WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE
Workers compensation insurance for employers.
Almost every state requires workers compensation insurance once a business has employees. Four states (Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming) operate monopoly state funds where workers comp must be purchased through the state. Everywhere else it is placed through private carriers. workers comp covers medical treatment, lost wages, and employer liability for work-related injuries and occupational illnesses.
What it covers
What workers compensation covers.
What it covers
Medical treatment for work-related injuries
Pays medical bills for injuries arising out of and in the course of employment. Includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, and ongoing care related to the injury.
What it covers
Wage replacement during disability
Pays a percentage of the injured worker's wages while they are unable to work. The percentage and duration vary by state and the type of disability (temporary, permanent, partial, total).
What it covers
Death and survivor benefits
Pays funeral costs and ongoing benefits to surviving dependents if a workplace injury results in death. Limits and eligibility are set by state law.
What it covers
Employer liability
The second part of a standard workers comp policy. This is the liability coverage that protects the employer if an injured worker or family member sues outside the workers comp system, which can happen in third-party-over-action cases and certain other situations. It is separate from a general liability policy, which does not cover employee injuries at all.
Where policies have edges
What workers compensation does not cover.
Not covered
Independent contractors
True independent contractors are not covered under your workers comp policy, and some hire occupational accident coverage instead. Misclassifying employees as contractors is a common audit finding and can result in significant back-premium and penalties.
Not covered
Injuries outside the course of employment
Injuries during a worker's commute (in most cases), on a personal errand during a paid break, or while engaged in a clear violation of company policy may fall under a policy exclusion and not be covered. State rules vary widely.
Not covered
Self-inflicted injury and intoxication
Intentionally self-inflicted injuries and injuries caused by the worker's own intoxication or drug use are generally excluded, though state rules differ on the burden of proof.
Not covered
Owners and officers in some structures
Sole proprietors, partners, and corporate officers can often elect to be included or excluded from workers comp coverage. Default treatment varies by state and business structure.
Who needs this
Who needs Workers Compensation Insurance?
Almost every employer with employees. Many small businesses carry it alongside a business owners policy. The exact employee threshold and coverage rules vary by state. Most states require workers comp at the first employee; some allow up to three or four employees before coverage is mandatory. Even where not legally required, workers comp is often the only coverage that pays for an employee injury, since general liability excludes it. In monopoly states (OH, ND, WA, WY), coverage is purchased through the state fund rather than private carriers.
What it costs
What can you expect to pay?
Varies widely by state, industry class code, payroll, and claims history. Most small businesses pay between $1.00 and $5.00 per $100 of payroll. High-risk class codes can be significantly higher.
In Georgia
How does this work in Georgia?
Georgia is a private market state, coverage is placed through private carriers, not a state fund. O.C.G.A. 34-9-2 requires most employers that regularly have three or more employees to carry workers compensation. Part-time and regular seasonal workers count toward that number. For incorporated businesses and LLCs, officers and members are included in the employee count even if up to five of them file a WC-10 waiver to opt out of personal coverage; the waiver removes them from the policy but not from the headcount. Sole proprietors and partners are not counted as employees under Georgia law by default and must affirmatively elect coverage in writing. The Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation administers the system. Carriers available through us for Georgia workers compensation include The Hartford, Employers Insurance, BHHC, Pie Insurance, AmTrust, and Nationwide Commercial, each with different appetite by industry class code and payroll size, which is part of how underwriting works. For more on how we choose which carrier to place you with, see our FAQ.
If You Need to File a Claim
Claims tips
workers comp claims have a process that runs partly through the carrier and partly through state administrative law. Doing the basics well from day one matters.
- Get the injured worker medical care immediately. Emergency care first if needed. Many states require employers to either direct the worker to a designated provider or let the worker choose. Know your state's rule before an injury happens.
- Report the injury to the carrier promptly. Most states have specific employer reporting deadlines and most carriers require notice within a short window. Late reporting is one of the most common causes of a disputed claim.
- Document the incident in writing. What happened, when, where, who witnessed it, what equipment was involved, and what conditions existed. Get a written statement from the injured worker as soon as practical.
- Preserve any equipment or scene involved. Do not move, repair, or dispose of anything connected to the injury until the carrier and any required state inspectors release it.
- Maintain regular contact with the injured worker. Stay-at-work and return-to-work programs reduce claim costs significantly. Workers who feel forgotten file longer and more contested claims.
- Cooperate with carrier investigation but do not freelance. The carrier and any defense counsel they assign handle disputed claims. Do not negotiate or settle directly with the worker or their attorney. See our claims help if you are not sure what to do next.
OUR CARRIER PANEL
Carriers We Work With
The carriers we compare are licensed and regulated in your state. We shop these markets and present the options that match your situation; a licensed advisor reviews the fit with you in a free coverage review.
BHHC Commercial Insurance
Berkshire Hathaway Financial Backing
Learn moreCNA Commercial Insurance
Mid-market commercial package, professional liability, and workers comp for businesses above $1M revenue.
