Remote work has become increasingly popular recently, with nearly 42% of the U.S. labor force working from home full-time. Examples of professionals that my work from home are architects, IT developers, consultants, and others. While this provides many benefits, it also comes with its own set of risks.
As the number of home based employees increases, so do the risks associated with this setup. From physical injuries caused by poor home office design to mental health issues arising from the lack of social interaction, remote work can impact an employee’s well-being in various ways. And so, workers compensation and remote employees go hand-in-hand.
Moreover, with less control over their employees' workspaces, employers may find ensuring a safe work environment challenging, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. This article will explore the ins and outs of workers' compensation working from home.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 30% of all workplace injuries are caused by slips, trips, and falls. The likelihood of these types of injuries occurring has increased and this presses the significance of remote work and workers compensation coverage
Only 21% of companies surveyed provide workers compensation working from home insurance for their remote workers. This means that many remote workers may not be covered in the event of an injury.
Here are some reasons why workers comp working from home may be necessary:
Homeowners' insurance policies often don't cover injuries sustained while working from home
Workers' compensation insurance can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs in the event of a workplace injury
Without remote work and workers' compensation insurance, employers may be held liable for workplace injuries. They may face costly legal fees and penalties
It's important to note that the specific requirements for workers' compensation insurance vary by state, so it's essential to check your state's laws and regulations. However, in general, workers comp for employees working from home ensures that you are protected in case of a workplace injury.
According to a report by Global Workplace Analytics, approximately 56% of the U.S. workforce has a job compatible with remote work. This means workers compensation working from home policy can be very beneficial. Here are some who may fully benefit from workers comp for remote employees:
Telecommuters who work from home instead of an office
Freelancers or independent contractors who work from home for various clients
Small business owners who work from home
Employees who split their work time between an office and home
It is essential for remote employees working from home to fully benefit from workers compensation insurance to cover injuries that may result from excessive workloads. Because if not, the cost of treatment and lost wages will have to be shouldered by using personal money.
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Here are some of the ways that workers comp for remote workers can help when you're injured working from home:
| Costs Covered by Workers' Compensation Insurance | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and medication | In 2019, the average medical cost per workers' compensation claim was $28,501. |
| Lost wages due to time off work for recovery | In 2019, the average workers' compensation indemnity payment per week for time off work was $930. |
| Disability benefits for long-term injuries or disabilities | In 2019, the average workers' compensation indemnity payment per week for permanent disability was $528. |
| Vocational rehabilitation to help you return to work | In 2019, workers' compensation vocational rehabilitation resulted in an average earnings increase of 87% for injured workers. |
In addition to covering these costs, workers compensation for remote employees insurance can also provide benefits for the most common work-from-home injuries, including:
Repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis can occur from typing on a computer or using a mouse for extended periods
Slip and fall injuries can occur if an employee trips over cords or other hazards in their home office. Because of this workers comp while working from home is very important
Back injuries can result from poor posture or lifting heavy objects
Eye strain which can occur from prolonged computer use
Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, or depression, can be caused by the challenges of working from home
Remote work and workers compensation insurance can protect injured employees while working from home. By covering medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits, this type of insurance can help injured workers get the care and support they need to recover and return to work.
Yes, in many cases, employers are required by law to cover remote employees with workers compensation insurance. Some important points to consider are:
All 50 U.S. states require employers to provide workers' compensation for remote workers. However, the specific requirements can vary depending on the state
Remote employees may still be considered "employees" under workers' compensation laws.
Injuries sustained while working from home may be covered under workers' compensation insurance if they arise out of and during employment. For example, if an employee is injured while performing a work-related task at home, such as typing on a computer or answering a phone call, the injury may be covered under working from home and workers compensation
Employers may need to ensure workers' compensation insurance covers remote employees. This may include reviewing state laws, updating insurance policies, and providing clear guidance to remote employees on reporting workplace injuries
Failing to provide workers' compensation insurance coverage to remote employees who are legally entitled to it can result in fines, penalties, and legal liability for the employer
In some cases, employers may be able to exclude certain remote employees workers compensation insurance coverage, such as independent contractors or freelancers. However, this can be a complex legal issue. Employers should seek guidance from an attorney or insurance professional before making any decisions
Employers are legally responsible for providing workers' compensation working from home coverage to their employees. By understanding the legal principles and requirements surrounding workers compensation and working from home, employers can help ensure that they comply with the law and protect their workers.
