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WCIRB Releases 2021 State of the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance System Report

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) has released its 2021 State of the System report highlighting key metrics of the California workers’ compensation system, including the latest trends on rates, market characteristics and profitability.

The full report is available in the Research section of the WCIRB website and at the following link:

This annual report is developed to provide workers’ compensation professionals with a comprehensive view of California’s workers’ compensation system based on the latest available information. Top learnings from the report include:

  • The impact of the filing of almost 150,000 COVID-19 workers' compensation claims in the state in 2020 and 2021 through June on claim frequency was in part offset by a reduction in the number of non-COVID-19 claims filed.
  • Premium levels dropped sharply in 2020 due to continued insurer rate decreases and the pandemic-related economic slowdown. Premiums are forecast to increase modestly in 2021 with economic recovery and the impact of insurer rate decreases moderating.
  • The insurance market remains stable and non-concentrated. Insurer charged rates continue to decrease and are now at a 50-year low.
  • With an influx of COVID-19 claims and declining premium levels, the estimated combined loss and expense ratio for accident year 2020 is over 100 percent for the first time since 2012.

Watch members of the WCIRB Research team break down State of the System key points in a series of short videos on the Report on the State of the Workers' Compensation Insurance System page.

July 27, 2021