Work-accident insurance (BSE): mandatory if you have employees

If you have (or will have) employees, there's one insurance that isn't optional: work accidents and occupational diseases. The good news is you're probably already paying it without realizing, inside your BPS invoice. Here's how it works.

It's mandatory (Ley 16.074)

Law 16.074 makes this insurance mandatory for every employer with dependent staff, no matter how many. And in Uruguay it can only be contracted with the Banco de Seguros del Estado (BSE): a state monopoly.

How much it costs and how it's paid

You don't do a separate procedure or pay on the side: the cost comes included in your BPS invoice.

Per the BPS:

«El costo del seguro se incluye en la factura de obligaciones de BPS y equivale al 1,87 % de la remuneración del trabajador, considerándose las partidas gravadas para la seguridad social.»

In English: The insurance cost is included in the BPS obligations invoice and equals 1.87% of the worker's remuneration, considering the items taxed for social security.

What it covers

It covers accidents occurring because of or on the occasion of work and occupational diseases: medical care, and income benefits while the worker is incapacitated, among others. It's protection for your employee and also for you as the employer.

And if I'm independent with no staff?

If you work alone (unipersonal or monotributo) with no dependent staff, this mandatory insurance doesn't apply for yourself. Still, the BSE offers voluntary coverage if you want to insure yourself. If you hire even one person, then it becomes mandatory.

At a glance

In short: hiring staff brings this mandatory BSE insurance, at 1.87% and inside your BPS invoice. Factor it in when budgeting a hire and verify the details with the BSE or your accountant.