Workers’ compensation insurance for printers and copiers

A work injury may seem unlikely in a print shop, but repetitive motion injuries and slip-and-fall accidents can happen in any office. For example, an employee who works on a copy shop’s computer could develop carpal tunnel syndrome. The employer might have to pay for doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and part of the employee's wages for the time the worker spends recovering.

Workers’ compensation insurance can pay for an injured worker’s medical expenses and also provide disability benefits while they are unable to work.

• Immediate and ongoing medical costs for a work-related injury or illness
• Partial lost wages while the employee is unable to work
• Funeral expenses if an employee dies from a work accident
• Legal expenses if an employer is sued over a workplace injury

Typically included in a workers’ comp policy, employer’s liability insurance offers protection when a printing or copying employee decides to sue a business owner over an injury.

Employer’s liability insurance can help cover:

• Attorney's fees
• Court costs
• Settlements

Even if the employee loses the court case, without insurance, litigation can be extremely expensive. Employer’s liability insurance covers legal expenses up to the policy limit.

The amount you pay for workers’ compensation is a specific rate based on every $100 of your business’s payroll. Your premium is determined by the type of work done by your employees (classification rate), your experience modification rate (claims history), and your payroll (per $100).

The formula providers use in underwriting to calculate workers' comp rates is:

Each state has its own laws for workers’ compensation requirements. For example, print shops in Illinois must carry workers’ compensation insurance for every employee – even part-time workers. However, Texas print shops are not required to carry this policy.

While sole proprietors, independent contractors, and partners don’t have to carry workers’ compensation insurance, you can purchase a policy to protect yourself, too. It's always a good idea to carry workers' comp because health insurance can deny claims for injuries that are related to your job.

In certain states, printing and copying businesses must purchase coverage through a monopolistic workers' comp state fund. Those states are:

• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Washington
• Wyoming

If you purchase workers’ comp through a monopolistic state fund, it might not include employer’s liability insurance. However, you can purchase it as stop gap coverage from a private insurance company.

Printing and copying employees face daily risks involving poor ergonomics, printing presses and other heavy machinery, and repetitive-motion work. Whether you’re the owner of a print shop or a copy center, you can maintain a safer work environment with:

• Employee safety training
• Proper equipment, such as gloves and goggles
• Prompt cleanup of spills and messes
• Equipment maintenance

By managing your risks, you can decrease the likelihood of workplace injuries. That means fewer claims – and a lower insurance premium.

Workers’ compensation insurance shields your employees and to some extent your business, but it doesn’t cover property damage, customer injuries, and other common risks. Other recommended insurance policies for printers include:

General liability insurance: This policy can pay legal expenses related to customer property damage and injuries, along with advertising injuries such as slander.

Business owner’s policy (BOP): This policy combines general liability insurance with commercial property insurance, usually at a lower rate than if the policies were purchased separately.

Errors and omissions insurance (E&O): Also called professional liability insurance, this policy can cover legal fees of lawsuits related to your printing or copying performance.

Cyber liability insurance: This policy helps pay for expenses related to a data breach or cyberattack, such as the cost of notifying affected customers.

Commercial auto insurance: Most states require this coverage for business-owned vehicles. It helps cover the cost of auto accidents and vehicle damage.

Are you ready to safeguard your printing or copying business with workers’ compensation or another type of insurance? Complete Insureon’s easy online application today. Once you find the right policy, you can begin coverage in less than 24 hours.