Workers Compensation Insurance

Required by California law.
Essential for your team.
Workers comp that protects everyone.

California requires workers comp for any business with even one employee. One workplace injury without coverage can result in $100,000+ in fines, criminal exposure, and uncapped liability.

✓ Medical Benefits✓ Lost Wages / Disability✓ Employer Liability✓ California Required
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Why It Matters
Required by law.
Essential for your employees.
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California Requires Workers Comp for Any Employee

Under California Labor Code Section 3700, every employer with even one employee must carry workers compensation insurance. Failure to carry it is a misdemeanor — with fines up to $100,000 and potential imprisonment.

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$100K
Maximum fine for operating without workers comp in California
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Covers Medical Bills & Lost Wages

When an employee is injured on the job, workers comp pays their medical bills, lost wages during recovery, and rehabilitation costs — protecting both them and your business from financial ruin.

1 in 5
Small businesses face a workers comp claim each year
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What's Covered
Every detail of your
coverage, explained.
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Medical Benefits
Covers all reasonable and necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries — emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions, and more.
Required
  • Emergency & hospital care
  • Surgery & specialist visits
  • Physical therapy
  • Prescriptions & medical devices
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Lost Wages / Disability
Replaces a portion of the injured employee's income while they are unable to work — typically 66.67% of their average weekly wage in California.
Required
  • Temporary disability benefits
  • Permanent disability benefits
  • Supplemental job displacement
  • Return-to-work programs
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Rehabilitation
Covers vocational rehabilitation if an injured worker cannot return to their previous job — including retraining, education, and job placement assistance.
Included
  • Vocational retraining
  • Education assistance
  • Job placement support
  • Work hardening programs
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Death Benefits
If a work-related injury or illness results in death, workers comp provides death benefits to the employee's dependents and covers funeral expenses.
Included
  • Dependent income benefits
  • Funeral & burial expenses
  • Survivor support
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Employer Liability (Part B)
Protects your business from lawsuits filed by employees (or their families) claiming your negligence caused an injury that workers comp doesn't fully cover.
Included
  • Third-party lawsuits
  • Dual-capacity claims
  • Consequential bodily injury
  • Loss of consortium claims
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Sole Proprietor Options
Sole proprietors and partners are not automatically covered by workers comp — but can elect to be covered, which may be required if you work on job sites or with contractors.
Optional for Owners
  • Owner coverage election
  • Contractor compliance
  • Job site requirements
Client Reviews
Businesses protected
by CoverGuard.
Saved $3,200/year on coverage
★★★★★
"We'd been with our previous insurer for 6 years. CoverGuard found us better coverage and saved our business over $3,000 a year. The agent also identified a coverage gap we didn't even know about."
TM
Tom M.
Owner · Martinez Roofing Co.
★★★★★
"CoverGuard got us covered same day. Fast, clear, and the agent explained every option without pressure. Exactly what a small business needs."
SP
Sarah P.
Small Business Owner · Whittier, CA
★★★★★
"One policy review per year and everything is handled. Couldn't be easier — they actually look out for our business."
RC
Rosa C.
Restaurant Owner · 3 Locations
FAQ
Questions answered.
Do I need workers comp if I only have 1 employee? +
Yes. California Labor Code Section 3700 requires workers compensation insurance for any employer with even one employee — full-time, part-time, or seasonal. There are very limited exceptions for certain family members.
What happens if I don't have workers comp and an employee is hurt? +
You're personally liable for all medical costs and lost wages. You also face fines up to $100,000, a stop-work order, and potential criminal charges. The risk far outweighs the cost of a policy.
Are independent contractors covered by workers comp? +
Not automatically — but misclassifying employees as contractors is a serious risk. If a 1099 worker is legally considered an employee, you could be liable. We'll help you understand your exposure.
How is the cost of workers comp calculated? +
California workers comp premiums are based on your industry classification code, your total payroll, and your claims history (experience modification factor). Higher-risk industries like construction pay more than low-risk offices.
Can I get workers comp as a sole proprietor? +
As a sole proprietor with no employees, workers comp is generally optional — but many clients and general contractors require you to carry it to work on their projects. We can set up owner-only coverage.
How quickly can a policy be active? +
For most businesses, we can have a workers comp policy active within 1–2 business days. If you need coverage urgently for a job start date, let us know and we'll prioritize.
Other Business Coverage
Complete protection
for your business.
🛡️
General Liability
Foundation coverage for third-party injury, property damage, and advertising claims.
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Business Owner Policy
GL + commercial property bundled into one cost-effective policy.
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Workers Compensation
Required in California for any business with employees.
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Professional Liability
E&O coverage for service-based businesses against negligence claims.
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Commercial Auto
Coverage for vehicles used in your business — personal policies won't cover them.
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Cyber Liability
Data breach, ransomware, and cyber incident coverage for modern businesses.

Stay compliant. Protect your team.

Free California workers comp quote. Fast binding. Same-day certificates.

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👷 Get My Workers Comp Quote