Premium and Severity Improve as Frequency Woes Persist

By Greg JonesWestern Bureau ChiefHigher rates charged by insurance companies could reclaim for California the dubious distinction of being the most expensive state in the country in an annual premium rate-ranking comparison by Oregon state regulators, according to the chief actuary for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau.While increased premium volume is helping improve carrier combined ratios, and WCIRB data shows other encouraging signs such as moderating severity trends, California continues to be plagued by frequency increases occurring almost exclusively in the Los Ang...