Workers' Compensation insurance
Protect your business and your employees.
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What is Workers’ Compensation insurance?
Workers’ compensation helps protect small business owners from the financial risks of workplace injuries. It can help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and more, whether it’s a construction site injury or an employee slip-and-fall in an office. Many states require coverage as soon as you hire your first employee, making it an essential part of your business insurance. Get started today with policies starting at $14/month†.
Workers’ compensation can help cover:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Retraining
Permanent injury
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Workers’ Compensation cost?
Workers' compensation insurance can start at just $14/month† with NEXT, offering affordable protection for your employees and your business.
Your exact cost depends on factors like your industry, location, number of employees, and claims history. For example, a real estate agent may pay as little as $15/month†, while a general contractor starts around $23/month†.
With NEXT, we make it easy to see your rate in real-time—just answer a few quick questions and get an instant quote in under 10 minutes.
Protect your team without breaking the budget. Start your quote now!
Workers’ compensation insurance requirements by state
Learn more about workers’ comp insurance laws and requirements in the following states:
Who needs Workers’ Compensation insurance?
Who Needs Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ compensation insurance is essential for businesses with employees, as it helps protect both your team and your business from the financial risks of workplace injuries.
You may need workers’ comp insurance if you:
- Hire employees, whether full-time, part-time, or seasonal
- Run a business in a state where workers’ comp is legally required (most states)
- Work in a high-risk industry, like construction, retail, or food services
- Want to protect your business from costly medical bills, lost wages, and lawsuits
Even if it’s not legally required, having workers’ comp ensures your business is prepared for the unexpected.
Do I need Workers’ Comp if I am self-employed?
A common misconception about workers’ compensation is that it’s only needed when a business has employees. In fact, many self-employed workers, sole proprietors and independent contractors purchase coverage for the financial protection it provides or to meet contract requirements with clients.
It’s required to get a license for some professions, especially in construction. For example, many states ask for proof of workers’ comp insurance with their general contractor license requirements.
If you don’t have workers’ comp and you are injured at work, you also might not be covered by your personal health insurance. It’s important to read your policy documents carefully to make sure you are protected.
If you need to quickly obtain coverage to satisfy a client, bid, or professional license requirement, you can instantly access your certificate of insurance as soon as you purchase a policy.
I'm the owner of the company. Am I covered by workers’ compensation if I'm injured on the job?
Injuries to business owners can only be covered by the business owners’ coverage in workers comp. If you’re the owner of the company and you trip and break your hand at your work site, you could be eligible to get help with your medical bills and lost wages.
Personal health insurance might not cover medical fees for work-related injuries — especially if you’re in the construction industry — so getting workers’ comp for yourself as a business owner offers you an extra layer of protection.
