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Risk manager reports workers' comp and liability updates; county mod rate slightly elevated
Summary
Bonner County risk manager presented an insurance update: workers' compensation and liability renewals are complete, the county's workers' comp renewal totals were reported and county 'mod' rate was described as elevated above 1.0; staff highlighted training and claims management as ways to reduce future costs.
Bonner County Risk Manager Christian Jocelyn presented the monthly insurance and loss update to the board.
Key points included an overview of workers’ compensation claims for the prior policy year (county: 29 claims with six still open, four lost-time cases; EMS listed separately with four claims and no current lost-time cases), property and general-liability claims and auto claims (reported as mostly minor); and a report that the county’s insurance-modifier (loss-rate factor) was about 1.15–1.16, meaning premiums are higher than a baseline due to historical losses.
Christian reported that the county’s workers’ compensation renewal is in and the total premium for Bonner County is approximately $448,000 and EMS is approximately $113,000 (separate), for a combined total around $562,000; risk staff said that workers’ comp runs on an 11/11 renewal cycle and that timing differences between policy years and county fiscal-year budgeting make exact budgeting more complex. He also said the county had renewed fidelity bonds for elected officials with a new carrier at a better rate and that the insurance/deductible fund had spent about $91,000 to date against a $355,000 budgeted deductible fund.
Commissioners and public commenters highlighted training and joint training opportunities (for public-works and first-responder staff) as key strategies to reduce claims. The risk manager suggested training and prompt return-to-work/light-duty accommodations can materially reduce future workers’ comp exposures and reduce the mod rate.
