Today, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) announced its proposed increase of workers’ compensation insurance rates and attorney fee schedule, with the average insurance rate totaling 15%. This comes as a result of the Florida Supreme Court ruling on April 28, which found mandatory attorney fee schedule under the workers’ compensation system as unconstitutional.
This proposed rate threatens to impact those in the homebuilding industry in more than a negative fashion. Should the proposed rates go into effect, the homebuilding industry will be the hardest hit in Florida.
The NCCI will send its proposed rates to the to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), where hearings will be held with stakeholders to determine the workers’ compensation rate for all categories of business, including home construction. OIR is required to approve actuarially sound rates. Any reforms will be via legislative dictum.
“The Florida Home Builders Association has been and will continue to be vigilant as it fights for the homebuilding industry,” says FHBA President, Ray Puzzitiello, a builder in West Palm Beach. “FHBA is engaged in multiple coalitions to identify solutions to the extremely disappointing Supreme Court ruling and the NCCI’s proposed insurance rate increase. These actions come as a proverbial slap in the face to the homebuilding industry; at a time when we are on the cusp of recovery from the housing market crisis. Added workers’ compensation costs will be detrimental, where the proposed rates will push near record levels since the early 2000’s.”
The FHBA is committed to ensure workers’ compensation rates are just and that the voice of the homebuilding industry is heard! The FHBA will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed throughout the process.
For more information, email Rusty Payton, FHBA CEO/Chief Lobbyist, at rpayton@fhba.com or Douglas Buck, FHBA Director of Governmental Affairs, at dbuck@fhba.com.