Premiums and payment FAQs

Premium rate-setting

Where can I find my premium rate statements?

Your statements are available exclusively through our online services.

Read our online services FAQs for more information on how to access your online statements. 

What factors are used to determine premium rates?

Your rates are calculated by considering three components:

  1. Insurable earnings
  2. Number of claims
  3. Claims costs

What years are considered when calculating my premium rate?

A rolling six-year period is used to calculate your premium rate. Specifically the six years prior to the rate-setting year.

For example, in 2023, we used the years 2017-2022 to determine your 2024 premium rate. We review and take your insurable earnings, claims count and claims costs into consideration during that time.

What are risk bands and how do they relate to premium rates?

Each class will have a set of risk bands and each risk band represents a rate in relation to the class rate. A rate is assigned to each risk band, either above or below the class rate. The difference between each risk band rate is approximately five per cent. Depending on your claims experience, your business will be assigned to a risk band that best represents your risk in relation to your class. Your assigned risk band rate includes rate adjustments based on your individual experience.

How does predictability impact premium rates?

Your predictability is a measure of how much your past claims experience and insurable earnings can be used to predict future outcomes.

A low predictability means a business’ insurable earnings and the number of past claims is quite low. In this case, your claims experience would not have a significant impact on your rate. Instead, your premium rate will be more influenced by the rates of your class to protect against volatility and the dramatic effect one claim could have on your rate.

Businesses with a higher number of allowed claims, claims costs and larger insurable earnings, have a higher predictability. In this case, volatility is not as high, as each single claim likely will not have a significant impact on your rate.

What is a class rate?

The class rate represents the premium rate for a given class based on the collective risk profile for all the businesses within the class and your class’s shared responsibility to maintain the insurance fund.

Can a business be assigned the class rate?

We assign the class rate to new businesses. Your business is considered a new business if you have less than 11 months of experience available in the review period. Once a business has 11 months or more of experience in the review period, their following year’s premium rate will be set based on their past insurable earnings and claims experience.

Businesses with experience similar to the class are also assigned the class rate.

How can I reduce my premiums?

The better your company’s health and safety record, the less it costs the insurance system. For this reason, the WSIB supports financial incentive programs that reward businesses for good health and safety practices. Learn about our Health and Safety Excellence program.

You can also work with your peers to encourage industry-wide best practices for workplace health and safety, to lower the collective costs to the system by your class.

If you suspect that a business in your class is getting an unfair financial advantage by not registering with the WSIB, not reporting injuries or illnesses or not paying premiums, you can report fraud and abuse of the system.
 

What is a projected premium rate?

Your projected premium rate provides the future direction, up or down, that your premium rate is headed if there is no change in your individual and class experience from year-to-year.

How does transition to the rate-setting model implemented in 2020 work?

We’ve now successfully transitioned to our new rate-setting model following our phased approach that started in 2020 and all rate-setting policies under our new model are fully in effect in 2024. 

Businesses with projected premium rate increases or decreases will see their rates move up or down a maximum of three risk bands each year from their prior year risk band (approximately 15 per cent), until they reach their projected premium rate.

In rare circumstances risk band movement may result in a rate change lower or greater than the approximate percentage indicated. Please see the FAQs on risk bands and yearly increases.

How are rates calculated for Temporary Employment Agencies (TEAs)?

In 2024, we will set premium rates for TEAs using the same approach as we do for all other businesses, as we did in 2022 and 2023. 

We calculate a separate rate for each North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) class to which a TEA supplies labour, for their activities classified in NAICS code 561320, and their non-supply of labour operations (if any).

We’ve completed our review of how we set rates for TEAs to ensure that all businesses’ rates reflect their individual and class risk and experience. Learn more about our TEA rate setting consultation.

How are rates set for Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) in 2024?

For non-profit organizations, we won’t apply projected increases related to your class and/or individual risk and experience in 2024 and your rate will be capped at or below your previous year’s premium rate. We’ll apply any projected decreases related to lower risk and/or experience to your account in 2024.

Starting in 2025 through 2027, each year, non-profit organizations can move a maximum of three risk bands down from their prior year risk band (approximately 15 per cent)*, or a maximum of one risk band up from their prior year risk band (approximately five per cent).*

In 2028 and 2029, non-profit organizations can move a maximum of three risk bands down from their prior year risk band (approximately 15 per cent)*, or a maximum of two risk bands up from their prior year risk band (approximately 10 per cent).*

Starting in 2030, our policies for premium rate setting under our rate-setting model introduced in 2020 will be fully in effect for non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations with projected premium rate increases or decreases will see their rates move up or down a maximum of three risk bands from their prior year risk band (approximately 15 per cent),* until they reach their projected premium rate.

