Although the workers' compensation insurance market does not officially open to competition until July 1, Gov. Joe Manchin made a prediction last week: "We're going to move into a very competitive environment."

Early indications support his prediction.

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. is the only company that can sell workers' comp insurance in West Virginia until July 1. But dozens of companies interested in entering the market have attended open market forums sponsored by the state Insurance Commission. More than 20 companies that have not previously offered insurance in West Virginia have been licensed to write workers' compensation coverage.

At least one company - Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. - is already visiting employers, seeking their business and offering quotes.

Also, Insurance Systems Inc. of Ona, an independent insurance agency that represents numerous insurance companies - including BrickStreet - has sent a letter advising businesses of the coming competitive market.

"For decades in West Virginia, you have not had an option on where you purchase your business' workers' compensation coverage," Insurance Systems' partners David Robinson and Arch Keller write. "In July of this year, this will change and you will finally have options for your coverage.

"You will see companies like Travelers, Westfield, Cincinnati, AIG, and many others, all open for business in this line," the letter says. "Like other forms of insurance, pricing will vary from company to company. For the first time in the history of your business, you will have the opportunity to shop for a better rate."

The letter notes that Insurance Systems has been in business for more than 80 years and says, "We are one of the only agencies in our area which have acquired the expertise necessary to help you to manage your workers' comp exposures."

When a business works with Insurance Systems, "we will present you with numerous options for your coverage and explain each one to you," Robinson and Keller promise. "As independent agents, we have the ability to market your business to many different insurers. We will negotiate on your behalf and get you the best coverage at the best rate."

Keller said the company sent out 2,000 to 3,000 letters and is just starting to get responses.

"I think, as the governor says, there will be many interested players in the workers' comp arena," Keller said. "I know Travelers has announced plans to be extremely aggressive in writing workers' comp in West Virginia. Travelers, if they want something, can get there from a pricing standpoint."

Keller said Westfield, the largest writer of commercial insurance in West Virginia, also plans to write workers' comp, "although I don't think you'll see Westfield writing workers' comp for a business unless they write other lines for that business, too. Travelers is one of the few big-name companies that has said they'll just write workers' comp for a company if it makes sense."

"I intend to continue being a supporter of BrickStreet," Keller said. "I think this competition will only help BrickStreet to get better.

"I view BrickStreet as my partner, but as in my other lines of business - I write for Cincinnati Insurance, Travelers, Westfield - competition is a good thing," Keller said. "I will continue doing business with all of them. May the best man win in the battle."

Although the workers' compensation insurance market does not officially open to competition until July 1, Gov. Joe Manchin made a prediction last week: "We're going to move into a very competitive environment."

Early indications support his prediction.

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. is the only company that can sell workers' comp insurance in West Virginia until July 1. But dozens of companies interested in entering the market have attended open market forums sponsored by the state Insurance Commission. More than 20 companies that have not previously offered insurance in West Virginia have been licensed to write workers' compensation coverage.

At least one company - Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. - is already visiting employers, seeking their business and offering quotes.

Also, Insurance Systems Inc. of Ona, an independent insurance agency that represents numerous insurance companies - including BrickStreet - has sent a letter advising businesses of the coming competitive market.

"For decades in West Virginia, you have not had an option on where you purchase your business' workers' compensation coverage," Insurance Systems' partners David Robinson and Arch Keller write. "In July of this year, this will change and you will finally have options for your coverage.

"You will see companies like Travelers, Westfield, Cincinnati, AIG, and many others, all open for business in this line," the letter says. "Like other forms of insurance, pricing will vary from company to company. For the first time in the history of your business, you will have the opportunity to shop for a better rate."

The letter notes that Insurance Systems has been in business for more than 80 years and says, "We are one of the only agencies in our area which have acquired the expertise necessary to help you to manage your workers' comp exposures."

When a business works with Insurance Systems, "we will present you with numerous options for your coverage and explain each one to you," Robinson and Keller promise. "As independent agents, we have the ability to market your business to many different insurers. We will negotiate on your behalf and get you the best coverage at the best rate."

Keller said the company sent out 2,000 to 3,000 letters and is just starting to get responses.

"I think, as the governor says, there will be many interested players in the workers' comp arena," Keller said. "I know Travelers has announced plans to be extremely aggressive in writing workers' comp in West Virginia. Travelers, if they want something, can get there from a pricing standpoint."

Keller said Westfield, the largest writer of commercial insurance in West Virginia, also plans to write workers' comp, "although I don't think you'll see Westfield writing workers' comp for a business unless they write other lines for that business, too. Travelers is one of the few big-name companies that has said they'll just write workers' comp for a company if it makes sense."

"I intend to continue being a supporter of BrickStreet," Keller said. "I think this competition will only help BrickStreet to get better.

"I view BrickStreet as my partner, but as in my other lines of business - I write for Cincinnati Insurance, Travelers, Westfield - competition is a good thing," Keller said. "I will continue doing business with all of them. May the best man win in the battle."