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Insurance

Generally agencies that provide personal assistants (PAs) or home care aides are required to have at least three types of insurance: malpractice (liability) insurance, worker’s compensation and disability insurance, and unemployment insurance. This page provides an overview of basic insurances you should know about.

Malpractice Insurance

This insurance protects an agency against any lawsuit due to an injury caused to a client by one of its workers. When you hire privately, your PA almost certainly will not have malpractice insurance. If you are injured through PA negligence your only recourse would be to fire the PA for putting you in danger.

The way to avoid harm is to train your PA well, give them clear instructions and supervise them carefully in safe ways to do their tasks.

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Worker’s Compensation and Disability Insurance

This insurance pays the employee medical benefits and a portion of his salary when he is injured on the job.

If you hire your PA privately check with the Worker’s Compensation or Disability Insurance department in your state on what is required. Your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy may have limited worker’s compensation benefits. If it does not, check with your insurance agent to see if it can be added.

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Unemployment Insurance

Both state and federal governments require employers to pay unemployment insurance. You pay these premiums quarterly to federal and state revenue departments. These departments can advise you on the rates and how to calculate the payment, which is a small percentage of the employee’s pay.

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Auto Insurance

If your PA will be driving on the job, be sure to check with your insurance agent to see if your auto insurance covers other drivers such as your PA.

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Homeowner’s or Renter’s Insurance

This insurance provides insurance coverage for your home and its contents if you are a homeowner. If you are a renter, it covers the contents of your home. In addition, it can provide a range of coverages that could include injury to people who work for you in your home, medical coverage for guests injured in your home, etc. You can check with your insurance agent to see if it covers your PAs.

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