California Workers’ Comp Combined Ratio Highest in More Than 20 Years
Article 0 Comments The projected combined ratio for California workers’ compensation insurers reached 127% in 2025, the highest in more than 20 years, a new report shows. The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California released its latest Quarterly Experience Report, which delves into insurer experience through June 30. The report shows combined ratios exceeded 110% for five consecutive years, reflecting a trend of higher claim frequency and increasing loss and loss adjustment expense costs. Related: Report: Medical Service Costs in California Comp Rising With Payments, Utilization Written premium in the first six months of 2026 was 5% higher than during the same period in 2025. The estimated average charged rate for the first half of 2026 was $1.64 per $100 of payroll, slightly higher than the $1.63 recorded in 2025. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara in July approved an average 8.7% increase in advisory pure premium rates effective Sept. 1, 2025, and a 6.6% increase effective Sept. 1, 2026. The projected loss and allocated loss adjustment expense ratio for accident year 2025 was 95%, similar to the 94% recorded in 2024. Recent increases have been associated with higher average medical and allocated loss adjustment expense costs, along with increasing...