She slips…

She falls!

Who’s responsible?

To help you answer this question, we’ve put together a brief summary of your legal responsibility as an employer:

Employers have a legal responsibility to their employees to make the workplace safe. Unfortunately, accidents happen even when employers and employees take every safety measure. That’s what workers comp is for.

Protect and Provide

Workers comp protects employers from lawsuits resulting from workplace accidents. It also provides medical care and compensation for lost income to employees who have been hurt in a workplace accident.

Because of this, in almost every state, businesses are required to buy workers compensation insurance.

Protect Yourself & Your Business

What does it do?

1. Covers workers injured on the job (whether they’re hurt on the workplace premises or elsewhere, or in auto accidents while on business).
2. Covers work-related illnesses.
3. Provides payments to injured workers, without regard to who was at fault in the accident, for time lost from work and for medical and rehabilitation services.*
4. Provides Death benefits to surviving spouses and dependents*

Don’t I already have workers comp insurance under a BOP?

Workers compensation insurance must be bought as a separate policy.

Although in-home business and business owners policies (BOPs) are sold as package policies, they don’t include coverage for workers’ injuries.

If you already have workers comp, click the button below to ensure you’re getting the lowest rate and best coverage

OR if you don’t have workers comp, click below to learn more about it and receive a free quote. 

*Note: Each state has different laws governing the amount and duration of lost income benefits, the provision of medical and rehabilitation services and how the system is administered.

For example, most states regulate whether the worker or employer can choose which doctor treats the injuries and how disputes about benefits are resolved.

Protect Yourself & Your Business

Green construction is becoming increasingly popular. about 35% of construction in 2013 was green, and it is expected to increase 55% by 2016. Although green construction is becoming the new fad, it may not be the choice. Here are a few topics to consider before going green:

• Make sure your green contractor has insurance. If he doesn’t, don’t hesitate to hire a new one. If you like your contractor, but he doesn’t have insurance, as part of the contract, require he gets it.
• Property damage coverage is not traditional! Although your building may be fully functional, it may not achieve “green status”, or meet LEED standard. If that’s the case, normal liability policies may not cover that issue. It is important to remember that  some certified green professionals may be excluded from some liability policies; property damage may not be covered.

So, how can you stay protected? DO YOUR RESEARCH! Go through a company that specifically offers green insurance. This way, if any construction falls into the “gray-green” area, you will be covered.

There is a window of time – when the ground is broken on a new construction project – when liability falls squarely on the shoulders of the general contractor. If a crane falls, a worker is injured, or the work is faulty, it’s the responsibility of the GC to provide compensation.

The good news is that this liability ends when the project is completed. In fact, the GC is only responsible for any liability if negligence is found to be the culprit.

At Alta Vista Insurance, we can provide you with comprehensive and affordable builders risk insurance coverage. It can be customized to cover a host of tools, equipment, and skilled employees in addition to the actual structure being built.

Contact us – or fill out our online contact form – and let’s get your project protected as soon as possible.

Let’s be clear: bonds are not insurance policies – they’re guarantees. It is not uncommon for business and contractors to have certain projects bonded to ensure they are completed, no matter what complications may arise. At Alta Vista Insurance, we specialize in providing both large and small businesses with the following bonds:

• Performance – to guarantee the performance of contractually agreed upon work
• Bid – guarantees the beginning of work following the winning of a bid
• Indemnity – guarantees any losses should a party fail to meet deadlines
• Payment – promises payment to all sub-contractors and vendors
• License – a bond guaranteed to a state or federal agency

Contact Alta Vista Insurance to find out how our bonding services can be tailored to meet your specific needs.