Workers’ compensation can cover exams, tests, and surgeries — even after an employee returns to work.

An employee unable to work as the result of an injury could receive a portion of their wages in a lump sum or in weekly installments.

Benefits can help cover physical therapy and ongoing care to help an employee recover and return to work.

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) fines are penalties levied against employers for violating safety regulations and are not covered.

Workers’ compensation covers employee medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. OSHA fines are penalties levied against employers for violating safety regulations and are not covered.

Workers’ comp is designed to provide benefits to you, including lost income. However, it doesn’t cover the cost to hire someone to replace you if you're unable to work as the result of a covered illness or injury.

<strong>What if I already have health insurance? </strong>

A standard health insurance plan may not cover a work-related illness or injury. Plus, many health insurance plans won’t cover lost income as a result of your injury or rehabilitation and retraining costs.

<strong>Why work with Simply Business?</strong>

We make it easy. Just complete one application and compare workers’ compensation insurance quotes from top-rated small business workers’ compensation insurance companies — all in just 10 minutes. More than 1 million small business owners worldwide trust us with their insurance, and we consistently earn high customer ratings and reviews. We have more workers’ comp FAQs here.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Q: Funerals and survivor benefits

Workers’ compensation also can help pay for a funeral and other end-of-life costs.

Q: Client or vendor accidents

If someone other than an employee is injured in the course of your normal work, they are not covered by workers’ compensation. However, they may be covered by general liability insurance, which we recommend for small business owners.

Q: Work safety improvements

While creating safety programs can help reduce workers’ comp premiums, the costs of safety enhancements are not covered by workers’ comp.

Q: Wages for a worker who replaces an injured employee

Workers’ comp is designed to provide benefits to the injured worker, including wage replacement. It does not cover the cost to replace an employee who is unable to work due to a covered injury or illness.

Q: Client or vendor accidents

If someone other than an employee is injured in the course of your normal work, they are not covered by workers’ compensation. However, they may be covered by general liability insurance, which we recommend for small business owners.

Protect your business and help take care of employees who become sick or injured on the job. Get insured for as low as $38.91/month*

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Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Small Businesses

Coverage for Your People and Your Business

While most types of insurance protect the policy holder, workers’ compensation is designed to protect you (the business owner who holds the policy) and your employees.

For owners:

It can financially protect your business from lawsuits that could be filed by an injured worker. This is often referred to as employer’s liability insurance.

For employees:

It can cover medical expenses and lost income if an employee becomes hurt or sick while on the job.

For sole proprietors:

If you’re the one who does it all for your business, this coverage can provide workers’ comp benefits if an accident or an injury puts you out of action. You can find out more here.

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What is Typically Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Medical expenses

Lost wages

Rehabilitation costs

Funerals and survivor benefits

What is Typically Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Client or vendor accidents

OSHA fines

Work safety improvements

Wages for a worker who replaces an injured employee

What is Typically Not Covered by Workers’ Compensation?

Client or vendor accidents

OSHA fines

Work safety improvements

Rehabilitation costs

Some Uncommon Workers’ Compensation Injuries

Workers’ compensation can cover a wide range of situations where an employee is hurt or becomes sick, such as slips and falls, machinery accidents, and exposure to harmful substances. However, workers’ comp can often cover some incidents you may not have been aware of.

An allergic reaction from a catered lunch at work
Breaking your ankle during a company softball game
Injuring your back reaching for a pencil that rolled under a desk
Sustaining bites from another employee’s dog brought onto the worksite

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The High Cost of Not Having Workers’ Compensation

Work-related accidents can happen, and when they do it can be costly if you don’t have workers’ compensation coverage. Here are a few examples of the most frequent types of employee injuries and their average claims.¹

Vehicle accidents during work

$90,914

Neck injuries

$68,021

Burns

$63,119

Slips, trips, and falls

$51,047

Lower back injuries

$40,409

¹Data taken from the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s (NCCI) Workers’ Compensation Statistical Plan database.

How Much Does Workers’ Comp Cost?

Looking for a quick estimate? Just answer 3 questions.

What Some Customers are Paying for Workers’ Comp²

South Carolina

HVAC contractor

Payroll: $130,000 – 4 employees
3+ years in business as an LLC
Coverage purchased 1/3/2025

$106/month

New Jersey

Tutoring business

Payroll: $173,654 – 3 employees
10+ years in business as an LLC
Coverage purchased 4/24/2025

$147/month

Missouri

Restaurant

Payroll: $375,000 – 16 employees
10+ years in business as an LLC
Coverage purchased 4/15/2025

$195/month

²These examples are real insurance quotes generated on the dates above. They are for illustration purposes only. Your coverage options and pricing may differ based on the information you provide us about your particular business, the state you operate in, the number of employees, and other factors.

Does a Business Have to Have Workers’ Comp Insurance?

Nearly all 50 states require a business with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Specific requirements can vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check with your state and local agencies. We can help find workers’ comp coverage for many different types of businesses, including these:

Building & Construction

Health, Beauty & Wellness

Restaurants & Food Service

Cleaners

Handyman services

Brick & Mortar Retail

Ecommerce businesses

Professional Services

Other types of businesses

Do Business Owners Without Employees Need Workers’ Comp?

Business owners are generally not required to have workers’ comp coverage. However, you may need it to land jobs in certain higher-risk fields, such as construction or roofing. And if you’re a sole proprietor, it can be good to have if a work-related injury or illness puts you out of action — especially because some health insurance policies may not cover you for work related injuries or illnesses.

You can learn more about the benefits of workers’ comp insurance for sole proprietors here.

Workers’ Compensation

A One-minute Explanation

Find out what workers’ comp covers, why you might need it, and how we can help — all in just 60 seconds.

Video transcript

As a business owner, you’re the one making it all happen. But as your business grows, you’re likely to have to bring on some people to help get the job done. And in most states once you have employees, you may need workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ comp can help cover if an employee gets sick or injured while working for your business, that can include medical rehab, bills loss, wages, and even death benefits. Carrying a workers’ comp insurance policy can prevent an injured employee from suing your business. Workers’ comp laws differ by state, which can make it difficult to figure out what coverage you need. Not to worry, if you need coverage, our high-tech online quote tool is designed to help you get what you need for the state or states you work in. Plus we’ve got helpful licensed agents you can speak to on the phone. Workers’ comp can help take care of your employees and we can help you take care of workers’ comp.

Answers to More Workers’ Comp Questions

What determines the cost of workers’ comp insurance?

Cost is determined by a number of factors, including what your business does (and the risks involved). Other factors include, but are not limited to, your business payroll, claims history, and where you do business.

We can help find coverages for as low as $42.13/month* and you can buy workers’ comp insurance online in just 10 minutes right here.

Looking for more cost information? Visit our Workers’ Comp Cost page.

What if I already have health insurance?

What are the workers’ comp requirements in my state?

Laws and regulations vary from state to state, but not having the proper coverage can come with steep fines and other penalties. It’s best to check with your state agencies for specific information. We have guides to get you started in these states:

Workers’ Compensation Insurance CA

Workers’ Compensation in FL

Workers’ Compensation Insurance MN

Workers’ Compensation Insurance NJ

Workers’ Compensation Insurance NY

Workers’ Compensation Insurance PA

Workers’ Compensation Insurance WI

Workers’ Compensation Insurance NC

Why work with Simply Business?