GA Workers Comp Insurance – Q&A Call 770-499-2040 for Lowest Rates

 

Thanks for coming to my page. Chris Bohus here. If you're a small business owner and you're looking to get answers to your questions about GA Workers Comp Insurance... then you've come to the right place.

I've listed below the answers to many of the most commonly asked questions about Georgia's Workers Compensation Insurance. I think you'll find these answers very helpful towards your understanding of Workers Comp Insurance.

You'll also find listed below a list of questions and answers that most business owners almost never ask... but they should!

Dive right in and if you have any questions, need help or if you would like to have us give you a quote for your GA Workers Comp Insurance... then please give me a call at 770-499-2040 or send me a note at support(at)GAWorkersComp.net.

Questions Most Commonly Asked About GA Workers Comp Insurance... Answered!

Question #1: Am I "required by law" to purchase workers compensation insurance?

If you have a business in Georgia, you are required by law to purchase worker’s compensation insurance if you have three or more employees. Depending on your company’s organization (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship), you may count as one of the employees. If you are a corporation, the corporation is recognized as the employer and everyone, including officers, counts as employees. In Georgia, if you are caught not complying with the law; the Georgia Workers Compensation Board can assess large fines against you.

Question #2: Does every business need workers compensation insurance?

Yes, every business should have workers compensation insurance and here’s why. Even if you are not required by law to purchase insurance, you are still responsible for compensation to your injured employees.

For example, let’s say you do handy-work in your neighborhood and your business has grown enough to hire another person. Great! But if your new employee gets hurt on the job, he or she can sue you for the injuries and in most cases, the courts will side with the employee.

A workers compensation policy would protect you as your business grows.

Question #3: What is covered in a workers compensation policy?

There are two types of coverage built into a workers compensation policy.

The first is the portion that follows the state’s guidelines for what must be covered such as medical payments for injuries and lost wages.

The second type of coverage is employer’s liability. It covers suits brought by the employee and third parties such as family members. It also requires that you pick “limits of insurance” which would be the maximum amount the insurance company would pay in case of a claim.

It is always best to choose the highest available, but there are many choices available to fit your budget.

Question #4: Does the kind of business I'm in affect my rates?

Sure. The type of business you have does affect your rates. An office environment would not expose an employee to the same risks as someone working in a warehouse or on a construction site.

Question #5: If an employee is injured at work, but they were at fault; is their injury still covered?

Yes. Workers compensation was designed to eliminate the fault factor in workplace injuries.

When workers compensation laws were enacted, workers traded the right to sue their employer for the guarantee that they be covered while at work, regardless of who was at fault. However, some suits are still allowed to be brought against the employer and that is why there is an employer’s liability coverage section of a workers compensation policy.

Question #6: What about "rehab" for an injured employee - is that covered?

If rehabilitation is required to get the employee back to his “former self”; then the worker’s compensation insurance policy would cover that expense. Whether an employee pulls his back on a construction site or during an exterior sign installation, rehabilitation could be required. Even a slip on that freshly waxed floor at your office could cause an employee to require rehabilitation.

Question #7: If I establish a good history with claims; can I qualify for a better rate?

A good claims record would certainly qualify your business for better rates.

Every year the insurance industry determines a “mod factor” for your individual business based on your claims history. This factor can raise or lower your base rate.

The “mod factor” is only determined if you generate a certain amount of premium over a three year period, so your business may or may not have one.

In addition to the “mod factor”, you can reduce the rates of your workers compensation premium by adding deductibles so that you, as the employer, handle small claims and the insurance company handles the large claims. You can also receive a drug-free credit if you drug test your employees prior to and during employment.

Questions... Almost Nobody Ever Asks...But SHOULD!

 Question #1: If I'm not "required by law" to purchase workers compensation, why should I have it?

You really should have workers compensation insurance whether it is required by law or not because, as an employer; you are responsible for your employees’ injuries while they are on the job.

Your employees are a part of your team and you count on them. You want to attract and keep great people and a policy that is a “good fit” for your business would eliminate some of the worry.

Question #2: What is employer's liability?

Protect Your Workers with GA Workers Comp Insurance

The employer’s liability portion of a workers compensation policy covers suits from employees and third parties. This coverage usually follows your states tort law and can pay for damages such as lost wages and medical expenses along with special damages for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

Workers Comp Insurance coverage can also cover third party suits such as loss of consortium for a loved one if the employee dies in the pursuit of your business. These claims are only paid if the employer is found legally liable for the injury or death of the employee.

Question #3: Do I have to cover independent contractors?

You are required to cover “independent contractors” to a certain extent. In order to not have to cover them, they must be true independent contractors where you do not have control over their activities as an employer such as when they work and what they do at work.

As an example, if you employ sales people that work on a commission basis and they work when they want and you do not control how they sell; they may qualify as an independent contractor.

Don't Leave It to Chance... Protect Your Team with GA Workers Comp Insurance

Just because an employee is “1099” does not mean that they will not count as employees. When you don’t cover independent contractors you are really putting yourself at the mercy of the court in case of a claim.

Also, if you are supervising a sub-contractor at a job site and you do not collect “certificates of insurance” from the subcontractor, the insurance company can charge you an additional premium for what you paid the subcontractor because they will count them as not insured.

Question #4: Are there ways to "pay-as-I-go" and avoid a big down payment for premium?

With today’s technology, you are able to use a pay-as-you-go option for workers compensation premiums.

Some of our carriers will allow the pay-as-you-go option for premiums which can have many benefits such as no large down payment for premium and an end of year audit that will most likely result in no additional premium payment.

Even if you do your own payroll with Quickbooks, we have a carrier that can still offer the pay-as-you-go option to you.

Question #5: Are there ways to select physicians who prefer to see my employees return to work?

Of course. Nobody wants to see their valued employees away from work longer than necessary. And the employees themselves want to feel productive again as soon as possible.

We can provide you with a panel of physicians that prefer to see your employees back to their old selves and at work. This can lower your claims cost as well and help control your premium.

Question #6: If I'm audited by my insurance company, can my agent be there?

Yes. We can be there at any audit that you may have from the insurance company. Not all agents offer this free service.

Question #7: As a business owner should I include myself?

There are several important points to this question.

GA Workers Comp - Protection

In Georgia, if you are a corporation you are allowed to exclude the payroll for up to five officers from workers compensation insurance. However, if you or any of your officers are excluded and they get hurt on the job, you wouldn’t be able to take advantage of any of the workers compensation benefits such as medical care and loss of income benefits.

In addition, your health insurance policy may not cover your claim if you are hurt on the job and you were eligible for workers compensation insurance (unless you have elected 24 hour medical coverage on your group health insurance which could amount to a substantial premium based on the number of employees you have).

Well... I hope my Q&A above helps point you in the right direction for your business and your needs for GA Workers Compensation Insurance . If I can be of any further assistance with any of your questions please give me a call at 770-499-2040 or drop me an email at workerscomp@providentgroup.net.

Wishing you and your business success.

With my warm regards,

Chris Bohus

Provident Insurance Agency
2655 Dallas Highway, Suite 130
Marietta, GA 30064
770-499-2040