The valuations of the Insurance Information Bureau of India (IIB) determine workers’ compensation insurance or Workmen compensation insurance tariffs. In general, the premium amount depends on:
- The average salary you would want the insurer to consider for benefits estimation,
- Covered occupations for employees, and
- The Trade or business of the proposer
Key Takeaways
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Risk-Based Tariffs: Premiums are calculated per category. For example, a Machinist carries significantly more risk (Rate: 12.1) than Clerical Staff (Rate: 2.45), directly impacting the total cost.
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The “Averaging” Effect: If you have employees with varying risk levels, the insurer calculates a “Pure Premium” for each group and then provides a combined quote for the entire organization.
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Table A is Inclusive: Unlike Table B, Table A policies protect all employees, ensuring you are covered even for staff who might not strictly fit the legal definition of “workmen” but are on your payroll.
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The 1% Rule of Thumb: For most standard businesses, the total premium usually falls between 0.1% to 1% of the total annual wages paid. If your quote is much higher, it may be due to a very high-risk industry or poor claim history.
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Renewal Dynamics: Premiums are not static. Your second-year cost depends on three variables: changes in staff count, average wage hikes, and claims made during the first year.
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Claims Impact: Even a “small mishap,” like a driver’s injury from a tire burst, can lead to a premium increase (loading) upon renewal, as it changes the insurer’s perception of your operational risk.
Two types of employer liability policies insurers can issue:
Table A Policies: It provides protection for all employees, regardless of their categorize as ‘workmen’ under the Worker Compensation Act.
Table B Policies: Workers not covered by the definition of workmen as per the Act can only receive this.
Therefore, the average cost per thousand varies from Rs.10 to Rs.170, based on the risk of the occupation covered by the policy.
As an employer, in fact, you may also have employees working with varying degrees of risk across your business. The insurer will certainly average out the tariff for all your employees’ risks.
Read More: What is covered under Workmen Compensation Insurance Policy?
Taking into account the costs of running the office and distributing the product, the total premium for a standard policy usually falls between 0.1% to 1% of the total annual wages. To clarify, see the case below for a better understanding.
Case on Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cost
Shrijan Creations makes, sells, design and sew clothes. They have more than 50 workers, including office staff.
Moreover, the organization is buying workmen’s compensation insurance to cover all the staff employed by the firm. Therefore, the insurance will include the 5 drivers who transport goods or ferry workers at times.
The breakdown of workers in Shrijan Creations is as follows:
| No. of Emp. | W.C. Rate | Avg. Wage P.M. | Annual Wage | Max Wage Insured! | Pure Premium | |
| Clerical staff | 6 | 2.45 | 25,000 | 1,800,000 | 864,000 | 2,116 |
| Marketing Staff | 5 | 3.9 | 30,000 | 1,800,000 | 720,000 | 2,808 |
| Machinists | 3 | 12.15 | 18,000 | 648,000 | 432,000 | 5,248 |
| Skilled Workers | 7 | 4.9 | 20,000 | 1,680,000 | 1,008,000 | 4,939 |
| Unskilled Staff | 22 | 4.9 | 15,000 | 3,960,000 | 3,168,000 | 15,523 |
| Drivers | 5 | 2.45 | 15,000 | 900,000 | 720,000 | 1,764 |
| Office boys | 2 | 2.9 | 10,000 | 240,000 | 240,000 | 696 |
| Total | 50 | 11,028,000 | 7,152,000 | 33,096 |
As well as the employer has chosen a medical cover of Rs. 40,000. Therefore, the final payable premium for Shrijan comes out to be:
| Additional Premium for medical cover | 8,274.00 |
| Total Pure Premium | 41,370.00 |
| Office Expenses Loading | 5% |
| Gross Premium | 43438.5 |
| Rate of Interest | 6% |
| Advance Premium Payable | 40,979.72 |
To illustrate, consider this as a sample calculation. For an accurate quote tailored to your organization, click here.
Therefore, the premium of Rs.40,979.72 is only due in the first year. The premium for the next year will depend on any changes in staff numbers, average wages, or claims made in the current year. Hence, the premium comes out to be approximately 0.37% of the total annual wages paid by Shrijan Creations.
Although, Shrijan Creations grow the higher number of employees and workers will reduce their cost of Workmen Compensation Insurance. Therefore, the insurer explained that a good claim history would make the firm eligible for discounts on future premiums.
Read More: When to File Claim Application under Workmen Compensation Insurance?
Summary Table: Factors Determining WC Premium Costs
| Cost Driver | Description | Business Impact |
| Occupational Risk | From Clerical (Low) to Machinists/Drivers (High). | Direct: Higher risk roles drive up the “rate per thousand.” |
| Table A vs. B | Table A (Statutory + Common Law) vs. Table B (Common Law only). | Coverage: Table A is more comprehensive and standard for most firms. |
| Sum Insured | Based on average monthly wages and headcount. | Proportional: The higher the wage bill, the higher the premium. |
| Medical Extension | Additional cover for hospitalization (e.g., ₹40,000). | Add-on: Increases pure premium but reduces out-of-pocket medical risk. |
| Claim History | Record of accidents in previous years. | Performance: Good history earns discounts; frequent claims lead to “loading.” |
| Expense Loading | Office and distribution costs added by the insurer. | Administrative: Usually adds around 5% to the gross premium. |
Additional Premium
Ultimately, insurers may charge an additional premium to renew the policy if there are claims in the last year. Someone has also communicated the same to Shrijan. Since there was a small mishap with one of the vehicles when its tire burst on a busy road.
As a result, the driver, an employee of Shrijan, sustained injuries and spent two weeks in the hospital. Thus, his injuries resulted in a claim on the workmen policy. Therefore, Shrijan’s renewal premium was Rs. 41,082.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between “Pure Premium” and “Gross Premium”?
A) “Pure Premium” is the base cost calculated solely on the risk of your employees’ occupations and wages. “Gross Premium” is the final amount you pay, which includes the pure premium plus “loading” for the insurer’s office expenses, commissions, and taxes.
2. Can I get a discount if I have 500 employees instead of 50?
A) Yes. Generally, as the number of employees grows, the “cost per head” for insurance often decreases due to economies of scale. Furthermore, larger firms with established safety protocols and a good claim history are often eligible for significant discounts.
3. Why would I choose a “Table A” policy over “Table B”?
A) Table A is the safer choice for employers because it covers liabilities under the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, for all employees. Table B only covers those who do not fall under the Act’s definition of “workmen,” which can leave significant legal gaps in your protection.
4. How does the “Max Wage Insured” affect my premium?
A) Insurers often cap the “insured wage” based on statutory limits (e.g., ₹15,000 per month for certain benefits). If your employees earn ₹50,000, the premium is calculated based on the risk of their role relative to the maximum wage the law requires the insurer to cover.
5. What happens to my premium if one of my workers makes a claim?
A) If a claim is filed, the insurer perceives your workplace as higher risk. Consequently, they may charge an additional premium (loading) during your policy renewal to cover the increased likelihood of future payouts.
About The Author
Rahul Kumar
MBA Finance
With a wealth of experience in the insurance industry, Rahul is a seasoned writer specializing in articles related to workmen compensation policies (WC policies) for SecureNow. With 12 years of experience in the field, he has acquired in-depth knowledge and expertise in workmen compensation insurance, understanding its complexities and nuances. Their insightful articles provide valuable insights into the importance of WC policies for businesses and employees alike, offering practical advice and guidance on navigating the intricacies of insurance coverage. Trust him to deliver informative and engaging content, backed by years of experience and a passion for educating readers about insurance-related topics.
