View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2011/01/28/182402.htm
Liberty Northwest, a Liberty Mutual Agency Corp. regional company, has announced an overall retro rating adjustment of nearly 28 percent in workers’ compensation insurance premium adjustments and premium surcharge savings totaling nearly $280 thousand for members who participated in its Montana Safety Choices program. The rating adjustment applies to MSC workers’ compensation members participating in the July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010 policy year.
According to Liberty Northwest, it developed its MSC program with the Montana Chamber of Commerce in 2009 recognizing that Montana has the highest average workers’ comp rates in the nation, as well as the highest fatality rate in the workplace per 100,000 workers.
Created to support businesses with a commitment to safety and the well-being of their employees, the MSC program helps businesses manage workplace risks, which help control costs, reduce losses, and in a favorable performance year, earn premium back through a retrospective rating return. Participating employers work with Liberty Northwest personnel throughout the year to establish and maintain comprehensive loss prevention plans and safety training for management and employees. These employers may also qualify for a 5 percent premium credit for maintaining an approved drug-free workplace program during a policy period.
“Teaming-up with the Chamber to offer this group program to Montana employers is a great fit as we share the same goals and objectives,” said Julie Burnett, president and CEO for Liberty Northwest. “We can’t ignore increases in workplace injuries and fatalities as we’ve seen in Montana. With the positive results we’re seeing from Montana Safety Choices program, we’re definitely taking steps in the right direction and welcome more Chamber members.”
According to the company, the MSC program recorded a loss ratio of just 7.5 percent, the lowest loss ratio for a Liberty Northwest workers’ compensation group safety program in its year.