New Hampshire workers' compensation insurance: Your ultimate resource
Everything to know about workers’ compensation for
New Hampshire
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
New Hampshire
's workers' comp laws?
Nestled in the northeastern corner of the United States, New Hampshire captivates with its picturesque landscapes, charming small towns and colonial heritage. From the peaks of the White Mountains to the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, the Granite State boasts a diverse terrain that reflects its unique character.
With industries like manufacturing, tourism and agriculture, the state provides ample opportunities for businesses to flourish. When it comes to protecting your business and employees, securing 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 benefits such as medical care and lost wages for employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses.
Family members and part-time workers are considered employees under New Hampshire workers’ compensation law.
Without workers’ compensation, the cost of a work-related injured or ill employee’s medical treatment could become the responsibility of your business.
New Hampshire workers' compensation laws
The New Hampshire Department of Labor is responsible for administering the workers’ comp law in New Hampshire. 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 provider like EverPeak Insurance. The Workers’ Compensation Division can approve self-insured requests based on financial requirements.
Employees can verify online if their employer has coverage.
Who is covered and exempt from
New Hampshire
workers' comp?
Who is covered?
Policies include protection for full and part-time employees.
Some exemptions from workers’ comp in New Hampshire include:
- Sole proprietors
- Partners
- Self-employed persons
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 developed over time due to job conditions.
Benefits provided
New Hampshire workers’ comp insurance provides four types of benefits for work injuries:
- Medical benefits
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Other financial benefits
- Medical treatment for work-related accidents, injuries and/or illnesses
- Temporary disability benefits
- Permanent impairment award
- Benefits for funeral expenses and surviving dependents
- Cost of living adjustment
- Vocational rehabilitation
New Hampshire workers’ compensation rates
The weekly compensation rate in New Hampshire is 60% of the employee’s average weekly wage based on their wages 26 weeks prior to the injury. This amount is not to exceed or fall below a maximum and minimum rate determined by the state.
Find more information on New Hampshire workers’ compensation benefit rates
How much does workers’ comp cost in
New Hampshire
?
How do you file a workers’ compensation claim in
New Hampshire
?
Filing a workers' compensation claim
In the event of a work-related injury or illness:
Step 1: Employee reports injury to employer
Employees in New Hampshire should report their injury to their employer right away.
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 within five days to their workers' compensation insurance carrier.
Step 4: Receive benefits
If an employer’s insurance provider accepts the claim, the worker may begin receiving benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Step 5: Return to work/permanent disability benefits
Following their recovery, a worker is expected to resume work safely. In case of total disability where the employee is unable to engage in gainful employment and the employee has reached maximum medical improvement, permanent benefits may be payable to the employee during the continuance of such total disability.
Choosing a healthcare provider
In New Hampshire, the injured worker can choose their treating doctor. They also have the right to get a second opinion. In most cases, the injured worker can select any doctor, but some workers’ compensation carriers have a managed care system where the worker must choose from a list of doctors.
Payment of medical bills
The employer’s workers’ compensation insurer has 30 days to pay or deny a medical bill once it receives a receipt of the invoice.
Compensation for missed work
If an employee is out of 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 New Hampshire Department of Labor for assistance.
How to get workers' compensation
Insurance requirements for employers
Employers in New Hampshire 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.