Workers Compensation by State
Workers compensation insurance can help protect both businesses and employees when a work-related injury or illness occurs. It covers medical care and lost wages and supports recovery, helping injured workers return to work as soon as medically appropriate while mitigating financial exposure for employers.
Workers compensation laws are determined at the state level, leading to significant variations in coverage, benefits and processes across the U.S. These differences reflect each state's unique regulatory, economic and industrial landscape. Understanding these differences is essential for staying compliant and protecting a business’s workforce.
How workers comp laws vary by state
Workers compensation laws by state differ widely, with each state setting its own rules for coverage, rating plans, benefits, claims and legal responsibilities. These variations can impact everything from premium rates to which providers deliver care and how and when claims are reported to the state.
A few states are monopolistic. Those states do not allow employers to insure for workers compensation with private carriers. They are required to secure coverage with the applicable state fund or, in states that allow, qualify as self-insured.
Self-insurance is an option in some states as an alternative if the employer meets the state’s strict eligibility requirements. In these states, employers still can face liability exposures from injuries to their employees. For that risk, they can procure employers liability coverage from private insurers. In states where employers can self-insure for workers compensation, they can contract with a third-party administer (TPA) for claim handling services. Learn more about TPAs through Constitution State Services, a Travelers affiliate.
As the nation’s leading workers compensation insurance carrier, Travelers understands the nuances of workers comp laws by state and provides support to help navigate compliance and safeguard the workforce. As part of our commitment, we offer resources on claim management and risk control to further assist businesses in maintaining compliance and protecting their employees.
Find state workers comp information
Why choose Travelers
Care for the employee, confidence for the employer
Employees are at the heart of every business. That's why Travelers is here to help employers keep them safe and support them when accidents happen. Our experienced teams guide both employers and their injured employees through recovery, from getting the right care to returning to work as soon as medically appropriate. In fact, 70% of injured employees return to work within 30 days.
Legislative updates
Regulations, laws and potential changes that can shift your course
As the nation’s largest writer of workers compensation insurance, Travelers is committed to understanding new and evolving legislation, regulations and trends at the state level. Our employees serve on regional and national associations, boards and committees to advocate on behalf of our customers and the industry. We educate stakeholders on the impact legislation can have on businesses. By taking an active role in the legislative process, we participate in the important dialog around worker safety and advocate for best practices industry-wide so all can benefit from our workers compensation expertise.
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