Nanny workers compensation insurance protects the caregiver and the employer from the expenses and liabilities associated with a work-related accident. A single accident can leave the household employer liable for thousands of dollars in medical bills. Don’t assume that this liability is covered under your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy!
If a worker gets hurt while on the job and has medical expenses and lost wages that qualify, this insurance policy will reimburse them. In most states, household employers like nannies, senior caregivers, or housekeepers are required to have Workers’ Compensation insurance. If you don’t have this insurance, you may be responsible for paying your injured employee’s expenses out of your own pocket. Having workers’ compensation insurance provides legal protection for you, the employer, regardless of who is at fault. When an employee accepts benefits from this insurance, they typically give up their right to sue you, which is especially important.
Regardless of the risk, all applicants must ensure that they obtain the most expensive method of coverage, which is typically state funds. While there are some state funds available as a last resort provider where coverage is required by law, this nanny insurance is typically available through commercial insurers. It must be managed by a state-licensed insurance broker, and it is important to note that workers’ compensation insurance is not subject to taxes when obtaining workers’ compensation insurance.
HWS has an exclusive insurance partner who will help clients easily obtain affordable workers’ compensation insurance coverage. HWS clients can receive a free quote for household employer workers’ compensation insurance. Contact us for more details.”
Our guides provide links and information for each state’s workers’ compensation insurance laws and household employment laws. HWS strongly recommends speaking to a licensed insurance agent when purchasing insurance for household employers, as the below chart is intended solely for informational purposes and does not offer specific insurance or legal advice.
Make sure to check coverage about your insurance agent. Employers may also need to update automobile insurance if an employee in their household drives their personal vehicle.
Where Household Employers Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance
| STATE | REQUIRED FULL TIME | REQUIRED PART TIME | VOLUNTARY COVERAGE | NOTES |
| Alaska | Yes | Yes | ||
| Alabama | Yes | |||
| Arizona | Yes | |||
| Arkansas | Yes | |||
| California | Yes | Yes | Working 52 or more hours per quarter. Typically obtained as a rider on the employer’s homeowner’s insurance – talk to your licensed agent. | |
| Colorado | Yes | Regularly working 40 or more hours per week. | ||
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Regularly working 26 or more hours per week. | |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Earning $750 or more per quarter. | |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Yes | Working 240 hours or more per quarter. | |
| Florida | Yes | Required if employing 4 or more full or part time employees. | ||
| Georgia | Yes | Required if employing 3 or more full or part time employees. | ||
| Hawaii | Yes | Yes | Earning $225 or more per quarter. | |
| Idaho | Yes | |||
| Illinois | Yes | Regularly work 40 or more hours per week. | ||
| Indiana | Yes | |||
| Iowa | Yes | Yes | Earning $1500 or more per year. | |
| Kansas | Yes | Yes | Total gross wages to all employees $20,000 or more per year. | |
| Kentucky | Yes | Required if 2 or more full or part time household employees. | ||
| Louisiana | Yes | |||
| Maine | Yes | |||
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | All employers subject to Maryland Unemployment Insurance. | |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Regularly working 16 or more hours per week. | |
| Michigan | Yes | Regularly working 35 hours or more per week. | ||
| Minnesota | Yes | Yes | All employers subject to Minnesota Unemployment Insurance. | |
| Mississippi | Yes | Required if 5 or more full and part time household employees. | ||
| Missouri | Yes | |||
| Montana | Yes | |||
| Nebraska | Yes | |||
| Nevada | Yes | |||
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | ||
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | ||
| New Mexico | Yes | |||
| New York | Yes | Regularly employed 40 or more hours per week. Live in workers are required to be covered regardless of hours worked. | ||
| North Carolina | Yes | |||
| North Dakota | Yes | |||
| Ohio | Yes | Yes | Pays wages of $160 or more per quarter. | |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Yes | Pays wages of $10,000 or more in a year. | |
| Oregon | Yes | |||
| Pennsylvania | Yes | |||
| Rhode Island | Yes | |||
| South Carolina | Yes | Required if employing 4 or more full or part time household workers. | ||
| South Dakota | Yes | Yes | Employed more than 20 hours per week for six or more weeks. | |
| Tennessee | Yes | |||
| Texas | Yes | |||
| Utah | Yes | Regularly works 40 or more hours per week. | ||
| Vermont | Yes | |||
| Virginia | Yes | Required if 3 or more household workers are employed. | ||
| Washington | Yes | Required if 2 or more household workers are employed. | ||
| West Virginia | Yes | |||
| Wisconsin | Yes | |||
| Wyoming | Yes |
Resource: Survey by the US Department of Labor: STATE LAWS REGARDING EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION.
Talk to your insurance company!
We are pleased to refer our trusted clients to partner insurance in order to make them happy. We recommend that you discuss your specific insurance issues directly with our licensed partner insurance professionals, as the household payroll solutions offered by HomeWork do not qualify them for providing insurance advice. We strongly recommend that you engage with a licensed insurance agent who can discuss your insurance situation and the regulations of your state.
» HomeWorkSolutions.Com Blog: Real Life Illustration.
» US Department of Health & Human Services: Worker’s Compensation in the Consumer Market.
» Survey of State Worker’s Compensation Laws conducted by the US Department of Labor.