Retro Plans for Workers Compensation

What is a Retro Policy?

Workers compensation Retrospective Rating Plans are insurance policies with a built in mechanism to allow employers to share in the financial risk and reward with regard to their insurance coverage. Retro plans are typically designed for companies that pay $250,000 or more for a standard workers comp policy.

In a nutshell, Retro Plans can shave up to 75% off traditional coverage or they can significantly increase the cost of coverage depending on the actual losses during the policy period. Retro plans can be beneficial for companies with low experience mod's (credit modifiers), but they can also benefit companies with high modifiers (debit modifier) if the business can reduce claim frequency and loss severity during future policy periods.

Many insurance experts believe the workers compensation insurance market cycles between a hard insurance market and a soft insurance market every 3 - 5 years. Employers with larger insurance premiums often bear the burden of greater costs during an hard market. Retro Plans can be a good tool to control insurance costs for smart and stable employers with premiums over $250,000 per year.

Example of a Retro Workers Comp Program

Understanding Retro Insurance Coverage

Retrospective Rating has the potential for risk and reward. Many entrepreneurs already understand the concept of retro plan coverage because they are used to taking risks to reap financial reward.

• Maximum premium - standard premium x max factor
• Basic premium - standard premium x basic factor
• Minimum premium - basic premium x tax multiplier
• Converted losses - incurred losses x loss conversion factor
• Retro premium - basic premium + converted losses x tax multiplier
• Plan premium - basic premium x loss ratio x loss conversion x tax multiplier + min premium
• Percentage of Losses to reach max premium - (max prem - min prem) / tax multiplier / loss conversion / normal premium

Retrospective Rating Formulas

A retrospective rating formula is determined by the insurance company after reviewing prior loss history, class codes, and policy history. The formula is predicated off of the Basic Premium, or no loss premium. The Basic Premium is the starting point for the rating formula and is the minimum cost of coverage based on zero claims during the period. The formula is then applied to the policy based on the actual and reserved cost of claims as the policy moves forward.

Front Loaded Retro Plans

Workers Compensation Shop.com offer front loaded Retro Plans that allow employers to report and pay premium each month based on their actual payroll. The program continuously monitors anticipated and actual losses and adjusts the net billing rates based on the exposure and losses. Our Retro Plan is available to companies with a standard premium of $250,000 and up. Not all companies will qualify.