Aurora Workers' Compensation Insurance

From manufacturing plants to the Rush Copley Medical Center, there are a number of businesses located in Aurora, IL. Although employers in this Chicago suburb take reasonable safety precautions, workers are sometime injured on the job. If this happens, a good workers’ compensation insurance policy can cover the associated costs.

There are a lot of insurance companies that provide this type of coverage. A local independent insurance agent can shop around to help you find the best workers’ compensation insurance policy for your Aurora business. Contact an insurance agent near you to get started.

Which Aurora, IL Businesses Need to Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

If you have employees and your business is located in Aurora, you need to have workers’ compensation insurance. Illinois state law makes exceptions only for sole proprietors who have no employees, family members who are corporate officers, and direct family members who live in the same household as the employer.

It is a felony offense to not have coverage for employees who are outside these exceptions. If caught, you may face jail time and fines of up to $25,000. If in doubt about whether you need to purchase coverage, you can consult a local independent insurance agent.

How Much Does Workers' Compensation Insurance Cost in Aurora?

Rates for coverage are based on your company’s overall payroll and the types of jobs your employees do. Every year, the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission publishes rates for thousands of different job classifications. Commercial insurance providers use these rates to determine the cost of coverage.

The following are average rates paid per every $100,000 in employee payroll for three of the top industries in Aurora, IL:

The rates listed above are merely averages within large industries. Your actual costs can vary according to more specific information regarding the jobs your employees do. For example, in the administrative support & waste management industry, a garbage collector would cost far more to insure than a secretary who works in the waste management offices.

Talk to a local independent insurance agent to find out how much workers’ compensation will cost for your particular business.

Save on Workers' Comp Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Request a Quote

Aurora Workers’ Compensation Pays for the Cost of Medical Treatment

If employees are injured while doing their jobs, or suffer an occupational illness due to exposure to toxins in the workplace, they will need to seek medical attention within 45 days. Workers’ compensation for Aurora businesses will cover the cost of all necessary medical treatment and follow-up care, including physical therapy and long-term care if needed. 

As an employer, you can select which authorized treating physicians your employees can receive care from. Exceptions are made for life-threatening injuries, which should be treated at the closest emergency room, for injuries that require specialized medical care, and for injuries that occur in a location not near the doctors on the authorized list.

If an employee must travel a significant distance to receive treatment or follow-up care, workers’ compensation may also provide reimbursement for their travel expenses. Employees should keep detailed records regarding miles traveled, tolls paid, parking fees, and other expenses.

Aurora Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provides Disability Coverage

Temporary disability coverage is designed to replace lost wages if an employee must take more than three days off work to recover. This can provide injured employees with two-thirds of their average weekly wages. If an employee needs to miss more than fourteen consecutive days of work to recover, then the first three unpaid days of leave will also be paid.

If a physician approves an employee for light-duty work, they must report for this work or risk losing their disability benefits. If the light-duty work pays less than their previously earned wages, workers’ compensation will provide coverage to bridge the gap.

If an employee becomes permanently disabled, they may collect 60% of the difference in their wages before and after the injury. This benefit can be collected for a number of weeks depending on the type of injury. The state has a “schedule of injuries” that lists the number of weeks of eligibility per each injury.

In this state, a permanent injury to a pinkie finger can provide for 22 weeks of disability payment, whereas a permanent leg injury results in 215 weeks of coverage.

Workers' Compensation Covers Fatal Work Injuries in Aurora

Unfortunately, workplace injuries are sometimes fatal. If an employee dies due to a job-related illness or injury, workers’ compensation can provide death benefits to the surviving spouse and/or dependents.

This coverage provides 60% of the employee’s average wages for the year prior the accident. This benefit continues for 25 years or $500,000, whichever is greater. Workers’ compensation insurance will also cover up to $8,000 of the deceased employee’s burial expenses.

How to Appeal Workers’ Compensation Claim Denials

Workers’ compensation claims may be denied if the insurance company determines that the injury did not occur during the course of doing one’s job or if there is reason to believe the injury was intentional, occurred while committing a crime, or happened due to drug or alcohol impairment.

If a workers’ compensation claim is denied or an employee is unhappy with a settlement amount, the decision can be challenged by contacting the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. The WCC will assign an arbitrator and schedule an arbitration hearing to review the facts.

Find the Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Aurora, IL

Nearly all employers in Aurora, IL are required to have workers’ compensation insurance. When shopping for coverage, you will want to be sure you are getting a great policy at a competitive rate. You can do this by working with a local independent insurance agent.

Find an insurance agent in Aurora, Illinois to get more information and to start comparing customized workers’ compensation insurance rates.