Workers’ compensation insurance, sometimes called workman’s compensation insurance, workers’ liability insurance or workers’ comp insurance, covers your employees’ medical expenses and at least some portion of their lost wages if they are injured on the job.
Most states require employers to purchase workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. A few states have “pools” of insurance that is available for you to purchase, but in most states, employers must find private workers’ compensation policies.
Because workers’ comp insurance is mandated by law, small-business owners often think that it is just one more overhead expense that provides little benefit. But good workers’ compensation insurance is actually an affordable benefit that protects both you and your employees.