West Virginia seeks to cut workers’ comp premiums in 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on Monday that the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI), West Virginia’s rating and statistical agent, has filed a proposed workers’ compensation loss cost decrease of 13.5% for next year.

According to a release put out by Gov. Morrisey’s office, this premium reduction would result in a projected $20 million in savings for West Virginia employers. If adopted, the change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

“From the start, my administration has been focused on attracting more jobs and businesses to the Mountain State,” Gov. Morrisey said. “The projected savings on premiums for workers’ compensation insurance helps cut costs for the state’s employers and any companies looking to move or expand into West Virginia.”  

According to the release, since the workers’ compensation program was privatized in 2006, the West Virginia market has experienced approximately $501 million in premium savings. The release added that this latest filing represents the 21st consecutive year of loss cost decreases and accounts for a cumulative 84.9% reduction from pre-reform workers’ compensation levels.

West Virginia ranks 3rd in the nation in workers’ compensation loss cost, compared to Ohio (5th), Virginia (8th), Washington D.C. (9th), Kentucky (11th), Maryland (15th), and Pennsylvania (31st), according to the release.

A proposed 13.5% rate decrease for the assigned risk market has also been filed by NCCI with the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the release said.