Contractors and Trades
General contractors and government projects often require their subs to carry it.
Workers' Compensation Insurance in Texas
Texas is the one state where most private employers can choose whether to carry workers' comp. We help you weigh that choice and place coverage when you need it.
Who It's For
Restaurants and Retail
Kitchens, stores and warehouses with hourly staff.
Offices and Professional Firms
Office classes usually carry lower rates than trade classes, so coverage can cost less than owners expect.
What It Covers
Medical Care
Treatment for work related injuries and illnesses.
Income Benefits
Payments to an injured employee who cannot work, set by Texas law.
Employer's Liability
Defense and coverage if an employee or their family sues your business over a workplace injury.
Death and Burial Benefits
Benefits for a covered employee's family under the Texas workers' compensation system.
Texas and San Antonio Details
Private employers in Texas can opt out of workers' comp. Employers who opt out, called nonsubscribers, must file a notice with the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation each year and tell their employees in writing. If an injured employee sues, a nonsubscriber loses defenses such as claiming the employee or a coworker was at fault.
Coverage is required for building or construction work under a contract with a government entity, and many general contractors require it of their subs.
Some nonsubscribers buy an occupational accident or employer liability policy instead. Those policies work differently from workers' comp, and we walk through the tradeoffs before you choose.
Common Questions
Is Workers' Comp Required in Texas?
For most private employers, no. Texas lets private employers choose. Government construction contracts require it, and many general contractors and clients write it into their contracts.
What Is a Texas Nonsubscriber?
A private employer that chooses not to carry workers' compensation. Nonsubscribers file an annual notice with the state, must tell employees, and lose certain legal defenses in injury lawsuits.
Can Owners Exclude Themselves?
Sole proprietors and partners are usually not covered unless they elect coverage, and corporate officers can often be excluded. The rules depend on how your business is set up.
How Is Workers' Comp Priced?
Mostly by payroll. Each job classification has a rate per $100 of payroll, adjusted by your claims experience once you have enough history.
Do I Need Coverage for 1099 Subcontractors?
Possibly. If a sub has no coverage of their own, your insurance company may charge for that sub's pay at audit. Collecting certificates from your subs keeps the audit clean.
Related Coverage
Ready to Talk Coverage?
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