Illinois Workers Compensation
An accident on the job can happen when you least expect it. Because fault does not matter when it comes to workplace injuries, you may be responsible for an employee injured on the job. An employee who is injured on the job could be out of work for months leading to serious financial hardship. Workmans Comp can protect your business from a lawsuit and your employees from loss of income.
Workers Comp provides benefits to employees for work-related injuries. Coverage includes medical care and a portion of lost wages when the employee is unable to work. This insurance also provides benefits for the employee’s dependents if the employee dies during work-related duty.
As an employer you pay for Workers Compensation and in return your business is covered for work-related accidents.
Northwest Insurance Brokers will work with you and your employee to return them to work as soon as reasonably possible; or if necessary, convert them to transitional work, which may include training them with new skills.
Not Just Good To Have; It's The Law!
Workmans Comp is required by law in almost every state. Each state’s rules and requirements vary significantly. In the state of Illinois if you have one or more employees it is the law to carry coverage. If a business with employees operates without this coverage, the business owners will be subject to jail time and fines ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. An employer would also be liable to be sued in civil court by an employee who got injured at work while there was no coverage in place. Our agency can help you handle these and other details.
A prospective client called in for a Northwest Insurance Brokers Insurance Review and wanted an agent to look over their Workers Comp insurance. During the discussion, the client mentioned that he had many employees that are 1099 independent contractors and therefore are not included on the business’s insurance policy. Our agent, upon further inquiry of the independent contractors, learned that these independent contractors only worked for the client. Not only did they only work for the client but they worked so many hours that they could not logically work for anyone else.
Our agent explained that under Illinois law those independent contractors would be considered employees and they need to be included on their Workers Compensation policy. Furthermore, if the business owner was sued in civil court if one of those independent contractors got hurt while on the job they would be liable. The client was horrified to learn that they had been left open to such a suit but was grateful that our agents had taken the time to ask questions to help find any gaps in coverage.
- Rates: While Workmans Comp rates are standard nationwide, depending on carrier, insurance companies apply what they call “deviations, premium discounts or schedule credits” from those rates, up or down depending on the loss experience.
- Premium Audit: When it is time for your annual premium audit, we can make sure you are properly classified and that you maintain your records to receive the most advantageous payroll calculations and classes.
- Experience Mod: We will help make sure your experience mod is an accurate reflection of your claims.
- Loss Control: A loss control or risk management program where injuries to your employees are minimal because of the safety features used on your premises.
It pays to review your policy yearly to make sure you are receiving all of the discounts your business is entitled to. So contact Northwest Insurance Brokersif you would like to have your current Workers Comp policy reviewed or if you are in need of a policy.