Working in New York and your “All States Coverage”

Say it isn’t so!!!  Your All States Endorsement may not meet the state requirements!  Failure to meet the requirements of any state can have serious consequences.  In New York State for example, failure to meet their requirements can quickly lead to a $20,000 fine!  This figure isn’t just a scare tactic.  Iv’e seen it time and time again.  Companies often take jobs in the state and fail to notify their agent until they receive the substantial fine, which isn’t easily disputed if you were working in the state!

Let this be a reminder to check or have your agent check the state laws BEFORE going into another jurisdiction!  It could save you a lot of time, money, and heartache!

 

Working in New York – AS OF MAY 14, 2013

 

Please check the state website for the most up to date information!!!  INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME!

 

http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/onthejob/CoverageSituations/outOfStateEmployers.jsp

 

Out-of-state Employers with Employees WORKING in New York State


As part of the 2007 Workers’ Compensation Reform Legislation, Workers’ Compensation Law Section 50(2) was amended to state that when compensation is secured via a stock corporation, mutual corporation or reciprocal insurer authorized to transact the business of workers’ compensation insurance in this state, that such coverage be obtained “through a policy issued under the law of this state.”

On July 12, 2007, Subject Number 046-198 was issued stating that “effective September 9, 2007, all out-of-state employers with employees working in New York State will be required to carry a full statutory New York State workers’ compensation insurance policy.” A full, statutory NYS workers’ compensation insurance policy is one where New York is listed in item 3A on the Information Page of an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy.

Thereafter, in September 2007, the Board posted on its website notice that the Board was reviewing the applicability of this provision to out-of-state employers whose employees are attending meetings, seminars, or other minimal activities in New York State. The Board has concluded its review of this matter and now issues the following Out-of-State Employers policy. Insurance carriers, agents, and brokers, as well as out-of-state employers, should carefully review this policy.

Full NY Workers’ Compensation Coverage Required

An out-of-state employer with an individual or individuals working in New York State is required to have a full NYS workers’ compensation insurance policy if that employer (as defined in the WCL) meets ANY of the following criteria:

  • The      employer (as defined in the WCL) is required to register with the NYS      Department of Labor and pay Unemployment Insurance for any period in      question.
  • The      employer has a permanent physical location in New York or has employees      whose primary work location is here.
  • The      employer is operating in New York under a permit, contract, or license      granted by the State of New York, its counties or any municipality as      defined under §57 of the Workers’ Compensation Law.
  • The      employer is working as a contractor/general contractor/subcontractor on a      construction project in New York.
  • In the previous year, the      employer had employees physically in New York for:

at least 40 hours of every week for a period of longer than 2 consecutive weeks; or

had employees present in New York for 25 or more individual days (e.g.- 5 employees working for 5 days in New York equals 25 individual employee days).

Employees traveling through the State not stopping for deliveries, pick-ups, or other work are not deemed to have worked a day here. An employer that has reason to know that it will meet these criteria in the current year, even if it has not done so in the prior year, must obtain the required coverage.

If an out-of-state employer with an individual or individuals working in New York State meets any of the above requirements, NY MUST be listed on Item 3A on the Information Page of an employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. This means that the employer is fully covered under the NY Workers’ Compensation Law.

Full NY Workers’ Compensation Coverage NOT Required, 3C Coverage Acceptable

When out-of-state employers send employees into New York for work purposes and a full, statutory NYS workers’ compensation insurance policy is not required, the employer must have such coverage for workers’ compensation as required under the laws of its state, and New York must be listed in item 3C on the Information Page of the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy. If the insurance carrier writing the out-of-state employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy is not authorized by the NYS Insurance Department to write workers’ compensation and employers’ liability coverage in New York, for the 3C coverage to comply with this policy, the insurance carrier must have completed, signed, and filed the Statement of Compliance With Workers’ Compensation Law with the Chair, Form C-105.11.

An out-of-state employer having a new worker’s compensation insurance policy issued after February 1, 2011 by a private insurance carrier not licensed in New York and listing New York under 3C of that policy will not qualify for the specific exemptions set forth in the Out-of-State Employers Policy statement unless the carrier completes, signs, and files the Statement of Compliance With Workers’ Compensation Law with the Chair, Form C-105.11.

The Board will post on its website a list of all carriers that have filed the Statement of Compliance with Workers’ Compensation Law, and will provide periodic updates to such listing.

It may be appropriate to contact your insurance broker, carrier or agent, check with your trade association, or conduct additional research to find the most appropriate insurance coverage for your company. In addition, a New York State workers’ compensation policy may be obtained from the New York State Insurance Fund                         by calling 1-888-875-5790 and a disability benefits insurance policy may be obtained from the New York State Insurance Fund by calling 1-866-697-4332.

 

 

http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/Carriers/3C_Consent_List.pdf

List of carriers New York will accept “all states coverage” in section 3C of Workers Compensation Policy.  If your carrier is NOT on this list, you could ask the underwriter if the carrier could apply to get on the approved list.

 

 

http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/Employers/noncompliancePenalty.jsp

 

Ascertaining Violations of the Law

The Workers’ Compensation Board may require an employer to furnish proof that the employer:

  • Has a      valid workers’ compensation insurance policy;
  • Is      self-insured for workers’ compensation; or
  • Is      legally exempt from having to obtain workers’ compensation coverage,      and/or
  • Is      keeping proper, accurate business records.

If an employer fails to provide this information within 10 days following the Board’s request, under the WCL the Board is required to assume that the employer is violating the WCL. (WCL §52 [3])

Personal Accountability

The sole proprietor, partners or the president, secretary and treasurer of a corporation are personally liable for a business’ failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance.

Liability for Claims Incurred by an Uninsured Employer

Section 26-a says an employer is liable for a penalty of $2,000 per 10-day period of noncompliance, plus the actual award (including both compensation and medical costs), plus any other penalties the Board assesses for noncompliance. In cases involving severely injured employees, the medical costs alone could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per injury.

 

 

Obtaining coverage through the New York State Insurance Fund:

 

http://ww3.nysif.com/  (Please note there is NO COMMISSION PAYABLE to the agent if you use the NYSIF)

 

Request a quote:  https://www.nysif.com/signup/default.aspx?t1=ShowQuote

 

Request a quote for Disability Benefits (also required under NY Law)  https://dbl.nysif.com/quote/

 

Requesting a Quote for NYSIF Workers’ Compensation Insurance

You may request a NYSIF quote to apply for workers’ compensation insurance by using NYSIF eQuote. First, you have to create an online account, then provide the following information:

  1. Requested      effective date of insurance;
  2. Full      name(s) of employer(s) including trade name(s) or doing business as      name(s);
  3. Employer(s)      main NYS work location, county, mailing address;
  4. Name      and address of insurance representative;
  5. How      long has your client been in business?
  6. Has      client ever been insured for workers’ compensation?
  7. Client’s      latest experience modification factor and the effective rating date, if      known;
  8. Has      client been declined for coverage in the past 12 months?
  9. Has      client ever been insured with NYSIF?
  10. Describe      client’s operations including products/services;
  11. List      client’s estimated annual payroll by type of work and duties for all      employees.

In most instances, a premium quote will be returned within three business days.

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