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Workers compensation insurance for remote workers is $46 per month or $552 per year. The cost of your actual workers compensation insurance for remote workers can vary depending on several factors. Here are the factors to consider when thinking of the cost of work from home workmans comp:
State–The average workers' compensation insurance rates can vary significantly by state.
Industry–Some industries have higher workers' compensation insurance rates than others due to the nature of the work involved
Job duties–The specific job duties of remote workers can also affect the cost of workers' compensation insurance. For example, if a worker is engaged in manual labor, the cost of workers' compensation for remote workers may be higher than if the worker is engaged in office-based tasks
The number of employees–The more a company has, the higher the workers' compensation insurance cost will be. However, some insurance providers may offer discounts for companies with a more significant number of employees
It is difficult to state how much you’ll really pay on workers compensation for remote workers. You can work with an experienced insurance provider to get a more accurate estimate. Here’s a table showing the rates of the companies we recommend:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $13 | $156 | Best overall; Fast workers compensation insurance quote |
| Tivly | $25 | $300 | Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes over the phone |
| Thimble | $25 | $300 | Flexible payment options |
| Ap Intego | $30 | $360 | Small businesses |
| The Hartford | $34 | $408 | Trusty workers comp coverage |
| CoverWallet | $35 | $420 | Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes online |
| Pie | $35 | $420 | Workers comp for remote employees with a preferred medical provider network |
| Embroker | $40 | $480 | Tech-driven approach |
| Hiscox | $50 | $600 | Quick application process |
In another note, you can also make working from home and workers compensation easier by working with the best carrier. Compare quotes by clicking the “Get Quotes” button on this page.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Here are some of the best insurance companies for working from home workers comp insurance. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average cost.
Fast coverage-Get a quote within minutes
Dedicated customer service-NEXT has a dedicated customer service team you can quickly reach anytime
Policy bundle discounts-NEXT offers a discount if you decide to bundle your work from home workers comp with other policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT is an insurance company that offers a 100% online process when you’re purchasing work from home workers comp. You can bundle your workers comp coverage with other business insurance sold by this company.
Best for: Best overall; Fast workers compensation insurance quote
Average cost: $13 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Renowned underwriter–The Hartford is known to be one of the best underwriters for workers comp coverage
Covers specialized business lines–Trust that this company can give you workers comp coverage if you’re a remote employee with specialized needs
You might need to contact an agent to get a quote
The Hartford is a renowned underwriter for workers comp insurance. It’s dubbed as the second best insurer for workers comp insurance in the United States. This company also sells it’s workers comp coverage as a pay-as-you-go policy.
Best for: Trusty workers comp coverage
Average cost: $34 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Customized policies for each industry–CoverWallet tailors its policies to meet the specific needs of each industry, ensuring that you get the coverage you need
Easy-to-use online platform–CoverWallet's online platform makes it easy to purchase and manage your workers' compensation policy, even if you have little experience with insurance
Competitive pricing–CoverWallet's pricing is competitive, making it a good option for affordable coverage
Limited coverage for certain professions: CoverWallet's coverage may not be available for certain professions or industries, so it may not be the best option for everyone.
Limited customization: CoverWallet's policies may not be as customizable as other options, which could be a drawback for those with unique needs
CoverWallet provides workers' compensation insurance tailored to your industry and business needs. They offer competitive pricing and an easy-to-use online platform to manage your policy.
