Sources reviewed October 27, 2026 · Confirm current rules with the agency
When coverage is required
Alaska generally requires workers' comp as soon as you have one employee. If you bring workers in from another state, your home-state policy may not be enough. Alaska does not automatically accept other states' coverage, so talk to an insurer licensed in Alaska before the work starts.
Owners, contractors, and exceptions
Sole owners and partners are not covered unless they choose to be. LLC members and officers of for-profit companies can be left off the policy only if they own at least 10% of the business. Officers of nonprofits, cities, and religious groups have separate rules. An owner's exclusion never applies to other employees.
If an employee is injured
Report any work injury, illness, or death to your insurer quickly. Alaska's employer guide says the employer report is due within 10 days of learning about it. Your insurer files it with the state electronically. Report it even if you doubt the worker's story, and note your concerns separately. Keep a copy.
Operating without coverage
Alaska can order you to stop work if you have no coverage. If you keep using workers after that order, the fine is $1,000 a day. The state can also fine you $10 to $1,000 per employee for each day they worked without coverage. If you are uninsured and don't pay a valid claim, that is a felony. A state fund may pay the worker and then make you pay it back in full. Post your insurance notice in three places workers can easily see.
How to arrange coverage
Alaska has no state-run insurer. Buy from a private insurer, or qualify to self-insure. If no insurer will cover you, ask about the assigned-risk market. Give your agent your work locations, job duties, payroll, and owner details. Tell them about any workers who travel to or from Alaska.
Benefits and return-to-work planning
A work injury can lead to medical care, time off work, a lasting disability, or benefits for family members if a worker dies. Who qualifies, waiting periods, how wages are figured, and benefit limits all depend on state law and the facts of the claim. Ask your insurer which benefits it is looking at and what records it needs. Go by the doctor's work limits, not your own guess about what the worker can do. If you can offer lighter work, describe the duties and hours clearly and plan it with the doctor and your insurer.
Preparing an accurate cost estimate
Gather payroll by job and location, a description of each type of work, details on working owners, subcontractor records, and your past claims. Ask the insurer to confirm your job classes, how the rate is figured, any experience modifier, the minimum premium, fees, and audit terms. This site's calculator uses a base rate that you enter. It does not give a state-approved rate or a real quote. Compare offers using the same numbers, and track staff and work changes during the year so the final audit is easier.
Forms, posters, and notices
These links go straight to Alaska’s official forms. Your insurer can often send a poster with your policy details already filled in.
- Form 07-6120, Employer's Notice of Insurance
Post it in three places where workers will see it.
- Form 07-6101, Report of Occupational Injury or Illness
Weekly benefit limits
These limits cap the wage replacement checks an injured worker can get. Medical care is paid separately. Limits change every year, so check the source for the latest figures.
- Maximum
- $1,627 a week
- Minimum
- $358 a week
- Applies to
- Injuries in 2026
Check a contractor’s coverage
Alaska offers an online employer coverage verification service. It is linked from the Division's employer requirements page.
Owner exemptions and elections
Since August 1, 2019, sole owners and partners do not have to cover themselves. Officers of for-profit corporations and LLC members who own at least 10% are also exempt. Officers of nonprofits are not employees unless the organization chooses to cover them. Every other employee still needs coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Is workers' comp required in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska generally requires coverage as soon as a business has one employee, and coverage from another state is not automatically accepted for Alaska work.
Do business owners need workers' comp in Alaska?
Sole proprietors and partners are excluded unless they choose to be covered. LLC members and for-profit executive officers with at least a ten-percent ownership interest can be excluded; other officers generally cannot.
How long does an employee have to report a work injury in Alaska?
Employees should report an injury to the employer right away. The employer must report an alleged injury to the Division within ten days of knowing about it, usually through its insurer.
What happens if a Alaska business doesn't have workers' comp?
The Division can issue a stop-work order ($1,000 per day if ignored) and charge $10 to $1,000 per employee for each day worked without coverage. Failing to pay a valid claim while uninsured is a felony.
How do I get workers' comp insurance in Alaska?
Alaska has no state fund. Buy from a private insurer, use the state's backup plan if regular insurers turn you down, or qualify for self-insurance.
How much does workers' comp cost in Alaska?
Cost depends mostly on your job class codes, the payroll in each class, your experience modifier, and the insurer's rates and minimum premium. Ask a licensed insurer or agent for the base rate for your class code in Alaska, then use this site's calculator for a rough estimate. Your final premium is set at the yearly audit.
Your next steps
Official sources & further reading
Alaska: employer coverage and owner exclusionsAlaska: employer guideAlaska: reporting formsThis summary is for learning, not legal advice. Exceptions and changes may apply. If anything here differs from the official agency or the law, they are what count.