Am I required to have workers’ comp insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance is something many people rely on to perform their work. You might be required to have your own workers’ comp by a client, or you might be required by the state to have workers’ compensation because you have employees. Regardless, this insurance coverage can be essential when it comes to protecting yourself, your employees, and your business.

Here is an overview regarding workers’ compensation insurance requirements and information per state.

Please note that for some states we suggest considering a minimum premium workers’ compensation policy, which means that it’s a very low-cost option for many operations.

Disclaimer: Just because you are not legally required to have workers’ compensation does not mean you will not be held liable in the event of an employee injury. Employers should consider purchasing this policy, regardless of their state requirements, so they are not held legally and financially responsible for a workplace accident.

Alabama workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor.
  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you’re a sole proprietor.
  • Avoid workers’ comp if you have fewer than five employees.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Arizona workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor.
  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you’re a sole proprietor.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Independent contractor.
    • Casual worker.
    • Domestic servant.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

  • If you fail to carry workers’ compensation as an employer, you may face a civil penalty of $1,000.
    • If, within five years, you fail to obtain a workers’ comp policy, you will be fined an additional $5,000.
    • A third offense amounts to $10,000.
  • If approved, self-insurance is an option.
  • Learn more about Arizona workers’ compensation insurance.

Arkansas workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor.
  • Expect to be required to carry workers’ compensation insurance if:
    • You are a business owner with three or more employees, including yourself.
    • You are a sole proprietor with two or more employees.
    • You are a contractor or subcontractor (even if you only have one other employee).
    • You are in construction (even if you have no employees).

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Arkansas is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

California workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor.
  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you’re a sole proprietor with no employees.
  • Expect to be required to carry workers’ compensation insurance if you are an employer. If you are uninsured, you could face a fine of up to $100,000.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

You can’t:

  • Avoid workers’ comp if you are a roofer (even if you have no employees).

More details

Colorado workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor (although you aren’t required to).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Member of an LLC.
    • Corporate officer of a corporation.
    • Certain type of casual, maintenance, repair, or domestic worker.
    • Independent contractor with no employees.
    • Person who performs particular for-hire transportation work.
    • Commission-based real estate agent or broker.
    • Federal or railroad employee.
    • Driver under a lease agreement.
    • Person who provides host home services.
    • Ski-area service volunteer.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Colorado is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Connecticut workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor (although you are not required to).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Sole proprietor.
    • Corporate officer.
    • Partner.
    • Multiple member LLC.
    • Private household employee working 26 hours or less per week.
  • Expect to be required to provide coverage for your employees, even if you are not required to have coverage yourself.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Delaware workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor (although you’re not required to).
  • Expect to be required to carry workers’ comp if you are a sole proprietor with one or more employees.
  • Elect to provide coverage as a farm employer, even though farm workers are exempt by law.

You can’t:

  • Cover independent contractors as a farm employer.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Delaware is $900. Find out if you’re eligible.

Florida workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase workers’ comp and include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor or partner (even though you are automatically excluded).
  • Expect to be required to carry workers’ comp if:
    • You’re in the construction industry and have one or more more employees (including yourself).
    • You are a state or local government.
    • You are a farmer with more than six regular employees, or 12 or more seasonal workers (lasting 30+ days).

You can’t:

  • Exclude more than three corporate officers from coverage if you’re in the construction industry. All officers must have at least 10% ownership.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Georgia workers’ comp

You can:

  • Include or exclude yourself from coverage as an LLC member or a corporate officer. Either way, you are considered an employee and are included in the overall employee tally.
  • Be held liable for uninsured subcontractor injuries if you are a contractor who is subcontracting work to laborers who lack workers’ comp insurance.

You can’t:

  • Automatically include yourself in coverage if you’re a sole proprietor or a partner. However, you can file to receive coverage.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Georgia is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Idaho workers’ comp

You can:

  • Elect to include yourself in coverage if you’re a sole proprietor, even though you are excluded by law.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Certain type of casual worker.
    • Domestic servant.
    • Athletic official (grades 7—12).
    • Sole proprietor and employ family members living in your household.
    • Volunteer ski patroller.
    • Pilot for agricultural work (depending on what you do).
    • Commission-based real estate agent or broker.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Idaho is $300. Find out if you’re eligible.

