People who complain about the rates have to remember that it's their industry that sets them. Office workers don't pay those types of rates, because they don't fall out of trees on a regular basis. That's also why landscapers and even carpenters pay less.
If you don't carry it, you are putting your business (and maybe your personal assets) on the line. Personal injury lawyers are good at piercing the protection of corporate or LLC status if they can show that the company was 'undercapitalized' or avoided 'due diligence'. As for the 'independent contractor' thing, the lawyers also have a saying (this one was for roofers): "Most guys are independent contractors on the roof, but become employees on the way down".
It's something that you can use to promote and distinguish your company, by letting people know that you are 'fully insured'.
I carry work comp on myself, even though I am not required (owner/sole employee) because I go into some harzardous places, and know that I am covered even when driving back and forth between work sites, etc.
Philbert
