Press Release  AG Healey Calls on Division of Insurance to Expedite Process to Decrease Workers’ Compensation Premiums During Covid-19 Pandemic

Boston — Attorney General Maura Healey called on the state’s Division of Insurance (DOI) to take immediate steps to ensure that Massachusetts businesses pay fair workers’ compensation insurance premiums that reflect the businesses’ decreased exposure to workplace injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a letter sent to DOI Commissioner Gary Anderson, the AG’s Office urged him to direct insurance companies doing business in Massachusetts to offer expedited audits and lower their workers’ compensation insurance premiums accordingly. The AG’s Office argues that because workers’ compensation claims are expected to decrease significantly as a result of reduced employment and economic activity, employers should be offered lower premiums as well.

“We are concerned about the difficult economic environment the pandemic is creating, especially for our small business across the state,” said AG Healey. “Lowering these premiums is one way to help defray some of their costs during a time when many of these companies are struggling to survive.”

The AG’s Office also previously called on the DOI to lower rates for auto insurance throughout the pandemic.

The AG’s Insurance and Financial Services Division represents the public interest in rate hearings before the Division of Insurance, and advocates for fair rates for insurance customers. Over the past ten years, the AG’s Office has saved employers and small businesses hundreds of millions of dollars by intervening in workers’ compensation insurance administrative rate cases.

Visit AG Healey’s COVID-19 resources page for information about how the office can assist you during this crisis. Workers and Employers can find additional guidance on workers’ compensation insurance issues during the pandemic here.

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