Does My Helper Have Liability Insurance? A Guide for Families

One of the most common questions for families and older adults hiring in-home care for the first time is, "What kind of insurance do I need?"

When you book in-home care services on Herewith, you can take advantage of the two main types of insurance for home care workers that offer financial protections for you as the employer and for your Helper as your employee.

In this article we'll go over both types of insurance, explain what the differences are, and why both can be helpful when you book in-home care.

Key Takeaways

• Professional liability insurance automatically covers Helpers hired through the Herewith platform
• Workers' compensation is available as an add-on for families who choose to hire Helpers as W-2 employees
• Herewith's care platform streamlines the hiring process to maintain flexibility while offering essential protections.

What to know about hiring on Herewith

As an in-home care platform, Herewith offers the flexibility and affordability of hiring private care on your own schedule without sacrificing essential protections, such as ID verification, mandatory background checks, and professional liability insurance.

Helpers can feel confident accepting jobs with private clients knowing they're protected in the workplace, while also maintaining independence and flexibility.

Professional Liability Insurance

All Helpers on the Herewith platform are covered by professional liability insurance through Herewith Protect.

Liability coverage helps protect against claims related to the care being provided, such as accidental injury of your loved one during a Helper's shift. Coverage is equal to up to $1 million per claim, and automatically applies to Helpers hired through the Herewith platform.

Workers' Compensation

If a caregiver is injured while working in your home, workers' compensation covers their medical bills and a portion of their lost wages.

Herewith also offers workers’ compensation insurance as an add-on service if you hire a Helper as a W-2 employee through our payroll partner, HomeWork Solutions.

In many states, this is a legal requirement if you hire a caregiver regularly and they are classified as a household employee (W-2). Rules vary by location and how often your caregiver works, so it's worth checking what applies in your state before your caregiver’s first shift.

HomeWork Solutions also assists families who prefer to have professional support handling any payroll taxes that may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions about Workers' Compensation:

When does workers’ compensation coverage take effect?

Workers’ compensation becomes available when you elect to use HomeWork Solutions to manage payroll for Helpers you’ve hired for ongoing in-home care services.

Coverage starts as soon as your EIN is processed by HomeWork Solutions. Please note that your plan only covers Helpers hired via the Herewith platform while they are working onsite. Some insurance limitations may apply.

If the EIN is received within 10 days after employment begins, your coverage will be retroactive to the first day of employment. Coverage is applicable only as hours are logged by your Helper(s). If you have no hired Helper for 30 days, your policy will lapse. You can restart your policy when you next hire.

Is there anything workers’ compensation doesn’t cover?

“Although workers’ compensation insurance provides broad coverage for work-related injuries and illness, there are some exclusions. For example, injuries outside of work aren’t covered, and commuting to and from work generally isn’t covered, though there may be coverage in some states. Also, intentional injuries and those occurring as a result of substance abuse or intoxication aren’t covered.” (Bhalu Insurance FAQs)

How do I set up workers' compensation insurance for my Helper?

If booking care on Herewith, you'll need to select HomeWork Solutions as your payroll partner when you hire your Helper. HomeWork Solutions will help you set up your workers' compensation insurance policy.

If you've already hired a Helper and opted to pay them directly through the app without a payroll partner, please contact Herewith Customer Support for assistance switching to HomeWork Solutions: Email support@herewith.com or call 415-506-9776.

How do I make a workers’ compensation claim?

If an injury or incident occurs, first seek medical attention for those affected.

For claims information, please contact the Herewith Customer Support team at support@herewith.com or call 415-506-9776 and we’ll connect you with the insurance provider.

What should I do if there’s a change in my loved one’s circumstances?

In the case that your loved one no longer needs care, you can call Herewith support at 415-506-9776 and we will take care of closing your Herewith account, including canceling your policy.