*In rare circumstances risk band movement may result in a rate change lower or greater than the approximate percentage indicated. Please see the FAQs on risk bands and approximate yearly percentage increases.

What is the prior year risk band?

For 2024, the prior year risk band is the risk band which contains the 2023 actual premium rate (referred to as “Your Rate” in the premium rate statement). Mine rescue charges, if applicable, are subtracted from the 2023 actual premium rate before determining the prior year risk band. Every prior year risk band has an assigned rate, called the prior year risk band rate, which is calculated annually to reflect changes in the class rate. The 2024 prior year risk band rate may be different from the 2023 actual premium rate.

Why did my rate increase or decrease by more than 15 per cent, as indicated in your rate-setting policy?

Risk band movement may result in a rate change greater than 15 per cent depending on where a business’s rate falls in the prior year rate range. For example, your 2023 actual premium rate may have placed you in the lowest end of your risk band and changes in class/individual risk and/or experience have resulted in moving up to the next risk band resulting in a rate increase of more than 15 per cent in 2024. Alternatively, your prior year rate may have been so low that a one per cent increase represents an increase greater than 15 per cent.

The average rate increase for businesses with higher rates in 2024 compared to 2023, is 11.1 per cent.

What is transition funding?

Transition funding is a provision we created to cover the costs associated with transitioning businesses smoothly to our rate-setting model implemented in 2020. Transition funding no longer applies in 2024 and will appear as zero on your extended rate statement.

 

Can I get a detailed breakdown of how my premium rate was set?

You can request an extended statement that will provide you with details on how your individual premium rate was calculated, the adjustments made based on your claims experience and a breakdown of your claims costs.

To request an extended statement:

How will lost time and no-lost time claims impact premium rates?

When determining your premium rate, we will assess three components: insurable earnings, number of claims, and claim costs. All allowed claims, both lost time and no-lost time injuries, will be used to calculate premium rates. Lost time claims typically have higher claims costs and may increase premium rates accordingly.

I received my premium rate summary statement and do not agree with the rate, how can I appeal?

Your premium rate cannot be appealed, however, you can appeal any of the following components by providing supporting documentation that shows:

  • Your insurable earnings are inaccurate 
  • A claim(s) that occurred  should not have been applied to your account
  • Your claims costs are incorrect 

Premium reporting

What does ‘reporting your premiums’ mean?

Report your premiums means telling us your payroll information. You are responsible for telling us the total of all insurable gross earnings.  For details, see how to report and pay your premiums

How do I report my premiums?

When do I need to file a year-end reconciliation?

You need to file a reconciliation form by if you:

  • pay your premiums monthly
  • close an account
  • are asked to verify information by the WSIB

Completing reconciliation ensures that you have reported and paid all your premiums. It also confirms the accuracy of the payroll information you used to calculate the premiums.

For instructions, see completing the reconciliation form.

Yes, you can report and pay using our online services.

How do I sign up for WSIB’s online service for premium reporting?

You can sign up for our online services using:

  • Your WSIB firm or account number
  • In most cases, you’ll need the amount of the most recent payment you made to the WSIB

If you’re the first person from your organization to sign up, or haven’t made a premium payment to the WSIB before, you will also need your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number, as well as details of at least one of the rate groups under which your business is classified.

How do I report my premiums using WSIB’s online services?

Once you have signed up for our online service for premium reporting, select the account that you would like to report your premiums and follow these steps:

Step 1: Select a reporting period

This page will list any reporting periods that have not been submitted. Each reporting period is a link.

Click the reporting period you would like to report.

  • If you have more than one account, select ‘switch account’ to view another account
  • If you have more than one North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, they will all be displayed on one page in table format

Step 2: Enter insurable earnings

Enter the insurable earnings amount for that period in the Insurable Earnings field

Click Calculate premium. 

  • Your NAICS code (NC) premium is calculated for you in column C: NC Premium (Column A x Column B / 100).

