I have recently been told of a change with the way the state of New York looks at workmans comp coverage and the independent abstractor.  Typically if an abstractor signs up to do work with a title company, they are asked to fill out a W-9 form at the beginning of the relationship and every year thereafter.  The form relieves the title company from the obligation of paying taxes on the wages paid to abstractors.  At the end of each year, the title company fills out 1099 forms and sends corresponding paperwork to the government.  In the past, the title company does not have to pay workmans comp for the abstractors because they are not employees.  Now, New York State is going after the title companies and making them pay for workmans comp coverage for the abstractors.  If this is true, this is scary because the title companies will begin to force abstractors to get workmans comp coverage, therefore increasing their overhead.  I will get whatever info I can and share with everyone.  This information was given to me by an in insurance company who provides workmans comp coverage.

Rob