Effective January 1, 2024, Florida employers will receive another overall workers’ compensation rate decrease – 15.1%. In late 2023, after recommendations from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), the Florida Insurance Commissioner issued a final order reducing rates in Florida. This is the seventh consecutive annual decrease in rates for Florida.
Where can you review the new 2024 rates? You can speak to your insurance agent for the latest rates. Also, the Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (FWCJUA) has posted the 2024 new rates on its website. The Florida Legislature created the FWCJUA to provide workers’ compensation and employer’s liability insurance to employers who are required by law to maintain such insurance and who are in good faith entitled to, but who are unable to purchase insurance through the voluntary market. Employers insured within the FWCJUA pay premiums in excess of those paid in the voluntary market.
Why are rates decreasing? According to NCCI (which studies the data and makes recommendations to FL), lost-time claims relative to WC premiums have returned to their 20-year trend trajectory, declining 4% in the past year. Employment and wage growth marked a return to pre-pandemic levels. Private carrier plus state fund net written premium increased about 10% to $47.5 billion in 2022, just above the 2019 level. Private carriers posted a calendar year combined ratio of 84% (below 100% indicates underwriting profitability). Read more from NCCI.
Here are some tips from national insurance carriers on how to manage your WC costs and reduce the risk of claims:
- Tips from Chubb Insurance to reduce the risks of workers’ compensation claims.
- Amtrust offers specific guidance on “How to save money on Workers’ Compensation Insurance.”
- Injury and Management Strategy and Planning recommendations from Travelers Insurance.