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Washington Workers Compensation Insurance (QUOTES, COST & COVERAGE)

Get Washington workers compensation insurance quotes, cost & coverage fast. Workers comp is required for employers in WA and protects your business by paying for employee medical, disability, rehabilitation & survivor benefits.

Washington Workers Compensation Insurance

Owning a business can be quite rewarding, but there are certain risks that you need to be aware of. One of the biggest risks that WA business owners – especially those that are just getting started out – overlook is a employee getting injured on the job.

Accidents happen. An employee can slip and fall; a piece of machinery could malfunction; an illness could occur as a result of a worker being exposed to something dangerous on your worksite (unbeknownst to you).

In the event that someone you employ becomes injured or ill while on the job, you are held legally responsible. For that reason, you need to make sure that you have Washington workers compensation insurance.

Does My Business Need Washington Workers Compensation?

If you have an existing business, or are starting a new business, don’t overlook the importance of getting Washington workers compensation insurance. Here’s a look at 5 reasons why you should have it:

It’s The Law. In most states, businesses are required by law to have workers compensation insurance. The laws do vary from state to state, so make sure that you do familiarize yourself with the laws that apply in your state. Typically, business owners can purchase a policy through an insurance agent; however, some states do require businesses to get coverage via a state-operated funds. See WA workers comp class codes for more information.

It Protects Your Business. Washington workers compensation insurance coverage not only protects your employees, but it also protects your business. Though cases do vary, often times, when a business offers workers’ comp coverage to its employees, workers agree to forfeit their rights to sue a business for negligence in the event of an accident or an illness. This will reduce costly the financial hardships that are associated with lawsuits, as well the damages that legal action could have on your business in the future. For example, businesses that have had lawsuits filed against them for wrong-doing in the case of an accident often have their reputation marred, which could have a negative impact on the success of the business.

It’s Beneficial For Employees. Should an employee be involved in an accident and sustain an injury, or falls ill as a result of being exposed to a toxic chemical or fume while on the job, and is unable to work, workers comp will cover their expenses. These expenses include lost wages, medical costs, and more. In essence, CWA workers comp serves as a financial safety net for your employees.

Assists With Recovery. Not only does Washington workers’ compensation insurance assist with lost wages and medical expenses, but it also covers some of the cost that is associated with any training or rehabilitation that employees may need so that they can return back to work. Moreover, should an employee be unable to return to work, the insurance will provide him or her with training that will better suit his or her new needs.

Helps Employees’ Loved Ones. Workers’ compensation insurance can also protect the loved ones of your employees. For example, it protects from the hardships that lost wages could impose on a family. In the extremely unfortunate event that a worker perishes as a result of his or her injuries or illness, workers comp insurance will likely cover at least some, if not all, of the funeral expenses. Some packages also offer surviving family members benefits.

For these reasons, Washington workers’ compensation coverage is a sound business investment. It protects your employees, their loves ones, your business – and you – from the financial hardships and the legal repercussions that could come about in the unfortunate event that one of your workers is injured or becomes ill while on the job. It is a requirement in most states, and because of the several benefits that this insurance offers, it’s easy to see why.

What Does Washington Workers Compensation Insurance Cover?

Workers compensation insurance cover only work-related injury or illness including: lost wages, medical expenses, and other benefits to employees who may become injured or sick while they are working. It’s a sound business investment, as it protects your most important asset: your employees.

A workers compensation policy usually has two parts:

  1. Workers Compensation Insurance: The first part of the policy fulfills statutory obligations under the Washington workers’ compensation laws. Under this section, the insurer agrees to pay all workers compensation benefits and other benefits that the employer must legally provide to covered employees who have a job-related injury or an occupational disease.
  2. Employers Liability Insurance: The second part of the policy covers employers against lawsuits by employees who are injured in the course of employment, but whose injuries (or diseases) are not compensable under the state’s workers compensation law. This part is similar to other liability insurance policies where negligence must be established before the insurer is legally obligated to pay.

