Industry News
Caring for the Caregiver: Reducing the Top Three Home Care Workers’ Comp Claims
Author, Raysan Benito, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In California workers' compensation, Class Code 8827 applies to employees who provide in-home personal care services, including assistance with daily living activities, companionship, and, in some cases, nursing services. While these caregivers focus on the well-being of their clients, they often face significant injury exposures themselves.
2026 Brings Another Increase in California Tree Care Work Comp Rates
Author, Rory Anderson, Partner, Account Executive, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Pure premium rates are developed by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California (WCIRB) and reflect the expected cost of workers’ compensation claims for a particular class of business. Each year, the WCIRB evaluates loss and payroll data reported by insurance carriers throughout California and develops advisory pure premium rates that serve as an important benchmark for workers’ compensation pricing.
Navigating the Future of Workers’ Compensation with Todd Lewis: Litigation Trends, AI, and Claims Management
Rancho Mesa President and CEO Dave Garcia sits down with Todd Lewis, Vice President of Claims at Republic Indemnity, to discuss the growing challenges facing California’s workers’ compensation system, including rising litigation and cumulative trauma (CT) claims. They explore how AI is helping claims organizations investigate and manage claims more effectively, along with practical strategies employers can use to reduce claim disputes, support employees, and foster a stronger workplace culture.
CA Workers’ Compensation Market Faces Increased Pressure Beneath Stable Surface
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
Recently, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB) of California released its Quarterly Experience Report that offers insight into the state of the California workers’ compensation market. While at a glance, the market may seem stable; however, there are evolving claim patterns that are creating challenges for insurers and employers alike.
The Impact of Claim Frequency and Severity on a Landscape Company’s Experience MODs
Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
The experience modification rate (ExMod or MOD) is a measure produced by insurance rating bureaus to summarize a company’s claim history versus their industry peers. A rating generated below 1.00 is considered a credit to the workers’ compensation policy while a number above 1.00 is a debit. The ExMod has a direct impact on the cost of workers’ compensation insurance.
Foreign Voluntary Workers’ Compensation: Closing the Coverage Gap for Cross-Border Teams
Author, Sam Brown, Vice President, Human Services Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
In San Diego County, with its diverse workforce and cross border business activities, employers increasingly consider hiring talent from nearby Tijuana or have employees travel into Mexico for business purposes. In other scenarios, American employees decide to move and work remotely from Mexico or commit to a daily commute into the US.
Doubling Down on Safety in California’s Janitorial Industry
Author, Jeremy Hoolihan, Partner, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
For those that run janitorial businesses in California, you have probably heard the news that workers’ compensation rates are on the rise. Insurance Commissioner Lara recently approved a recommended rate increase of 8.7% on average across all classification codes effective September 1st 2025. For the janitorial industry specifically, the pure premium increase was 11%. These increases will result in higher costs for employers across the board.