Optional Coverage

Who can apply
When coverage starts and ends
How to determine coverage amount
What the benefits are
How much coverage costs
When coverage is cancelled
How to apply for coverage
More information

Optional Coverage is for people not automatically covered under the workers' compensation system. This includes proprietors, partners in a partnership, and elected or appointed officials of a Yukon First Nation. If you are injured at work and your claim is accepted, loss of earnings benefits are paid in accordance with Policy 3.1 Loss of Earnings Benefits.

Who can apply

The following persons can apply for Optional Coverage

  • a proprietor,
  • a partner in a partnership, and
  • a Yukon First Nation for elected or appointed officials

When coverage starts and ends

Coverage starts on the date the board approves the application.

Optional Coverage ends automatically on December 31 or on the date you specified in your application, whichever is the earliest.

How to determine coverage amount

It is important to base the coverage purchased on proven earnings. We use this amount to determine the loss of earnings benefit amount an injured worker may be eligible to receive in the event of a work-related injury. Coverage can be purchased up to the maximum annual earnings amount.

What the benefits are

Once Optional Coverage is in place, if you or your worker is injured at work and the claim is accepted, benefits will be provided in accordance with the Act and policies. See the section “Receive benefits and services for accepted claims” on the claims process page.

Short-term loss of earnings benefits

Short-term loss of earnings benefits for the first 90 days that the worker has a loss of earnings capacity due to a work-related injury, are based on the estimate of earnings provided in the application for optional coverage (amount purchased), up to the maximum annual earnings.

For example, if the amount of coverage purchased is $60,000, the short-term loss of earnings benefit will be based on annual earnings of $60,000. In this example, the short-term loss of earnings benefit would be 75% of $60,000.

Long-term loss of earnings benefits 

Long-term loss of earnings benefits are based on the lesser of:

  • the estimate of earnings provided in the application for Optional Coverage, and
  • the injured worker’s loss of earnings capacity as calculated under Policy 3.1 Loss of Earnings Benefits (subject to the maximum annual earnings).

Continuing with the example above, if the injured worker’s annual earnings for the two previous years was $55,000 and $45,000, the long-term loss of earnings benefits would be based on $55,000 as this is the lesser of the amount purchased (which was $60,000) and the highest earnings from the two prior calendar years. The long-term loss of earnings benefit would be calculated as 75% of $55,000.

Benefit rates table

The benefit rates table shows the estimated loss of earnings benefit you would receive if injured, whether that’s based on the annual coverage amount you selected (short-term benefit) or your proven earnings (long-term benefit).

Coverage amount/annual earnings   Approximate bi-weekly loss of earnings benefit  
$10,000 $383
$22,800 $880
$30,000 $880
$40,000 $1,150
$50,000 $1,438
$60,000 $1,726
$70,000 $2,013
$80,000 $2,301
$90,000 $2,589


How much coverage costs

The cost of Optional Coverage varies based on the amount and duration of coverage purchased, and the relevant industry. The minimum annual assessment premium is $150.

Example
For a photographer, your industry rate $1.67.

  • If you apply for annual coverage of $25,000 for the entire year, we calculate the cost of your coverage as $25,000 x $1.67/$100 = $417.50.
  • If you work March to October only, you can get coverage for that period. We calculate the cost of your coverage as $25,000 x $1.67/$100 ÷ 365 days x 245 days (Mar. to Oct.) = $280.23.

When coverage is cancelled

Once your Optional Coverage is in place, it remains in effect until you or we cancel it (or until it automatically ends on December 31 or on the date you specified in your application).

If you wish to cancel, let us know by completing and submitting the Cancellation of Optional Coverage form. We may cancel your coverage if you fail to pay your premiums on time.

Once it’s cancelled, you will need to re-apply if you wish to take out coverage again.

How to apply for coverage

Complete the Optional Coverage Application form. We will review your application and get back to you.

More information

Please contact us with any questions.