Washington Avoid Liability for Your Subcontractor's Unpaid Workers' Comp Premiums is a service provided by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) to aid businesses in avoiding the potential risk of being held liable for their subcontractor's unpaid workers' compensation premiums. This service is available in two forms: the Subcontractor Default Insurance Program (SHIP) and the Independent Contractor Default Insurance Program (ICD IP). The SHIP provides coverage for unpaid premiums incurred by subcontractors, in the event that they fail to pay their premiums. The coverage is provided through a bond, which is held by L&I and is available to the business in the event of a subcontractor default. This bond can be used to pay the unpaid premiums, up to a maximum amount. The ICD IP provides coverage for unpaid premiums incurred by independent contractors. This program is similar to the SHIP, but it does not require the business to purchase a bond. Instead, coverage is provided by L&I and is available to the business in the event of an independent contractor default. Both of these programs provide businesses with a way to avoid the risk of being held liable for their subcontractor's or independent contractor's unpaid workers' compensation premiums. In addition, the programs are designed to help businesses protect their financial interests and ensure that their subcontractors and independent contractors are properly covered.