Best for: Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes online
Average cost: $35 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Personalized helpr–Tivly assigns a representative that will help you throughout the workers comp purchase process
Vast options available–Tivly takes you to different partners that offers workers comp for remote employees
You can’ get a quote online
Tivly is an insurance broker. You can get your workers comp coverage from different insurance companies with the help of a representative. The representative will answer all your questions about policy limits and exclusions. Call a representative now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $25 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Flexible payment options–Thimble allows you to choose the payment option that suits you best, whether it's monthly, hourly, or on-demand. This flexibility can be beneficial for those working sporadically or with irregular incomes
Easy online purchase and management–Thimble's online platform makes it easy to purchase and manage workers' compensation working from home policy. You can get a quote, purchase your policy, and manage your coverage all from one place
No long-term contracts–Thimble does not require long-term contracts, meaning you can cancel your policy anytime without penalties or fees
Limited coverage for certain professions–Thimble's coverage may not be available for certain professions or industries, so it may not be the best option for everyone
Limited customization–Thimble's policies may not be as customizable as some other options, which could be a drawback for those with unique needs
Thimble offers flexible coverage with monthly, hourly, or on-demand payment options. They also have an online platform to make it easy for you to purchase and manage your policy.
Best for: Flexible payment options
Average cost: $25 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Flexible payment options–Hiscox offers flexible payment options for its workers' compensation insurance, which can be useful for those with irregular incomes or cash flow
Quick and easy online application–Hiscox's online application process is quick and easy, allowing you to get coverage without spending much time on paperwork
Customizable policies–Hiscox's policies can be customized to meet your specific needs, ensuring you get the coverage you need
Higher average cost than some other options–Hiscox's pricing may be higher than others, which could be a drawback for those looking for affordable coverage
Limited coverage for certain professions–Hiscox's coverage may not be available for certain professions or industries, so it may not be the best option for everyone
Hiscox offers a range of business insurance policies, including workers' compensation insurance, with flexible payment options and a quick online application process.
Best for: Quick application process
Average cost: $50 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Customizable policies–Embroker's policies are customizable, allowing you to get the coverage you need without paying for extras you don't need
Online platform for managing coverage–Embroker's online platform makes it easy to manage your workers' compensation coverage, even if you have little experience with insurance
Tech-driven approach–Embroker uses technology to streamline the insurance process, making it faster and more convenient for customers
Higher average cost than some other options–Embroker's pricing may be higher than some other options, which could be a drawback for those looking for affordable coverage
Limited coverage for certain professions–Embroker's coverage may not be available for certain professions or industries, so it may not be the best option for everyone
Embroker offers a modern, tech-driven approach to workers compensation for remote employees' insurance, with customizable policies and an online platform for managing your coverage.
Best for: Tech-driven approach
Average cost: $40 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Tailored coverage for small businesses–AP Intego specializes in providing tailored workers' compensation insurance coverage for small businesses, making it a great option for those with unique coverage needs
Easy online application process–AP Intego provides an easy online application process, making it quick and straightforward to obtain coverage
Flexible payment options–AP Intego offers flexible payment options, allowing businesses to choose a payment plan that works best for them
Limited coverage for certain professions–Like other options on this list, AP Intego may not provide sufficient coverage for specific professions or industries, which may concern businesses in those fields
AP Intego provides tailored workers' compensation insurance coverage for small businesses, with an easy online application process and flexible payment options.
Best for: Small businesses
Average cost: $30 per month
Our rating: 8/10
Competitive pricing–Pie Insurance offers workers' compensation insurance at competitive prices, making it an excellent option for businesses on a tight budget
Easy online application process–Pie Insurance provides an easy online application process, making it quick and straightforward to obtain coverage
Licensed agents available for assistance–Pie Insurance has a team of licensed agents to assist with any questions or concerns
Limited coverage for certain professions–Pie Insurance may not provide sufficient coverage for certain professions or industries, which may be a concern for businesses in those fields
Pie Insurance offers working from home workers compensation insurance for small businesses with competitive pricing and an easy online application process. They also have a licensed agent team to assist with any questions.
Best for: Workers comp for remote employees with a preferred medical provider network
Average cost: $35 per month
Our rating: 9/10
1 / 5
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
1 / 5
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
1 / 5
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
5 / 5
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
5 / 5
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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