Are you a business owner in the Lone Star State? Check out our Texas workers' compensation guide.
Simply Business is pleased to provide tailored insurance options from:
Most small business owners know that workplace safety is a top priority. Not only does avoiding work-related injuries and illnesses protect your employees and yourself — it can also protect your business and legacy. Committing to consistent worksite maintenance and reducing potential hazards could be a great defense. However, it is impossible to eradicate risk completely.
Workers’ compensation insurance coverage can help in the event of an unpredictable incident. Workers’ compensation is insurance carried by employers to provide coverage for workers with work-related injuries and illness.
Workers’ compensation insurance benefits may include medical care reimbursement, as well as compensation for lost income, depending on the case. Some of the most common workers’ compensation claims include sprains, strains, broken bones, and concussions.
Workers’ compensation requirements can vary distinctly from state to state. As an employer, it is important to reference your state’s workers’ comp regulations to ensure your business adheres to local guidelines. Let’s take a look at how workers’ compensation is handled in Texas.
While many states require employers to carry workers’ comp insurance if they have a certain number of employees — or even no employees — Texas workers’ compensation requirements are different. In Texas, private employers are generally not required to offer coverage. The primary exceptions to this rule are:
Texas workers’ comp is regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensation here.
According to Texas Workers’ Compensation rules, employers need workers’ compensation insurance only if they contract with government agencies or if a particular contractor requires it. Otherwise, employers are not required to carry workers’ comp in Texas.
However, regardless that it’s not required doesn’t mean it’s not worth carrying. There are several benefits to holding workers’ compensation coverage that are important to take into consideration.
Holding workers’ comp insurance in Texas protects you from being subjected to most lawsuits by injured employees.
The same Texas Department of Insurance guide previously cited also states that if you or your employee are unhappy with how the claim is resolved by the Division of Workers’ Compensation, your workers’ compensation insurance will cover legal fees for the appeal process. Additionally, Texas law puts limits on employer liability if the employer holds workers’ compensation insurance.
If an employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, they are required to inform employees and provide them with the name of the carrier.
If a business doesn’t fall under the previously stated exceptions, then they do not need to offer workers’ compensation. There are, however, downsides to not carrying it.
While those who carry workers’ comp are protected from certain lawsuits, those who don’t carry it waive that immunity. If an employee sues, the employer cannot argue the following in court:
The employer can also could end up footing the bill for damages if the employee is able to prove employer negligence.
Employers who don’t carry Texas workers’ comp coverage are referred to as non-subscribers. Non-subscribers are required to file an annual notice with the Division of Workers’ Compensation, as well as to post notices of their insurance status in their workplace and provide written notice to new employees that they are not covered by workers’ comp.
Certain employers may be eligible to self-insure. If a private employer doesn’t want to obtain Texas workers’ compensation insurance through an established carrier, self-insurance allows them to pay for claims out-of-pocket. They must, however, apply, qualify, and be approved by the Division of Workers’ Compensation in order to obtain self-insured status.
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, in order to qualify for self-insurance, an employee must meet specific requirements, including:
If an employer meets the requirements and their application is accepted, they will become a certified self-insurer and a member of the Texas Certified Self-Insurance Guaranty Association.
Workers’ comp coverage generally affords additional protections to employees undergoing or considering a claim. While there may not be a law specifying that an employer can’t terminate an employee who’s involved in a workers’ comp claim in Texas, there are a few stipulations.
An important protection for workers’ comp recipients in Texas is Chapter 451. This Labor Code states that an employer legally cannot retaliate or discriminate against an employee for filing a claim or hiring a lawyer to assist with that claim. Any termination found to be in violation of this code may result in the following:
Texas law focuses on helping employees return to work following their workers’ comp claims. The general consensus is that employees recover more efficiently if they are able to perform useful work simultaneously. This work is often considered light duty.
If the employee refuses to complete the work assigned to them, it may result in their workers’ compensation benefits ceasing.
A 1099 employee is an independent contractor, such as freelancers, consultants, and people whose work is project-based.
According to Texas law, if a subcontractor and a hiring contractor enter into a written agreement that states the independent contractor is not considered an employee of the hiring contractor and satisfies other requirements set forth in the statute, then the independent contractor would not be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits from the hiring party.
While Texas previously held a policy requiring any employer with a workers’ comp policy and 15 or more people on the payroll to have a drug-free workplace, that policy was repealed in 2005. However, even if it is still common practice for workplaces to maintain a similar policy at the employer’s discretion a drug test is not required in order to receive benefits from workers’ compensation in Texas.
To verify an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance status, you can check with the Texas Department of Insurance. They provide a running list of known non-subscriber employers.
To verify a subscribing employer’s workers’ comp insurance, an official search function can be found here.
A file containing all certified self-insurers in the state of Texas can be found here.
Similar to many other states, Texas has a workers’ compensation insurance classification system. The system is designed to classify businesses into categories based on their respective levels of risk. A full list of industries and their class codes is available through the Texas Department of Insurance.
In addition to the risks involved in an industry, a number of other factors could impact your insurance rates. This may include the number of employees, amount of payroll, and even the employer’s loss history.
Texas workers’ compensation insurance can be complicated. Insurance has a lot of terminologies, and each state has different requirements and recommendations. It can be overwhelming. We can help with that. Your business is important, and we want to help you keep it safe.
Simply Business partners with small business owners every day to help them shop for insurance quotes and find coverage that works for them. Start your workers’ compensation insurance quote with us today. Tell us what’s important to you and to your business, and we’ll take it from there.
Get Your Workers' Comp QuoteIf their employer carries workers’ compensation insurance, employee benefits may be available if a workplace injury occurs. While the benefits will vary by case and may be subject to state limits, depending on what the employee’s needs are, the general benefits include the following:
According to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, private employers are not required to carry workers’ comp insurance in Texas unless they contract with a government entity or work with contractors who require it. As a result, most employers are exempt from carrying coverage, provided they cooperate with regulations from the Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Workers’ compensation insurance paperwork in Texas can seem confusing. Below are some useful workers’ compensation forms for Texas employers and contractors to get you started.
To establish a workers’ compensation waiver or other agreement with a subcontractor, forms can be found here.
To receive reimbursement for travel costs, complete this form and send it to your insurance carrier.
Complete this form to confirm that a subcontractor and their employees do not fall under the general contractor’s workers’ comp coverage.
Simply Business1 Beacon Street, 15th FloorBoston, MA02108
*Harborway Insurance policies are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company and reinsured by Munich Re, an A+ (Superior) rated insurance carrier by AM Best. Harborway Insurance is a brand name of Harborway Insurance Agency, LLC, a licensed insurance producer in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. California license #6004217.
© Copyright 2023 Simply Business. All Rights Reserved. Simply Business, LLC is a licensed insurance producer in all U.S. States and the District of Columbia. Simply Business has its registered office at Simply Business, 1 Beacon Street, 15th Floor, Boston, MA, 02108. In California, we operate under the name Simply Business Insurance Agency, LLC, License #0M20593. In Colorado, we operate under the name Simply Business, LLC DBA Simply Business Insurance Agency. In New York, we operate under the name Simply Business Insurance Agency. In Pennsylvania, we operate under the name Simply Business Insurance Agency, LLC. In Texas, we operate under the name, U.S. Simply Business, LLC. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.