Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Prepared for:
New York Civil Justice Institute
May 24, 2019
Thomas Ryan, Principal, FCAS, MAAA
Dionne Schaaffe, Associate Actuary, ACAS, MAAA
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no legal duty to any third party recipient of this report. We recommend that any third party recipient of this report obtain advice from
those with expertise in the subject matter under review.
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MILLIMAN RESEARCH REPORT
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 2
CURRENT NEW YORK WRONGFUL DEATH STATUTE AND PROPOSED CHANGE ........... 2
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS......................................................................................... 5
LIMITATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 5
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MILLIMAN RESEARCH REPORT
Executive Summary
The New York (NY) State Senate is currently considering a bill, S4006 (Hoylman), which seeks to expand
the current wrongful death act to permit the families of wrongful death victims to recover compensation for
their grief or emotional anguish, among other items.
The New York Civil Justice Institute (NYCJI) has requested that Milliman provide an analysis of the total
cost effect of the proposed bill in New York – for property-casualty insurers, policyholders and self-insureds.
Based on the analysis contained in this report, Milliman estimates the proposed law could increase costs
as follows:
· Property Casualty Insurers and Policyholders (Commercial Insurance Market) – Focusing on the
three main lines of insurance with the greatest exposure to wrongful death claims (medical
professional liability (MPL), automobile liability (AL) and general liability (GL)) we estimate an
overall $1.9 billion or 12.8% increase to annual loss and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) in New
York. This could translate to a corresponding $2.2 billion or 12.6% increase to the annual premiums
paid by New York residents and businesses for insurance.
· Self-Insureds – Based on the projected changes to the commercial insured losses1 as a result of
S4006, we estimate that annual liability losses paid by self-insureds in New York could increase by
15.9% or $1.6 billion.
1 For the remainder of this report, the term “losses” will refer to loss and LAE combined.
Review of NY Bill S4006: 2 May 24, 2019
Expansion of Wrongful Death Act
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MILLIMAN RESEARCH REPORT
To determine the impact of allowing the proposed general damages in wrongful death actions in New York,
we first estimated the impact of the proposed change on the commercial insurance market. We then used
these results to help estimate the impact on self-insureds.
For our review of the impact of the proposed change on the commercial insurance market, we focused on
the three largest lines of business most susceptible to wrongful death claims – medical professional liability,
automobile liability and general liability insurance.
For each of these lines we estimated total losses in New York and those related specifically to bodily injury
claims (which would include claims related to deaths). Based on various publicly available databases, we
estimated the amount of bodily injury claims related to economic damages for death related claims. We
also used these databases to estimate the ratio of non-economic damages to economic damages (a non-
economic damages multiplier) for liability claims. By isolating an estimate of the current New York insurance
losses related to economic damages for death claims and applying the non-economic multiplier, we
determined an estimate of the cost increase related to the addition of non-economic damages for
commercial insured losses related to death claims as proposed under S4006.
We adjusted the projected increase in losses for fixed expenses to determine the estimated impact on
policyholder premium. The details of these calculations are provided by line of business in Exhibit 1 (MPL),
Exhibit 2 (AL) and Exhibit 3 (GL) with the resulting impact on total loss and premium by line provided below.
Table 1
Milliman Estimated Impact of S4006 on P/C Insurance Losses and Premium in New York
($ billions)
Annual
2018 NY Impact of S4006 NY Impact of S4006
Earned on Premium Estimated on Losses
LOB Premium $ % Loss $ %
MPL 1.6 0.7 47.0% 1.4 0.6 44.7%
AL 8.2 0.5 6.6% 6.8 0.5 6.9%
GL 7.8 0.9 11.8% 6.8 0.8 12.0%
Total 17.6 2.2 12.6% 15.0 1.9 12.8%
A discussion of the key assumptions used in our estimation process is provided below.
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MILLIMAN RESEARCH REPORT
The New York 2018 ultimate loss and LAE by line of business was determined by applying the estimated
ultimate loss & LAE ratio for each line for New York (from NAIC 2008-2017 Profitability Reports by Line by
State) to the annual earned premium by line of business (from the 2018 Annual Statement State page for
the P&C industry). To determine losses related to bodily injury claims only, we relied on information from
the “Auto Insurance Database Report” for AL and a recent industry GL trend report for GL.
The increased costs that will impact the insurance industry due to the proposed bill result from death claims.
Therefore, we estimated the percentage of the total losses by line of business in which claims are
associated with an outcome of death. The selected percentage of loss related to death claims and the
source used to determine this percentage are provided for each line of business below:
· MPL: The percentage of losses associated with death claims for MPL in New York is estimated to
be 27.9%. This amount is based on information from the National Practitioner Databank using data
through February 28, 2019 as shown in the Appendix, Sheet 1.
· AL – We estimate 22.7% of annual paid losses for AL relate to death claims based on data taken
from the Texas Department of Insurance (DOI) 2015 claim database (the most recent available).
