Sources reviewed October 27, 2026 · Confirm current rules with the agency
When coverage is required
Utah generally requires employers to carry workers' comp for their employees, with some specific exceptions. The Labor Commission checks that employers comply and warns that going without required coverage can have serious results. Look at your working setup and any exceptions for farm, household, or other work before you decide you do not need insurance.
Owners, contractors, and exceptions
A corporation whose only workers are its directors or officers may be able to file a notice to opt out under the Labor Commission's rules. This does not apply to a corporation that also has other employees. Ask about owner opt-outs, contractor status, and the paperwork you need. Check again when you hire someone or change your business type.
If an employee is injured
Workers should report an injury quickly. You generally have seven days after hearing about it to report a qualifying injury or illness to your insurer, using the Employer's First Report process and Form 122e. Your insurer then has 14 days to report it online to the Industrial Accidents Division. Keep the worker informed, and give them a copy of the report and any follow-up details the current rules require.
Operating without coverage
Under Utah Code §34A-2-211, the penalty for not having workers' comp is $1,000 or three times the premium you would have paid while uninsured, whichever is more. The Labor Commission can order you to comply and enforce that order through the courts. You also still owe benefits to any employee hurt while you were uninsured.
How to arrange coverage
Buy a policy from a licensed insurer or confirm you are approved to self-insure. Get the required notice with your insurer's contact details and post it at the work site. Decide who sends the first report and who sends wage and treatment updates, so your seven-day step is not confused with your insurer's later filing.
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 Utah’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
- $1,376 a week
- Minimum
- $45 a week, plus $20 for a dependent spouse and each dependent child, up to four children
- Applies to
- Temporary total disability starting July 1, 2026
- Waiting period
- 3 days. They are paid if the disability lasts more than 14 days.
Check a contractor’s coverage
If a contractor says they have no employees, ask for their Workers' Compensation Coverage Waiver and check it with the Labor Commission.
Owner exemptions and elections
Sole owners, partners, LLC members, and corporate officers with no employees can get a Coverage Waiver. It costs $50, lasts one year, and needs proof of a real business. A corporation whose only workers are up to five officers or directors can file to exclude itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is workers' comp required in Utah?
Generally yes once a business has employees, with specific exceptions such as some agricultural and household work.
Do business owners need workers' comp in Utah?
Corporations whose only employees are directors or officers may file an exclusion notice. That option does not apply once other employees are hired.
How long does an employee have to report a work injury in Utah?
Employees should report quickly. The employer reports qualifying injuries to its insurer within seven days, and the insurer files with the Labor Commission within 14 days.
What happens if a Utah business doesn't have workers' comp?
Utah charges the greater of $1,000 or three times the premium the employer should have paid during the uninsured period.
How do I get workers' comp insurance in Utah?
Buy from a licensed insurer or qualify to self-insure, and post the notice showing your insurer's contact information.
How much does workers' comp cost in Utah?
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 Utah, 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
Utah Labor Commission: employer coverageUtah Labor Commission: employer guide and reportingUtah Labor Commission: employee guideUtah Code §34A-2-211: noncompliance penaltyThis 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.