What in the world is a workers compensation experience modification rate, and why are your insurance premiums so high? It’s no secret that workers’ compensation (WC) insurance protects businesses just as much as it does employees. But not every company pays the same premiums. Some insurance providers quote rates so high that small businesses with a high workers compensation experience modification rate forego coverage. This option is not a wise one—and in many states, it’s also illegal. So, why do you have to pay so much? Keep reading to discover the answer and what you can do to save your company money. Why Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance? Workers’ comp is a type of specialty insurance that covers medical bills after work-related injuries. Companies purchase coverage and hope they never have to use it. But since no one can predict when or where an on-the-job accident may occur, WC gives both businesses and employees peace of mind. As a small business owner in a high-risk industry, finding ways to cut spending is essential. But you should never operate without WC coverage. Doing so could open a dangerous and extremely costly can of worms. Here’s why this insurance is invaluable: It’s the law almost everywhere. Most states require companies purchase WC coverage for their employees, no matter the industry. What if the rates are too high? Quite frankly, the government doesn’t care how much you have to spend to stay in compliance. If you happen to operate in a state where WC isn’t required, don’t celebrate too much. It’s still a good idea to purchase it anyway. Once again, you never know when tragedy could strike your workplace. It encourages your workers to seek medical care. Of course, going to the doctor isn’t cheap, and a trip to the ER costs a small fortune. But prompt medical attention following a work-related injury is crucial. The sooner your employee gets seen by a doctor, the sooner they’ll get back to work. Injured workers often skip going to the doctor because of the price. With workers’ comp, however, they won’t have to worry about money. Instead, the plan will cover any medical expenses, physical therapy, and, in some cases, lost wages. It could save your business. Employees who get hurt at work rack up a bundle of medical bills and other expenses. It’s easy to assume they’ll have to find a way to pay if you don’t have WC coverage. But that’s not usually the case. Instead, an injured worker may hire a lawyer and seek damages from your company. Can you afford to pay it all out-of-pocket? According to the National Safety Council, the average cost for a medically consulted injury was $42,000 in 2019. And if the worker lost their life, that figured jumped to over $1.2M. Imagine if you didn’t have insurance and had to repay that amount? It could easily bankrupt your company. What Is Workers’ Comp Experience Modification Rate? There’s no denying that the benefits of workman’s compensation insurance far outweigh the cons. But if the premiums go up, will you still feel the same? And why are they so high in the first place? The answer boils down to the experience modification rate (EMR). All companies have an EMR. This rating determines the accident risk for your facility. And it can—and will—fluctuate over time. Businesses start with a score of 1.0. This number increases annually based upon any reported work-related accidents. In other words, the higher the number, the riskier your company is to insurance providers. How Does EMR Affect Insurance Premiums? As you probably already guessed, your experience modification rate correlates to your WC premiums. High-risk industries have a higher EMR by default. Adding injury claims to the mix only makes these companies a higher liability. How do you calculate insurance premiums from an EMR? The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has strict rules in place to determine this number. Here’s the formula they use: Class Code Rate X Employer Payroll per $100 X Experience Modification Rating = Workers’ Comp Premium What does this formula mean? Let’s break it down: The class code is a number assigned to each industry, as designated by the NCCI. Each class code has a set rate depending on the nature of the business. Industries deemed riskier have higher rates. It’s probably the number one factor in determining the premium when underwriting a WC policy. And there’s no way to change the class code rate. Payroll reflects your organization’s real wages only. It doesn’t include anyone not considered an actual employee. These may include contractors, vendors, subcontractors, or leased workers. So how does payroll affect WC costs? Simple—the higher your payroll, the higher your premiums. But, interestingly enough, the more people you employ, the less it will affect your EMR if you do file a claim. And, finally, the experience modification is the risk-assessment number assigned by the NCCI. Unfortunately, if this formula gives you a hefty premium, there’s not much you can do about it. Insurance companies are in the business to make money. And if you seem like a risky client, they will charge you more. It’s that plain and simple. But you still have options. Where Can You Buy WC Insurance with a High EMR? Do you work in a high mod industry? That doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable workers’ comp plan. There are three places you can turn for a quote. They are: Small Businesses and Insurance Premiums Small business owners feel like they get the short end of the stick when it comes to WC premiums. While it may seem like mom-and-pop companies pay more than their larger counterparts, that’s not always the case. Big and small organizations in the same industry may have similar mod ratings. So why do WC premiums seem more unfair for the little guys? The answer boils down to available capital. Let’s pretend two companies in the carpentry industry—one big and one small—have a high EMR. (And
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