It’s an unfortunate reality that even the best run, safest businesses can suffer from injured employees. No matter how many precautions you take, accidents happen. Rather than try to avoid them without success, it’s best to prepare for them.
That’s why every business needs worker’s comp insurance. With this insurance, you can help any employee who becomes injured at work get the financial support they need.
Worker’s comp is a necessary resource for any business, but many business owners don’t know its ins and outs. If that includes you, don’t worry! In this brief guide, we’ll give you all the essential information you need.
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What Is Worker’s Comp Insurance?
First, let’s clarify what it is that worker’s compensation does. This business insurance protects both your business and employees by helping to provide for:
- Missing wages your injured employee needs during their time off work
- Medical expenses required for treating your injured employee
- Rehabilitation if the worker needs ongoing physical therapy or care to return to working condition
- Death benefits if, in the worst-case scenario, an employee should die in a work-related incident
If you are an injured worker yourself and require worker’s compensation, follow these steps to receive the care you need. Bear in mind, however, that worker’s compensation laws vary by state. We’ll discuss these variations in the next section.
Worker’s Comp Policy Varies by State
Each state in the US handles its own worker’s compensation policy. As a result, laws regarding this insurance may differ depending on your business location.
Each state establishes its premium amount and benefits based on its state economy and the dangers its businesses may face. For this reason, Alaska has the highest premiums in the US because of its high-risk industries.
Your state also determines who sells and manages these policies. These could be state-run agencies, private insurance companies, or the state government itself.
One universal trait of workers’ compensation is that it is a no-fault system. Because of this, workers who accept worker’s compensation waive their right to sue your business for their injury. As such, this insurance helps to protect your company in addition to your employees.
Employee Insurance Differences
If you’re new to various insurance policies, you may be wondering how worker’s compensation differs from other insurance policies. For instance, wouldn’t health insurance cover most worker’s compensation cases?
The short answer is no. Health insurance benefits workers by helping them pay for medical expenses unrelated to their jobs. Worker’s compensation, however, covers costs that may impact them because of workplace injuries.
Another insurance policy that seems similar to worker’s comp is disability insurance. However, disability insurance pays for a worker’s lost income if they become unable to work. Worker’s comp pays expenses required to help employees return to work.
Get Your Worker’s Compensation Today
Worker’s comp insurance is an essential component of any business. No other insurance covers the same dangers, making it a necessity for both business owners and employees. If you don’t have a policy yet, be sure to get one as soon as possible.
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