Owner Operators are not employees and therefore excluded from workers compensation, creating a significant gap in the event of an accident while under dispatch. Occupational Accident (Occ/Acc) insurance fills that gap, as it works similar to workers compensation, providing protection to the O/O and the Motor Carrier.
Benefits to the Owner Operator:
- Occ/Acc provides the injured driver with financial protection for accidental death, dismemberment, paralysis, temporary or total disability and medical bills
- Occ/Acc is typically a fraction of the cost of workers compensation
- Occ/Acc is available in most states
- Occ/Acc extends coverage to owner operators and 1099 contract drivers
- Optional coverage can be added for off the job injuries and guest passengers
Benefits to the Motor Carrier:
- Mitigates the risk of an Owner Operator seeking workers compensation benefits, resulting in motor carrier costs:
- Legal defense expense
- Potential award of benefits, thus uncovered claim
- Potential workers compensation premium charges for all owner operators
- Attract and retain Owner Operators, by providing a group program with group discounted rates
- Reduces the risk of one bad injury creating financial stress for motor carrier
- Contingent Workers Compensation Liability – provides the motor carrier with legal defense and workers compensation settlement / benefit costs if a covered contract driver seeks employee status for purposes of receiving workers compensation