Workers' Comp for Solo Electricians and Plumbers

Do you need workers' comp if you're a solo electrician or plumber?

If you are told to send a certificate, you need coverage. That means you need workers' comp. It shows someone else that your business has insurance, even if you work alone. But remember, a certificate is just proof — it does not protect you, the owner, unless you choose extra coverage.

This article explains exactly what you need to know. You will learn why you might need workers' comp, how to get a certificate, and what it covers. And you can get started in minutes by starting your quote.

Why might someone ask for a workers' comp certificate?

Some customers, landlords, or contractors ask for a certificate before letting you work. They want to know your business is protected. A certificate proves insurance exists. But it does not protect you, the owner — only the business is covered unless you choose extra options.

If you are asked for a certificate, you need a policy to go with it. You cannot show a certificate if you do not have a real policy.

What is workers' comp and why do you need it?

Workers' comp is insurance for people who work for you. If they get hurt on the job, it pays for their medical care and part of their lost income. But if you are the only person in your business, you are not covered unless you choose extra protection.

Some states say you must have workers' comp for certain jobs. Electricians and plumbers are often in this group. Your state decides if you must have it. You can learn more about class codes if you want to understand how this works.

Do you need it if you work alone?

It depends on your state and the kind of work you do. In some places, you must have workers' comp if your job is seen as 'high risk.' Electricians and plumbers are often in this group. But your state decides if you need it.

Even if you are not required to have it, some clients will ask for a certificate. If they do, you must get coverage. A certificate proves your business has insurance. And if you get a certificate, you need a policy to go with it.

What is a ghost policy and why do people use it?

A ghost policy is a special kind of workers' comp insurance. It is for people who work alone and need to show a certificate to someone else. A ghost policy proves your business has coverage. But it does NOT protect you, the owner. It is just for showing others that coverage exists.

If you want coverage for yourself, you need to choose an owner inclusion election when you buy your policy. This adds you to the policy and covers your medical bills and part of your lost wages. You can read more about ghost policies on our blog.

How do you get a certificate?

To get a certificate, you must buy a workers' comp policy. If you work alone, you can get a policy that only proves coverage exists. This is called a 'ghost policy.' But a ghost policy does not cover you, the owner — it is just proof for others.

Ghost policies are good for showing a client that your business has insurance. But they do not help you if you get hurt. If you want coverage for yourself, you need to choose an owner inclusion election when you buy your policy.

Go to start your quote to buy a policy and get a certificate. It takes just a few minutes to get started.

What if you want coverage for yourself?

If you want to be protected when you get hurt, you can choose to add yourself to the policy. This is called an owner inclusion election. It costs more, but it covers your medical bills and part of your lost wages if you get hurt.

Not all policies offer this. Check your quote to see if it includes owner inclusion. If it does, you can choose to add it when you buy your policy. But remember, it is not part of the ghost policy — it is an extra choice you make during the quote process.

What if you're unsure about your state's rules?

Check your state's website for workers' comp rules. You can also talk to a local insurance agent. But remember, we are not a marketplace. We help you get your own quote here.

If you're still unsure, go to start your quote. Your quote will tell you what you need and what your state requires. You can also read more about the basics of a solo business on our blog if you need more information.