Workers' comp insurance for 1099 employees

Technically speaking, there really isn’t such a thing as a “1099 employee.” Someone who works for a company is either an employee or a 1099 contractor or subcontractor.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines an employee as someone a company hires and provides with regular wages, with the employer controlling how and when the work is performed, using the employer’s own tools and equipment. This includes both full-time and part-time employees.

Business owners with an employer-employee relationship must withhold payroll taxes for their employees and all Social Security, Medicare, and unemployment taxes deducted from an employee’s paycheck. Employees may receive other benefits such as health insurance and 401(k) or pension fund contributions.

Independent contractors, subcontractors, freelancers, and gig workers are all considered 1099 contractors according to the IRS. They may be contracted to work for a specific period of time or for the duration of a project, usually through a written contract.

Contractors typically operate with more independence than employees do, with a client dictating what needs to be done, but not how it’s done.

State laws don’t require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance for 1099 contractors, although the contractors themselves may buy this coverage on their own.

Sole proprietors in riskier professions, such as the construction industry, may also be required to carry workers’ comp insurance.

Workers’ compensation laws also provide a bit of liability protection for small business owners. If an injured worker sues their employer over a workplace injury or illness, the claim and lawsuit would be covered by the employer’s workers’ comp policy.

Although 1099 contractors aren’t required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance, they may choose to buy a workers’ compensation policy and pay the insurance premiums on their own for the worker’s compensation benefits it provides.

Workers’ comp can cover a contractor’s medical bills for a job-related accident or illness. This is important because regular health insurance may not cover work-related medical costs.

Another benefit is workers’ comp can offset some of a contractor’s lost wages if they’re unable to work for a while because of a work-related injury.

Contractors might also need proof of workers’ comp insurance to qualify for contracts.

If you’re self-employed in a low-risk occupation but need a workers’ comp insurance policy to qualify for contracts, you might consider a workers’ comp ghost policy.

For a small premium, a ghost policy gives you the proof of insurance you need, without any of the actual coverage benefits.

If you desire actual workers’ compensation coverage with full benefits, you might consider paying your premium annually instead of monthly. Many insurers will offer a discount for those who pay annually.

For something in between, with a small amount of coverage, you might consider a minimum premium workers’ comp insurance policy. This is the smallest amount an insurance company will sell a policy for that has actual coverage benefits.

Complete Insureon’s easy online application today to get insurance quotes from top-rated U.S. insurance carriers. You can also consult with an insurance agent to make sure you get the right insurance coverage. Once you choose a policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours and get your certificate of insurance.