Yes, you need insurance before your first job as an electrician
Before you start your first job as an electrician, you must have a workers' compensation policy. It proves you have insurance, even if you do not have any employees. Some clients or job sites ask for proof before you begin. You must be ready.
Your state decides if the law needs you to have insurance. Even if it does not, some people you work for will ask for a certificate. You need one to show them.
You can get a real price for your work and state in minutes by starting your quote.
What you need before you start your first job
Here is what you must do in order before your first job:
- Know what work you will do. Workers' compensation prices depend on the kind of work you do.
- Get a quote. This shows you the price for your state and the work you do.
- Buy the policy. This gives you a real insurance policy and a certificate to show others.
- Have the certificate ready. You may need to show it on the first day.
You can do all of this online, and it can take less than 10 minutes.
What happens if you start work without insurance
If you start work without insurance, and someone asks for proof, you may not be allowed to work. Some clients, landlords, or job sites need to see a certificate before you start. Without it, they may cancel the job or refuse you access.
Even if no one asks, you may need insurance later. For example, if you get a contract, or if the job grows, they may ask for proof. It is better to be ready before you start.
What your insurance covers
Your workers' compensation policy covers work-related injuries for people who are covered under the policy. By default, the policy does not cover you, the owner. If you want to be covered, you can choose to include yourself in the policy. This is called an owner inclusion election, and it costs more.
The policy also gives you a certificate you can show to prove you have insurance. This is what most people need to see before you start working.
Do not confuse workers' compensation with other types of insurance. It does not cover your business from lawsuits or property damage. That is a different type of insurance, which you may need in the future.
What to do if you are asked for proof on day one
If someone asks for proof of insurance on the first day, you must be ready. You can show them the certificate from your workers' compensation policy. This proves that you have insurance, even if you do not have any employees.
If you have not bought the policy yet, you can send them a copy of your policy documents once it is ready. You can also show them the quote you got before buying it. But this is not as strong as the certificate.
It is best to have the certificate ready before you start. That way, you can show it right away if someone asks.
How to get started fast
You can get a quote and buy a policy in minutes. You need to tell us where you live and what kind of work you do. We will give you a real price for your state and the work you do.
If you are an electrician, you do wiring, electrical work, or something similar. That is what the insurance is for.
You can choose to include yourself in the policy if you want to be covered. This is optional and costs more. But it is your choice.
Once you buy the policy, you will get the certificate and policy documents. You can show the certificate to anyone who asks.
What to do if you are not sure what you need
If you are not sure if you need insurance, or what to do next, start by getting a quote. It will tell you the price for your work and state. It will also tell you if your state allows this kind of policy.
You can also read more about workers' compensation and certificates on our certificates page and solo business basics page.
If you have a question about how to show proof, or what to do if someone asks for it, start your quote and we will help you from there.
