If you own a business (or are thinking of starting one) it’s important to research the various types of insurance you need. One of the most important types of small business insurance is workers’ compensation insurance—also known as workman’s comp insurance, workmen’s insurance, or simply, workers’ comp.
If you’re at the beginning of your research, the question, “what is workman’s comp insurance?” might be crossing your mind right now. In short, workers’ comp is a system that was originally established during the early 1900s. It’s designed to protect company employees who get injured or become ill on the job.
Almost every state in the US requires business owners to carry workers’ comp in order to protect employees in case of injury, as well as safeguard businesses from lawsuits. It’s considered a “social” insurance because it depends on a social contract between management and workers. Business owners are protected from lawsuits from injured workers in exchange for purchasing insurance on their behalf.
In this article, we’ll be discussing in greater detail what’s involved in workman’s comp insurance, whether you really need it for your business, and how to get insurance coverage.
As a small business owner, it’s your responsibility to protect your workers from injuries and health risks while performing duties on the job. However, you can’t completely mitigate risk. Accidents happen, that’s why workers’ compensation is so important.
When the American workers’ compensation program was established more than a century ago, the purpose was for it to serve as a cooperative arrangement between employers and employees. Workers’ compensation provides protection for business owners and for their employees, thereby reducing conflicts that can arise between the two parties when accidents happen.
Since both employers and employees benefit from workers’ compensation, it has historically been referred to as “the grand bargain.”
A workers’ compensation policy is typically designed to provide comprehensive coverage to employees who get injured while doing company work, whether it’s on- or off-site. It covers medical expenses and loss of income for employees who are injured on the job. It also pays death benefits to the families of employees who are killed at the workplace.
Workers’ comp serves two purposes:
Workman’s comp shouldn’t be confused with disability insurance or unemployment benefits. It only pays workers who are injured while doing their job. Disability insurance pays people regardless of when or where the injury or disability occurs. Workers’ comp also doesn’t cover unemployment, and is always tax-free, unlike disability insurance or unemployment benefits.
Workman’s comp insurance helps provide medical, rehabilitation, and disability benefits for employees who become injured as a direct result of their job. Workers’ comp may also pay death benefits to an employee’s dependents if the worker is killed in a work-related incident.
In addition to helping employees and their families, workers’ compensation insurance can also help cover business owners. Workers’ compensation helps protect businesses from liability for employees’ workplace injuries, and it keeps employers from having to pay directly out of pocket for those injuries. This coverage may reduce the risk of significant financial loss if an employee is harmed while performing work duties.
Workers’ comp covers injuries from work-related accidents, workplace violence, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest number of workers’ comp cases (30%) comes from sprains and strains, which typically occur while lifting something heavy. The second most common reasons for injuries resulting in workman’s comp claims are slips and falls.
Workers’ comp also covers illnesses and occupational diseases (as per state statutes) contracted during the course of work. For example, employees who get sick at work due to exposure to toxic chemicals are covered by this insurance.
Injured workers receive coverage for all necessary medical treatment, subject to certain conditions defined by the state. These conditions are essentially management guidelines that describe acceptable diagnostic tests and treatment protocols for various injuries.
The specific coverage of workers’ comp depends on state regulations and policies, but there are some common exceptions to what is covered, including:
The workers’ comp premium that a business pays is usually determined by three factors:
Nearly all states require that businesses with employees carry workers’ comp insurance, but requirements and regulations vary by state. If you’re an employer, you’ll probably be required by law to cover all of your employees. However, you may not be required to have coverage for yourself.
Of course, regardless of the laws in your state, paying out of pocket for work-related injuries can be financially devastating for a company. Getting appropriate coverage for your business and employees may cost you in the short term, but it will help you avoid potentially significant financial loss in the future. Getting workers’ comp may be one of the best financial decisions you ever make for your company.
Every state has its own rules as to where you can buy workman’s comp coverage. In some states, there is a state monopoly insurer or a state fund from whom all business owners must buy their workers’ comp policies. In other states, you may purchase the insurance from private insurers or the state fund.
Before you purchase workers’ comp for your business, it’s recommended to do some research on whether you need it and to find out the workman’s comp insurance rules of your state.
When you’ve made your decision about getting coverage, the next step is to read about how to get a workers’ compensation insurance quote. You can also check out our additional resources for workers’ compensation.
Thanks for reading! Please note that this content is intended for educational purposes only. As laws change regularly, you should refer to your state legislation and/or an advisor for specific legal counsel. If you’re a small business owner, learn more about workers’ compensation insurance or check your current rate in 3 minutes.