Illinois workers’ comp

You can:

  • Purchase a workers’ comp policy for yourself if you’re a sole proprietor, although you’re not required to unless you have employees.
  • Avoid covering family member employees if:
    • They are immediate family members and reside within your household.
    • They are corporate officers.
    • They work for an agricultural operation that employs fewer than 400 working days of labor per year.

You can’t:

  • Avoid coverage (most of the time) if your operation involves:
    • Trucking.
    • Construction.
    • Other hazardous industries.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Indiana workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a partner, LLC member, or sole proprietor (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are a corporate officer (even though you are automatically included).
  • Expect to be required to carry workers’ comp if you’re in the construction industry.

You can’t:

  • Rely on workers’ comp to cover injuries if you are an independent contractor. However, if you are an employee, claims may be covered.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Indiana is $754. Find out if you’re eligible.

Iowa workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Police officer or firefighter with a pension plan established by
    • Iowa Code chapters 410 and 411.
    • Certain type of domestic or casual employee.
    • Corporate officer of a family farm operation. Some family members of officers are also exempt.
    • Certain type of agricultural employee or exchange laborer.
    • Member of an LLC.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Kansas workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, LLC member, or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose not to purchase coverage if you’re an independent contractor with no employees. Note: If you do have employees and your payroll is greater than $20,000, you are required to provide coverage.

You can’t:

  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are a family member owning less than 10% of the company.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Kentucky workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, LLC member, or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Member of a specific religious sect.
    • Agricultural worker or domestic servant with fewer than two full-time employees.
    • Worker protected by federal laws, like a maritime or railroad employee.
    • Person employed by a homeowner for residential maintenance (for up to 20 days in a row).
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

You can’t:

  • Expect workers’ compensation benefits as an independent contractor unless you purchase your own policy.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Kentucky is $797. Find out if you’re eligible.

Louisiana workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are a sole proprietor, LLC member, corporate officer, or partner (even though you are automatically included).
    • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Mineral worker, including transportation, exploration, production, or development.
    • Employee of a private farm or residential homeowner.
    • Real estate agent or broker.
    • Employee covered by the Jones Act, Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or the Federal Employer’s Liability Act.
    • Unpaid officer or member of the board for specific nonprofit organizations.
    • Certain type of railroad employer.
    • Crewmember of dusting or spraying airplane operations.
    • Certain type of musician or performer.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Maine workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, LLC member, or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Sole proprietor with no employees.
    • Certain type of agriculture or aquaculture employer.
    • Employer of a domestic servant in a private home.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Maine is $764. Find out if you’re eligible.

Maryland workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Owner-operator of tractor-trailer vehicles.
    • Agricultural office worker.
    • Independent farm contractor (not including migrant workers).
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Maryland is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Massachusetts workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, LLC member, or partner (even though you are not required to do so by law).
  • Expect to be required to cover family member employees (even if they are the only employees of the company).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Employee involved in interstate or foreign commerce, and are covered by federal law.
    • Seaman involved in interstate or foreign commerce.
    • Certain taxi driver who leases your cab on a fee basis.
    • Commission-based real estate agent or consumer goods salesman.

You can’t:

  • Operate as an employer without carrying workers’ compensation. If you do, you could face penalties, fines, or stop work orders.
    • Civil fines can amount to $250 per day.
    • Penalties include fines up to $1,500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Michigan workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are a corporate officer, partner, or LLC member (even though you are automatically included).
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

You can’t:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage as a sole proprietor.
  • Operate as an employer without carrying workers’ compensation. If you do, you could face a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment for 30 days minimum. Note: Each day the employer lacks insurance is considered a separate offense.

