Yes, an electrician who works alone can get a ghost policy
Electricians can get a ghost policy. It helps you send a certificate of insurance when someone asks for it. Ghost policies are for one-person businesses with no employees and no subcontractors. They prove your business has workers' comp insurance. But they do not cover you, the owner, if you get hurt.
You need this kind of insurance because your state might require it. Or a client, a contractor, or a government might ask for it. A ghost policy gives you a certificate. Cimarron issues the policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents.
Let’s look at how it works and when it fits electricians who work alone.
What is a ghost policy?
A ghost policy is a type of workers' comp insurance. It is made for businesses that have no employees. The policy exists so you can show a certificate of insurance. It does not pay if you get hurt at work.
The certificate shows that your business is insured. It shows the name of the insurance company, the dates, and the type of coverage. But it does not show the full policy. You still have to read the whole policy to know what it does and does not cover.
Ghost policies exist to satisfy a request for a certificate. They do not replace regular workers' comp.
Why do you need a ghost policy?
Some people ask to see a certificate of insurance. They might be a client, a contractor, or a government. They want to know your business is insured. A ghost policy lets you send a certificate once Cimarron issues your policy. Your quote is fast and easy.
For example, a big client might ask for a certificate to be sure your business has workers' comp. A ghost policy gives you a real certificate once Cimarron issues it. You can send it to the person who asked for it.
This is especially helpful for one-person businesses like electricians, as long as none of your work goes above 15 feet. You don’t have employees, so you don’t need regular workers' comp. But you might still need to show proof of insurance.
How to get a ghost policy
- Go to start your quote.
- Answer a few questions about your business. What kind of work you do, and where.
- See your price. It depends on your state and the kind of work.
- Know what it does not cover. A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner.
- Buy your policy by card. After Cimarron issues it, you get the certificate.
Here’s what you need to know about each step:
1. Go to start your quote. That’s the first step. You don’t need an account. Just answer a few questions.
2. Answer a few questions. You’ll tell the system what kind of work you do. For example, if you are an electrician, you might say you install wiring, or do home repairs. You’ll also tell it where you work. The system uses that information to give you a price. Work above 15 feet can't be covered by this program, so if any of your electrical work goes that high, you need regular workers' comp instead.
3. See your price. The price depends on your state and the kind of work you do. Your quote shows your exact price.
4. Know what it does not cover. A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so if you get hurt, the policy does not pay your medical bills or lost wages.
5. Buy your policy. Once you decide, you can buy the policy. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then you get the policy documents and the certificate of insurance. You can send the certificate to the person who asked for it.
What does a ghost policy cover?
A ghost policy proves your business has workers' comp coverage. But you, the owner, are not covered. A 👻Ghost Policy never covers the owner; if you want coverage for yourself, you need regular workers' comp.
For example, if you are an electrician and you install wiring, and you fall off a ladder, the policy does not pay for your medical bills. That’s because you, the owner, are not covered. Also, work above 15 feet can't be covered by this program at all.
A ghost policy does not cover property damage. That’s a different kind of insurance. It’s called general liability. You need a different policy for that.
Always read the policy documents to know what is covered. The certificate of insurance only shows the basics. It shows the type of coverage, the limits, the dates, and the name of the insurance company. It does not show the full terms and conditions.
When you need more than a ghost policy
Ghost policies are not for everyone. You need regular workers' comp if you have employees. If you want a policy that pays you when you get hurt, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
If you have employees, you need regular workers' comp. That means you need to cover all of them. You also need to report your payroll and other details. That’s a different kind of policy. A ghost policy is for the owner only. That means no employees and no subcontractors of any kind, even subs who carry their own insurance or hand you a certificate. If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor, or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner. It exists to show proof of coverage to the client, contractor or landlord who asks for it.
What happens after you get a ghost policy?
Once Cimarron issues your policy, you get a certificate of insurance. You can send it to the person who asked for it. The policy runs between the dates on your certificate. Always check the dates on your certificate to make sure it is up to date.
The premium is fully earned. Once the policy is issued, there is no refund. The one exception: if underwriting finds that your application is false before the policy is issued, you get a full refund.
Always make sure the certificate is up to date. If the dates are wrong, the person who asked for it might not accept it. That could cause a problem. So check the dates before you send the certificate.
