You Need Workers' Comp Insurance
You work alone. But if you are told to send a certificate, you need workers' comp insurance. It proves your business has a policy, even if you don't have employees. This kind of insurance is needed in most states — your quote will tell you for sure.
The insurance covers work-related injuries to people who are included in the policy. But by default, it does not cover you, the owner. If you want to be covered, you can choose to include yourself when you get your quote. It costs more, but it's your choice.
Get your quote in minutes to see if your state needs this insurance and how much it costs for your kind of work.
Your Work Defines Your Insurance
Your kind of work decides the price of your insurance. If you clean homes, that's the work you must tell the insurance company about. The price depends on the kind of work and the state you live in. You don't need to worry about class codes — your quote will tell you what code matches your work.
For example, if you work with chemicals or heavy lifting, that might change the price. But you don't need to find the code yourself — the insurance company does that part.
Always tell the truth about your work. If you lie, your insurance might not pay if you need it later.
Your Certificate Shows Coverage
When someone asks for a certificate, it's like a letter that says your business has insurance. The certificate shows the name of the insurance company, the policy number, and the dates the insurance works. It also shows the limits — how much the insurance will pay for certain things.
But the certificate does not show all the rules of the insurance. It's like a snapshot. If you want to know all the rules, you need to read the full policy. The certificate just proves coverage is there.
Learn more about certificates and how to send them to your clients or landlords.
What the Policy Does and Doesn't Do
The insurance covers work-related injuries to people who are included in the policy. If one of those people gets hurt at work, the insurance can pay for medical bills and lost wages. But it does not cover injuries to people who are not in the policy.
By default, you, the owner, are not in the policy. That's called an owner exclusion. If you want to be in the policy, you need to choose owner inclusion. It costs more, but it's your choice.
This kind of insurance does not cover injuries to customers or damage to their property. That's a different kind of insurance called general liability. You might need that too, but it's not part of the workers' comp insurance you can get here.
Your Checklist for Getting Started
Here's a simple list to help you get started:
- Check if your state needs workers' comp insurance. Your quote will tell you.
- Tell the truth about the kind of work you do. This helps get the right price.
- Decide if you want to include yourself in the policy. It costs more, but it's your choice.
- Get your certificate. It proves your business has insurance.
- Send the certificate to the person who asked for it. They might need it before you start work.
Follow these steps to stay ready for any certificate request and keep your business protected.
Get your quote in minutes to start the process and see what your insurance will cost.
What to Do If You Have Questions
If you're not sure about anything, go to the quote page and start the process. The quote will tell you if your state needs this insurance and what your options are. You don't need to talk to someone — everything is online and done in minutes.
If you're confused about the rules in your state, you can also look up your state's insurance rules. Every state has its own rules about what's required. Your quote will also tell you which rules apply to you.
If you're not sure what a certificate is or how to use it, read more about certificates to learn what they are and how they work.
Next Steps for Your Business
Now that you know the basics, it's time to get your insurance. Start with the quote. Your quote will tell you everything you need to know about your insurance — what it costs, what it covers, and what it doesn't cover.
If you're ready, get your quote in minutes. It's the best way to find out if you need insurance and how much it costs for your kind of work.
Once you have your insurance, you can send the certificate to anyone who asks for it. This shows they that your business is protected — and that you're responsible and ready to work.
