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Workers Compensation Update Recent reforms and notable issues for reinsurers. Gerald T. Yeung May 2007. Table of Contents. California – Impact of Reform 3 California - Industry Results 4 California - Legislative / Regulatory Update 8 California – Excess Loss Factors 9
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Workers Compensation UpdateRecent reforms and notable issues for reinsurers Gerald T. Yeung May 2007
Table of Contents • California – Impact of Reform 3 • California - Industry Results 4 • California - Legislative / Regulatory Update 8 • California – Excess Loss Factors 9 • New York - Industry Results 10 • New York – The Case for Reform 12 • New York - Legislative Update 13 • Catastrophe Risk Management 14
CaliforniaIndustry Results Industry Reserve Deficiency (Redundancy) Based on WCIRB Estimated Ultimate Losses
CaliforniaLegislative / Regulatory Update • Legislative activity • AB 1212 would direct DWC to increase PD benefits based on empirical studies • AB 644 introduces stricter rules for medical utilization review • AB 1073 eases caps on chiropractic, physical and occupational therapy • SB 942 provides more causes of action against employers who discriminate against workers comp claimants • Regulatory activity • Pressure on Division of WC to raise “future earnings capacity” multiplier • Stiffer medical utilization review penalties • Governor’s initiative for 24-hour medical care • Court Cases • Appeals Board reverses earlier adverse decisions regarding applicability of the old Permanent Disability schedule • Apportionment decision pending • Ratings under the new schedule may be rebutted by expert testimony
CaliforniaExcess Loss Factors Current loss elimination ratios are as of 7/1/03 Update using same methodology • Stochastic loss development • On-level for impact of legislative changes on severity only • Fitted severities above $2M per accident limit Proposed loss elimination ratios effective 7/1/07 are higher than current above $75,000 per accident limit • Large claims do not appear to benefit as much from reform Hazard groups not updated with this change
New YorkIndustry Results Rate Change History The New York Insurance Department disapproved a filed increase of +7.5% proposed to be effective October 1, 2006. Source: New York Insurance Department
New YorkIndustry Results Loss & LAE Ratios Year Direct Premiums Written ($000) Loss & LAE Ratio 2001 2,012,166 150.1% 2002 3,384,234 77.8% 2003 3,394,215 80.4% 2004 3,430,756 83.6% 2005 3,752,558 86.3% Source: Industry Annual Statement
New YorkThe Case for Reform Second highest average workers compensation costs in the country Lower than average benefits • Last increase in weekly benefits was in 1992 High permanent partial costs • Lifetime benefits • 12% of cases but 73% of costs High incidence of fraud in the system
New YorkLegislative Update Increase maximum weekly disability benefit from $400 per week to $600 per week by 2009 and index it to two-thirds of the State Average Weekly Wage thereafter • Raise the minimum weekly benefit from $40 to $100 Increase maximum weekly death benefit from $600 per week to $900 per week by 2009 and index it to the State Average Weekly Wage thereafter Impose a cap on permanent partial disabilities from 225 weeks to 525 weeks depending on degree of loss of wage-earning capacity • Allow claimants to petition to raise the cap in cases where their disability is 80% or greater • Eliminate the Special Disability (Second Injury) Fund • Increase civil and criminal penalties to combat workers compensation fraud • Mandate fee schedules to manage costs for pharmaceuticals and durable goods • Modify and review the role of the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board (NYCIRB)
Catastrophe Risk ManagementConsiderations Multi-claimant occurrences associated with industrial classifications (e.g. explosions, auto accidents) Get different views on catastrophic risk • Models differ in casualty rates, frequency assumptions • Do severities need adjustment? (e.g. medical inflation) Evaluate your data • Employee count, construction, number of stories • Required data granularity depends on peril insured (e.g. terrorism vs. earthquake)