Illinois state law requires workers’ compensation insurance for every business with employees, even if you only have one part-time staff.
More than 90% of the state’s employees have workers’ compensation coverage, according to the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission.
Business owners that work in construction, including sole proprietors who don’t have employees, are also required to carry a workers’ comp policy.
Employees who are family members are not exempt from workers’ compensation insurance unless they are corporate officers.
Workers’ compensation insurance in Illinois can help business owners pay for expenses related to an injury if an employee is hurt on the job. It can help cover:
Employers in Illinois must post a notice with information on their workers’ compensation insurance provider and details on employees’ rights if there is a workplace injury.
If an employee misses more than three days of work due to a work injury or illness, it must be tracked and reported to the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.
Workers’ compensation provides critical benefits for business owners, including coverage for medical costs after job-related injuries or diseases, including:
Illinois workers’ compensation income benefits activate when an employee cannot work for more than three days due to a job-related injury.
For example, if a part-time administrative assistant strains a back muscle while lifting a box, they could file a claim. If you don’t have workers’ comp insurance, you would be responsible for paying for related medical bills, and you could face penalties from the state for being out of compliance.
After a claim is approved, payments are made based on the statewide average weekly wage. They generally fall under four categories:
The penalty for not providing workers’ comp as required by state law can be severe. Business owners who don’t provide coverage could be faced with a stop-work order and a $10,000 fine. Criminal charges could be filed in extreme cases.
Businesses that don’t provide workers’ comp also lose important liability protection. Without Illinois workers comp, an injured employee could sue a business, and legal judgments would be paid out of pocket. In the event of a serious and costly injury, the expense could potentially bankrupt a business.
Learn more about workers’ compensation coverage.
Workers’ compensation costs vary across industries. Factors that influence price include:
Get a free instant quote in about 10 minutes from NEXT to see your workers’ comp insurance costs.
You may be exempt from Illinois workers’ compensation requirements in Illinois if you are:
If you opt-out of coverage, your out-of-pocket expenses after a workplace accident could be more than the total cost of your insurance premium for a year.
NEXT offers an easy way to get a free workers’ compensation insurance quote, purchase coverage and instantly share a certificate of insurance in about 10 minutes.
NEXT strives to resolve every claim quickly. Learn more about our claims process and how our claims advocates will work with you after an employee injury.
General liability insurance protects your business from common mistakes or accidents, such as customer injury or damages to someone’s property.
If you or your employees drive vehicles for work, commercial auto insurance is required in Illinois. This provides coverage for accident-related expenses in a business-owned vehicle or a personal vehicle being used for work purposes.
Commercial property insurance can provide financial help if your business structures, goods, gear or inventory are damaged or destroyed by a covered event.
Professional liability insurance, also called errors & omissions insurance, provides financial protection against claims of professional mistakes and negligence.
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