More details:

  • Workers covered by federal laws rather than the Workers’ Disability Compensation Act of Michigan include:
    • Certain family members of an employee.
    • Employees of the federal government.
    • Certain agricultural employees.
    • Interstate railroad workers.
    • Seamen on navigable waters.
    • Workers loading and unloading vessels.
  • If approved, self-insurance is an option.
  • Learn more about Michigan workers’ compensation insurance.

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Michigan is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Minnesota workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, corporate officer, or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Person covered under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
    • Certain type of casual employee.
    • Nonprofit organization with an annual payroll of less than $1,000.
    • Household worker earning less than $1,000 cash per business quarter.
    • Veteran organization officer, or member attending meetings and conventions.
    • Certain type of family farm operation.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Mississippi workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose not to include yourself in coverage if you are a partner, corporate officer, or sole proprietor. If not included, you will not count towards the employee tally.
  • Benefit from special protection as an employee of a subcontractor.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Part of a religious, cultural, charitable, or nonprofit group.
    • Farm or domestic laborer.

You can’t:

  • Include yourself in coverage if you are an independent contractor.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Mississippi is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Missouri workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Expect to be included in the employee count if you are a corporate officer.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Certain type of sports official or contest worker.
    • Farm laborer or domestic servant.
    • Volunteer of a tax-exempt organization.
    • Certain type of real estate agent or salesperson.
    • Commercial motor-carrier owner/operator.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Missouri is $848. Find out if you’re eligible.

Montana workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include or exclude yourself from coverage if you are a sole proprietor.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp as a contractor, but you must provide proof that you are a certified independent contractor.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Commission-based real estate agent, insurance agent, or securities salesperson.
    • Domestic or household worker.
    • Certain type of athletic official.
    • Casual employee.
    • Certain type of volunteer worker.
    • Certain type of freelancer.
    • Petroleum land professional.
    • Newspaper carrier.
    • Licensed contract barber or cosmetologist.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Montana is $768. Find out if you’re eligible.

Nebraska workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor (although you are not required to carry coverage if you have no employees).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Executive officer of a state nonprofit organization that has an annual compensation of less than $1,000.
    • Independent contractor.
    • Railroad employee.
    • Federal employee.
    • Certain type of volunteer.
    • Household domestic servant.
    • Certain type of agricultural employee.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Nebraska is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

New Hampshire workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase workers’ compensation if you are a partner, sole proprietor, or self-employed (although you are not required to do so).
  • Expect to be held liable for uninsured subcontractors performing work for you. To avoid this, it’s best to have them carry their own workers’ comp insurance.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

New Jersey workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor (although you are not required to carry coverage if you have no employees).

You can’t:

  • Avoid workers’ compensation if you are a business with one or more employees.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for New Jersey is $850. Find out if you’re eligible.

New Mexico workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor (even though you are typically excluded by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Farm or ranch laborer.
    • Real estate agent or broker.
    • Domestic servant.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

You can’t:

  • Avoid workers’ comp insurance as an employer in the construction industry (regardless of your number of employees).

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for New Mexico is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

New York workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor or partner with no employees (even though you are not required to do so by law).
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for New York is $875. Find out if you’re eligible.

North Carolina workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose whether or not to purchase workers’ compensation insurance if you are a sole proprietor with fewer than three employees. You can also elect to include yourself in coverage.
  • Choose not to purchase workers’ comp if you are a business with fewer than three employees.

You can’t:

  • Avoid coverage if your operation works with radiation and has one or more employees.
  • Avoid coverage if you are an agricultural business with ten or more regular employees.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for North Carolina is $850. Find out if you’re eligible.

North Dakota workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, corporate officer, or partner (even though you are not required to do so by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Independent contractor (as long as you have completed the verification application and have been approved).
    • Child of the employer and under the age of 22.
    • Ranch or farm laborer.
    • Domestic worker.
    • Certain type of religious employee.
    • Certain type of custom operation employee.
    • Federal employee.
    • Railroad employee.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation outside of the State Fund. North Dakota is monopolistic, so coverage can only be attained through the state. This means no self-insurance or private insurance is accepted.

