Sources reviewed October 27, 2026 · Confirm current rules with the agency
When coverage is required
With a few exceptions, Connecticut employers must cover their employees. You can buy insurance from a licensed insurer, self-insure, or join an approved group. The Workers' Compensation Commission runs the system but does not sell insurance. Insurance questions may go to the Connecticut Insurance Department.
Owners, contractors, and exceptions
Some owners can choose whether to cover themselves using state forms. A business with only owners is treated differently from one with employees. Ask who is covered, whether you need to file a form, and whether a change in owners or business type means new paperwork. Keep any filed form with your policy.
If an employee is injured
Workers should tell you right away and get the care they need. Arrange first care, write down what happened, and tell your insurer so it can file the First Report of Injury. The Commission requires reports for injuries that keep a worker out at least one day. The worker's Form 30C claim is a different form. Your own accident report does not protect the worker's claim deadlines.
Operating without coverage
Connecticut fines employers who fail to insure at least $500 per employee or $5,000 (whichever is less), up to $50,000. It adds $100 for each day you stay out of compliance after that. An owner or officer who knowingly skips coverage can be charged with a felony. You also still owe benefits to any hurt worker.
How to arrange coverage
Use a licensed agent to set up a policy and confirm any owner choices. Ask for the current workplace poster and the insurer's claim instructions. If a claim gets stuck, use the Commission's district offices. Asking your insurer a question is not the same as asking the Commission for a hearing.
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 Connecticut’s official forms. Your insurer can often send a poster with your policy details already filled in.
- Notice to Employees and First Report of Injury
The Notice to Employees must be posted in every workplace.
- Form 30C, the worker's claim form
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
- $1,776 a week for total disability
- Applies to
- Injuries on or after October 1, 2026
The maximum for partial disability is $1,175 a week.
Check a contractor’s coverage
Search by employer name. Results come from NCCI and do not include self-insured employers.
Owner exemptions and elections
Corporate officers, LLC members, and partners may choose to be left out of the law's coverage. A sole owner must accept the law to be covered. The Commission's coverage election forms (6B, 6B-1, and 75) handle these choices.
Frequently asked questions
Is workers' comp required in Connecticut?
Yes, with limited exceptions. Connecticut requires employers with one or more employees to carry coverage.
Do business owners need workers' comp in Connecticut?
Sole proprietors, partners, and some corporate officers can choose whether to cover themselves using the Commission's forms. That choice does not change the duty to cover other employees.
How long does an employee have to report a work injury in Connecticut?
Employees should tell the employer right away. The employer reports injuries that cause at least one day of incapacity through its insurer. The worker's formal Form 30C notice of claim is a separate step.
What happens if a Connecticut business doesn't have workers' comp?
Connecticut charges a civil penalty of up to $50,000 for failing to insure, plus $100 for each extra day without coverage. A knowing failure can be a class D felony for owners and officers.
How do I get workers' comp insurance in Connecticut?
Buy from a licensed insurer, join an approved group self-insurance arrangement, or qualify to self-insure.
How much does workers' comp cost in Connecticut?
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 Connecticut, 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
Connecticut WCC: insurance requirementsConnecticut WCC: after an injuryConnecticut WCC: formsConnecticut General Statutes: Chapter 568 (see §31-288)This 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.