What Washington Workers Compensation Insurance Doesn’t Cover

Workers compensation typically does not cover:

  • Self-inflicted injuries
  • Felony-related injuries
  • Injuries an employee suffers off the job
  • Injuries claimed after an employee is terminated or laid off
  • Injuries from a fight started by the employee
  • Injuries caused by intoxication or drugs
  • Injuries resulting from horseplay or violation of company policy
  • Injuries to an independent contractor

How Much Does Washington Workers Compensation Insurance Cost?

How much does workers comp cost in Washington? The cost of WA workers comp insurance varies tremendously, depending on your industry and location. If you are in an industry where work-related injuries are more likely to occur or in an area where insurance premiums are higher, then it will cost more.

For example, for a roofer, tree trimmer, or demolition company, the cost could be $17 per $100 in payroll, or even higher. On the other hand, the cost to cover a attorney, accountant or real estate agent could be under $0.20 per $100 of their payroll. So, for an employee that earns $40,000 a year, a blue collar contracting company could pay around $6800, where a white collar business may pay just $80.

Also your workers comp rates can go up or down depending on your accident history, much like they would for most types of insurance. See ideas on finding the cheapest workers compensation insurance in Washington.

Get A Washington Workers Compensation Insurance Quote

If you own or are starting a WA business, let one of our expert agents take a look at your current business policy. We offer a wide variety of options to ensure that your employees and you are properly protected from the hazards that could happen on the job. In most cases we can save you money and offer you better policy options than you currently may have. Washington workers compensation requirements, Washington workers compensation appeals board, Washington workers compensation rates, Washington workers compensation forms, Washington workers compensation insurance, workers comp questions Washington, Washington workers compensation search, Washington workers compensation pamphlet.

Further Reading On Worker’s Comp Insurance

WA Workers Compensation Insurance Quotes

Washington Insurance

Request a Washington Workers Compensation Insurance quote in Auburn, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Bellingham, Bothell, Bremerton, Burien, Camas, Des Moines, Edmonds, Everett, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kennewick, Kent, Kirkland, Lacey, Lake Stevens, Lakewood, Longview, Lynnwood, Maple Valley, Marysville, Mercer Island, Moses Lake, Mount Vernon, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Olympia, Pasco, Port Angeles, Pullman, Puyallup, Redmond, Renton, Richland, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Spokane Valley, Spokane, Tacoma, Tukwila, University Place, Vancouver, Walla Walla, Wenatchee, Yakima and all other cities in WA.

Washington Insurance Rules & Regulations

In Washington State, there are certain types of insurance that you should be aware of. We will be covering the limits and regulations of insurance within the state. You should be aware of these because if you operate a business, there may be certain types of insurance that you are required to carry. In addition, even if you do not have a business, there may be certain types of insurance regulations that you should familiarize yourself with. We will be taking a close look at insurance regulations for both personal and commercial here.

WA Commercial Insurance

For business liability insurance, what you should be aware of is that Washington does not require businesses to carry business liability insurance in order to operate. Washington is a pure comparative fault state which means that an insurance adjuster must first assess fault and name the adjuster or a court will reduce the award proportionate to the fault of the plaintiff. Businesses may carry business liability insurance in order to protect themselves against these types of claims.

However, Washington does require anyone who employs at least one person full-time or part-time to carry Worker's Compensation insurance to protect them if they are injured on the job. Washington does not require any type of disability insurance for businesses nor do they require commercial vehicles to carry commercial auto insurance.

Washington Personal Insurance

There are two types of personal insurance that you should be aware of. The first is auto insurance requirements. In Washington State, you are required to carry 25 000 USD per person and 50 000 USD per accident in bodily injury coverage. You are also required to carry 10 000 USD in property damage as well as uninsured/underinsured bodily coverage of 25 000 per person and 50 000 USD per accident.

There are two life insurance regulations to be aware of in Washington State. First, be aware that there is no free look period like there is in most states. If you sign up for life insurance, you are not able to cancel within 10 days in order to get a refund on your policy premium. However, there is a law that requires timely payment on insurance claims in the state of Washington. In fact, the state requires that the beneficiaries account start accruing interest on the day of death. That means that insurance companies will have to pay more for each day that they fail to pay the benefit. There is also a misrepresentation law when it comes to life insurance in Washington.

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