Guide to Meeting Workers' Comp Requirements

Find your state(s) requirements

Requirements vary by state, so make sure you investigate each state where you have employees.

I recommend: Use this list of the workers' comp authorities in all 50 states and DC. For information on workers' comp rules in general and how your state might differ, check out the site for National Council on Compensation Insurance.

Contact providers

Some states require you to obtain coverage through their state-operated funds, but others allow you to choose your coverage. If your state allows you to choose, ask your other insurance carriers if they offer workers' comp and whether they provide any package deals.

I recommend: To receive quotes from multiple carriers, use this quote-request form at BuyerZone. If well-known brand names make you comfortable, you might consider contacting some of the big names in insurance – Travelers, Fireman's Fund, Liberty Mutual, The Hartford, CNA – all of which provide workers' comp coverage. Or try Insurance Noodle a specialist in small business insurance lines, including workers' comp.

Consider a workers' comp audit

Auditors will check your insurance bills against your internal information to find areas in which you may have been overcharged.

I recommend: Check out workers' comp auditors like those of Revenue Recovery and Business Planning Group or WCA Cost Recovery Consultants. Or ask your accountant, lawyer, or banker for referrals.

Implement workplace-safety policies and procedures

When it comes to workers' comp, prevention is the best medicine. Establish safety programs and drug-free workplace policies..

I recommend: Use the extensive workplace safety checklist from Nonprofit Risk Management Center. For information on setting up a workplace-safety policy, see BizFilings.com. Contact the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to find information about particular workplace issues, whether it's hazardous substances that your employees regularly come in contact with or health issues that commonly affect your industry, such as carpal-tunnel syndrome.