S POT L IGHT OCCUPATIONAL


BY PEGGY LARSEN Guest Writer


Professional truck drivers drive millions


of miles every day and provide essential services by transporting goods all over the United States. Many truck drivers are con- tracted as independent contractors that provide them the freedom of running a small business. These independent contrac- tors however also carry all the risk of being a small business owner. Independent contractors generally can


be excluded from workers compensation policies. However, Utah House Bill 308 established that independent contractors must provide proof of occupational acci- dent coverage. Workers Compensation Fund, through a partnership with Univantage Insurance Solutions, now offers the opportunity to purchase Occupational Accident Insurance underwritten by ACE American Insurance Company. This cover- age provides valuable benefits and financial security when a work related accident occurs. This is an endorsed program pro- vided to members by the Utah Trucking Association.


ELIGIBILITY You are eligible to purchase this insur-


ance if you are an independent contractor (as defined by H.B. 308) over the age of 17 and under the age of 70, operating a motor vehicle in one of the following classifica- tions: Class 1 Dry Van or Refrigerated Haulers; Class 2 Flat Bed, Aggregate, Redi- Mix and Dump Truck Haulers; Class 3 Tanker, Automobile Carrier, and other clas- sifications of haulers subject to the insur- ance company approving the application. A truck driver is considered an indepen-


dent contractor under H.B. 308 if all of the following apply:


www.utahtrucking.com


ACCIDENT INSURANCE Insurance designed specifically for independent contractors in Utah


• Driver owns a motor vehicle or leases a motor vehicle from a motor carrier


• Driver personally operates the motor vehicle


• Motor carrier and driver have a written agreement confirming that the driver operates the vehicle as an independent contractor


• Motor carrier has a copy of a current workers compensation coverage waiver for the driver


• Motor carrier has proof that the driver has occupational accident insurance that provides disability, death, and medical benefits (hospital, surgical, prescription drug, and dental coverage)


COVERAGE Occupational Accident Benefits


If you are in a covered work-related acci-


dent that results in bodily injury within 72 hours of the event or as soon as reasonably possible, the following benefits are payable. Your coverage must be in effect and you must be performing the regular activities


of your job as an independent contractor. • Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefits, up to $250,000


• Accident Medical/Dental Expenses, up to $1,000,000 for up to 104 weeks » Dental Expenses are limited to $1,000 per covered accident


» Lifetime maximum for covered expenses resulting from treatment, services or supplies for a hernia is $10,000


• Temporary Total Disability – After seven days of continuous Total Disability, weekly benefits are paid equal to 70 percent of your Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), up to $600 per week, for up to 104 weeks.


• Permanent Total Disability – After 104 weeks of continuous Total Disability, benefits are paid equal to 70 percent of your AWE multiplied by 52 weeks and divided by 12 months, up to $2,600 per month, until such time as you are


COMBINED SINGLE BENEFIT LIMIT Up to $1,000,000 per occupational acci-


dent ($50,000 per condition for occupational disease and cumulative trauma) will be paid under all benefits combined for any one per- son due to any one occupational accident.


COST With Univantage’s ability to offer occu-


pational accident insurance, coverage is provided at affordable rates based on the classification of motor vehicle you drive: Class 1 $138 per person, per month; Class 2 $159 per person, per month; Class 3 $175 per person, per month. For questions or to apply for coverage


please contact Univantage at 385.351.8328 or visit www.univantage.com


Peggy Larsen is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Workers Compensation Fund and the President of Univantage Insurance Solutions. WCF offers ongoing safety training and UTA members are eligible for a 5 percent premium discount through a partnership with WCF. Visit www.wcfgroup.com for more information.


UTAH TRUCKING ~ Issue 1, 2013 25


no longer eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits.


• Benefits are also payable for cumulative trauma and occupational diseases.


Non-Occupational Accident Benefits


If you are in a covered accident that is not work-related that results in bodily inju-


ry, the following benefits are payable: • Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefits, up to $10,000


• Accident Medical/Dental Expenses, up to $15,000 for up to a maximum of 52 weeks (Dental Expenses are limited to $250 per covered accident)


• No disability benefits are payable for a non-occupational accident


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