Management Consultant-Workers Comp

[sambolito]

What is the name of your state?

New Mexico


hi

i have an intentionally small, low-key management cosulting practice;

i provide basic services such general advice/counsel to management (including boards), community networking, and provide strategic or tactical documents or position papers as requested;

i am a sole proprietor, work out of my home, and rarely visit client sites (e.g. to attend a meeting);

my contracts tend to be retainer-based, meaning i get paid each month whether my services are accessed are not; hours are capped via draw-down provision;

i've had more than two dozen clients over the years--from the huge (federal & state govt., to small businesses and non-profits);

i have a prospective client here in new mexico who would like to me to acquire workers comp/show them proof...no one has ever asked this before

since i don't work at their site and have multiple clients and am engaged in "cerebral" and not physical work, is their request valid within parameters of the law? it doesn't seem to make sense to me, given what i do and how i do it...

thank you for your guidance in this matter...contact information is below should you have any questions, require further information, or wish to speak with me directly

samWhat is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

[sambolito]

new mexico

[Beanie711]

It is perfectly legal for them to ask for proof of your workers comp plan. I'm sure they're worried about the possibility of you getting hurt if/when you visit their site.

[tranquility]

Not only is it legal, but necessary. When we get audited for worker's comp, one of the questions is if we have certificates of insurance for anyone who worked on the premises (other than those in a corporation) during the covered time. If we don't have them, the amounts paid to the contractor are supposed to be added to our rating schedule.

[sambolito]

but i don't work on their premises...

[Beanie711]

Originally Posted by sambolito

i am a sole proprietor, work out of my home, and rarely visit client sites (e.g. to attend a meeting);

This suggests that you do, albeit rarely, visit their sites.

[CMLANDLORD]

99.9% of the time you don't work at the job site. However when you attend a meeting there, you are working.

You may want to consult an insurance broker to see if you are required by law to have workman's comp coverage if you are the sole employee of your sole proprietorship. I know for corporations, if the employee is the only officer, only employee and only shareholder, the corporation is except from having to have WC insurance.