After adjusting for non-economic damages (which are currently allowed in Texas), the estimate of
economic damages related to death claims for AL in New York is estimated to be 7.2% of total
losses as shown in the Appendix, Sheet 3.
· GL – Similar to the approach used for AL, we relied on data from the Texas DOI database to
determine the percentage of GL losses related to death claims. Based on this data, we estimate
that 9.0% of total losses (excluding non-economic damages related to death claims) relate to
economic damages from death claims in New York as shown in the Appendix, Sheet 4.
Given the estimated current losses and LAE associated with death claims, we then estimated the additional
amounts expected for general damages related to these claims should the proposed legislation take effect.
To determine the general damage estimates, we reviewed the Texas DOI database as well as a publicly
available claim database from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) that both provide the
distribution between economic and non-economic damages for paid claims across multiple lines of
business. Based on the claims information from these databases (as shown in the Appendix, Sheets 2 to
4), we selected the following multipliers to represent the ratio of non-economic to economic damages for
each line of business:
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MILLIMAN RESEARCH REPORT
The estimate of wrongful death general damages shown on line 7 of Exhibit 1 and line 9 of Exhibits 2 and
3 include only those liability losses associated with the commercial insurance market – both admitted and
excess & surplus insurers. To determine the full effect of the proposal legislation, we estimated the effect
on self-insured entities as well. Our estimate of the size of the New York self-insured exposure is based
on a study by Conning Research Consulting (“Alternative Markets: Structural and Functional Evolution”
dated September 2006) as well as publicly available databases from the states of Florida, Connecticut, and
Washington that identify both commercially-insured and self-insured claims. Based on this information,
we have assumed the size of the self-insured market in New York, in regards to liability losses, is roughly
equal to the size of the commercial insured markets for MPL, AL and GL. As it is not possible to self-insure
personal automobile liability, the overall self-insured market share for AL (for both commercial and personal
auto insurance combined) is estimated to be 19%. Based on these assumptions, the overall impact of the
proposed bill on self-insureds is estimated to be $1.6 billion. The calculation of the self-insured estimates
by line of business is shown on Exhibits 1 through 3.
Statement of Qualifications
Tom Ryan FCAS, MAAA and Dionne Schaaffe ACAS, MAAA of Milliman meet the actuarial qualification
standards to provide this analysis.
Limitations
Data
In performing this analysis, we relied on publicly available data and other information. We have not audited
or verified this data and other information. If the underlying data or information is inaccurate or incomplete,
the results of our analysis may likewise be inaccurate or incomplete. In that event, the results of our analysis
may not be suitable for the intended purpose.
We performed a limited review of the data used directly in our analysis for reasonableness and consistency
and have not found material defects in the data. If there are material defects in the data, it is possible that
they would be uncovered by a detailed, systematic review and comparison of the data to search for data
values that are questionable or for relationships that are materially inconsistent. Such a review was beyond
the scope of our assignment.
This report was prepared for the benefit of the NYCJI. No third party recipient of this report should rely on its findings and Milliman owes no legal duty to any third party recipient
of this report. We recommend that any third party recipient of this report obtain advice from those with expertise in the subject matter under review.
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MILLIMAN RESEARCH REPORT
Uncertainty
During the course of our review, we applied generally accepted actuarial procedures. However, due to the
uncertainty involved in projecting future events, it is likely that actual results will vary from our projections,
perhaps materially. This uncertainty related to the projections in this report is increased due to uncertainty
regarding the behavioral changes on the part of plaintiffs, attorneys, and other tort participants as a result
of the proposed changes in the bill.
Distribution
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Milliman
Summary
($thousands)
(i) Medical Professional Liability 1,431,362 639,785 44.7% 1,581,160 743,709 47.0%
(ii) Automobile Liability 6,780,217 471,066 6.9% 8,196,401 544,466 6.6%
(iii) General Liability 6,778,556 810,577 12.0% 7,846,576 927,175 11.8%
14,990,134 1,921,429 12.8% 17,624,138 2,215,350 12.6%
Note:
(Ai), (Bi) See Exhibit 1
(Aii), (Bii) See Exhibit 2
(Aiii), (Biii) See Exhibit 3
(4) Percentage Of Losses From Death Cases from Economic Damages 27.9%
(7) Effect Of Legislation On Commercial Insurance Market Loss & LAE 639,785
(8) Fixed Expense Adjustment Factor 0.860
(9) Effect Of Legislation On Commercial Insurance Market Premium 743,709
Note:
(1) New York State page from Annual Statement for the year ended December 31, 2018 for the P&C
Industry.
(2) NAIC 2008-2017 Profitability Reports by Line by State
(3) = (1) x (2)
(4) See Appendix, Sheet 1
(5) See Appendix, Sheet 2
(6) = (4) x (5)
(7) = (3) x (6)
(8) = 1 - [ 50% x TL&F + Other Acquisition Expenses + General Expenses ] / Earned Premium. Source:
S&P Global, 2017 IEE - Part III.
