon Barrels holding Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Workers Compensation System Over Haul

House Bill 2 passed in 2018. This was the first attempt to make significant changes to the workers compensation system in the state of Kentucky in more than 20 years. Jeffrey Junkas, assistant vice president, state government relations for PCI said, “House Bill 2 is designed to help contain underlying costs and improve the state’s workers compensation system. HB 2 makes changes impacting medical expenses and benefits. It also takes steps to address the opioid crisis with an evidence-based pharmaceutical formulary and medical treatment guidelines to ensure timely delivery of appropriate medical care to injured workers.”

In addition, the bill increases the maximum compensation rates for employee temporary total disability, permanent total disability, and permanent partial disability benefits. It improves access to vocational rehabilitation services, and makes improvements in the dispute resolution system. These changes will improve efficiency of the system and provide better services to both businesses and injured workers.

One big difference to the system that was brought on during the overhaul in 2018 was a 15-year benefit cap from the date of injury. This cap would apply only to workers who meet certain conditions and are filing claims for permanent, partial disability because of on-the-job injuries. Many of these workers eventually return to the labor force and do not collect the full 15 years worth of benefits. Currently, they are entitled to medical benefits for the duration of the disability. This could be for the rest of their life in some situations. House Bill 2 does allow injured workers who meet these conditions to file for recertification. If they are approved the new system would allow them to continue receiving medical benefits.

Kentucky Fried Chicken

What Can Kentucky Business Owners do to Maximize Savings?

Depending upon the class code and the experience modification rating of an individual business the rating may be larger or smaller than the average decrease. There are a number of things a business can do to control what they pay for workers compensation insurance premium.

Safety Programs

Safety Programs are the single most effective way to limit what a business pays for commercial insurance. Separate from what it does for the businesses bottom-line, it is simply the right thing to do. Taking care of the health and well-being of your employees and customers should be at the heart of any businesses mission. Taking care of your staff will allow them to be more productive while also lowering the frequency and severity of insurance claims made by the business.

Light Duty Work

The best way to get employees back on the job and back to full-time work is to have light duty work prepared for those employees. Humans are creatures of habit and our work day routine is a big part of our most employees routine. The longer an injured worker stays off the job, the longer they have to create new habits away from the job. Having a plan for many types of light duty work in order to get injured workers back on the job and back in to their workday routine.

Classify Properly

In order to maximize savings when it comes to all forms of commercial insurance, it is important to first make sure all employees are classified properly. Many businesses have employees who partake in drastically different areas of the business. Some of those businesses have employees who work in office or clerical work, other employees who are salesman who spend a lot of time out at third party locations, and still other employees who work doing physical labor. All of these employees need to be placed in the proper classification code and their payroll needs to be strictly measured.

Shop Around Your Policy

In order to maximize savings, it is important to shop around your policy periodically. It is not a good idea to switch carriers each year based upon a small decline in premium. Long term relationships still do mean something when you have to file a claim. At the same time, it is important to make sure your carrier is competitive with the market.

Use an Independent Agent

Shopping around your insurance policy can be a time consuming endeavor. If your time is valuable, partnering with an independent insurance agent can be a way to get multiple quotes from multiple carriers all in one place. Partnering with an independent agent can allow you to get back to running your business while the insurance agent shops your policy so you don’t have to. This can maximize savings while getting your business more comprehensive coverage.

Connecticut Workers Compensation Rates are Going Down in 2019

17% Decrease for Workers Comp Rates in Connecticut

Connecticut Workers Compensation Rates will be declining in 2019 by an average rate of 17 percent. Marking the fifth straight year rates have declined throughout the state of Connecticut. Over the past five years rates have declined by an average of 3, 4, 11, and 14 percent. Altogether, these decreases amount to the Connecticut Business Community paying 50 percent less than five years ago. According to Katharine L. Wade, the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner, “This steady drop – nearly 50 percent over the last five years – has helped business owners with one of their critical operating costs – workers’ compensation insurance.”

Rustic Barn in the Scenic Connecticut Countryside

What Contributed to Declining Connecticut Workers Comp Rates

A number of factors have contributed to the significant decline in Workers Comp Rates. In relation to the reasons for the decline Wade said, “The rates reflect an ongoing decrease in the number of workplace injuries and claims filed. We are also seeing, on average, lower medical costs per claim.” The decrease in workplace injuries is predominantly related to business owners throughout the state of Connecticut paying more attention to workplace safety. The state is also seeing lower medical costs per claim.

Additionally, a consistent decline in claim frequency since 2010 and per case indemnity costs continue a slow but consistent decline, from $31,611 in 2013 to $29,193 in 2016. An indemnity claim protects an employee against damages. The Workers Comp Policy offers medical coverage, lost-wage replacement, permanent disability benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and even death benefits for family members. Within the insurance industry, professionals categorize claims into two classes: indemnity and medical-only. An indemnity claim occurs when an employee becomes injured on the job and cannot return to work until the injury heals or the injury becomes permanent. A medical-only claim applies when the employee immediately returns to work after the injury.

USB Building in Stamford, Connecticut

What is Unique about the Workers Compensation System in Connecticut?

Connecticut was one of the first states to enact Workers Compensation Legislation in 1913 with the Workers’ Compensation Act (also known as Chapter 568 of the Connecticut General Statutes). The primary purpose of the Act has always been to provide wage replacement and medical treatment for employees who have been injured, disabled, or killed while on the job. While the state of Connecticut was an early adopter of the workers compensation system, this was a time period when many states began to adopt some form of workers compensation system throughout the first few decades of the twentieth century. With the onset of the industrial revolution, states realized that there was a need for a strong workforce. One way states went about guaranteeing there would always be a strong and healthy workforce in their state was to develop some form of a workers compensation system. Just five years ago in 2013, the state of Connecticut celebrated 100 years of such a system.

The basic structure of the original law still survives despite four major revisions and numerous smaller modifications. Connecticut is a No Fault State meaning the workers compensaiton system provides benefits to employees no matter who was at fault for the injury or illness. Within the state of Connecticut injured employees are provided medical treatment, wage replacement, vocational rehabilitation, jon retraining, dependents death benefits, and relapse benefits.

Picture of the state map of Connecticut with the word Connecticut written in cursive.

What can Business do to Maximize Declines in Connecticut Workers Compensation Rates?

Implement a Safety Program

A Safety Program is the single most effective way to limit the frequency and severity of insurance claims within a business. Limiting claims can have a long term positive impact to your business when it comes to purchasing commercial insurance. This is because it will have a positive impact on the businesses experience modification rating, which is one of the most impactful measurements underwriters use when they decide if they are going to offer your business coverage and how much to charge for that coverage.

Include a Return to Work Program

Incorporating a return to work program into your safety program is a great way to positively impact your experience modification rating for years to come. This is because the quicker an injured employee returns to work, the more likely they are to return to permanent work. This is how a business can limit the damage to the business when it does experience an injured worker.

Shop Around Your Policy

Shopping around your policy is something you should do periodically. If not every year, at least every few years in order to make sure your current insurance carrier is competitive with the current market. It is not a wise decision to switch each year based upon a modest decrease in premium, but it is wise to keep your rate competitive.

Partner with an Independent Agent

One of the best ways to shop around your insurance policies is to partner with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent can shop around your policy for you and they have the inside knowledge to know which carriers are hungry to quote your industry or the coverages you are looking for. This can save you time and money when purchasing commercial insurance.