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:
- 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.
- 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
Request a Washington Workers Compensation Insurance quote in Anaheim, Bakersfield, Chula Vista, Concord, Corona, Elk Grove, Escondido, Fontana, Fremont, Fresno, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Glendale, Hayward, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Lancaster, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Modesto, Moreno Valley, Oakland, Oceanside, Ontario, Orange, Oxnard, Palmdale, Pasadena, Pomona, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Roseville, Sacramento, Salinas, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santa Clarita, Santa Rosa, Simi Valley, Stockton, Sunnyvale, Thousand Oaks, Torrance, Vallejo, Victorville, Visalia and all other cities in WA.
The Washington Department of Insurance
The WA Dept. of Insurance is the regulatory agency behind the insurance rules for the state of Washington. If you want to understand these rules, then this is definitely the agency that you need to focus on. Let’s start with limits within the state.
Washington Minimum Insurance Limits
- For auto insurance, Washington requires $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident.
- For life insurance, there are certain regulations in place to determine how someone is able to get or offer life insurance, but there are no limits listed.
- For commercial insurance, insurance agents may offer broker or casualty insurance as well as covered property insurance, covered causes of loss, specified perils and open perils along with a number of coverage forms like builder’s risk, legal liability, building ordinance, glass, peak season, inflation guard and peak element.
WA Insurance Regulations
As for regular insurance regulations there are a lot of things that Washington provides that you can look up. For example, there are deadlines for the insurer to pay the claim or deny it, deadlines for submitting paperwork to prove a loss for insurance reimbursement, specific information your insurance company is required to give you and regulations on what information you have to provide to your insurance company.
One of the Washington regulations calls for you to be treated by your insurance company in good faith. This means that your insurer must be considered of your needs and must communicate completely and honestly with you about your policy and everything that you need to know about it in order to make a good decision. In turn, you are legally obligated to be honest and cooperative with your insurance company when it comes to your claim.
You should also be aware that your insurance company is required to offer prompt, honest and complete communications. The company and all of its representatives must respond to your communications within 15 calendar days with a complete response based upon the facts that are known.
Finally, be aware that your insurance company is required to have a fair claims process. Unless it is specified in your policy, you do not have to use the forms that are provided to you by your insurance provider in order to make a claim. You can create a list of losses on your own if you need to. In addition, insurers are not able to ask for unreasonable proof of loss. If you provide photographic evidence or video of items that you lost, insurers are not able to ask you to provide additional information.