California Workers’ Compensation Premium Assessment Changes (Part 2)

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Last week, TSIB discussed California’s Workers’ Compensation Premium Assessments, specifically what they are and where to find them in your insurance policy. This week, we will share how the rates will affect your company.

How are the assessments collected?

Insurance carriers are required to collect the CA assessments from the policyholder during each policy term. They collect the Assessable Premium, which is the total premium amount the insured is charged after all rating adjustments. Rating adjustments would be:

• Experience modification rating (EMR)
• Schedule rating
• Premium discounts
• Expense constants, etc.

The excluded adjustments who be:

• Deducible Plans
• Retrospective ratings
• Return of the policyholder dividends

2018 Rate Variances

Below are the comparison charts between 2017 and 2018. The charts show the estimated annual assessable premiums per year with the variance (rate difference) between the years. 

This chart show the rates for Insured Employers:

This chart shows the rates for Self-Insured Employers:

What do these fund support?

WCARF - Workers’ Compensation Administration Revolving Fund adds funding to the administration of the workers compensation system which includes the return to work program, and employers’ workers’ compensation coverage compliance enforcement. Additional funding comes from fines, fees, and penalties. California Labor Code Section 62.5

OSHF - Occupational Safety and Health Fund provides funding to state safety and health agencies, to implement and enforcement of current occupational health and safety laws, and promoting safe and healthful working conditions. California Labor Code Section 62.5

WCFA - Workers’ Compensation Fraud Assessment funds investigating and prosecuting worker’s compensation fraud. California Labor Code Section 62.6

UEBTF - Uninsured Employers Benefits Trust Fund pays benefits to employees injured while working for illegally uninsured employers. California Labor Code Section 62.5

SIBTF – Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund pays for workers who have suffered serious injury and who are suffering from permanent disabilities or physical impairments that were present before the injury. California Labor Code Section 62.5

LECF - Labor Enforcement and Compliance Fund. ABX4-12 (2009) founded the LECF which enforces Employer Compliance with labor standards and secures worker compensation insurance by funding the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE). California Labor Code Section 62.5

CIGA - California Insurance Guarantee Association. Created in 1969, CIGA settles unpaid claims of insolvent insurers that are licensed to do business in California. CIGA consists of three separate funds that guarantee different lines of insurance: workers’ compensation; personal lines (auto, homeowners, personal liability); and other (commercial property, liability, products liability, supplemental and pollution). CIGA is not an insurance company. CIGA was created to provide only a limited form of protection in the event of insurer insolvency. California Insurance Code Section1063.5

It is easy to see that California Employers will be spending more money this year on WC expenses. Insured employers will be paying CA Assessments at a rate of nearly 4% above the assessable premium. That is 28% overall increase for assessments over 2017, while Self-Insured employers are experiencing a 17% increase!

For additional questions regarding the CA Assessments on your workers compensation policy, we encourage you to discuss these items with your Insurance Broker or to contact the California Department of Industrial Relations - Division of Workers’ Compensation at DWC@dir.ca.gov or 1-844-522-6734.

If you would like to contact TSIB directly regarding your WC policy CA Assessments, please call Nick Langer at 661-645-4974.