Did you know that Garzor Insurance now has operating offices in both Houston and Dallas, Texas? Two of the most important cities in the Lone Star State now have dedicated local agents helping businesses thrive, finding adequate insurance coverage for their assets with the opportunity to compare coverage and premiums from different companies, which could result in big savings.
One of the most noticeable differences in terms of legal requirements would be the protection of a workers’ compensation policy for your business.
Texas Employers have a legal responsibility to their employees to make the workplace safe. However, accidents happen even when every reasonable safety measure has been taken. In Texas, private employers can choose to carry workers' compensation insurance coverage, but in some cases it is not required. A workers' compensation insurance policy is considered by many employers as a risk mitigation strategy, because it provides lost wages and medical benefits to employees injured on the job. Except when gross negligence results in a fatality, coverage limits liability if an employee sues your business for damages.
As a non-covered employer —because a Texas employer may choose not to have coverage,— non-covered employers must comply with certain workers’ compensation requirements such as filing the DWC (Division of Workers Compensation) Form-005, unless the employer’s only employees are exempt from coverage under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act (for example, certain domestic workers, certain farm and ranch workers).
The state of Texas provides resources through the Office of Injured Employee Counsel, encouraging the employees right to hire an attorney or if not, receive services from the OIEC at no cost.
To protect employers from lawsuits resulting from workplace accidents and to provide medical care and compensation for lost income to employees hurt in workplace accidents, in almost every state, businesses are required to buy workers compensation insurance. Workers compensation insurance covers workers injured on the job, whether they're hurt on the workplace premises or elsewhere, or in auto accidents while on business. It also covers work-related illnesses.
It provides payments to injured workers, without regard to who was at fault in the accident, for time lost from work and for medical and rehabilitation services. It also provides death benefits to surviving spouses and dependents in the event of a fatality. Each state has different laws governing the amount and duration of lost income benefits, the provision of medical and rehabilitation services and how the system is administered. For example, in most states there are regulations that cover whether the worker or employer can choose the doctor who treats the injuries and how disputes about benefits are resolved.
Workers compensation insurance must be bought as a separate policy. In-home business and business owners policies (BOPs) are sold as package policies, and none include coverage for workers' injuries.
Our new offices in Texas are in located at:
HOUSTON
10777 Westheimer Rd
Suite 1100
Houston, TX 77042
Phone: 877-427-9671
and
DALLAS
100 Strickland Plaza
Irving, TX 75060
Phone: (469) 501-1724
At Garzor Insurance we care about your business. Our experienced professionals are dedicated to providing commercial insurance, including business general liability coverage in Texas as well as Florida, and now many other states across the U.S. If you have questions about truck insurance, or any other commercial insurance aspects, please do not hesitate to visit us online at Garzor Insurance, or you may want to call us directly at (321) 206-8035.
Yaralyn Diaz, CSR
Commercial Lines CSR