Step 3: Review and submit 

Review the amount(s) entered

To correct the amount(s) entered, you may: 

  • Re-enter the incorrect amount(s) in column A insurable earnings field(s), or
  • Click clear all to delete the amount(s) in column A Insurable Earnings field(s)
    • Re-enter the correct amount(s)
    • Click Calculate premium

If you are ready to submit this amount, click submit. A dialog box appears prompting you to confirm whether you would like to proceed: 

  • Yes, please submit my premium to WSIB
  • No, I want to review my premium before submitting

Please note:

  • If a NC has no earnings for the selected reporting period, enter 0.00 in column A insurable earnings
  • There is a minimum annual premium of $100.00 for each account that is open during any part of the year
  • If you navigate to another screen or web site before clicking submit, any data you entered will be deleted. Similarly, if the session expires before clicking the Submit button, any data you may have entered will not be saved

Tip: Depending on your computer settings, the pop-up box may not be visible. Try scrolling up - you should be able to see the pop-up box.

Step 4: Confirmation

You will see your submission details including the date and time and who submitted it.

To pay your premium through your financial institution, select your bank from the drop down list near the bottom of the page and click Go to launch their website.

Tip: To add the WSIB as a payee, with your financial institution, select  Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario - Schedule 1 or WSIB Ontario Schedule 1.

To report for another period, select Report premium from the Tools menu, and repeat the same steps.
 

How can I view my report history?

To view your reporting history:

  • Select reporting history in the tools section of the menu

A history of premiums that were not submitted through our online service for premium reporting (e.g. by mail, email, fax, telephone) will appear, as well as any changes made to premiums that were originally made through our online service for premium reporting.

  • To view details of a specific submission, click View

You can print a record of this page or save a record of this page to an Excel spreadsheet by clicking Save as spreadsheet

  • If you select a specific submission, the details of the submission appear.

You can print a record of this page or save a record of this page to an Excel spreadsheet by clicking Save as spreadsheet

If the payment for this submission is outstanding, you can pay online through your financial institution. Select your bank from the drop down list near the bottom of the page and click Go to launch their website.

How do I review my online submission history?

To view your online submission history:

  • Select online submission history in the tool section of the menu

Only the premiums that were submitted through this site appear in the history.

  • To view details of a specific submission, click View

You can print a record of this page or save a record of this page to an Excel spreadsheet by clicking Save as spreadsheet

If the payment for this submission is outstanding, you can pay online through your financial institution. Select your bank from the drop down list near the bottom of the page and click Go to launch their website. 

Determining insurable earnings

How do I determine insurable earnings?

See how to calculate your premium and insurable earnings for step by step instructions.

What part of my payroll do I include in my insurable earnings?

See earning to include and exclude on how to calculate your premium and insurable earnings

If you have a business in the construction industry, see Mandatory Coverage in the Construction Industry for specific information about your premiums.

What is this year’s annual maximum insurable earnings?

See the "annual maximum" on the how to calculate your premium and insurable earnings page.

Payment

How often do I report and pay?

Businesses pay either:

  • monthly
  • quarterly
  • annually

See reporting and payment frequency for details.

What payment methods can I use?

You can pay your premiums in several different ways:

  • Our online service for premium payment (Visa or Mastercard credit, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard or Interac Online) through our online payment partner, Paymentus
  • Report, pay and reconcile your premiums in one simple transaction through your online banking. See how to report and pay your premiums for more information
    • Your bank’s website provides details on setting up a bill payee on your bank account. Most bank websites list us as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario - Schedule 1 or WSIB Ontario Sched 1.
    • When setting the WSIB as a bill payee, you will be required to choose either Schedule 1 (report and pay premiums) or Schedule 2 (pay claim costs) as an option. Most businesses are Schedule 1. See Schedule 2 for more information.
  • Report your insurable earnings and make WSIB account payments at the same time you complete your business taxes through your CRA My Business Account 
    • Only pre-authorized debit payment is available through the CRA’s My Business Account. You can pay your premiums using a credit card through your online banking or our online services
  • Telephone banking through your financial institution

No matter how you choose to pay, you still need to report your premiums. You can do so through our online service for premium reporting, your online banking, and your CRA My Business Account.

How do I pay through the WSIB’s online services?

Our online services for payment through Paymentus give you access to all your account details, the ability to pay for more than one premium at a time, confirm your payment amount and review your payment history. You can also set up a payment profile, so that when you log into online services your payment information is automatically loaded.

For each payment, you will receive an email and confirmation number for your records. Your payment is applied to your WSIB account within 24 to 48 hours (this period begins on the next business day when a payment is made on a weekend or holiday).

Our online services for payment through Paymentus and for clearances are integrated. Any payments made to your account are reflected in real time. This will allow you to bring your account back into good standing if an outstanding payment is preventing you from receiving a clearance certificate.

Can I pay directly through Paymentus?

