How to Buy Workers’ Comp Insurance Online
Trying to buy a workers’ comp policy online can be tricky, especially in a rush! You need your policy yesterday and don’t know where to start.
This guide will help you understand what you need to know before you buy workers' comp online. We’ll explain which important information you’ll need, how to compare quotes, and why it’s important to review the fine print. This way, you can get the right coverage for your small business quickly and affordably.
Know your Business Information and Payroll Numbers
Since workers’ comp insurance is based on your payroll and what your business does, most online applications will ask for most, if not all of these numbers.
Estimated Annual Payroll
Your estimated annual payroll is a fancy way of asking how much you think you will pay your employees in the 12 months that the policy will cover. If you are growing rapidly, and will have to hire more staff at some point, it can be hard to get an exact number.
If you are an existing business, take the past 12 months numbers and adjust them based on what you think will happen.
The insurance companies aren’t expecting it to be 100 percent perfect, but try to give it a decent guess.
What your Business and Employees do
You will be asked to divide your big payroll amount by job categories. Every person can only be in one category but you can have multiple people in the same category.
Take a restaurant for example:
One category would include the secretary, HR and ordering department.
The waiters, and kitchen staff would be another category.
If you had a delivery person(s) on staff, that would be a third category.
The insurance company will match each role to a specific rate and it will pay a big role in determining what your insurance costs.
Federal Employer Identification Number - FEIN
The Federal Employer Identification Number, better known as the FEIN, is like a social security number for your business.
The insurance company will use this number to search for information about your business that they need to create your policy.
If you don’t know it offhand, call the IRS directly or locate your EIN on the official IRS notice you received when it was issued. You are going to need it!
States in which you have a location or work in
This one may sound a bit silly, but if you have locations in multiple states, then it’s important to make sure you input that information in the quoting forms. Maybe your business is near the border of a state and you also operate in a sister state.
Since rates are different in every state, it is important to include all locations in which you operate.
Get Workers’ Compensation Insurance Quotes Online
Now, you are all set to start getting workers’ comp insurance online. Fill out an online instant quote form with all your information. You can get an online quote from us at Kickstand Insurance right here.
Make sure you read the instructions very carefully. A little error can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Compare your Online Workers’ Comp Insurance Quotes
Once you’ve gotten a quote or three, compare the quotes. See which roles, called class codes in insurance terms, were assigned to your business. If there is a discrepancy, you should speak to someone knowledgeable that can help you figure out which is the correct one.
Why can’t you just use the cheaper class code?
You can, but you may regret it. At the end of the policy, the insurance company is required by law to conduct an audit. This means that someone will come down to your company, check all the payroll documents and other business papers.
If they think your business was classified incorrectly, they can change it and you have to pay the difference. So it’s in your best interest to make sure you have the correct classification to start with.
Review the fine print
There are other factors that are included in the policy that can vary between companies. Employer liability limits (ELL), which protects the employer against a variety of claims or lawsuits that can be filed by an employee against them.
The basic and most common employer liability limit is usually $100,000/$500,000/$100,000. That's $100,000 per accident, $500,000 per policy, and $100,000 per employee.
Some industries, especially construction, will use a higher range, $1,000,000/$1,000,000/$1,000,000.
Another thing that can be different is if the owner was included or not. Owners generally don’t have to be included in the policy. If they are included, it will increase the cost.
Double check that the quotes you are reviewing have the owner’s coverage the way you want it.
Make sure that when you are comparing the online workers’ compensation insurance quotes, that you are looking at the same thing and not a different level of coverage policy. Most of these items can be adjusted by the company and that will adjust the rate.
Need some help?
Buying workers’ compensation insurance online can be confusing. It’s also overwhelming to fill out quotes in a form that most of us aren’t familiar with.
If you want some guidance and clarity, call us at 866-338-6388. If you want to get a head start, you can fill out an instant quote.
Note: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal or insurance advice. Laws and regulations regarding workers' compensation insurance are complex and vary by state and by specific circumstances. Therefore, readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified legal or insurance professional to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem they might have.
Mordechai Kamenetsky, co-founder and lead agent of Kickstand, is recognized as an expert in workers' compensation. He is passionate about helping small businesses manage risks and lower their workers' comp costs. In his articles, he educates readers and clients on the intricacies of workers' comp insurance.
Navigating workers’ compensation insurance can be complex, but understanding the key components is crucial for business owners. The 4 most important aspects to focus on are payroll, preparing for audits, timely premium payments, and loss control visits. These elements play a significant role in ensuring the protection of your business and employees.
