The same September 1, 2026 filing that moved the wage thresholds also moved the line for an experience modification. Section III, Rule 1 of the California Experience Rating Plan now sets eligibility at $11,700 of expected losses, up from $10,800. The WCIRB said the change reflects wage inflation and the new expected loss rates. It applies to rating dates on or after September 1, 2026.
Expected losses are the bureau’s estimate of what a business of your size and class should cost. They are not your actual claims. Stay under $11,700 and the policy is not experience rated. There is no x-mod. Cross the line and the mod comes back, built from payroll, class, and claims. The WCIRB quick-reference guide states this in the section headed “Experience Rating Plan.” That page is the short version a contractor can read. The full plan is linked from the top of it.
The same approval reprints Table I. Expected loss rates are now shown to three decimal places instead of two. Table II, the primary thresholds, was updated from the same data. The guide does not reprint every rate. It tells you the rule changed and where the plan lives.
A missing mod is not a discount you negotiated. It is the eligibility math. If a renewal that used to show a mod now shows none, or the other way around, compare the worksheet with the $11,700 line before you bind. The advisory pure-premium change that took effect the same day is a separate number. We wrote that up here. The owner payroll floor and cap from this filing are here.
If this is on your renewal, call the office at (619) 420-8600 or start a quote. We will tell you what the market will actually write.
Sources: WCIRB, September 1, 2026 quick-reference guide; WCIRB, Commissioner’s May 15, 2026 decision.