Workers' Comp Net Rate Calculator
Calculate your effective insurance rate per $100 of payroll after modifiers.
How to Calculate Net Rate for Workers' Compensation
Understanding your Workers' Compensation Net Rate is crucial for accurate budgeting and job costing. While the "Manual Rate" (or Base Rate) is determined by the state rating bureau based on your industry classification codes, your Net Rate is what your company actually pays per $100 of payroll after all modifications are applied.
The Net Rate Formula
The calculation generally follows this logic hierarchy:
- Step 1: Start with the Class Code Base Rate.
- Step 2: Multiply by your Experience Modification Factor (Ex-Mod).
- Step 3: Apply Schedule Rating adjustments (Credits for safety programs, Debits for risk).
- Step 4: Subtract Premium Discounts (volume-based incentives).
Formula: Net Rate = Base Rate × Ex-Mod × (1 ± Schedule Rating) × (1 – Premium Discount)
Key Variables in Your Calculation
Experience Modification Factor (Ex-Mod): This is the most significant variable you can control. An Ex-Mod of 1.0 represents the industry average. If your Ex-Mod is 1.25, you are paying a 25% surcharge due to claim history. If it is 0.85, you are receiving a 15% discount.
Schedule Rating: Underwriters can apply credits (reducing your rate) or debits (increasing your rate) based on the specific characteristics of your business, such as safety training programs, management experience, and premises maintenance.
Why the Net Rate Matters
Many employers make the mistake of bidding on contracts using their Base Rate. If your Ex-Mod is high (e.g., 1.10), calculating job costs using the Base Rate will result in underbidding, as your actual insurance costs are 10% higher. Conversely, if you have a low Ex-Mod, knowing your true Net Rate allows you to bid more competitively while still maintaining profit margins.