Arizona Workers' Comp Insurance

Arizona has specific workers compensation insurance requirements for businesses. Understanding who exactly needs coverage is key for companies operating in the state.

THE CORE REQUIREMENTS ARE:

• Any organization with staff must have workers comp insurance. Even having one part-time employee necessitates coverage.
• The type of work done by employees does not matter. You need coverage whether you have office personnel, servers, construction teams, doctors, teachers, drivers, or any other workers.
• Job responsibilities can be physical, administrative, or anything in between. If you pay them income, coverage is legally required.

THERE ARE LIMITED EXEMPTIONS TO WORKERS COMP REQUIREMENTS:

• Sole proprietors or legal business partnerships with no workers are exempt. However, as soon as one non-owner employee is added, coverage becomes mandatory.
• Some executive officers and limited liability company members who have at least a 25% ownership stake can choose to exempt themselves from coverage. But employees must still be covered.
• Occasional domestic workers doing incidental tasks outside normal business activities may be exempt in some cases. For example, sporadically hiring a babysitter or handyman for minor jobs.

EXAMPLES OF ARIZONA BUSINESSES NEEDING WORKERS COMP:

• A Phoenix trucking firm with 30 drivers must cover employees at risk for injury loading cargo or auto accidents on long drives.
• A beauty parlor in Tucson with 2 part-time hairdressers needs a policy insuring both workers against injuries. Salons have various fall hazards.
• A Scottsdale tech firm with 10 workers including developers, marketing staff and assistants needs insurance. Repetitive computer tasks can cause strain injuries requiring benefits.
• A produce farm near Yuma with 6 seasonal pickers and 2 equipment operators must cover all 8 employees operating machinery and doing physical labor.
• A home health agency in Flagstaff with 12 caregivers visiting client homes still requires coverage from the employer.
• An auto garage in Mesa with 7 mechanics needs workers comp, as machinery presents risks.

The Bottom Line

Nearly every Arizona business with W-2 employees needs coverage. Don't risk major fines and legal issues by skipping insurance. Connect with us today for affordable workers comp rates to properly cover your team!

Arizona has specific workers comp laws that businesses must follow. Key requirements include:

• Covering All Employees: You need coverage as soon as you hire any workers. Penalties for non-compliance are severe.
• Posting Required Notices: You must display an Industrial Commission of Arizona "Know Your Rights" legal poster with workers comp information.
• Reporting Injuries: File a report with your insurer on any job-related injuries or illnesses within 10 days. Inform the Industrial Commission of severe incidents immediately.
• Required Coverage Limits: Your insurance must provide complete medical and indemnity benefits for injuries without caps, including lost wages and death benefits.
• State Oversight: The Industrial Commission of Arizona actively regulates workers compensation through actions like conducting audits and issuing fines to non-compliant businesses.

Navigating Arizona’s workers comp system takes real diligence for companies. There are legal requirements around carrying proper insurance, reporting claims, providing statutorily-mandated benefits, and more. Total compliance is crucial for legally and safely operating.

That's why having the right insurance advisor is vital. The Insurance Store has over 50 years guiding state businesses in workers comp compliance. Our experts take the time to grasp your operations and risks. We then pair you with tailored coverage from top insurers that fully protects your business. With our team as your trusted workers comp partner, staying compliant is simple.

Operating without proper workers comp insurance puts Arizona businesses at huge risk. If an employee gets injured on the job and you lack coverage, you’ll face serious penalties including:

• You'll pay 100% of all medical bills and lost wages for the harmed employee. These expenses can easily reach six or seven figures for major injuries!
• The Industrial Commission of Arizona may issue a stop work order halting your operations.
• You'll pay fines of $1,000 per day per uninsured employee from the Industrial Commission.
• In extreme cases, you may face class 1 misdemeanor charges for willful noncompliance. Owners have even seen jail time in other states.
• Your business loses liability protection against worker lawsuits that workers comp would provide. The injured staff could sue you for negligence.

Clearly, trying to cut corners on workers comp insurance is reckless. Yet some Arizona employers take the risk, only to later regret it. Don’t let lack of coverage severely damage your company! Partner with our experienced team to make sure you have affordable, compliant insurance in place.