Prevention for craftsmen and merchants: What you need to know

Craftsmen and merchants, as independent workers, do not benefit from the same social protections as employees. To protect themselves against the uncertainties of professional life, it is essential that they take out prevention guarantees adapted to their situation. This article explores the main prevention guarantees available to craftsmen and merchants, and how they can protect them in case of illness, accident, disability, or death.

Why is prevention essential for craftsmen and merchants?

Craftsmen and merchants often work in physical and demanding jobs, where the risks of accidents or occupational diseases are high. Unlike employees, they do not benefit from complete social protection in case of hardship. That is why it is crucial for them to take out prevention insurance to ensure the maintenance of their income in case of incapacity for work, disability, or to protect their family in case of death.

The main prevention guarantees for craftsmen and merchants

Craftsmen and merchants can take out different prevention guarantees to protect themselves against the risks of professional life:

• Work incapacity guarantee: In case of sick leave for illness or accident, this guarantee compensates for the loss of income by paying daily allowances. These allowances supplement the benefits paid by the social security system for independent workers.
• Disability guarantee: If the craftsman or merchant becomes disabled following an accident or illness, this guarantee provides for the payment of a disability pension. This pension helps maintain a decent standard of living despite the partial or total loss of work capacity.
• Death guarantee: In case of death, this guarantee provides for the payment of a lump sum or a pension to the beneficiaries (spouse, children, etc.). This death benefit can be used to cover funeral expenses or to compensate for the loss of income for the family.
• Work stoppage guarantee: This guarantee covers the fixed costs of the activity (rent, salaries, social security contributions) in case of prolonged sick leave, in order to keep the business afloat.

Prevention benefits for craftsmen and merchants

Prevention benefits for craftsmen and merchants vary depending on the guarantees taken out and the insurance contracts:

• Daily allowances: In case of temporary incapacity for work, daily allowances are paid to compensate for the loss of income. These allowances can be paid from the first day of sick leave, depending on the contract terms.
• Disability pensions: If the craftsman or merchant becomes disabled, a disability pension is paid in addition to the disability pension from the social security system for independent workers.
• Death benefit: In case of death, a lump sum is paid to the beneficiaries, in the form of a fixed amount or a pension.
• Fixed costs coverage: In case of prolonged sick leave, the work stoppage guarantee covers the fixed costs of the business to prevent it from ceasing activity.

Real-life examples

Let's say a craftsman becomes disabled following a work accident. Thanks to his disability guarantee, he will receive a pension that complements the disability pension paid by the Social Security system for independent workers, allowing him to maintain a decent income despite his inability to work. In addition, his work stoppage guarantee can cover the fixed costs of his business, thus avoiding its closure.

Laws regulating prevention for craftsmen and merchants

The prevention of craftsmen and merchants is governed by the Social Security Code and the Mutual Code. These texts specify the obligations of craftsmen and merchants in terms of social protection, as well as the conditions for accessing prevention guarantees. It is important to refer to these texts to properly understand the rights and obligations of independent workers in terms of prevention.

Conclusion

Prevention is a key element of the social protection of craftsmen and merchants. By taking out guarantees adapted to their situation, these independent workers can protect themselves against the risks associated with their activity and ensure the financial protection of their family in case of hardship. It is essential to understand the guarantees offered by prevention contracts and to choose those that best meet their specific needs.