1/31/03 - In 2002, North Dakota employers paid the lowest workers’ compensation premium rates
in the nation, according to a new survey by the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services. National premium rates ranged from North Dakota’s low of $1.24 per $100 of payroll to a high of $5.23
per $100 of payroll in California.

“This is great news,” said Brent Edison, Executive Director and CEO of North Dakota Workers
Compensation (NDWC). “With the legislative reforms of the mid-1990’s and the strategic decisions
made by our Board of Directors, we have come a long way in making our organization one of the best in
the country. This survey clearly demonstrates how far we have come.”

North Dakota employer premium rates have declined for 8 straight years. Total premium collected peaked
in Fiscal Year 1996 at $133 million dollars, while in fiscal year 2002 it was $93 million dollars, a 30
percent reduction since 1996. During that same time period, claims by workers have declined from 7.47
per 100 workers in 1996 to 6.60 per 100 workers in 2002. ND employer’s emphasis on safety and “returnto-
work” programs, which began in the mid-1990’s has helped to reduce the number of wage-loss claims,
thus reducing premiums.

“The cumulative effect of 8 years of premium reductions means that over $130 million dollars has gone
back into this state’s economy,” said Edison. “We hope those involved in economic development efforts
for our state can use this important information to show potential businesses thinking of relocating here,
that this is a great state to do business with, especially when it comes to workers’ compensation premium
rates.”

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