Learn moreAmTrust Workers Compensation
Workers compensation specialist for small businesses in low-to-medium hazard industries.
Learn moreBerkley Aspire Insurance
Excess and surplus lines commercial insurance for hard-to-place Georgia business risks.
Learn moreEmployers Workers Compensation
Workers compensation specialist for small businesses at the 3-employee threshold.
Learn moreHanover Commercial Insurance
Small and mid-market commercial insurance through independent agents.
Learn moreLiberty Mutual Commercial
Multi-line commercial insurance for small to mid-market businesses. business owners policy, workers comp, commercial auto, and cyber from a
Learn moreNationwide Commercial Insurance
Nationwide Commercial brings Fortune 100 financial strength to small businesses and farm operations. An honest review of their commercial ca
Learn moreNext Insurance
Tech-driven small business commercial insurance for tradespeople, independent contractors, and service businesses with fast online underwrit
Learn morePhiladelphia Insurance Companies
Specialty commercial insurance for nonprofits, religious institutions, habitational, and specialty commercial property.
Learn morePie Insurance
Small business workers compensation with fast quotes and competitive pricing.
Learn moreThe Hartford Commercial Insurance
The Hartford's Spectrum business owners policy is one of the broadest small business policies available. An honest review of their commercia
Learn moreTravelers Commercial Insurance
Travelers is one of commercial carriers reviewed by Olive Cover. business owners policy, general liability, workers comp, c
Learn moreGEORGIA · STATE NOTES
Georgia: WC required at 3+ employees, State Board of WC regulates
Georgia workers compensation is mandatory for any business with three or more employees, including part-time, seasonal, and most temporary workers. This is a lower threshold than many states (some states trigger at 4-5 employees). Sole proprietors and LLC members can be exempt but often choose to opt-in for their own protection.
Georgia workers comp is regulated by the State Board of Workers Compensation (sbwc.georgia.gov), not the Office of Insurance Commissioner. The Board handles claim disputes, sets medical fee schedules, and oversees return-to-work programs. Claim filings and disputes go through the Board, not through standard insurance DOI procedures.
Georgia has a managed care provider network option for employers, which can reduce medical claim costs. Employers who register for the managed care option can direct injured employees to specific providers for initial treatment, which tends to reduce claim durations and costs.
Georgia WC benefits include: two-thirds of weekly wage as temporary total disability (capped at current state maximum, adjusted annually), permanent partial disability based on body-part schedule, medical expenses, and vocational rehabilitation. Death benefits are payable to dependents.
Primary Georgia WC carriers are Hartford, Pie, Employers, Travelers, Nationwide, Hanover, and CNA. Hartford is typically strongest on complex claims and return-to-work; Pie wins on speed-to-quote for standard small business; Employers is particularly competitive for restaurants and retail.
For high-hazard industries (roofing, demolition, trucking) where standard markets decline, E&S specialty workers comp markets pick up through Berkley Aspire and wholesale brokers.
- Mandatory at 3+ employees (including part-time)
- State Board of Workers Compensation regulates (not DOI)
- Managed care network option available to employers
If you have a claim in Georgia
Your rights as a Georgia workers compensation claimant or employerGeorgia workers compensation is regulated by the State Board of Workers Compensation (sbwc.georgia.gov), not the Office of Commissioner of Insurance. Claim disputes go through SBWC, not the standard DOI complaint process. The rules below come from O.C.G.A. Title 34, Chapter 9.Reporting. An injured employee should report a workplace injury to their employer immediately, in writing if possible. The employer must file Form WC-1 with the carrier and SBWC within 21 days of receiving notice of an injury that causes more than seven days of lost time.Medical treatment. The employer must post a panel of physicians. The employee chooses from that panel for initial treatment and may change physicians once within the panel without prior approval.Wage benefits. Temporary total disability benefits are typically two-thirds of the average weekly wage, capped at the SBWC weekly maximum that adjusts annually. Benefits begin on the eighth day of disability; if disability lasts more than 21 days, the first seven days are also paid retroactively.Disputes. If a claim is denied, benefits stop, or medical care is restricted unfairly, file Form WC-14 with SBWC to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. Decisions can be appealed through the SBWC appellate division and ultimately the Georgia courts.How to escalate. Contact the State Board of Workers Compensation at sbwc.georgia.gov.What an independent agent adds. Olive Cover places workers compensation policies for Georgia employers, but the claim itself is between the injured employee, the employer, and the insurer. We help employers prepare and respond to inquiries. Employees with disputed or complex workers compensation claims often consult a Georgia workers compensation attorney.
Georgia Department of Insurance: File a complaint
Common Questions
Workers Compensation Insurance: frequently asked questions
What is an experience modification rate and why does it matter?
Your experience mod is a multiplier applied to your workers comp premium based on your claims history compared to similar businesses.
Are independent contractors covered under workers compensation?
Generally no, workers compensation covers employees, not independent contractors.
What is an experience modification factor for workers comp?
An experience modification factor (e-mod) is a premium multiplier based on your actual claims history compared to what is expected for businesses in your industry and size.