Introducing Alex, an employee at a company specializing in sign production. Alex operates the large digital printer that churns out an assortment of signs and banners for a diverse client base. Much of his job involves standing for extended periods.
One unfortunate day, while producing a sizable political sign made of 3/4-inch plywood to be displayed along the roadside, Alex accidentally drops the 65-pound piece onto his foot, fracturing multiple bones.
Though the damaged sign is salvaged and restored, Alex faces a different ordeal. He rushes to the emergency room, where his foot is put in a cast. He’s informed that he’ll need to avoid standing for six weeks to allow for proper healing, making it impossible for him to operate his digital printer during this time.
Alex, being an hourly wage earner, faces the grim prospect of losing income during his period of recovery.
Enter Workers Compensation Insurance!
Thanks to the Workers Compensation Insurance policy his employer has in place, Alex doesn’t have to worry about losing his wages during his time away from work. The insurance also takes care of his medical expenses. Essentially, Alex can focus on his recovery without the financial burden. Once he’s back on his feet—literally—he can resume his normal work duties and the workers’ compensation benefits are discontinued.
Simply put, workers’ compensation insurance, commonly known as workers’ comp, is designed to cover employee injuries. If you’re hurt and can’t perform your job, you will receive financial support until you’re able to return to work. The nature of the injury doesn’t matter as long as it occurred while you were performing work-related tasks.
Taking Alex’s situation as an example, it’s irrelevant whether he injured himself by dropping a sign on his foot, twisting his ankle during a delivery, or falling from a cherry picker while setting up a neon sign. As long as the injury took place while he was fulfilling his job responsibilities, he qualifies for coverage.
However, it’s important to note that workers’ comp insurance does have certain limitations. For instance, in New York, the policy restrictions are as follows:
Workers’ comp policies universally have limitations. Some states, like New York, have statutory caps, which means they will cover expenses up to a certain point, regardless of the actual costs incurred. Other states adhere to fixed limitations similar to those outlined above.
Higher levels of workers’ compensation insurance coverage are also available. It’s not uncommon to see requests for coverage with limits of $1 million for each category. These enhanced limits are often mandated by specific contracts when dealing with particular agencies or organizations. Additionally, excess workers’ compensation coverage can be arranged for contracts that necessitate even greater financial safeguards.
Workers’ comp covers injuries or illnesses that occur while executing work-related tasks and result in an inability to work for a certain duration (this timeframe varies from state to state). The insurance also pays for medical expenses, including doctor visits and emergency room trips.
Almost everyone should have this type of insurance. While there are a few exceptions, which we’ll discuss later, it’s generally recommended for all workers.
In essence, everyone does.
That’s because the standard liability insurance limits, which typically range from $1 to $2 million, often fall short of adequately covering potential risks and damages. Most contracts require liability coverage that ranges from $5 million to $20 million. This is particularly true in major cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Whenever the required limit surpasses $1 million, additional coverage is necessary.
Excess liability can extend to various types of policies, including General Liability, Directors and Officers, Commercial Auto, and Cyber. These policies usually cap at $1 million, and any requirement above this limit is covered by umbrella or excess liability insurance.
Certain sectors are more inclined to opt for excess coverage. Construction projects usually demand it, as do landlord-tenant agreements, where landlords often require coverage that exceeds the standard $1 million, typically around $5 million. Businesses like supermarkets, bars, restaurants, healthcare facilities, transportation hubs, manufacturing plants, and even upscale salons generally need at least $5 million in coverage.
Basically, it can encompass everything. For instance, if you have a commercial auto policy, the excess liability can cover all terms and conditions of that policy. The same applies for cyber liability insurance.
This means it can cover instances such as:
However, there are specific exclusions that commercial umbrella and excess liability insurance won’t cover.
Key things to know about workers’ compensation insurance include:
Employee rates depend on the job description you provide in the paperwork. Rates for each type of job are set based on the level of risk involved, as well as a percentage of every $100 in wages.
For instance, insurance for a roofer would be calculated based on the hazardous nature of their work, in addition to their standard salary. Summing up the rates for all job roles within a company helps determine the organization’s overall insurance premium. Office workers, for example, generally cost less to insure than contractors due to the reduced level of risk.
Workers’ comp insurers, including Sigma Insurance, operate under the guidelines set by the Workers Compensation Board. This entity sets the class code rates, theoretically making rates uniform across all workers’ compensation providers.
Modifications to the standard rates can be made through what’s known as an “experience modification rate” or “mod.” Shopping around among insurers may not yield different rates because the Board also oversees each insurance provider to determine these rates and check for fraudulent activities.
Companies can only receive a mod after they have been insured for more than three years. A business with no claims for three years starts with a mod of 1.0. However, having claims will elevate your mod—say to 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc., thus raising your rates. A mod of 1.3, for example, is seen as very high risk and will result in increased premiums.
Conversely, a lack of claims can reduce your mod to figures like .95, .90, or .85, resulting in lower premiums. The fewer and less costly your claims, the lower your insurance costs will be.
Your mod is influenced by two main factors: 1) how frequently injuries occur and 2) the total claim payouts. Rules governing how mods are calculated are standardized by the Board, making them consistent across all insurance providers. Just like a “permanent record” from your school days, your claims history sticks with your company. Should you switch insurance providers, the new company will request your mod from the previous insurer to assess your risk level. This applies to all employees within the company as well.
The Significance of Accurate Business Classification
The Board, which oversees workers’ compensation insurance, tracks the classifications associated with your business. Let’s say you initially identify yourself as a roofer. Two years later, you switch to a new insurance provider and label yourself as a carpenter to benefit from lower rates. This change prompts an electronic alert to The Board, who then informs the new insurer about your prior classification. At this point, you’re obligated to confirm your new role as a carpenter or revert to your original roofer classification along with its rates. Misrepresenting your classification could lead to complications, as we’ll discuss later.
Be extremely cautious when dealing with workers’ compensation insurance.
Providing false information about your business type, injuries, or classifications could land you in serious trouble. For example, imagine a company falsely claiming to be in software development while actually engaged in construction. If an employee gets injured on a construction site, the discrepancy will lead to an investigation and likely charges of fraud against the business owner.
Legal Requirements for Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for nearly all employees, with limited exceptions for some officers in small businesses, depending on state regulations. If you fail to provide coverage, The Board will impose hefty fines.
Suppose you start a house cleaning service and initially operate without employees. Later, as you hire staff but neglect to secure workers’ compensation insurance, The Board eventually sends a notice demanding proof of coverage retroactively for the last four months. Failure to comply could result in crippling fines, potentially leading to the closure of your business.
Non-compliance can cost you $2,000 for every ten days without coverage. In our example, that led to a $24,000 fine for 120 days of non-coverage. On top of that, you could face legal repercussions, including potential jail time for fraud, if an employee gets injured while you’re not insured.
Don’t navigate the complexities of workers’ compensation insurance alone. It’s essential to consult an experienced insurance professional who understands the nuances and can help you select the right coverage and classification. They can guide you through factors like eligibility, pricing, and proper payroll handling to keep costs in check.
Navigating workers’ compensation insurance is a complex and risky endeavor that requires utmost attention and expertise. Consult a qualified insurance professional to ensure proper coverage and classification. This way, you can protect both your business and your employees from harsh penalties and legal consequences. For specialized assistance, feel free to contact Sigma Insurance, who have an in-depth understanding of the workers’ compensation landscape and can help you secure the best coverage.
