Workers' COMPENSATION INSURANCE
Why You Need Workers' Compensation Insurance
As soon as you hire your first employee, you need the protection of workers' compensation insurance. Not only do many state laws require it, but the financial security of your business may depend on it.
What Workers' Compensation Insurance Is
In general, workers' compensation represents a compromise between employers and employees regarding employment–related injuries or illnesses. In short, employees relinquish their right to sue employers if they suffer some job–related injury or illness. But in return, employers agree to provide state–mandated benefits if employees suffer some job–related injury or illness. And to ensure employees have the money to pay these mandated benefits, most states require that employers demonstrate that they have the financial ability to pay any claims that may arise. Typically this financial ability is demonstrated through the purchase of workers' compensation insurance. Laws regarding workers' compensation insurance vary by state, so check with your independent insurance agent or broker to find out exactly what you need and how it's purchased.
How Workers' Compensation Insurance Works
Most workers' compensation insurance policies actually provide two types of coverages:
- Workers' Compensation Coverage. This type of insurance provides benefits for injured workers as required by state law regardless of who is at fault for the job-related injury or illness. In other words, whatever benefits your state requires, your workers' compensation policy would provide.
- Employers' Liability Coverage. This additional coverage protects employers if they are sued for damages arising from employment–related accidents or diseases. However, to collect benefits provided by employer's liability coverage, the employee, as well as anyone else not covered by workers' compensation laws (i.e., spouses and dependents), would have to prove that the employer was legally responsible for the employee's injury or disease.
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This document outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a Hartford policy. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail. All Hartford coverages described in this document may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.