It’s important that we collect enough employer premiums in a year to cover the costs of that year’s workplace illnesses and injuries. This ensures today's employers pay for the illnesses and injuries that occur today, and don’t pass costs onto future generations of employers.
Setting fair premium rates is critical so we can balance supporting employers who fund the system and ensure the availability of benefits and services for injured workers who rely on it.
How do we set employer premium rates?
We set employer premium rates based on the principles of full funding, collective liability and individual accountability:- Full funding: First we forecast the complete current and future costs of all claims for injuries that we expect will arise in the coming year.
- Collective liability: Next we look at how different rate groups (i.e., groups of employers doing similar work) have historically fared in terms of their claims experience. This helps determine what portion of total claim costs will come from each rate group.
- Individual accountability: Finally, the rate group premium is adjusted based on an employer’s actual experience to set a premium rate that reflects the employer’s performance.
Where do your premiums go?
The premiums you pay help fund the workers' compensation system and protect both employers and workers against the impacts of workplace accidents and injuries.In 2025, 80% of the premiums we collect go directly towards claim costs, while approximately 15% will be allocated to administrative expenses. The remaining funds are split between funding important occupational health and safety programs and other system costs.
What do you get for the premiums you pay?
As an employer with an active WCB account, the premiums you pay provide:- Guaranteed cost of coverage.
- Benefits to your workers to replace their lost wages due to workplace injury and illness.
- Comprehensive medical and rehabilitation services. With no preset limits, these services help your worker recover and return to work.
- Risk management. Workers’ compensation is the only insurance that offers protection from lawsuits for you and other covered parties.
You also have access to numerous tools and resources to help you manage your business, like seminars, workshops, online and mobile services, and more.
How can you impact the premiums you pay?
Preventing workplace illness and injury is one of the best ways to manage costs. You can help lower your premiums through effective health, safety, and disability management programs.Return-to-work programs can have a big impact on the premiums you pay. We can help you improve your return to work results. Contact us today.
2025 premium rate information
The average employer premium rate is $1.41 per $100 of assessable earnings, however, your individual rate will vary based on your performance and the performance of your rate group. You can look up your rate group's 2025 premium rate. Your individual rate can be viewed on your experience rating statement.
Our premium rates highlight sheet provides an overview of the factors influencing rates and includes a checklist of steps you can take to improve your own performance.
Resources
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2025 premium rates employer highlight sheet
An overview of the 2025 premium rates. -
2025 premium rates by sector and rate group
A breakdown of the 2025 premium rates by sector and rate group. -
Modified work premium comparison table
See how modified work can impact the premiums you pay with a side-by-side comparison. -
Premium rate guide
This guide provides you with a basic understanding of the process we use when setting premium rates. -
Pricing guide
This guide provides you with an overview of WCB's pricing programs and what they mean for you. -
Look up rates from previous years
Rate information from 2020-2024.