(9) = (7) / (8)
(10) Estimated by Milliman
(11) = (7) / (10) - (7)
(6) Percentage of Losses from Death Cases (Economic Damages Only) 7.2% 7.2% 7.2%
(9) Effect Of Legislation On Commercial Insurance Market Loss & LAE 359,945 111,122 471,066
(10) Fixed Expense Adjustment Factor 0.863 0.872
(11) Effect Of Legislation On Commercial Insurance Market Premium 417,097 127,369 544,466
(13) Effect Of Legislation On Self-Insured Market Loss & LAE 0 111,122 111,122
Note:
(1) New York State page from Annual Statement for the year ended December 31, 2018 for the P&C Industry.
(2) NAIC 2008-2017 Profitability Reports by Line by State
(3) = (1) x (2)
(4) Percentage based on "Auto Insurance Database Report - 2015/2016" dated 2018.
(5) = (3) x (4)
(6) See Appendix, Sheet 3
(7) See Appendix, Sheet 3
(8) = (6) x (7)
(9) = (5) x (8)
(10) = 1 - [ 50% x TL&F + Other Acquisition Expenses + General Expenses ] / Earned Premium. Source: S&P Global, 2017 IEE - Part III.
(11) = (9) / (10)
(12) Estimated by Milliman
(13) = (9) / (12) - (9)
Milliman
Exhibit 3
(6) Percentage of Losses from Death Cases (Economic Damages Only) 9.0%
(9) Effect Of Legislation On Commercial Insurance Market Loss & LAE 810,577
(10) Fixed Expense Adjustment Factor 0.874
(11) Effect Of Legislation On Commercial Insurance Market Premium 927,175
Note:
(1) New York State page from Annual Statement for the year ended December 31, 2018 for the P&C
Industry.
(2) NAIC 2008-2017 Profitability Reports by Line by State
(3) = (1) x (2)
(4) From Industry GL Trend Report
(5) = (3) x (4)
(6) See Appendix, Sheet 4
(7) See Appendix, Sheet 4
(8) = (6) x (7)
(9) = (5) x (8)
(10) = 1 - [ 50% x TL&F + Other Acquisition Expenses + General Expenses ] / Earned Premium. Source:
S&P Global, 2017 IEE - Part III.
(11) = (9) / (10)
(12) Estimated by Milliman
(13) = (9) / (12) - (9)
Sum of PAYMENT
OUTCOME Total Distribution
1 23,251,750 0.3%
2 12,637,300 0.2%
3 293,489,550 4.0%
4 810,828,500 11.0%
5 887,210,250 12.0%
6 1,603,542,750 21.7%
7 992,375,800 13.4%
8 671,818,750 9.1%
9 2,067,995,300 27.9%
10 39,454,750 0.5%
Grand Total 7,402,604,700 100.0%
Outcome 9 = Death
Selected 27.9%
Non-Economic Distribution
Portion of Claim of Claim Range
Total Damages Counts Counts Mid-Point
Exactly 0% 3,816 25% 0%
0% - 10% 220 1% 5%
10% - 20% 304 2% 15%
20% - 30% 311 2% 25%
30% - 40% 400 3% 35%
40% - 50% 623 4% 45%
50% - 60% 518 3% 55%
60% - 70% 606 4% 65%
70% - 80% 691 4% 75%
80% - 90% 530 3% 85%
90% - 100% 607 4% 95%
Exactly 100% 6,851 44% 100%
Total 15,477 100%
Note:
(1), (2) From Florida Closed Claims Database as of 4/2/2019
includes loss years 1999 through 2018
(3) Based on (2)
(4) Based on (1)
(5) Average of (4) using (3) as weights
(6) = 100% - (5)
(7) = (5) / (6)
(8) Selected by Milliman based on (7)
Note:
(1),(2) From Texas DOI 2015 Closed Claims Database - CAL Claims Only. Subset where Econ vs Non-Econ is identified.
(6) From Texas DOI 2015 Closed Claims Database - CAL Claims Only
(4), (5) Distribution of (6) based on (1) - (3)
(7) = (6i) / (6iii)
(8) = (4i) / [ (4i) + (6ii) ]. New York currently doesn’t allow non-economic damages for death cases.
(9) = (5iii) / (6iii)
(10) = 100% - (9)
(11) = (9) / (10)
(12) Selected by Milliman based on (11)
M:\__MRSS\209CJI\2019\Analysis\Wrongful Death Appendix - NY.xlsm CAL NonEcon & Death % 5/24/2019 8:35 AM
Milliman
Appendix
Sheet 4
Note:
(1),(2) From Texas DOI 2015 Closed Claims Database - GL Claims Only. Subset where Econ vs Non-Econ is identified.
(6) From Texas DOI 2015 Closed Claims Database - GL Claims Only
(4), (5) Distribution of (6) based on (1) - (3)
(7) = (6i) / (6iii)
(8) = (4i) / [ (4i) + (6ii) ]. New York currently doesn’t allow non-economic damages for death cases.
(9) = (5iii) / (6iii)
(10) = 100% - (9)
(11) = (9) / (10)
(12) Selected by Milliman based on (11)
Milliman