Workers compensation insurance premiums in Hawaii started to increase in 2011, even though the frequency of claims has been relatively flat for the past couple years, according to a study co-authored by Carolyn Pearl, Affiliate Services Executive of National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc.

The increase in premiums is in part due to payroll increases--higher pay means higher payout for lost wages, according to the report. It is predicted that there will be an experience rating split point change beginning 2013. The change will “result in larger credits for safe employers and higher debits for employers with greater losses” and gives an incentive for employers to maintain a safe workplace.

National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. is the largest provider of workers compensation and employee injury data and statistics in the nation.