Workers' compensation will likely be the principal property-casualty line to benefit most from the economic stimulus package signed into law by President Barack Obama, according to Insurance Information Institute president Robert Hartwig.

Mr. Hartwig, speaking during a joint online seminar sponsored by I.I.I. and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company titled "How the Economic Stimulus Plan Will Impact the Property-Casualty Insurance Industry," said that if the administration's target of 3.5 million jobs created or preserved is realized, that would translate into $1.1 billion in private workers' compensation premiums.

He said the stimulus package is unlikely to increase net premiums written by more than 1 percent, or about $4.5 billion in total. He added that since the package is only now being rolled out, insurers will likely not see the effects of it until year-end 2010.