Personal Optional Protection
If you’re a sole proprietor or partner in a partnership, you may not be automatically covered by the Workers Compensation Act if you’re injured at work.
To ensure you’re covered in the event of a work-related injury or illness, eligible business owners can purchase Personal Optional Protection (POP). POP is a workplace disability insurance that will pay health care, wage-loss, and rehabilitation benefits if you’re injured at work.
- Who can apply
- What are the benefits?
- How much coverage does POP provide?
- Apply online
- Sign up for POP pre-authorized payment
- Sign up to receive email notifications
Who can apply
You may be eligible for coverage if:
- You’re a sole proprietor with or without workers.
- You’re a partner in a partnership.
You’re not eligible for coverage if:
- You're an owner or shareholder in an incorporated company and you work for that company. In this case, the employer is the incorporated company and you would be considered a worker of the company.
What are the benefits?
POP coverage could provide you with the following if you’re injured at work:
- Health care benefits: Medical services and supplies to treat your injuries.
- Wage-loss benefits: This is generally based on 90 percent of the coverage amount you choose (less deductions).
- Vocational rehabilitation: This may include vocational assessment and planning, counselling, and skills development.
- Return-to-work support: Assistance to identify safe and suitable work while you recover.
How much coverage does POP provide?
The amount of your coverage depends on the nature of your business and the level of coverage you choose. Your coverage may be your only source of income if you can't work due to a work-related injury or illness, so be sure to apply for enough coverage.
Coverage is calculated by multiplying the monthly amount of coverage you choose with your net premium rate. Your premium rate is based on the nature of your business. Look up your premium rate.
Example
If you're a courier driver supplying your own vehicle, your premium rate is 3.94 percent.
If you apply for $2,900 of monthly coverage, your monthly cost is calculated as follows:
3.94% x $2,900 = $114.26
If you're injured, POP coverage will pay wage-loss benefits based on 90% of the coverage amount you select (less deductions). To estimate the approximate wage-loss benefit you’ll receive based on your coverage, see the compensation table on our POP wage-loss benefits page.
If you’re eligible, your coverage will take effect either the day we receive your completed application, or at a future date selected by you. It will remain in effect, with premiums payable, until you or WorkSafeBC cancels it (your coverage will be cancelled if we don’t receive premium payments on time).
Apply online
Visit our Apply for coverage page to see what details you’ll need and to apply.
After we receive your application, it usually takes around 10 business days for us to process it. If you apply online, it may be quicker.
Once we’ve reviewed your application, we’ll contact you by email or mail (depending on how you applied) to confirm the status of your application.
Sign up for POP pre-authorized payment
Signing up and managing payments online is the best way to stay on top of payment deadlines as we don’t send you reminders by mail.
To sign up for POP pre-authorized payment:
- Log in to online services.
- Follow these step-by-step instructions.
Sign up to receive email notifications
We’ll email you important information about your account, including invoice due dates and cancellation notices.
To sign up for email notifications:
- Log in to online services.
- Follow these step-by-step instructions.
Related Resources
Application for Registration and Personal Optional Protection for Proprietors and Partnerships (Form 180C)
If you're self-employed as a partner or a proprietor (i.e., you’re not automatically covered by the Workers Compensation Act), you can use this form to apply to register with us and to...
Application to Add or Change Personal Optional Protection to an Active Account (Form 1801)
If you already have an active account with WorkSafeBC to cover your workers and you're self-employed as a partner or a proprietor and want to purchase optional workplace coverage, you can use this form...
How to set up Personal Optional Protection (POP) pre-authorized payment
If you have POP coverage, learn how to sign up for pre-authorized payment to streamline the payment process and ensure you don't miss a payment deadline.
How to sign up for Personal Optional Protection (POP) email notifications
If you have POP coverage, learn how to sign up to receive email notifications about any updates to your account.