MarketScout, the Dallas-based electronic insurance exchange, reported the largest rate increase in April was for workers’ compensation at 4%, while general liability rates rose 3%. This seems to be in line with the ongoing trend. It would be hard to see rates not increasing when insurance companies are reporting no investment income, as well as loss ratios well over 100%. All this combined, with the upcoming NCCI new split mod formula starting in 2013, will mean a great increase in premiums for larger employers with debit mods. If you are a workers’ comp broker with clients who fit the profile, I suggest you don’t wait. We have about 7 months left until the big 1/1/13 renewal date and if the quotes come in astronomical, your clients will be shopping around for better quotes. The 2013 experience mod is using the 2011, 2010, and 2009 claims experience, which won’t be affected by implementing any quick safety or any other program that you might implement now for this renewal. The 2014 experience mod uses the 2012, 2011, and 2010 claims experience, the majority of which have already occurred and will not be affected by newly-implemented safety programs. The same can be said about the 2015 experience mod, which uses the 2013, 2012, and 2011 claims experience. But you can knock down the experience mods now, which will have an immediate effect on premium reductions and will give your client a better underwriting profile to enter the new marketplace with.