What is the relationship between a company's claims history and its insurance premiums?

The relationship between a company's claims history and its insurance premiums is grounded in the concept of risk assessment. Insurers evaluate the likelihood of future claims based on past claim history. A company that has a higher claims history is perceived as a greater risk to insurers because past claims indicate a trend that may continue. As a result, these companies typically face higher premiums to compensate for the increased likelihood of future payouts.

Insurance companies use claims history as a critical factor in determining premium rates since it reflects the company's safety practices and overall risk management. When a company has consistently filed many claims, it signals to the insurer that there may be underlying issues leading to those claims, such as poor safety protocols or a hazardous work environment. Therefore, to mitigate their potential financial losses, insurers will raise premiums for businesses with a poor claims history, making it more costly for them to secure coverage.

In contrast, businesses with low or no claims are viewed as lower risk, and they may be rewarded with lower premiums, as insurers try to attract less risky clients. Thus, it reinforces the idea that claims history is indeed a significant driver of premium costs in the workers' compensation landscape.