More details:

Ohio workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase (or not to purchase) workers’ compensation you are a(n):
    • Partner.
    • Sole proprietor.
    • LLC acting as a partnership.
    • LLC acting as a sole proprietor.
    • Family farm corporate officer.
    • Individual incorporated as a corporation and have no employees.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation outside of the State Fund. Ohio is monopolistic, so coverage can only be attained through the state. This means no self-insurance or private insurance is accepted.

More details:

Oklahoma workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include or exclude yourself from coverage as a sole proprietor.
  • Choose not to purchase workers’ compensation if you are an employer with five (or fewer) employees that are related by blood or marriage.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Certain type of volunteer.
    • Certain type of household worker.
    • Federal government employee.
    • Real estate broker.
    • Certain type of agricultural or horticultural employee.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Oklahoma is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Oregon workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase workers’ compensation if you are a sole proprietor (even though you are not required to do so by law).
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Oregon is $537. Find out if you’re eligible.

Pennsylvania workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose whether or not to purchase workers’ compensation you are a:
    • Partner.
    • Sole proprietor.
    • Corporate officer.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Certain type of member of a religious sect.
    • Casual laborer.
    • Farmer with one employee (who works less than 30 days per year or earns less than $1,200 per year).
    • Spouse of a farmer, or a child of a farmer that is under 18 years of age
    • Certain type of outworker.
    • Commission-based insurance agent.
    • Commission-based real estate agent or broker.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Pennsylvania is $1,725. Find out if you’re eligible.

Rhode Island workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Independent contractor.
    • Sole proprietor.
    • Partner.
    • Domestic servant.
    • Agricultural worker.
    • Real estate agent or broker.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

You can’t:

  • Include yourself in coverage if you are a partner or sole proprietor. By law, both entities are excluded.

More details:

South Carolina workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, LLC member, or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Expect to be held liable for injuries when utilizing uninsured subcontractors.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Railroad or railway company, or employee.
    • Certain type of commission-based real estate agent.
    • Agricultural employee.
    • Textile Hall Corporation.
    • Employer with a total annual payroll under $3,000.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for South Carolina is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

South Dakota workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor or partner (even though you are typically excluded).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Certain type of elected state official.
    • Subdivision of government Workfare employee.
    • Domestic servant (working less than 20 hours per week and less than six weeks in a 13-week period).
    • Independent contractor.
    • Trucking owner/operator.
    • Real estate agent.
    • Farm or agricultural worker.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for South Dakota is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Tennessee workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor, partner, or LLC member (even though you are typically excluded).
  • Expect to be required to carry workers’ compensation insurance if:
    • You are a subcontractor (even if you only have one employee).
    • You are in the construction industry (even if you only have one employee).

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Tennessee is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Texas workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are a sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer, or LLC member (even though you are automatically included).
  • Negotiate with your insurance provider for a lower experience modifier, or mod. Your mod is based on your claims history and affects the price of your policy.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

  • If approved, self-insurance is an option.
  • If you choose not to carry workers’ compensation insurance, you must inform your employees and the Division of Workers’ Compensation. This makes you a “non-subscriber”.
  • Learn more about Texas workers’ compensation insurance.

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Texas is $250. Find out if you’re eligible.

Utah workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor or partner (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Expect to be responsible for ensuring your subcontractors have coverage if you are a general contractor.
    • You must cover the subcontractors under your policy.
    • This includes partners, sole proprietors, and corporate officers.
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Sole proprietor.
    • Partner.
    • Real estate broker.
    • Certain type of casual employee.
    • Certain type of domestic worker.
    • Certain type of agricultural laborer.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through the State Fund. Pricing is based on profession, payroll, and work-related risk.
  • Purchase workers’ comp through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Vermont workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase workers’ compensation insurance if you are a partner or sole proprietor (although you are not required to do so).
  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are an LLC member or corporate officer (although you are automatically included).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • Volunteer.
    • Certain type of casual employee.
    • Certain type of elected official.
    • Person engaged in amateur sports.
    • Agricultural laborer whose employer has an annual payroll of less than $10,000.

