Today, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) released its 2020 State of the System report highlighting key metrics of the California workers’ compensation system. While much of the historical data in the report predates the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic and resultant stay-at-home orders will likely impact premium levels, claim frequency and claim severity in 2020 and beyond.

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

• 2020 State of the System

Top learnings from the report include:

• Insurer premium levels dropped through 2019 as insurer rates continued to decline. A sharp drop in 2020 premiums is expected with the COVID-19 pandemic-related job losses as well as declining insurer rates.
• The insurance market remains stable and non-concentrated although the impact of COVID-19 on the insurance market is not yet clear.
• Pre-pandemic cost trends were generally stable with modest frequency and severity growth, continued high levels of frictional costs and significant regional differentials. 2020 claim frequency could be impacted by the economic downturn and potential surges of COVID-19 and post-termination claims.

WCIRB actuaries are discussing the State of the System report in a webinar that you will be able to view on the WCIRB Webinars page on wcirb.com.