Have you ever noticed companies advertising themselves as “Licensed and Insured”?  Typically, they are referring to an occupational license and their general liability insurance, which is not that difficult or expensive to obtain.  For your peace of mind, and what is required by Louisiana State law, South Coast Solar has earned its Louisiana State Contractor’s License which requires us to keep our workers’ compensation insurance current for your protection.

It’s very important for homeowners to understand what workers’ compensation means, and how it protects you when you have contractors performing work on your property (especially more challenging electrical and roofing work).  Our workers’ compensation insurance provides full coverage if one of our employees injures themselves on your property.  Most homeowners assume their homeowners insurance policies will provide all of the protection they need if legal action is required for negligence or injury. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of this law, and it could cost you your home!

Something as simple as paying a college student to clean your gutters or giving a youngster a few dollars to mow your lawn, could lead to a lawsuit if a serious accident occurs. With contractors who work on hazardous tasks, such as electrical and roofing, the risk of being targeted by a lawsuit increases unless you have proof they are covered by their own workers’ compensation insurance.  At South Coast Solar, we are not only on your roof, we also provide full electrical services for your solar energy system. If a typical non-workers’ comp. insured contractor sues you, here are some of the assets that may be vulnerable:

Your Home:
Generally your biggest financial asset, so it’s the first thing creditors attempt to seize. Please check with your insurer about bankruptcy protection laws and extra coverage needed to prevent you from losing your home to litigation.

Cash and Valuables:
Any cash in savings accounts, certificates of deposit, taxable investment accounts, furniture, jewelry, automobiles – if they can be liquidated, creditors will want a piece. Again, check with your insurer about specifics about your coverage.

Retirement Savings:
Uncle Sam protects corporate pensions and defined – contribution plans such as 401Ks and 403Bs from summary judgments.  IRAs and Roth IRAs do not have the same federal protection, though some state laws shield these plans from creditors. One way to make sure your savings plans are safe from creditors, is to leave them in your 401K, even if you leave your employer.

Understanding this, we hope that contracting with uninsured business will soon become a thing of the past in Louisiana.  Please visit The Louisiana Sate Licensing Board’s website for Contractors to find out if a solar contractor you are considering is properly licensed.  Also, ask any contractor you are considering to provide proof of current workers’ compensation insurance and that they are using a roofing designation (NCCI code 5551) with their workers’ compensation provider.

Click here to download our General Liability Form

Before we start your installation, South Coast Solar will have our insurance company send you a certificate of insurance, with your name and a address on it, showing that we have notified them that we will be installing solar equipment on your home. Eagan Insurance Agency, Inc. can be contacted anytime for your verification–Attention: Gregory Talbot.