Yes, a carpenter can get a ghost policy
If you are a carpenter with no employees, you can get a ghost policy. This is a real workers' compensation policy that proves your business has insurance. But it does not cover you, the owner, by default. If you want coverage for yourself, you must choose it during your quote — and it will cost more.
Ghost policies are made for one-person businesses
Ghost policies are meant for people who work alone. You do not have employees, but someone asked you for a certificate. Maybe a client, a contractor, or a city inspector. They want proof your business has workers' compensation. A ghost policy gives you that proof — even if you are the only person working. It is for people who need to show they are covered, but do not need to cover anyone else.
What a ghost policy proves to the person who asked
The person who asked for a certificate wants to know two things: your business has insurance, and it covers the right kind of work. A ghost policy proves both. It shows the insurance company, the dates it is active, the type of work you do (like carpentry), and the coverage limits. This is what the person who asked needs to see. They do not need to know your full policy details — just the basics. They want to know you are safe to work with.
A ghost policy does not cover you, the owner
By default, a ghost policy does not cover you if you get hurt. It only covers any employees you have — but you do not have any. So, it proves coverage exists, but it does not pay your medical bills or help if you get injured. If you want coverage for yourself, you must choose an owner inclusion election. This is an option during your quote. It costs more, but it adds you to the coverage. But remember — that choice is made when you get your quote, and it changes the price.
How a carpenter gets a ghost policy
Getting a ghost policy is simple. You go to start your quote. You tell us the kind of work you do — in your case, carpentry. You tell us where you work. You answer a few more questions about your business. Then, you get a real price for your policy. If you want coverage for yourself, you choose the owner inclusion option. Then, you pay the price and get your policy documents and certificate of insurance. It is all done online, and it takes minutes. You do not need to call anyone or wait for someone to call you. It is all done on your own time.
What to do if you get hurt
If you get hurt while working and you are not covered, the policy will not pay your medical bills. That is why it is important to choose the owner inclusion option if you need it. But if you do not choose it, the policy still proves you have insurance. You just are not covered yourself. If you get hurt and you are not covered, you will need to pay your own bills. That is why you must decide what you need before you get your quote. Do you need coverage for yourself? If yes, choose the option. If no, then the policy is still good enough for the certificate.
What a carpenter needs to know about class codes
Class codes are the way insurance companies decide your price. They are like categories for types of work. For carpentry, the code is based on the kind of carpentry you do. For example, building houses is different from building cabinets. The quote process asks you about the kind of work you do. Based on that, the system gives you the right code. But you do not need to know the number — the quote process takes care of it. Just tell us the kind of work you do, and we take it from there. In most states, the code is based on the workers' compensation classification system, but some states use their own system. Your quote will use the code that matches your state and your work.
How to get started
If you are a carpenter with no employees and you need a certificate, you can get a ghost policy. It proves your business has insurance. But it does not cover you by default. To choose coverage for yourself, you must pick the owner inclusion option during your quote. To get your quote, go to start your quote. It is fast, easy, and online. You answer a few questions, choose if you want coverage for yourself, and pay for the policy. You get your certificate and your policy documents. No waiting. No phone calls. Just a few minutes, and you are done.
