60. Blight Remediation and Contractor Compliance Workers Compensation

Forget HomeAdvisor or Angie's List. 

In checking out home maintenance contractors, plumbers, painters, electricians, etc are they covered by Workers Compensation Insurance??? 

The uninsured contractor can create havoc with your homeowners insurance if a worker is injured at your home. Check PA Labor and Industry at: https://www.dli.pa.gov/…/Workers-Compensation-Insurance-Sea… 

The uninsured has an unfair advantage over the insured competitor. They do not have the business expense for Workers Compensation Insurance. The uninsured risks criminal prosecution for insurance fraud when an employee is injured. This precaution is often overlooked. Checking out coverage separates and identifies the unethical business person. 

The contractor registration with the Attorney General does not assure an active Workers Compensation insurance policy. But, check to see that the contractor registration is in force using:
https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/…/home-improvement-contrac…/
It may have lapsed.

Now, if the contractor employs persons of the Amish faith, there is a religious exemption for Workers Compensation. It must be documented with the Department of Labor and Industry. All too often it is not followed by the unethical business owner. They use the appearance  and dress of their Amish employees as a ruse for the unwary that they have Workers Compensation coverage for all of their other "English" employees.  See: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Compensation/WC/compliance/Pages/default.aspx