More details:

  • If you work with independent contractors, you must put in writing who is responsible for carrying workers’ compensation. You are responsible for providing coverage if the independent contractor:
    • Does not meet the definition of a contractor by law.
    • Does not have their own workers’ comp insurance policy.

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Vermont is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Virginia workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a partner, sole proprietor, or LLC member (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Cover your employees if you are an independent contractor (as long as you have two or more full- or part-time workers).

You can’t:

  • Be automatically eligible for workers’ comp coverage if you are an independent contractor.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Virginia is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Washington workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a partner, sole proprietor, corporate officer, or LLC member (even though you are excluded by law).
  • Choose not to carry workers’ comp if you are a(n):
    • K-12th grade volunteer.
    • Private home domestic servant.
    • Barber or cosmetologist who rents or leases booths.
    • Gardener, maintenance, or repair person at a private residence.
    • Insurance broker or agent.
    • Personal errand runner or chore person.
    • Newspaper delivery or salesperson.
    • Certain type of worker for religious or charitable groups.
    • Certain type of musician or entertainer.
    • Family farm worker under the age of 18 and employed by a parent.
    • Horse-racing jockey who participates in meets.
    • Person who benefits from workers’ compensation coverage under the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Compensation Plan, Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, or Jones Act.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation from a private insurance company. Washington is monopolistic, so coverage is attained through the State Fund.

More details:

Washington D.C. workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase workers’ compensation insurance if you are a sole proprietor (although you are not required to do so unless you have employees).

You can’t:

  • Avoid workers’ compensation if you have domestic workers performing duties for at least 240 hours per calendar quarter.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for Washington D.C. is $765. Find out if you’re eligible.

West Virginia workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to exclude yourself from coverage if you are a corporate officer, sole proprietor, LLC member, or partner (even though you are automatically included).
  • Employers do not have to purchase workers’ comp coverage for the following:
    • Employees benefiting from the Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
    • Domestic servants.
    • Certain type of volunteer person related to political subdivisions, government entities, or emergency medical service board of directors.
    • Agricultural laborers (as long as there are five or fewer employees).
    • Church employees.
    • Casual workers.
    • Certain type of police or rescue volunteer.
    • Professional sporting event volunteers. Note: Coverage must be provided for those who help run the business.

You can’t:

  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Low-cost option

  • The workers’ compensation minimum premium for West Virginia is $750. Find out if you’re eligible.

Wisconsin workers’ comp

You can:

  • Choose to purchase workers’ comp if you are a sole proprietor (although you are not required to do so unless you have employees).
  • Expect to be included in the employee count if you are a corporate officer, unless there are only two and there are no additional employees.
  • Choose not to count partners, LLC members, and sole proprietors as employees of a business.

You can’t:

  • Avoid workers’ comp if you are a farmer employing six or more workers (on the same day for any 20 days during the year). You must purchase the policy within ten days following the 20th day of employment.
  • Avoid purchasing workers’ compensation if you are an out-of-state employer with employees working in the state of Wisconsin. Additionally, the insurance company you work with must be licensed in Wisconsin.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation through a State Fund. All policies must be obtained through a commercial insurance provider.

More details:

Wyoming workers’ comp

You can:

  • Define yourself as a non-employee if you are a(n):
    • Sole proprietor.
    • Partner.
    • Corporation officer (unless you elect to be included in coverage).
    • LLC member (unless you elect to be included in coverage).
    • Independent contractor.
    • Foster parent.
    • Appointed member of a governmental board or commission.
    • Elected public official.
    • Spouse or dependent of an employer (and residing with the employer).
    • Casual laborer.
    • Daycare worker or babysitter (and your wages are subsidized or paid by the Department of Family Services).
    • Professional athlete.
    • Prisoner or probationer.
    • Private residence worker.
    • Certain type of volunteer.
    • Private duty nurse.
    • Federal government employee.

You can’t:

  • Choose to include yourself in coverage if you are a sole proprietor or partner.
  • Purchase workers’ compensation outside of the State Fund. Wyoming is monopolistic, so coverage can only be obtained through the state. This means no self-insurance or private insurance is accepted.

More details: