If you manage or own a business, you probably carry several different types of insurance policies. You may carry workers’ comp, vehicle liability, and business liability insurance. You might have an umbrella policy to provide additional coverage if a claim exceeds the limit of another policy. You carry insurance so that your company will not be financially devastated if something bad happens. Why would you not want any Atlanta paving contractor you hire to be just as sensible and responsible?
Is Workers’ Comp Mandatory in Georgia for an Asphalt Paving Contractor?
Georgia does not have different requirements for asphalt paving companies, retailers, roofers, or any other type of business. Regardless of industry, the law requires any business with at least three employees to carry workers’ comp. It does not matter whether the employees are part-time or full-time. Furthermore, members or officers of LLCs or corporations count as employees for workers’ comp requirements. You would have difficulty finding a commercial asphalt company that does not meet the employee count for workers’ comp. Asphalt paving Atlanta streets and parking lots is not without risks. Workers must install paving asphalt while the material is still very hot, so burns are always a possibility. There will also be dump trucks and heavy equipment on the site that can pose potential dangers. For example, in 2017, a dump truck hit a power pole, and a worker died when the lines fell on him. If your asphalt company carries workers’ comp, injured employees can obtain help for their expenses. When asphalt companies do not have the insurance, it is often their customers who face the consequences. The injured worker might sue the customer to seek help for lost wages, medical bills, and other costs.
Why Does General Liability Matter for an Atlanta Paving Contractor?
Do you remember the incident discussed in the previous section about the downed power line? Suppose that the person that the lines fell on was your employee, an innocent passer-by, or your customer. Whose insurance would settle with the deceased person’s family? Suppose that the power line sparked a fire that spread to your building. Whose insurance would cover the property damage? In both cases, the general liability policy of the asphalt contractor is the one that should cover the claims.
Must an Atlanta Paving Contractor Carry Vehicle Liability Insurance?
Georgia requires all drivers to carry liability insurance on their vehicles, and that includes commercial vehicles. However, the mandatory coverage limits are relatively low, so contractors often find that their policies will not cover the entire amount of a claim.
Why Is It Helpful for Asphalt Paving Companies to Have an Umbrella Policy?
As you probably know, insurance policies cap the amount that the insurance company will pay. For example, a general liability policy may have a limit of $500,000 per incident. A vehicle liability policy may have a limit of $50,000 for a bodily injury or wrongful death. If claims exceed the policy limit, an umbrella policy can pay all or part of the difference.
Where Can I Find a Fully Insured Asphalt Paving Atlanta Contractor?
The Surface Masters is a fully insured paving company serving clients in a wide range of industries. We offer asphalt milling and reclamation, parking lot striping, asphalt patching, sealcoating, asphalt paving, crack sealing, pavement markings, and concrete work. We have extensive experience, an extremely skilled team, and the ability to handle jobs of all sizes. If you would like to contact us for a free quote, you can complete our online request form, or you can call 770-250-6392.
