Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) | How Do You Claim It?

WIBA (Work Injury Benefits Act) is a policy that covers the employees of the insured whilst on duty. Especially, those engaged in the execution of the Insured’s business and any project undertaken by the insured. Including, insurance cover against accidental bodily injury, disablement, or even death.

In general, this is a combination of the workmen injury benefit act (WIBA) and Group Personal Accident (GPA) covers. That intends to give an employer a one-stop solution for employee insurance. It addresses workplace risk as well as off-duty risks. And, as you know, accidents happen unintentionally.

 

According to Labor Laws about Health and Safety Act 2007, which was revised in 2010? Compensation is payable in accordance with the provisions of the WIBA Act 2007. It clearly states that it is the responsibility of every employer to obtain an insurance policy.

More so, for the safety, health, and wellbeing of their employees, working at the organization or business premises. Labor Laws about Health and Safety Act 2010 provides, for the safety, health, and wellbeing of employees and all persons lawfully present at the workplace.

What Is A Work Injury Benefits Act?

In Kenya, for instance, the Work Injury Benefits Act is an Act of Parliament In Kenya to provide compensation to employees for work-related injuries and diseases. In that case, contracted in the course of their employment and for connected purposes.

And as an example, WIBA Insurance Kenya stands for Workers Injury Benefits Act (WIBA). It is a requirement for businesses or organizations to cover themselves against compensation for injuries caused to their employees.

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Basically, an accident in WIBA means an accident arising out of and in the course and scope of an employee’s employment and resulting in personal injury. Whereby, every employer must obtain and maintain an insurance policy.

With an insurer approved by the Minister in respect of any liability that the employer may incur under this Act to any of its employees.

What Is WIBA Insurance Policy?

In general, the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) Insurance Policy is a combination of the workmen injury benefit act (WIBA) and Group Personal Accident (GPA) covers. That intends to give an employer a one-stop solution for employee insurance. It addresses workplace risk as well as off-duty risks.

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WIBA Insurance policy covers you as an employer against legal liability under the Labor Laws about Health and Safety Act 2007. This is with respect to the assessments.

It compensates for bodily injury to your employees due to accidents or occupational diseases arising out of and during the course of employees’ employment in your organization or business premises.

These are the items covered in WIBA Insurance cover in Kenya;

1. covers you financially, in case of your employees’ death. The death benefits are payable to beneficiaries of the insured.
2. generally, it protects you financially; against employees’ work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
3. it provides funeral expenses benefits.
4. not to mention, it provides medical expenses benefits.
5. lastly, it also provides total or partial disablement benefits to the insured.

These are the exclusion of WIBA Insurance Policy Kenya;

1. WIBA Insurance Kenya won’t compensate your employees if an accident not resulting in serious disablement or death, is deliberately and caused by the misconduct of your employees.
2. Work Injury Benefits Act policy won’t cover you financially, from accidental death or work-related injuries occurring outside the normal working hours of your employees.
3. It won’t cover any work-related injuries and occupational diseases contracted outside Kenya.
4. Furthermore, WIBA Insurance won’t cover any liabilities arising out of any court proceedings.

Why Do You Need WIBA Insurance In Kenya?

Besides being a mandatory requirement for employers. It protects you financially against liabilities that arise from your employees’ work-related injuries and occupational diseases.

WIBA Insurance management, when carried out internally, will affect your company’s operations. Your company’s savings will go down the drain when carrying out WIBA management internally.

But, in order for this not to happen, you need to transfer risks to an insurance company for your employees’ safety and health compensation plan. Transferring risks to an insurance company will not affect your company’s financial planning.

Because of this, it will be a lot easier to give the company’s financial report when you consider Work Injury Benefits Insurance Policy (WIBA). It covers you financially in case of large-scale risks such as fire and road accidents.

When you don’t consider WIBA policy cover in the event of large-scale risks, your company will suffer in terms of finances ending up in bankruptcy.

How Is WIBA Insurance Vs Personal Accident Cover different?

Before you get to know the difference between WIBA and Personal Accident Cover. You need to understand the Personal Accident Cover and what items are covered. To enumerate, Personal Accident Cover provides a compensation plan for you when you get injured in an accident.

