The Missouri Department of Insurance and the National Council on Compensation Insurance recommended a 3.5% decrease in workers' compensation insurance loss costs in the state for 2019.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance proposed an average decline of 2.4% for manufacturing; 6.3% in contracting; 3.7% in office and clerical; 4.2% in goods and services; and 0.2% in miscellaneous industries.

The 3.5% decrease in loss costs between Aug. 1, 2018, and Jan. 1, 2019, was driven by declining lost-time claim frequencies combined with stable average claim costs, according to a news release. Insurers are not required to change their rates in 2019.

The recommendations would apply to policies effective Jan. 1, 2019.