About StateWorkersComp.com
How StateWorkersComp.com makes its independent workers comp guides and cost estimates.
An independent business resource
StateWorkersComp.com offers free workers comp guides and a cost calculator for small-business owners. We are not a government agency. Our guides and calculator results are not legal advice, an insurance policy, a coverage decision, or a binding quote.
Sources and review dates
Each state guide links to government agencies, laws, rules, and official publications. Each guide also shows the date we last reviewed its sources. That date does not promise that every law or agency process is still the same. Follow the official links, and ask the state agency or a qualified professional about your situation.
How the calculator works
The calculator uses your state, classification code, and payroll to estimate workers compensation costs. When reference pricing is unavailable, you can enter a base rate for that estimate. It calculates one payroll-rated classification at a time. Missing reference pricing is never replaced with a guessed rate. Class descriptions are search aids, not a determination of the correct policy classification. For California, it uses WCIRB approved advisory pure premium rates as labeled benchmarks. These cover expected claims and claim-adjustment costs, not insurer overhead, commissions, taxes or profit. Per-person and per-race classifications are not supported by payroll calculations. For North Carolina, the calculator uses NCRB assigned-risk rates and published class minimums as a benchmark, including applicable non-ratable components. This is not voluntary-market pricing or a determination of assigned-risk eligibility. Special exposure and unsupported coverage cases require agent review. It does not calculate Washington's hours-based premiums.
Using the guides
Whether you need coverage depends on the work, how people are employed, how your business is set up, and where the work happens. Read the exceptions and reporting sections, not just the main rule. A worker telling you about an injury, you reporting it, and filing a claim for benefits are three different steps. Check the current rule before you act.