Personal Accident Cover provides the following coverage plan;

1. In the first place, it provides death benefits to the beneficiaries of the insured.
2. Secondly, it provides total or partial disablement benefits to the insured.
3. Then again, it protects you financially when you get injured in an accident.
4. Equally important, it provides accidental medical expenses for you when injured.
5. Finally, it provides funeral expenses benefits.

The main difference between WIBA and Personal Accident Insurance Policy is that WIBA Insurance is only applicable to the workplace while Personal Accident Cover is not.

These are the advantages of WIBA Kenya ;

1. First, it’s cheaper compared to managing WIBA Kenya risks internally.
2. Then, it gives you peace of mind when risks occur in your organization or company.
3. Not forgetting, it protects you financially against liabilities that arise from your employees’ work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
4. Above all, it attracts more staff and retains them as it forms one of the welfare benefits.

Here are some of the disadvantages of WIBA Kenya;

1. It won’t provide enough coverage for your employees. You need to buy additional coverage on top of what your organization or company provides.
2. WIBA covers are tied to the employment of your employees. When they resign or get fired, the policy won’t cover them.
3. WIBA Insurance covers Kenya are one-size-fits-all, which doesn’t provide customization where need be.

The main disadvantage of the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) cover is that it won’t compensate for work-related injuries and occupational diseases that arise outside the normal working hours of your employees.

Is It Risky To Buy Work Injury Benefits Act Insurance Policy?

Obviously, WIBA Insurance is a legal requirement for every employer in Kenya to have for the safety and health compensation plan for their employees.

It is important for you to understand how insurance policies work. Here are a few factors for you to consider when buying WIBA Insurance Kenya;

1. The market reputation of company insurance is of importance. It is important to check how they have handled past claims. What are some of the feedback from clients?
2. Is your insurance provider accessible? Are they providing their services online? If yes, this will give you peace of mind and saves you time when you need them.
3. It is important for you to know the costs and services offered by your insurance provider. Don’t accept inferior services for low costs, in the long run, it will cost you a lot.

It won’t be risky for you to buy WIBA Insurance Policy when you exercise patience in checking the details of the insurance companies and choose the one that fits your organization or company.

How Do I get The Work Injury Benefits Act Insurance Quotes?

As an employer, you should keep records of your employees’ earnings and at all times produce the record when demanded by the director for inspection.

It is your responsibility, to be honest when giving information to the insurer. So, you want to buy the WIBA Insurance Policy?

There are various ways you can get WIBA Insurance Quotes.

First, you can contact any insurance provider;

It is important for you to check the details of the insurance companies.

• Do they have what you are looking for?
• Is the price pocket-friendly?

You need to understand how the insurance policy works. Check the items that are covered and which ones are not included in the insurance coverage plan.

Contacting the insurance providers online will help you to compare quotes and choose the one that fits your organization or business insurance needs.

Secondly, you can contact the insurance agent; 

In this case, you can contact the insurance agent or broker for your insurance needs.

When dealing with an insurance agent or broker, it is important for you to check the insurance regulatory authority website, to ensure the agent or broker has been licensed.

Here are a few tips for you to consider when implementing WIBA Business Insurance.

1. Be flexible when implementing it in your workplace. When it does not meet your organization or company’s needs, you can buy an additional coverage plan.
2. Ensure coverage of the welfare of your employees in return you have healthier and more productive employees.
3. Encourage both WIBA and Accident Cover; the latter will cover them when they are no longer in the WIBA Insurance coverage plan.

What Is The Cost Of Work Injury Benefits Act Insurance?

The cost of the WIBA Insurance Policy in Kenya varies for different insurance companies. Although, the cost will depend on the coverage plan you are going for.

It can be high or low; it all depends on the choice of the coverage plan that suits your organization or company’s insurance needs.

How to File WIBA Insurance Claim & Documents Required?

Before filing WIBA Insurance Claim, here are the documents that you need to have.

