Westfield Massachusetts Workers Compensation

Massachusetts workers suffer on-the-job injuries and occupational illnesses at a rate of about 2.7 incidents per every 100 full-time workers. You can shield your business and your employees from undue financial hardships related to these injuries with workers’ compensation insurance.

If you are among the many employers in Westfield, a local independent insurance agent can help you find an ideal workers’ compensation policy. Talk to an insurance agent near you to start comparing customized quotes.

Are Businesses in Westfield Required to Have Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

Massachusetts state law requires you to carry workers' compensation insurance if you have at least one employee, even if that person only works for you part time. There are a few exceptions. For instance, you are not required to carry coverage for:

• Domestic workers that are employed by you for less than 16 hours a week
• Sole proprietors, partners, and LLC members, but only if they are not also considered employees

Out-of-state employers are required to carry coverage for all employees working in the Commonwealth. This coverage must be purchased through an insurance company that is authorized to issue workers’ compensation insurance policies in Massachusetts.

What Is the Penalty for Not Carrying Workers’ Comp Coverage?

Failure to carry workers’ compensation insurance when it is required can result in your business being issued a Stop Work Order (SWO) and incurring a fine of $100 a day, including weekends and holidays, from the time the SWO is issued until insurance coverage is acquired and the fine is paid in full.

Furthermore, as the owner of a business that is noncompliant with workers’ compensation mandates, you can face criminal charges, fines, and even up to one year in prison.

If you are uncertain whether your business is required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, you can consult a local independent agent.

How Much Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cost in Westfield?

Massachusetts is the fourth least expensive state in the US for workers’ compensation insurance. Rates for this coverage can vary significantly from one business to the next because costs are calculated based on the following criteria.

• The number of workers you employee
• The types of jobs your workers do and the likelihood they will be hurt while doing them
• Your company’s overall payroll amount
• Your company’s claims history and safety record

Every occupation is assigned a classification code and coverage base rates for each of these class codes, which are set and regulated by the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (WCRIBMA).

The more dangerous the position, the higher the base rate for coverage will be. For instance, it would cost more to cover a driver for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority than it would to cover an admissions officer at Westfield State University.

Insurance companies are required to use the WCRIBMA-designated base rates when calculating costs, but they can be competitive by offering their policyholders discounts, credits, and incentives at their discretion. That is why it is beneficial to compare rates before making a purchase.

What Are Some Base Rate Examples in Westfield?

Let’s take a look at the base rates for every $50,000 in employee payroll for a few very different jobs that can be found in Westfield, MA.

• Roofing contractors: $7,120 a year
• Door and window installers: $3,060 a year
• Warehouse and storage facility workers: $800 a year
• Retail store workers: $220 a year
• Clerical workers: $15 a year

Roofing is one of the most hazardous jobs a person can do, and the state’s coverage rates reflect this. Office workers, on the other hand, rarely suffer on-the-job injuries that require medical attention, so coverage rates for these occupations are nominal.

The easiest way to find out how much a workers’ compensation policy will cost for your business is to request a few customized quotes. A local independent insurance agent can do this on your behalf.

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What Does Westfield Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover?

Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to cover the various costs related to on-the-job injuries and occupational illnesses. You can expect your policy to cover the following.

• Medical treatments: All necessary medical care related to occupational illnesses and injuries, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, follow-up care, prescription medications, physical therapy, and other treatments, is covered in full.
• Travel reimbursement: Injured employees can be reimbursed for miles driven to and from medical appointments and the pharmacy.
• Temporary total disability: Employees who need more than six days to recuperate from a work-related injury can receive a weekly benefit of 60% of their weekly pay until they are able return to work. This benefit can continue for up to 156 weeks.
• Temporary partial disability: Employees whose injuries enable them to continue working but in a limited capacity can be compensated 75% of their difference in pay. This benefit can continue for up to 260 weeks.
• Permanent disability: Employees who are left permanently disabled by their injuries can receive an ongoing benefit of two-thirds their average wage. This benefit allows for annual cost-of-living increases.
• Death benefits: If a work-related injury or illness is fatal, workers’ compensation can ease the financial burden on surviving family members by covering burial expenses and by providing the employee’s spouse and dependents with compensation of two-thirds the employee’s average weekly wage for as long as they qualify.

Weekly disability benefits are not permitted to exceed the state’s average weekly wage, which is adjusted annually. As of October 1, 2020, the maximum weekly disability payment was set at $1,487.78.

A local independent insurance agent can explain workers’ compensation coverage in greater detail.

What Does Westfield Workers’ Compensation Insurance Not Cover?

There are cases where workers’ compensation claims may be denied by your insurance carrier. For instance, coverage is likely to be denied for injuries that occur from these situations.

• Injuries that are believed to have been intentionally self-inflicted.
• Injuries that occurred while the injured employee was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Injuries that happened outside of working hours.
• Injuries that were exacerbated by preexisting conditions.
• Injuries that took place while the injured worker was committing a crime.
• Injuries that were incurred by someone who was not officially an employee at the time of the injury, such as if they were paid under the table.

If an employees believes that their claim was unjustly denied, they can appeal the decision by petitioning the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents.

Where Can Westfield Business Owners Buy Workers’ Compensation Coverage?

Workers’ compensation insurance can be purchased through any commercial insurance company that is authorized to sell these policies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Most business owners in Westfield get their coverage this way.

Employers who are unable to get coverage through a commercial provider (either because of having a bad safety record or because their employees do particularly high-risk jobs) can purchase an assigned risk policy through the Workers’ Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts. These policies are a lot more expensive, but coverage is guaranteed.

Businesses on a sound financial footing may opt to self-insure. To do so, you must first obtain approval from the state.

How to Find the Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Westfield, MA

Local independent insurance agents can help you find the right workers’ compensation policy to cover your Westfield business. These agents are free to work with several different insurance companies so they can provide you with customized quotes from a variety of providers that specialize in covering businesses like yours.

Contact an insurance agent near you to discover how easy it can be to find the best and most affordable workers’ compensation policy for your Westfield business.