How does workers' comp work in Rhode Island?

The marketplace for workers' compensation insurance in Rhode Island is fairly stable and it has been for the last five years. Rates remain about 28 percent higher than the national average. This ranks Rhode Island as the 11th most expensive state in the country to purchase workers' comp coverage.

Rhode Island is a partner with the National Council on Compensation Insurance NCCI to determine workers' compensation rates on all class codes. Rhode Island partners with Beacon Mutual Insurance Company as the assigned risk provider. Typically rates are lower in states who have a partnership like this where an assigned risk provider competes directly with the open market. Because of a lack of competition for coverage rates remain high in Rhode Island.

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Workers' Comp Rules & Information for Rhode Island

RI Department of Labor and Training

Division of Workers' Compensation
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Building 69, Second Floor
PO Box 20190
Cranston, RI 02920-0942
401-462-8100

What is Workers' Compensation?

The basic purpose of the Workers’ Compensation is to provide wage replacement benefits and medical treatment for employees who have been injured or become ill due to a work-related injury or illness. It prevents the employer from bearing the costs of injuries that occur during normal business operations.

Rhode Island is an NCCI State

Rhode Island partners with the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI gathers data, analyzes industry trends, and prepares objective insurance rate and loss cost recommendations. NCCI is the nation’s most experienced provider of workers compensation information, tools, and services. Rhode Island partners with NCCI to determine the rates on workers' compensation coverage only. It does not use NCCI as the administrator of the assigned risk.

How does workers' comp help my business?

Your business benefits from workers' compensation coverage, by not being liable for injuries that occur as a part of normal business operations. This applies whether the injury was the fault of the business or was caused by negligent actions of the employee. You can move forward with your business operations knowing that if one of your employees is injured because of something that happens as a normal part of your business operations, your business is not liable for the costs.

Rhode Island Assigned Risk Workers' Comp

Beacon Mutual Insurance Company is a partner with the state of Rhode Island and is the assigned risk provider. If your business for any reason cannot find coverage on the open market the assigned risk will offer coverage. Coverage in the assigned risk is normally higher than the open market.

How does workers' comp help my employee?

Employees benefit from workers' comp coverage by having lost wages covered while they are hurt or sick and not able to work. It also pays for medical costs they might incur as a result of the sickness or injury.

RI Workers' Comp Penalties for Non-Compliance

The Rhode Island Department of Labor is responsible for workers compensation compliance in the state. They can impose civil penalties for each day of non-compliance and may impose criminal penalties resulting in fines and imprisonment for employer who fail to purchase workers compensation in Rhode Island.

State Insurance Directives Regarding Covid-19

The state of Rhode Island “requests” insurers take the following steps to maintain coverage: 1) extend premium payment grace periods, allow payment plans, take other measures to avoid lapse in coverage; 2) offer alternative payment methods (e.g., electronic); 3) waive late, insufficient funds, and installment fees and penalties; 4) consider filings to alter policies to reflect anticipated effects of COVID-19, e.g., reduce premium and amend coverages to reflect changes in activities/exposure; 5) make claims process easier with electronic claims payment delivery and remote claims adjustment.

Discretionary order in effect from 03/25/2020 until the end of the emergency.

State Orders Regarding Insurance Claims Related to Coronavirus

No current state orders.

Specialized Programs for Select Industries

We work with our national insurance partners to develop targeted programs with easier underwriting requirements and lower rates. We offer a broad range of business class codes that help streamline the quote process so you get the lowest price for coverage.

Knowing the Rhode Island workers comp requirements can help lower the cost of coverage.

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Rhode Island Work Comp Information

RI Workers' Comp Penalties

The Rhode Island Department of labor is responsible for workers compensation compliance in the state. They can impose civil penalties for each day of non-compliance and may impose criminal penalties resulting in fines and imprisonment for employer who fail to purchase workers compensation in Rhode Island.

Let Workers Compensation Shop.com help your business navigate workers' comp insurance in Rhode Island.

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Workers' Comp Includes Employers Liability Insurance?

Employers liability insurance is an additional layer of coverage included as part of a workers' compensation insurance policy. Employers Liability is known as Part 2 of the policy. It adds two additional coverages for employers:

Employers Legal Liability and Legal Defense Costs

In today's world, there are a variety of reasons employees and third-parties sue employers for damages. Here a some common types covered by employers liability insurance:

Third Party Lawsuits

Your employee sues another party that may have contributed to the injury, In turn, the third party sues your business.

Consequential Bodily Injury

Another party or individual is injured while providing care for the injured employee.

Dual Capacity Legal Action

An employee files a claim but also attempts to sue the employer for being responsible in other ways outside of the employment relationship.

Loss of Consortium

A spouse sues for damages caused by the loss of companionship or relations.

Employers Liability coverage is not included with coverage in the four monopolistic states. Employers in these states can endorse this coverage onto their General Liability policy. That coverage is commonly known as Stop Gap Coverage.

Workers' Comp Covers RI Employers from Injury Related Expenses & Lawsuits
Employers liability insurance is included under a workers' comp policy in most states.
  • Employers liability coverage is not included in all monopolistic states.
  • All NCCI and most other states' coverage includes employers liability insurance.
Visit NCCI for more resources and information about workers' compensation class codes. Visit United States Department of Labor for more information about government agencies managing workers compensation insurance rates.

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