1. Duly filled Dosh forms part 1&2
2. Original medical bills
3. Medical opinion if required by the company
4. Documents for death claim
5. Provisional document
6. Certified copy of death certificates
7. Identity card in the event of fatal injury
8. Police abstract report in case of road accident
9. Statement by the immediate supervisor

When filing WIBA Claim, here are the steps to follow;

1. You need to report fatal work-related injuries and occupational diseases to the director of occupational health and safety before 24 hours lapses. For non-fatal work-related injuries and occupational diseases, you need to report within 7 days.
2. Fill Labor form Dosh part 1.
3. Make sure the attending doctor fills Dosh part 2.
4. After filling Dosh parts 1&2, send the forms to the Labor Office for assessment. Then Labor Office completes the WIBA form after doing the assessment.
5. You should obtain a written statement from the claimant, eyewitness, and the supervisor of the claimant.
6. Also, you should report to the insurer once an injury occurs and request a blank claim form for your completion.
7. Complete the claim form and return it to your insurance provider.
8. This is the final step; your insurance provider pays for compensation to the claimant or to the beneficiaries through their bank accounts. Then, the case is closed. If the claimant or the beneficiaries don’t agree on the offer, the legal process commences.

The Work Injury Benefits Act FAQs & Answers

As can be seen, the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) lets employees make claims for work-related injuries or diseases.

In that case, without having to file a civil suit under common law. It is a low-cost and quicker alternative to common law for settling compensation claims.

In other words, for you to have peace of mind, invest in a WIBA Insurance Policy for your employees’ safety and health compensation plan. But, you’ll need to have a basic knowledge of WIBA Insurance Policy and how it works.

Here are more FAQs & Answers about Worker Injury Benefits Act;

What does WIBA stand for? 

WIBA stands for Workers or Work Injury Benefits Act.

What is WIBA? 

It is a requirement for businesses or organizations to cover themselves against compensation for injuries caused to their employees.

What is the difference between WIBA Insurance Policy and Personal Accident Cover? 

The main difference between WIBA and Personal Accident Insurance Policy is that WIBA cover is only applicable to the workplace while Personal Accident Cover is not.

What is the cost of WIBA Insurance? 

The cost of WIBA Insurance cover is calculated based on your employee’s earnings and the nature of work-related injuries and occupational diseases.

How do I buy WIBA Insurance?

You can contact any insurance provider or an insurance agent or broker.

Is it risky to buy WIBA Insurance?

It won’t be risky for you to buy WIBA Insurance Policy when you exercise patience in checking the details of the insurance companies and choose the one that fits your organization or company.

What factors to consider when buying WIBA Insurance Policy? 

Here are factors to consider, the market reputation of your insurance provider, your provider accessibility, and the costs for the service offered.

Why do I need WIBA Insurance Policy? 

WIBA Insurance Policy is a mandatory requirement for employers. It protects employers financially against liabilities that arise from their employees’ work-related injuries and occupational diseases.

What items are covered in WIBA Insurance Policy? 

The items covered under WIBA Insurance Policy are; medical expenses benefits, funeral expenses benefits, total or partial disablement benefits, and work-related injuries and occupational disease benefits.

What documents do I need before filling WIBA Insurance Claim?

You’ll need Duly filled Dosh forms part 1&2, original medical bills, medical opinion if required by the company, documents for death claim, provisional document, certified copy of death certificates, identity card in the event of fatal injury, police abstract report in case of a road accident and statement by the immediate supervisor.

When do I file for WIBA Insurance Claim?

When your employees have been injured in the workplace or contracted occupational diseases during normal working hours.

What are the advantages of the WIBA Insurance Policy? 

First, it’s cheaper compared to managing WIBA risks internally; it gives both the employees and employers peace of mind when risks occur in the place of work.

Secondly, it protects employers financially against liabilities that arise from their employees’ work-related injuries and occupational diseases.

Lastly, it attracts more staff and retains them as it forms one of the welfare benefits.

Are you having trouble getting WIBA Insurance Policy Quotes? Do you have any questions about WIBA Insurance Policy?

In that case, don’t stress yourself, find out more on our referral website here: www.nextinsurance.co.ke

Related & Useful Topic Links:

1. What is a Health Insurance Cover?
2. Urine Color » What It Indicates About Health
3. Types of Health Plans: How They Compare
4. Physical Fitness on Beginners Weight Training
5. 8 Workplace Safety Mistakes You Must Avoid!
6. Licensed Insurers – Insurance Regulatory Authority

Basically, there are more Adequate and Credible Sources that are for general public information and reference purposes only. Including, the Independent, InsureAfrika, Resolution Insurance, Capital News, jmexclusives (general health & fitness research blog), etc.

Finally, I hope the above-revised guide on the benefits of using the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) was useful. But, if you’ll have additional questions, recommendations, or even suggestions, please Consult Us and let us know. Or even, feel free to share your insights in our comments section.