It was a promising Monday morning, with Neato enthusiastically chasing birds, his customary ritual. However, in pursuit of a lorikeet, he sprinted up a tree and landed awkwardly on a spoke of a fence, resulting in a substantial gash beneath his armpit. Thus, our week commenced with a visit to the animal hospital.
After five days of care, Neato returned, albeit restricted to light duties for a gradual return to his responsibilities. Fortunately, as an employee, Neato falls under our Workers' Compensation policy. By annually declaring his wages, we covered the $4k surgery expenses, as well as his ongoing needs for kibble and pet mince until he fully resumes his regular duties in coming weeks.
This incident draws a parallel to the responsibilities of a strata company in ensuring adequate coverage for individuals at their property.
Most strata insurance policies include workers compensation cover, which insures remunerated individuals without their personal insurance. Consider the local lad paid to handle bins or a neighbour routinely tending to the lawns in exchange for levy credits. Notably, with workers' compensation, it's vital to disclose a rough annual wage and specify the undertaken duties to secure coverage.
These policies often also inherently cover voluntary workers. This provision extends to injury coverage for individuals contributing to property maintenance without monetary compensation—such as an altruistic owner replacing reticulation, cleaning common areas, or organizing recyclables.
When renewing your insurance policy, reflect on Neato's experience. Ensure you have provisions for voluntary workers and accurately declare wages for workers compensation coverage. Safeguarding both paid and unpaid contributors with adequate insurance not only mitigates risks but also fosters a safer and more supportive environment and community for all involved.