Where To Buy Workers Compensation Insurance
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) provides several tools to help employers who are shopping for workers' compensation insurance or experiencing rating or underwriting problems. If you do not find the information you need, we invite you to call our Consumer Hotline for assistance. Our dedicated insurance experts are available to assist you.
where to buy workers compensation insurance
The DOI has several responsibilities including the authority to approve or disapprove workers' compensation rates, industrial classifications, rating plans and many sorts of policy forms. We also run the assigned risk pool, although we have appointed the Worker's Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (WCRIB) to perform most of the day-to-day operations, such as assigning employers to particular servicing carriers. In certain instances we hold hearings on rates, classifications, premiums or other matters involving workers' compensation, including loss reserve.
Any person or business that employs workers must purchase workers' compensation insurance except (i) individuals employing people to do work on their own homes, (ii) non-profit corporations with no paid staff, and (iii) corporations in which each employee is an officer/director who owns at least 25% of the corporation and each has given up his/her right to workers' compensation benefits in the state.
There are two kinds of benefits available under workers' compensation. The first replaces some or all of an employee's pre-injury wage. The second deals with their medical and vocational rehabilitation.
People with disabilities, whether caused by a work accident or otherwise have certain protections under both federal and state laws. Professional vocational rehabilitation workers can help assess the job requirements, the accommodations that might be needed temporarily or for the long term, and see what can be done to help. Not everyone will be able to return to their former job with their employer, but many can. Others can return to their former employer in a different job. Depending on the duties of the job, a few may have to find employment elsewhere.
Sole proprietors and partners in partnerships are able to buy workers' compensation coverage for themselves as well as for their workers. It remains an option for sole proprietors to purchase (less expensive) workers' compensation policies that will cover only their employees. Those choosing to incorporate now have the option to waive all their rights to coverage under the workers' compensation laws if they own 25% of the corporation.
Ultimately, employers pay the costs of losses to carriers plus the costs of the carriers operating. The more employers do to control or prevent losses, the less expensive workers' compensation will be for all employers. Finally, employers in the Pool can get up to 15% premium credits for hiring a Qualified Loss Management firm, to help them contain costs. Your agent can provide you with a list of such firms.
Allegations of fraud should be reported to the Insurance Fraud Bureau which has the power to investigate these allegations. Experience modifications may be recalculated when paid workers' compensation claims are later determined to be "noncompensable".
California law requires that employers, including those in the construction industry, carry workers' compensation insurance, even if they have only one employee. The insurance exists for employees who get hurt or sick because of work. Workers' compensation insurance provides basic benefits, including medical care, temporary disability benefits, permanent disability benefits, supplemental job displacement benefits and a return-to-work supplement, and death benefits.
NOTE: All active C-8 Concrete contractors, C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning contractors, C-22 Asbestos Abatement contractors, C-39 Roofing contractors, and/or C-61/D-49 Tree Service contractors are required to carry workers' compensation insurance or a valid Certification of Self-Insurance, whether or not they have employees.
Upon employing anyone in a manner that is subject to the workers' compensation laws of California, the exemption form on file will no longer be valid and you will be required to obtain and submit proof of workers' compensation insurance coverage. This proof must be received at CSLB's Headquarters within 90 days of the hire.
In addition, if an employee does not follow company policies, such as wearing a hard hat when working with heavy equipment, and hurts themselves, they are not entitled to workers' compensation benefits.
If an employee gets injured or makes claims of injury after experiencing a termination (including being fired or laid off), they are not eligible for workers' compensation benefits. A worker must be an active employee at a company in order to receive workers' compensation coverage.
If your employee is unable to work due to injury and you have to bring on a replacement worker, workers' compensation would not cover the replacement worker's salary. The injured employee would still be entitled to wage loss benefits.
In some cases, small business owners can choose to buy pay-as-you-go workers' compensation. This type of workers' comp policy has a low upfront premium, and lets you make payments based on your actual payroll instead of an estimated payroll. It's useful for businesses that hire seasonal help or have fluctuating numbers of employees.
In addition, some small business owners may be eligible for a minimum premium workers' compensation policy, which sets your premium charges at the minimum premium (i.e., the smallest amount of money that an insurance company will sell to a business). Small businesses that benefit from this type of policy often have few risks and a small number of employees.
If you need coverage in Ohio, North Dakota, Washington or Wyoming, you'll need to contact your state to secure insurance. These states only allow businesses to get workers' compensation insurance through them.
The manner or method by which you choose to insure your workers' compensation liability is your decision. Should you have any questions contact the Workers' Compensation Division at 1-800-528-5166 or (334) 956-4044.
If you regularly employ less than five (5) employees, full-time or part-time and including officers of a corporation in any one business, other than the business of constructing or assisting on-site in the construction of new single-family, detached residential dwellings, the Alabama Workers' Compensation Law does not require you to have workers' compensation insurance coverage. Employers of domestic employees, farm laborers, or casual employees and municipalities having a population of less than 2,000 (according to the most recent federal census) are not required to provide coverage but can elect to be covered by the provisions of the Alabama Workers' Compensation Law.
Why should you have workers' compensation coverage? It is required by law.
It is the exclusive remedy for on-the-job injury and occupational disease.
Having coverage enables you to have limited civil liability, avoid double compensation, and avoid penalties and fines.
Alabama's Workers' Compensation Law provides significant and valuable benefit to both employer and employee. The employee is guaranteed a "benefit certain" in the event of an on-the-job injury or occupational disease. The employer pays for this insurance. The employer is protected by the "exclusive remedy" provisions of the Law. This means that an injured worker is entitled only to the benefits required by law, thus the employer's liability is limited.
The Insurance Requirement Information page is divided into 3 sections for your browsing convenience. These sections are: 5 optional ways to cover your workers' compensation liability.
Workers' compensation related issues.
Exemptions.
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There are five ways to cover your workers' compensation liability. You can: Purchase insurance from an approved commercial workers' compensation carrier.
Provide coverage through a group self-insurance fund.
Individually self-insure, if qualified.
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DESCRIPTION: You can obtain coverage by joining a group self-insurance fund. This is a common fund into which employers have, by agreement, pooled their liabilities for the purpose of providing Alabama workers' compensation benefits to their employees.
CANDIDATES: Any employer who is willing to enter into an agreement to pool their workers' compensation liabilities and who meets the underwriting requirements set forth by the Fund. Requirements Of Qualification For Self-Insurance
ADVANTAGES: Recognized by the State Courts. Approved and regulated by the Alabama Department of Labor. Provides workers' compensation liability coverage at a reasonable price. Choice of joining with a variety of Funds. Attractive rates.
COMMENTS: Cost considerations include assessments, fees, taxes, excess insurance limits and retention, cost of the claim servicing organization, payments to the injured workers, litigation, consultation, membership in Alabama Workers' Compensation Self Insured Guaranty Association, safety and loss control and exposure to un-funded losses of incurred but not reported claims. Individual self-insurance is regulated by the Alabama Department of Labor.
An employee leasing arrangement is an arrangement whereby an employer contracts with an employee leasing company to provide the services of leased employees. Under a typical arrangement, a participating employer transfers his employees to an employee leasing company and then leases the same employees back from the employee leasing company. The employer or client company in this arrangement pays the employee leasing company for all of his employees' earned wages, fringe benefits, mandated employee benefit programs, and all government withholdings. In return, the leasing company separates all of the payroll withholding items and makes those payments in addition to paying all of the employees' earned wages. The benefit of this kind of arrangement includes cost savings from large group health insurance rates that an employee leasing company can offer participating employers because of the large number of employees. Other administrative services may also be included. 041b061a72