Yes, a carpenter who works alone can get a ghost policy
If you are a carpenter with no employees and no subcontractors, 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. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy it, so it pays no medical or wage benefits to you.
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. A ghost policy is for the owner only. That means no employees and no subcontractors of any kind, even subs who carry their own insurance or hand you a certificate. If anyone else works for you — an employee, a subcontractor, a 1099 worker, day labor, or a family member who helps — you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
What a ghost policy proves to the person who asked
The person who asked for a certificate wants to know your business has workers' comp. The certificate shows the insurance company, the policy number, the dates it is active, 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
A ghost policy does not cover you if you get hurt. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy one, so the policy pays no medical bills or lost wages to you. It proves coverage exists for the client or contractor who asks for it, but it does not help you if you get injured. If you want a policy that pays you when you get hurt, you need regular workers' comp, not a ghost policy.
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. Work above 15 feet can't be covered by this program, so if any of your carpentry goes that high, you need regular workers' comp instead. Then, you get a real price for your policy. You pay the price by card and sign your documents. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then you get your policy documents and certificate of insurance. The premium is fully earned, so once the policy is issued there is no refund. Your quote is all 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, the policy will not pay your medical bills. You reject coverage for yourself when you buy a ghost policy, so it has no benefits for you. If you get hurt, 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 a policy that pays you when you get hurt? If yes, a ghost policy is not the right one. If you just need a certificate for a client, then the policy is good enough for that.
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. Class codes come from a workers' compensation classification system, and some states, like California, use their own codes. 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 no subcontractors, and you need a certificate, you can get a ghost policy. It proves your business has insurance. But it does not cover you. To get your quote, go to start your quote. Your quote is fast, easy, and online. You answer a few questions and pay by card. Cimarron issues your policy within 24 business hours of your payment and signed documents. Then you get your certificate and your policy documents. No phone calls.
