Insuring Your Household Help

Contracting with an Outside Firm: If the person is not your employee, employed through an agency or self employed, they may be covered under workers compensation, health and / or disability insurance through their employer.  This type of domestic help may include: nurses, lawn maintenance, and caterers.  When hiring through these circumstances, you are not responsible for supplying the insurance. 

Your homeowner's insurance carries a certain amount of liability coverage under Section II - Coverage E.  Most policies start at $100,000 worth of coverage.  You may elect to raise this amount or buy more coverage through an Umbrella Policy.  This would provide broader coverage and a minimum of $1 million of liability insurance. Ask your agent about the no-fault medical coverage you have in your homeowner's policy, under coverage F. If someone, other than your immediate family, is injured on your property, you can submit their medical bills directly to your insurance company for reimbursement. Most policies have $1,000 worth of this coverage, but you may opt to raise this amount to $2,500 or $5,000.

Permanent and Live-in Employees: If you hire someone to work in your home on a regularly-scheduled, permanent basis, you may consider buying worker's compensation coverage for this employee. Florida law does not require workers compensation for domestic employees. However, the employer does have to option to provide this coverage. This type of insurance covers medical care and physical rehabilitation for an employee who is injured on the job. It will also provide coverage for lost wages if the employee is severaly hurt and no longer able to work, including death benefits.

If this employee is going to be driving your vehicle, make sure you let your automobile insurance agent know about the additional driver.