workman's compensation information

[Guest Kenneth E]

My employer claims it is changing insurance companies for workman's comp. They want us to sign a form and provide our driver's license number to allow them to review our driver records anytime they want. They claim the insurance company needs this to determine if each of us is insurable. If we don't sign the form, they say they can deny us workman's compensation coverage.

I have never encountered this before. It sounds like a violation of my privacy to require me to give them anytime access to my driving records.

Any comments.

[KIP KRAUS]

Kenneth:

Are you sure your employer is talking about Workers' Comp. Insurance and not auto insurance? I have never heard of any insurer needing personal information about an employee's driving record to underwrite WC insurance. If you drive a company vehicle, on the other hand, they would be interested in your driving records.

I know that WC varys from state to state, however, it typically is mandatory coverage imposed on the employer and if an insurer is underwriting Comp. insurance in your state I would think they must follow the state requirements for providing such coverage.

I don't know what the regulations are in your state, but you should be able to find them on the state's web site.