Worker’s Compensation Insurance for Contractors
If you are a contractor in California who has employees, you are required by law to carry a worker’s compensation insurance policy. This policy will cover medical expenses and loss of income for your employees when they are injured while performing work related activities.
For contractors, there are several options for your worker’s compensation insurance and wide range of premium rates. Working with the right insurance agent who specializes in contractor’s insurance can help you save money not only on the upfront premium, but also manage your policy and rating factors.
Here are some tips on how to manage your insurance policy.
California Contractor’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance – Classification
Work with an insurance agent who understands your business and can accurately classify your employees’ duties per the worker’s compensation insurance guidelines. Having improper classification can be costly on the premium and at a time of a claim.
The classification of your employees is based on their job classification. In California, you can get help with your classifications at www.wcirg.com
California Contractor’s Worker’s Compensation Insurance – Employee Safety training
From my experience, companies that take proactive approach to workplace safety and injury prevention, not only save money on the upfront worker’s compensation premium and have low claims expenses, but experience higher productivity, lower turnover and overall healthy work environment.
The first step is to create a complete safety training program to include proper working techniques, muscle stretching before work, proper operation of tools and equipment, and employees’ equipment.
Second, hold weekly meetings to review safety tips. To make this productive, fun and effective you can designate an employee each week to lead the meeting by going in depth on a single safety item for that week.
Third, encourage healthy lifestyle for your employees. This could include company sponsored health club memberships, paid time off, work hours to facilitate healthy work/life balance.
Worker’s compensation insurance for Contractors in California- how to save
There are three key elements to managing your worker’s compensation rate:
1. Maintain a good reputation with your insurance carrier
2. Provide proper training to your employees to focus on safety to minimize, or better yet, avoid worker’s compensation claims.
3. Have a good claims management system
Maintaining good reputation with your worker’s compensation carrier- California Contractors
To show good financial strength and strength in overall company organization you must do the following:
1. Pay your premium on time: I strongly recommend setting up an automatic payment with your insurance carrier. If that option is not offered, set up with your bank for automatic bill payment.
2. Comply with the audit in timely and organized manner
3. Try to project your payroll estimate as close as possible.
Think of it this way, which customer would you give your best rate:
a) Customer who books last minute, has previously bounced a check, told you he/she has 2 bedroom home, when in fact there is 3 bedrooms with garage and a shed
b) Customer who schedules in advance, paid the bill on time (+tipped well), gave you a detailed inventory list and was grateful for your services.
Employee Safety training – California Contractors
From my experience, companies that take proactive approach to workplace safety and injury prevention, not only save money on the upfront worker’s compensation premium and have low claims expenses, but experience higher productivity, lower turnover and overall healthy work environment.
The first step is to create a complete safety training program to include proper lifting and moving techniques, muscle stretching before work, proper operation of tools and equipment, and employees’ equipment.
Second, hold weekly meetings to review safety tips. To make this productive, fun and effective you can designate an employee each week to lead the meeting by going in depth on a single safety item for that week.
Third, encourage healthy lifestyle for your employees. This could include company sponsored health club memberships, paid time off, work hours to facilitate healthy work/life balance.
Worker’s Compensation Claim Management- California Contractors
Having proper claims management system will help you to reduce the fraud and manage the stress and cost of a claim.
Here are steps for proper claims management:
1. Reporting of a Claim: Timely reporting of a work-related injury can help with proper handling of a claim and more importantly allow you to implement measures to avoid future similar claims.
2. Alternate duty work: Having an alternate duty work for your employees helps reduce employee’s time away from work, reduce claims cost, minimize possibility of fraud and attorney involvement.
3. Pre-arranged medical facility: Having a prearranged, dedicated medical facility and/or doctor for your business can help you get the proper treatment to your employee faster and cost effectively. Check with your insurance company if they have a network physician or facility in your area.
4. Keep in touch with your employee: stay in touch with your employee to ensure the treatment is going well and they are getting the care they need. This will help you to create better satisfaction from the employee and desire to return to work (once medically cleared).
To learn more about worker’s compensation insurance for Moving Companies in California or speak to me about risk management for your business, call 925-699-2994 or request a free insurance quote online