Pa. insurance commissioner approves 13% loss-cost reduction

Pennsylvania’s insurance commissioner approved a nearly 13% reduction in loss costs for workers compensation insurance Monday.

The reduction, which was recommended by the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau, reduces loss costs by 12.95%, which should drop workers comp premiums for many businesses in the state, Insurance Commissioner Jessica Altman’s office said in a release.

The state’s insurance department approved two midyear loss-cost filings in December 2018 following a legislative change in response to a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling concerning how disability claims are handled in workers comp cases. A second filing correcting filing occurred earlier this year.

Benefit levels have been maintained for injured workers in the state as well, according to the release, as well as the use of certified committees to improve workplace safety. Since 1994, the state has certified more than 12,000 workplace safety committees, which qualifies the employer for a 5% discount on workers comp insurance premiums. According to the insurance department, employers participating in the certified committee program have saved nearly $733 million in premiums since its inception.