Manual Premium – Base Premium Before Modifiers
In plain language: Manual premium in insurance refers to the initial premium calculated for a policy before any modifiers or discounts are applied. It is like the raw price of an item in a store before any discounts or sales are applied.
Technical definition: In the insurance industry, manual premium refers to the base premium of a policy before any adjustments like experience modifiers, schedule credit or debit mods, or other policy endorsements are applied. It usually appears on the declarations page of an insurance policy and is calculated by multiplying the manual rate (rate per $100 of payroll) by the appropriate exposure base (generally payroll) for each classification code.
Consider this—a construction business owner has just received their workers comp premium bill, and the total billing amount is higher than anticipated. The first figure listed is the “manual premium.” What exactly is this figure, and how does it affect their total premium due?
TL;DR
What Is Manual Premium in Insurance?
In the simplest of terms, manual premium is the starting point in the calculation of an insurance premium. It's the base figure calculated before any adjustments are made for each specific risk. It’s calculated using a formula that takes into account an employer's classification (through classification codes) and exposures (typically payroll).
In the insurance policy for risks like workers compensation or liability insurance, it may list each classification code that applies to an insured's operations along with the corresponding payroll and manual rate — a dollar amount per $100 of payroll. By multiplying the manual rate by each $100 of payroll, the manual premium is determined.
Importantly, the concept of manual premium exists because the insurance industry recognizes that not all risks within the same class code are identical. Certain businesses have better risk management practices or a better loss history, and these factors can lead to lower total premium costs.
Agencies must be aware of policy customization options like experience modifiers that can adjust the manual premium to reflect these differences.
Key Related Terms to Know
Common Questions About Manual Premium
Who can affect the manual premium?
The manual premium is primarily influenced by the classified exposures, such as payroll for a workers compensation policy. Insurance companies set the assigned manual rate per $100 of exposure for each classification code. Insurance departments in each state review and approve these rate filings, ensuring rate justification and rate transparency.
Do all businesses have the same manual premium?
No, manual premiums vary greatly due to different exposures and classification codes. For example, businesses with more hazardous operations, like construction classifications or stevedoring, may have higher manual rates than businesses with lower-risk operations, like clerical work or building operation.
How can a business lower their manual premium?
Businesses can lower their manual premium through effective risk management. The less risky a company is deemed according to their classification codes, the less the insurer will assume in risk, therefore lowering the manual premium. Another way is through premium discounts based on a higher-level initial manual premium or policy limits.
What happens after the manual premium is determined?
Once the manual premium is determined, it is then subject to adjustments like experience modifiers and schedule credit or debit mods, which will alter the final quoted premium on the insurance policy.
Manual Premium vs. Total Premium
The manual premium and total premium are different figures that arise during the insurance policy setup.
Comparison Area | Manual Premium | Total Premium
|
Primary use case | Basis for premium calculation | Amount billed to policyholder |
Coverage/concept type | Preliminary figure | Final amount after all adjustments |
Typical exclusions | None (all classified exposures used) | Credits, discounts, and experience rating |
Who is most affected by errors | Insurers, due to inaccurate rate analysis | Policyholders, due to incorrect billing |
Common mistakes | Incorrect classification codes, inaccurate payroll | Incorrect application of experience modification or schedule mods |
Real Claim Examples Involving Manual Premium
Scenario 1: An insured business has a policy with a manual premium about to renew. After a policy audit, it was found that the weekly payroll provided for the rating was inaccurate, leading to changes in the manual premium (and therefore total premium).
Scenario 2: A construction company is charged a high manual premium due to a worker's hazardous activity. The company invests in safety training and equipment, reducing the risk and potentially lowering future manual premium.
Scenario 3: A retail store maintained a high manual premium due to several accident claims. A new risk management program was implemented and resulted in fewer claims, impacting the manual premium on renewal.
Limitations and Common Mistakes
How to Explain Manual Premium to Clients
Small Business owner: "The manual premium is kind of like the starting list price for your insurance. It's a base amount calculated by the type of work you do (classified by codes) and the amount of payroll you have. However, this price can go up or down based on things like past claims or working safety measures in place."
CFO or Risk Manager: "The manual premium is the starting point for determining your insurance cost. It's calculated based on your operational classifications and exposures like payroll. This figure is then adjusted to reflect your risk profile, including loss history and safety practices."
Personal Lines client: "Think of manual premium as the base price of a shirt before any sales or discounts. In insurance terms, it's the starting point for calculating your policy cost, and then adjusted for specific situations such as safety records or past claims."