California workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate resource
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
California
businesses
What does workers’ compensation cover?
A standard workers’ comp policy covers four primary areas: medical expenses, lost wages, employer liability and ongoing rehabilitation. EverPeak policies ensure your crew gets the care they need to return to work safely while protecting your business from the costs of workplace accidents.
Medical care
Coverage for the necessary treatment resulting from a work-related injury or illness.
Lost wages
Partial pay for employees unable to work while recovering from an injury.
Legal protection
Financial support for your business if an employee files a lawsuit related to an accident.
Ongoing care
Rehabilitation and training to support employees re-enter the workforce, and ongoing benefits for permanent injuries.
Death benefits
Financial support for the families.
What are
California
's workers' comp laws?
California is known for its iconic landscapes, vibrant culture and innovative spirit. From the sun-soaked beaches of Southern California to the towering redwoods of the northern forests, the Golden State offers a breathtaking array of natural wonders.
Steeped in Hollywood glamour, Silicon Valley innovation and Central Valley agricultural richness, California is a hub for business opportunities. When it comes to safeguarding your business and employees, finding the right workers’ compensation insurance is essential.
What is workers' compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a state-mandated insurance program for employers with one or more employees. It’s designed to provide employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses with medical treatment and indemnity benefits.
Friends and family members engaging in employee labor are considered employees under California workers’ compensation law.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
California workers' compensation laws
The Division of Workers’ Compensation within the California Department of Industrial Relations administers the workers’ comp law in the state. The law requires employers with one or more employees to be covered by an active workers’ compensation insurance policy.
Workers’ comp coverage can be obtained through a partner like EverPeak Insurance. The Office of Self-Insurance Plans can approve self-insured requests based on financial requirements.
Employees can contact the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau to verify if their employer has coverage.
Who is covered and exempt from
California
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
Policies include protection for full and part-time employees.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in California may include, for example:
- Sole proprietors and business owners (excluding roofers)
- Workers who receive food and shelter as compensation
- Volunteer workers, including nonprofit volunteers
- Deputy sheriffs and deputy clerks
- Amateur sports officials
Covered injuries and illnesses
Workers' compensation covers a range of work-related injuries and illnesses, including physical injuries resulting from an accident and occupational diseases that may develop over time due to job conditions.
Benefits provided
California workers’ comp insurance provides three types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to get treatment
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent disability benefits
- Benefits for funeral expenses and surviving dependents
California workers’ compensation rates
The weekly compensation rate in California is 66 ⅔% of the employee’s average weekly wage, not to exceed or fall below a maximum and minimum amount set by the law.
Find more information on California’s disability rates.
How much does workers’ comp cost in
California
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
California
?
Filing a workers' compensation claim
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Step 1: Employee reports injury to employer
Employees in California should report their injury to their employer immediately but no later than 30 days from the accident.
Step 2: Seek medical care
The employee should immediately seek medical attention.
Step 3: Employer reports injury
Once notified of the injury, employers should file a report of the accident with their workers' compensation insurance partner within one working day.
Step 4: Receive benefits
If the workers’ compensation claim is accepted, an injured employee may begin to receive workers’ compensation benefits, such as lost wages and medical benefits.
Step 5: Return to work
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. If a work injury has left an injured employee unable to do any type of work, the employee might be entitled to permanent disability benefits.
Choosing a healthcare provider
In California, workers can predesignate a physician as their treating doctor if they notify their employer of their doctor’s name and address in writing before the workplace injury.
Some employers may use a medical provider network or healthcare organization. In this instance, the injured worker must receive treatment from a physician within the network or organization. If the employer does not use a medical provider network or healthcare organization, in most cases, the claims administrator can choose the initial treating physician.
Compensation for missed work
- Less than three days: They are not eligible for temporary disability payments.
- More than three but less than 14 days: They are eligible for lost time benefits beginning on the fourth day.
- More than 14 days: They are eligible for benefits retroactive to the first day they stopped work.
Resolving disputes
If an employee or employer wishes to dispute a claim, they can contact the Information and Assistance Unit for information concerning rights, benefits and obligations under California’s workers’ compensation law.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Generally, employers in California with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance or qualify for self-insurance. Compliance with this requirement is essential to protect both the employer and employees.
Choosing the right insurance provider
When selecting a workers' compensation insurance provider, consider factors such as the provider's experience in the industry, financial stability, coverage options, claims process, customer service, and cost.
We recommend requesting multiple quotes and comparing the offerings before making a decision.
Covering your business and employees with a trusted insurance partner — like EverPeak — brings peace of mind so you can focus on your bottom line.
FAQs
Enforcing safety protocols, providing proper employee training, maintaining a clean and hazard-free work environment, and regularly reviewing safety practices can significantly reduce workplace injuries.
Your premium is primarily determined by your industry payroll classifications, geographic location and total annual payroll. Your business’s safety history can also play a major role in determining your final rate. Three key factors influence your base insurance rate:
- Industry classification codes: Higher-hazard trades naturally carry higher baseline rates.
- Geographic location: Rates and statutory benefit structures fluctuate heavily by state lines.
- Historical safety record: Maintaining an accident-free workplace lowers your Experience Modification Rate (E-mod), resulting in built-in premium discounts.
Most states require businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance to stay compliant. Requirements vary by location, but having coverage ensures your business is protected and your team has access to benefits if an injury occurs.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage through the state’s online search tool.
Ideally, the incident should be reported immediately or within a few days of the occurrence. Prompt reporting helps ensures the necessary steps are taken to initiate the workers' compensation claims process.
Whether you need coverage for contractors depends entirely on your state’s specific regulatory definitions and formal worker classification tests. Since misclassification regulations are highly complex and can lead to severe audits or stop-work orders, it’s vital to ensure your entire labor force is properly verified and protected based on the actual day-to-day work they do.
Learn more: Do independent contractors need workers’ compensation?
In most cases, employees in Virginia are barred from suing their employers for work-related injuries or illnesses. The workers' compensation system provides an exclusive remedy, meaning that employees typically cannot file a lawsuit against their employers. Instead, they must pursue a workers' compensation claim to receive benefits for their injuries or illnesses.
In Virginia, employers who fail to procure or sustain the appropriate workers' compensation coverage for their employees may face civil fines of up to $250 per day of non-compliance. Failure to adhere to this requirement can reach a maximum of $50,000 in fines.
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that benefits employers and employees in the case of a work-related injury or illness.
Why choose EverPeak for workers’ comp coverage?
EverPeak protects the hardest-working businesses in (state) with simple, reliable workers’ comp starting as low as $18 a month. Backed by over a century of specialized experience, customers get multi-state coverage, fast and easy claims support, and a vast network of brokers.