Sources reviewed October 27, 2026 · Confirm current rules with the agency
When coverage is required
Maine requires almost every public and private employer to carry workers' comp. You can buy coverage through a licensed agent or join an approved self-insured group. Check the exceptions in the law. Do not assume a small staff or family ownership means you are exempt.
Owners, contractors, and exceptions
Check owner opt-outs and the status of contractors with your insurer. Maine warns against calling employees independent contractors to avoid buying coverage. Keep the facts and paperwork behind each exclusion, and check them again when your business changes. The Workers' Compensation Board can tell you whether a business had coverage on a given date.
If an employee is injured
Workers generally have 60 days to tell you about an injury, but they should report right away. The Board says you must complete a First Report of Injury within seven days, give the worker a copy, and file it with the Board if the worker loses time. The Board also explains how long you choose the doctor at first and when the worker can choose. Check the current rules before you change doctors.
Operating without coverage
Maine's Bureau of Insurance says not having coverage can be a Class D crime. The fine can be up to $10,000 or 108% of the premium you should have paid, whichever is more. The state can also suspend or cancel your business charter or license. Injured workers can sue you, and you still owe the benefits on any claim. A general liability policy will not pay your legal costs. If no insurer will cover you, Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC) must offer you a policy.
How to arrange coverage
Ask a licensed agent to compare options and confirm your payroll classes and owner choices. If there is a problem with a claim, the Board offers a Troubleshooter service and mediation. Workers who qualify can get help from the Worker Advocate Program. Keep claim letters and emails in order so the Board or insurer can see what was asked for, paid, or disputed.
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 Maine’s official forms. Your insurer can often send a poster with your policy details already filled in.
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
- $1,561.40 a week
- Applies to
- Injuries on or after January 1, 2020, for the period starting July 1, 2026
Older injuries have lower limits. See the notice for the full table.
Check a contractor’s coverage
Maine links to an online coverage search. If it does not answer your question, the Board can confirm coverage by email.
Owner exemptions and elections
Some owners and officers can apply for a waiver of coverage with Form WCB-2C. The Board also offers a predetermination of independent contractor status.
Frequently asked questions
Is workers' comp required in Maine?
Yes for almost all employers. Narrow exceptions exist for some agricultural employers that carry required liability coverage, and for domestic workers in a private home.
Do business owners need workers' comp in Maine?
Sole proprietors without employees and LLC owners do not need to cover themselves. Corporate owners with at least 20% of voting stock can waive coverage in writing.
How long does an employee have to report a work injury in Maine?
Employees generally have 60 days to tell the employer but should report right away. The employer files a First Report of Injury within seven days for qualifying injuries.
What happens if a Maine business doesn't have workers' comp?
Failing to insure can be a Class D crime with a civil penalty of up to $10,000 or 108% of the missed premium, whichever is larger. Employees can also sue.
How do I get workers' comp insurance in Maine?
Buy through a licensed producer. If no insurer will write the business, Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company (MEMIC) must offer coverage.
How much does workers' comp cost in Maine?
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 Maine, 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
Maine Bureau of Insurance: coverage FAQsMaine WCB: employee guidance and assistanceMaine WCB: coverage verificationMaine Bureau of Insurance: employer's guide to coverageThis 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.