Occupational Accident Insurance in Massachusetts

WHAT IS IT? WHO NEEDS IT? COVERAGES OFFERED

Occupational accident insurance provides specialized coverage against job-related injuries. These policies are often used to cover driver injuries that are sustained during vehicle accidents.

A few states don’t have workers compensation coverage requirements, or let businesses substitute a portion of their state-mandated workers compensation coverage with occupational accident coverage. Neither of these is generally the case in Massachusetts, though.

Liability Coverage
Medical Expense Coverage
Temporary Total Disability Coverage,

What is occupational accident insurance?

Commercial truck drivers are exposed to substantial injury risk, and that risk often isn’t covered by workers compensation for owner-operators. Many owner-operators in Massachusetts instead get occupational accident insurance.

Occupational accident insurance provides specialized coverage against job-related injuries. These policies are often used to cover driver injuries that are sustained during vehicle accidents.

What Massachusetts businesses need occupational accident coverage?

Occupational accident coverage is most often purchased for owner-operator truck drivers. Owner-operators often don’t have workers comp, but occupational accident can help protect against injuries. This is a unique situation because owner-operators are technically self-employed in most cases.

Occupational accident might also be used in select other situations where self-employed contractors are hired. These are fairly uncommon situations, however, and any businesses that find themselves in one should work with an insurance agent who specializes in these policies.

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What coverages does occupational accident coverage?

Whereas workers compensation normally provides state-determine coverage, occupational accident coverage allows owner-operators to determine their policy’s protections. Some coverages to consider are:

Liability Coverage, which may cover injuries and property damage that an owner-operator causes during an accident
Medical Expense Coverage, which may cover medical costs for injuries that are sustained during
Temporary Total Disability Coverage, which may cover lost income if an owner-operator is unable to work for a shorter period of time
Permanent Total Disability Coverage, which may cover lost income if an owner-operator is unable to work for a longer period of time (indefinitely)
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage, which may compensate loved ones if an owner-operator passes away
Chiropractic Benefit, which may extend medical expense coverage to chiropractic services
Passenger Accident Benefit, which may extend one or more coverages to passengers who are in a truck

All of these are typically restricted to issues that are directly caused by a workplace accident, namely a collision with other vehicles or similar accident. They generally don’t cover other causes of injury, disability or passing away.

The limits for accidental death and dismemberment coverage are usually set to one year of an owner-operator’s salary/income. Most limits and deductibles can be customized in these policies, however. They tend to have much more flexible features than workers compensation policies do.

Who pays for occupational accident coverage?

While owner-operators normally can purchase their own occupational accident coverage, it’s frequently paid for by the companies that contract with owner-operators. Companies purchase the coverage both as a benefit for their contracted drivers, and as a protection for themselves.

If drivers are injured while contracted with a company, they might try to sue the company for lost wages and/or medical expenses. Occupational accident coverage may provide a line of defense in this case.

How much are premiums for occupational accident policies?

The premiums charged for occupational accident policies vary substantially. A driver’s license and endorsements, driver’s record, type of equipment used, regions driven in, and company’s past claims history are merely some of the details that can impact cost.

Because policies offer flexible coverage options, however, they can be tailored for many different budgets. An independent insurance agent can help find a customized policy that provides robust coverages at affordable rates.

How can businesses in Massachusetts get occupational accident insurance?

For help finding occupational accident insurance in Massachusetts, contact the independent insurance agents at Paul T. Murphy Insurance. Our agents will work closely with you to ensure your drivers (or perhaps other employees) are well-protected against accident-caused workplace injuries.

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This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy, state and federal laws. For an actual description of coverage, terms and conditions, please refer to the applicable insurance policy or check with your insurance professional. The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication.