Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today rejected a rate application from the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) to raise the Workers’ Compensation Claims Cost Benchmark by 23.7 percent. This was contrary to what was hoped for by workers' compensation insurers.

Based on testimony received in June hearings, the Commissioner noted that he believes that an increase in the cost benchmark would lead to increased worker’s compensation premiums for small business. More specifically, the Commissioner sternly noted,

[m]y response to this requested record increase by workers' comp insurance companies is this – no. I will not include avoidable costs in the Benchmark.

The Commissioner further explained......

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