Oregon employers in the voluntary market pay, on average, the 34th highest workers’ compensation premium rates in the nation.

Oregon’s premium rate index is $1.93 per $100 of payroll. National premium rate indices range from a low of $1.27 in Virginia to a high of $4.08 in Florida. One jurisdiction has an index rating above $4; six are in the $3.00-$3.99 range; 25 are in the $2.00-$2.99 range; and 19 have indices under $2.00. Indices are based on data from 51 jurisdictions, for rates in effect as of January 1, 2000.

Classification codes from the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) were used in this study. Of the approximately 452 active classes in Oregon, 50 were selected based on relative importance as measured by share of losses in Oregon. To control for differences in industry distributions, each state’s rates were weighted by 1994-1996 Oregon payroll to obtain an average manual rate for that state. Listed in Table 1 are Oregon’s rankings in the top 10 of the 50 classifications used.

The table below contains the premium rate ranking for all 51 jurisdictions.

Although some states may appear to have the same index rate, the ranking is based on calculations prior to rounding to two decimal places. The index rates reflect appropriate adjustments for the characteristics of each individual state’s residual market. Rates vary by classification and insurer in each state. Actual cost to an employer can be adjusted by the employer’s experience rating, premium discount, retrospective rating, and dividends.

Employers can reduce their workers’ compensation rates through accident prevention, safety training and by helping injured workers return to work.

If you have questions about the information contained in this document please contact by e-mail or phone: Adam Drost, Research Analyst, Research & Analysis Section, Information Management
Division (503) 947-7338.

This document was originally published in October 2000. [Printed form: 440-2082(10/00/IMD)]

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