Industries such as overnight delivery, home healthcare and ridesharing are increasingly opting for independent contractor models; therefore Occupational Accident insurance provides an ideal way of protecting 1099/independent contractor workers at lower premiums than Workers’ Compensation policies.
Contrasting with workers’ comp, this unique form of coverage provides medical/dental, accidental death and dismemberment benefits, disability income protection benefits and more. By adding this coverage to an existing risk management program, an employer is better able to safeguard client assets.
Coverage for Independent Contractors
Every year, millions of workers are injured or killed in workplace accidents. While not all are work-related, those that are can have devastating financial repercussions for both individuals and their families. Even if your company utilizes independent contractors or owner-operators who do not fall under workers’ compensation law but require medical bills and legal fees be covered out-of-pocket; that’s why having a comprehensive occupational accident policy in place is vital.
Businesses working with independent contractors often choose an occupational accident insurance policy as an extra layer of protection, though not required by law. Such policies provide similar benefits as traditional workers’ comp policies but tailored specifically for the needs of independent contractors who do not qualify for one. Such plans typically offer coverage for medical/dental, accidental death and dismemberment as well as disability income benefit to help cover lost wages; most policies also allow companies to adjust limits accordingly so their policy fits their risks and budget more closely.
Because these policies are tailored specifically to the needs of independent contractors and owner-operators, they tend to be more affordable than standard workers’ compensation insurance policies – making them an excellent choice for the Gig Economy or other industries that utilize independent contractors for their business requirements.
Costs associated with occupational accident policies can depend on several factors, including insurance carrier, industry risk profile and premium rates selected. They provide a great alternative to covering such expenses personally and should be carefully considered by any business that works with independent contractors or owner-operators.
Some trucking companies require owner operatorss to carry OCC/ACC insurance as part of their lease agreement, while other motor carriers offer this benefit as an employee perk for driver fleets. When choosing an insurance policy tailored specifically to meet your needs, be sure to speak with an independent agent from Trusted Choice like Trusted Choice to identify any gaps and offer solutions to safeguard your business.
Coverage for Owner-Operators
As more industries like rideshare, home healthcare and overnight delivery adopt models which utilize more 1099 independent contractors than before, employers are looking for cost-effective alternatives to Workers’ Compensation; often occupational accident insurance provides these.
While workers’ comp is state-regulated and provides medical, disability, accidental death and dismemberment benefits to its recipients, occupational accident insurance can offer greater coverage limits with lower premiums based on each company’s risk profile and can even offer customized deductible options that fit its risk perception.
An occupational accident policy provides more than medical, disability and accidental death and dismemberment coverage; it can also include additional features like truck payments or lost wage replacement should an injury prevent an employee from working. Such policies also protect businesses against lawsuits which could increase workers’ comp premiums or lead to revenue loss due to lawsuits filed by employees who require time off due to injuries.
Occupational accidents policies can provide motor carriers with additional protection when an owner-operator (or other non W-2 worker) makes a claim against them, since contingent liability will cover legal defense costs and settlement provisions in case an injured worker claims they should have received workers’ comp or another type of employee benefit coverage for work-related injuries that should have been covered under workers’ comp policies or similar employee benefits.
Contingent Liability coverage from an Occupational Accident policy not only covers lawsuits but can also protect a motor carrier from potentially costly misclassification of employees when injured workers allege they should have been classified as employees rather than contractors. Individual coverage options are often available and typically requires at least some minimum number of lives or drivers depending upon class.
Coverage for Truck Drivers
Truck drivers face unpredictable days on America’s two-lane blacktops. While their day may start out uneventful, hidden dangers could threaten to upend both their life and career in an instant. Workplace violence, robberies targeting their loads, accidents that strand them at the side of the road — these are only some of the many risks they must overcome to deliver and collect loads across the nation. Occupational accident insurance provides valuable protection that helps truckers weather unexpected detours along their routes.
Even though occupational accident coverage isn’t required by law, 1099/independent contractor truckers should consider purchasing occupational accident coverage to protect themselves from injuries suffered in the workplace. It covers medical, death and disability claims from on-the-job incidents while often offering lower premiums than workers’ comp.
Occupational accident coverage can also prove beneficial to motor carriers and leasing companies that employ independent contractors to transport freight. Such coverage protects them against lawsuits filed by such independent contractors claiming they should receive benefits under workers’ comp.
Agents can assist their clients in mitigating risks by offering occupational accident coverage as an add-on or as part of a larger package policy that also includes worker’s compensation and contingent liability coverage, rounding out their risk management plan while making it simpler for underwriters to quantify all forms of exposure.
Trucking companies that lease trucks require their independent contractors to maintain this coverage as an integral component of their leasing agreement, in order to offer more comprehensive benefits packages to drivers while decreasing misclassification lawsuits. You can offer this coverage for your clients by working closely together on creating an exhaustive submission with all of the information that the underwriter requires upfront; they’ll need details about years of driving experience, state of domicile and dispatch schedule; CDL history as well as safety history records will all need to be available upfront.
Coverage Options
Employers looking to provide coverage in case of work-related accidents have multiple options available to them, including workers’ compensation, occupational accident insurance and various other solutions. A qualified independent agent can help businesses determine which option best meets their unique requirements.
Occupational accident insurance offers businesses an affordable alternative to traditional workers’ comp. Not only is this policy flexible in its coverage options and limits, it can even accommodate any employees hired via independent contractors and owner-operators. It may even help lower employee premiums.
Companies using fleets of owner-operators or contract drivers on an independent basis would benefit greatly from employing this option as it provides protection from being responsible for work-related accidents that involve non-employees.
Coverage typically extends to medical expenses, death and dismemberment benefits and survivor benefits, out-of-pocket expenses such as travel and funeral costs and legal fees incurred while recovering compensation benefits; however it may not provide comprehensive protection compared to other forms of worker’s compensation insurance policies.
Emergency assistance is another feature of occupational accident insurance and contingent liability policies that is extremely valuable in remote locations where healthcare facilities might not be easily accessible. They cover costs related to medical transportation, repatriation and related travel expenses in addition to lodging and meals expenses incurred while traveling.
Truck drivers benefit greatly from this type of coverage. Recover more quickly without financial stresses distracting them, pursue their education and career goals without fear that financial instability might interfere, and mourn in peace knowing their loved ones’ welfare is secure in case of unexpected tragedy. By adding this coverage to your business, you can provide your employees and company with added layers of protection they and you deserve.