You can choose to pay directly through our online payment provider, Paymentus, without logging onto our online services. You will need your account information, including:

  • account number
  • firm number
  • payment amount
  • Mastercard or Visa information or Mastercard or Visa Debit 

You can also pay directly by phone. You can call Paymentus anytime toll-free at 1-855-288-7459. It is an automated system, so you’ll have to enter your information using the telephone key pad. An operator is not available on the phone to assist you.

How do I pay by cheque?

  1. Make your cheque payable to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
  2. Record your seven-digit account number on the front of your cheque in the memo section
  3. Mail your cheque to WSIB, PO Box 4115, Station A, Toronto ON M5W 2V3 

Please remember: if you pay by mail, you still need to report using our online service for premium reporting before the due date.

Can I still make a payment via cheque if I don’t have a physical statement?

We have many payment options including an integrated online payment option within our online services. However, if you wish to continue making payments via cheque, you can either print your statement and include it with your cheque in an envelope, or clearly write out your account number and business legal name directly on the cheque.

What happens when I use the one-time payment feature?

You can also make one-time payment directly to our secure payment provider, Paymentus (not using our online service for premium payment ). You will need to supply all of your payment information: account number, firm number and payment type.

Can I use American Express?

No, at this time, we only accept payment by Visa and Mastercard.

How is my Mastercard or Visa payment confirmed?

For each payment made, you will receive a confirmation number. If you pay online, you will also receive an email confirmation. Your payment is applied to your WSIB account within 24-48 hours depending on when your payment was made. You can see the change to your WSIB account if you log into your online services account.

Does Visa Debit or Mastercard Debit charge a service fee?

Yes, there is a 2.25 per cent service charge for using Visa or Mastercard credit, and a 1.75 per cent service charge for using Visa Debit, and Debit Mastercard payments. We do not receive any part of this service fee; it goes directly to our online payment provider, Paymentus. There is no service charge for using Interac Online.

Your Mastercard or Visa statement will show the amount paid to the WSIB and your service fee will be listed separately as a payment to our payment provider Paymentus Corporation.
 

Can I use a credit card to pay my premiums through my CRA My Business Account?

No. Only pre-authorized debit payment is available through CRA’s My Business Account. You can pay your premium using a credit card through your online banking or our online services

Contact the CRA at 1-800-959-5525 if you have any issues accessing your CRA My Business Account or email us at employeraccounts@wsib.on.ca for any questions about your account.  

Other

Why would the WSIB make changes to my account?

The WSIB may make a debit or credit adjustment to your account if a correction is made to:

  • your classification
  • amount of insurable earnings calculated and reported
  • reported or paid premiums
  • optional insurance
  • ‘worker status’ for executive officers, independent operators or sub-contractors
  • interest charges
  • non-compliance penalties

For details on how we handle these premium adjustments, read the full policy on Employer Premium Adjustments.

Contact us for further questions.

I have an outstanding balance on my account. How do I get a clearance certificate?

If the only item on your account preventing you from getting a clearance is an outstanding balance and you pay your balance using our online services for payment through Paymentus, you can get a clearance certificate immediately.

Our online service for premium payment through Paymentus is integrated with our online service for clearances, so any payments made are reflected in real time in our online service for clearances. This allows you to come into compliance and get a clearance right away.

Please note that your payment will not be reflected on your WSIB account for 24-48 hours depending on when your payment was made. If you made a payment on a weekend or holiday, the 24-48 hour period begins on the next business day.

What is the Interjurisdictional Agreement on Workers’ Compensation?

All workers’ compensation boards in Canada have signed an agreement called the Interjurisdictional Agreement on Workers’ Compensation (IJA). Under the IJA, businesses can avoid paying premiums twice to cover the same employee who performs work in more than one province or territory in Canada.

All compensation boards participate in the IJA and accept premiums from out-of-province businesses for work done in that jurisdiction (province or territory). The premium rate is set by the province where the work is conducted and is based on the firm’s business classification. Under the IJA, businesses pro-rate their insurable earnings so that each Canadian Board receives premiums for the work performed in that Board’s jurisdiction. See our policy on the IJA for more information. 

There is an exception to this practice that applies to interjurisdictional trucking and transport businesses who participate in the Alternative Assessment Procedure.

Are there special rules for trucking and transport?

The Alternative Assessment Procedure (AAP) agreement exists for interjurisdictional trucking and transport companies whose employees travel into more than one Canadian province or territory. You can participate in the AAP by filling out an
. When approved, the business can pay premiums to the compensation board where the employee actually lives, rather than pro-rating each employee’s insurable earnings based on where they work. See our policy on AAP for more information.