Workers compensation insurance

Keep in mind workers' compensation is very different depending on the state. California covers just about everything and costs a fortune. If you decide you want to dress like a woman and trip & fall because you don't know how to walk in high heels, California says you are still covered as long as you were on the clock.

In other states, you have to prove your injury was caused by the job itself.

 

13% in Georgia.

After years of trying to get quotes/information, I finally got an unsolicited offer from my payroll company along with some explanations that helped a lot. I ended up accepting the offer and am now fully legit LOL.

To be honest, after a few calls I gave up on getting wc. I must've called a half dozen agents and not one could really explain things well enough to make me feel ok about sending them money.

The most important thing IMO is the convoluted way wc is invoiced for small companies. You give them the gross payroll and whatnot to get an annual quote. Then buy the policy, most will carve it up into a payment plan. Then at the end of the year they "true it up." Take your actual payroll from the past year, then either bill you for a shortfall, or refund an overpayment. Only then you start the process over again for the new year.

All in all, not that surprising that a government created market would behave in an unnecessarily complex fashion. Unfavorably to the paying customer, of course.

I went with the payroll deal since the premium is calculated and collected on every payroll run. No down payments, no end of year true up, the rate is the rate. Easy peasy.

I have ADP for payroll and, so far, very pleased with their service and rates. They offered the wc add-on, no doubt through some incestuous captive insurance agency scheme they have behind the scenes. Nonetheless, it was a competitive offer and the agent was a wealth of information. I'd recommend it, even to people I like.

Also worth noting: if you (as an employer) are backing in per diem payments due to the new tax laws, this will reduce reported gross pay, and along with that, reduce wc premium too. Of course, this will also reduce the downtime pay amount for the covered employee, so consult a psychic, stay at a Holiday Inn Express, or other CYA before acting on advice from an internet forum.