Learn everything you need to know about worker's compensation insurance in New York.
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The U.S. workers’ compensation system was actually born out of a New York state tragedy: the worst factory fire in New York City’s history, at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911. Today, the state upholds strict requirements for employers.
The state upholds harsh penalties for workers’ compensation violations. Not carrying workers’ compensation insurance for more than five employees is a felony in New York state, and penalized businesses can be debarred from public work contracts.
All New York businesses with employees (full- or part-time) must carry workers’ compensation insurance. As of 2007, any out-of-state businesses with employees working in New York state must also have a fully compliant workers' compensation insurance policy.
New York employers are required to provide workers' compensation insurance for:
Sole proprietors, partners and one- and two-person corporations do not have to carry coverage, but may include themselves on a policy.
A worker under direct control of the employer may be considered an employee, regardless of their tax status.
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Keep in mind that your policy covers employees only when they are working in-state; additional coverage might be needed for out-of-state work.
Workers' compensation costs in New York are high relative to other states in the U.S.
According to a 2020 report by the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, NY workers' compensation rates are among the highest in the nation, ranging from $2.00 - $2.49 per $100 in payroll. (This is, however, a decrease from the top spot and rates in the $3.00 - 3.49 range in 2018's study.)
This means that a New York company with $100,000 in payroll might pay around $2,000 in annual workers' compensation insurance premiums. A $50,000 payroll, closer to $1,000. However, this will vary depending on:
While most states use the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) to collect workplace data and set rates, New York uses its own rating bureau, the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board. This non-profit, unincorporated association of insurance carriers collects loss, premium and payroll data, and recommends rates. Workers' compensation rates are set by class code, or industry.
As we mentioned above, this base rate is multiplied by company payroll, and then Experience Modifier and other discounts may be applied by an insurance carrier to calculate the final premium. The rating bureau also sets Experience Modifier factors for employers with premiums above $5,000. Learn more about how much workers’ compensation insurance costs.
A work comp policy has two parts:
New York has an office dedicated to answering workers’ compensation questions, particularly for small business owners. The Advocate of Business is the liaison between businesses and the state work comp systems, and can help with coverage and compliance issues.
Editor's note: Last updated in October 2021.
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The state has a private market for workers' compensation insurance. Employers can purchase a workers' compensation policy from any insurance carrier or agency that is licensed to write in New York.
New York also has a state fund that competes with the private market. You can contact the New York State Insurance Fund if you are unable to secure coverage from a private insurance carrier. State funds accept higher-risk businesses, and their rates are often higher. Large employers might consider self-insurance options.
To buy workers compensation insurance, you need to request a quote from a licensed insurance agent and provide some details about your business.
Here’s what to have in front of you:
Workers' compensation insurance can sometimes be hard to find for companies with a small payroll and only a few employees.
But as the fourth most populated state in the U.S., the New York work comp market is served by a number of licensed insurers. While some commercial insurance carriers write multiple lines of business, some specialize in a particular line (workers' compensation) or business type (small business).
All for-profit businesses in New York state are required to carry coverage. Here's what you can expect to pay, and how to save on a small business policy.
Whether you have full- or part-time employees, here are tips on how small businesses can comply with their state workers’ compensation system.
How much for a small business policy? Read on for a step-by-step explanation, along with other factors at play in your final workers’ compensation quote.
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