What Should Contractors Know about Workers Comp Insurance?

Workers compensation insurance in Boise, ID is to cover medical costs and wages that result from a work-related injury or illness. Policies also cover funeral expenses in the unfortunate event that an employee dies. In Idaho, every business with one or more employees, whether they are full time or part time, must carry workers comp insurance.

Contractors will typically not need workers compensation for themselves. Sole proprietorship and partnerships are also included here. Even though workers compensation for an independent contractor isn’t usually required, you do have the option to cover yourself by choice. This can be a good idea in case you get seriously injured and rack up a lot of medical bills.

Workers compensation will be required for independent contractors when they are hiring employees. If you are hiring subcontractors then you should also have workers compensation coverage. For example, if you have a cleaning business and hire an extra cleaner for a big job, and the subcontractor falls down a staircase, you could be sued. If he doesn’t have insurance for himself, he can be entitled to file a claim against you. While it may not happen often since the subcontractor has to prove that the injury was caused by working for you and your negligence, it can happen and it can be expensive and time-consuming to resolve this in court.

As a hired contractor, you can’t be responsible for whether or not your employee chooses to cover themselves with workers comp insurance. Instead of having workers comp insurance, the best thing that an independent contractor should have is general liability insurance, whether or not you have employees. An agent at Fuhriman Insurance Agency can help you with a policy. This can save you a lot of money that you may otherwise have to spend on damages or lawsuits and it covers more than just injuries.

Contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency, serving Boise, ID, to get a quote on workers comp insurance.