Arizona Workers’ Compensation Insurance

You can save up to 25% in discounts on business insurance.*

Workers’ Compensation can help pay for:

Medical expenses

Medical expenses

Includes examinations, treatments and rehabilitation.

Lost wages

Lost wages

Gives employees time to recover from an injury before returning to work.

Retraining

Retraining

Helps employees who need to learn skills and enter a new field.

Permanent injury

Permanent injury

Provides benefits for employees who can no longer work due to injury.

Is Workers’ Compensation insurance required in Arizona?

Are you an Arizona business owner with one or more part-time or full-time employees? If the answer is yes, you’re required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Under Arizona workers’ compensation law, employees are entitled to receive benefits for job-related injuries and occupational illnesses, no matter who is responsible, as long as the employee didn’t intentionally cause the accident.

After purchasing a policy, you must post a notice at your business — typically in an employees-only area — that shows you have coverage.

Unlike healthcare insurance, you can’t share the cost of workers’ comp insurance with your employees. You’re responsible for paying 100% of the premium, which can be paid monthly or annually when you purchase coverage with Next Insurance.

Benefits of having Arizona Workers’ Comp insurance

More than 90,000 workers’ compensation claims are filed in Arizona every year1. Having proper coverage not only protects your workers, it protects your business from the impact of potential claims. Workers’ comp insurance helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages after work-related accidents if you or an employee get hurt.

For example, if one of your employees, slips, falls and breaks a leg, your policy can help pay for the employee’s medical bills and a portion of their lost wages if they’re unable to return to work for an extended period of time.

If one of your employees is injured on the job, you have 10 days to report it to your insurance carrier and the Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA).

What is the penalty for not having Workers’ Compensation in Arizona?

Unlike most other types of insurance, you could face fines if you have employees and don’t have an active workers’ comp policy in Arizona. That’s because it provides coverage that offers important protection for the workers who are helping your business.

If you have a lapse in coverage, you also run the risk of an employee lawsuit if someone gets hurt. In that case, you would be paying for related expenses out of pocket.

Without coverage, your employees can either file a lawsuit against you or file a claim with the ICA if they get hurt on the job. If they file a claim with the ICA, you could be responsible for paying the injured worker’s medical expenses and lost wages, and an added penalty of 10% of that amount or $1,000, whichever is larger.

Not worried because you’re in a low-risk industry? Even if no claims are filed against you, the ICA can order you to shut down your business until you have proper coverage. And you could face a fine of $1,000 for being uninsured.

If the ICA finds that you’re uninsured twice within five years, the fine increases to $5,000, and it goes up to $10,000 the third time you’re uninsured in five years.2

Even if the chances of your workers getting sick or injured are low, the benefits of having a policy outweigh the risks of not having one. Not only does it protect the health of your employees, it helps protect your bottom line.

Who is exempt from Workers’ Compensation in Arizona?

There are more than 550,000 small businesses in Arizona, and most of them have more than one employee.3 However, not all of them have workers’ comp coverage due to a few exemptions.

If you’re a sole proprietor, you don’t need to maintain workers’ compensation coverage for yourself.

Although, you may want to consider it, in case you get hurt at work. For example, if you’re an interior designer and hurt your back moving furniture, a workers’ comp policy may help pay your medical bills while you’re recovering.

You don’t need workers’ comp insurance if you only work with independent contractors who aren’t employees of your business. And you don’t need to maintain coverage for domestic helpers who work in your home.

What does Workers’ Compensation cover in Arizona?

Arizona workers’ compensation insurance helps pay for expenses related to workplace injuries, including:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Vocational training if you’re unable to perform your previous job
  • Permanent disability benefits
  • Death benefits

Coverage is available for acute injuries, such as falls, and injuries that may gradually worsen over time, such as carpal tunnel.

Medical claims

For a medical claim, your insurance provider pays only for medical expenses, such as treatment and prescriptions. It doesn’t provide compensation for lost wages. All medical bills are paid up to the policy limit until the doctor releases the patient from treatment.

Time-lost claims

When a time-lost claim is filed, the insurance company pays for medical expenses and lost wages if the employee has to miss more than seven consecutive days of work because of their injury or illness.

If the employee misses 8-13 days of work, they won’t be compensated for the first seven days. But if they miss more than 14 days, they’ll be compensated for all time missed beginning on the date of the injury. The employee will receive 66% of their monthly pay up to a maximum of about $3,2594 for as long as they’re actively receiving treatment from a doctor.

When you purchase coverage with Next Insurance, we strive to make claims decisions within 48 hours so you can move forward and get back to focusing on your business.

Permanent disability benefits

If an employee’s condition stabilizes but they haven’t fully recovered, they may be eligible for permanent compensation based on the type of injury they sustained.

Under Arizona workers’ compensation laws, compensation injuries ranges from 50% to 75% of the employee’s average monthly wage. The amount and length of time a person can receive benefits varies based on the injury.

If they’re able to work but earn less than what they were earning before they were injured, they’ll receive 55% of the difference between their previous average monthly wage and what they’re estimated to earn.5

Arizona Workers’ Comp death benefits

If an employee dies because of a job-related injury or illness, workers’ compensation covers up to $5,000 in burial expenses. Plus, surviving dependents will receive up to 66%6 of the employee’s average monthly wage.

How much does Workers’ Comp insurance cost in Arizona?

Many factors affect the cost of coverage. Arizona workers’ compensation rates vary based on:

  • The industry your business is in
  • How many employees you have
  • The amount of risk you and your employees are exposed to
  • Your insurance claims history

If you have a business in an industry where work-related accidents are more common, you’ll likely pay more than a business owner with a business in a lower risk industry.

How to apply for workers’ compensation in Arizona

NEXT Insurance offers a painless and seamless option to quickly get the workers’ comp coverage you need.

After you complete your online application, we’ll provide you with your coverage options. Select the policy that’s right for, pay your premium and get immediate access to your certificate of insurance. The whole process only takes about 10 minutes.

We’re 100% dedicated to small businesses and the self-employed. If you have questions, our licensed U.S.-based insurance advisors are ready and waiting to help.

Start your instant quote today.

Other business insurance policies to consider

Workers’ compensation can help protect your business from expenses related to workplace injuries and illness, but it’s not the only type of protection you need. Here are three other types of insurance for Arizona businesses you may want to consider:
We typically recommend:
General Liability
General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance is typically the first type of insurance business owners buy. It can help protect your business if someone accuses you of causing an injury or damaging their property. If you are a contractor or own a cleaning business you can add tools and equipment insurance to protect your gear.



Commercial Auto
Commercial Auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance is similar to your personal auto insurance. But instead of covering your personal vehicles, it covers vehicles used for your business.



Errors & Omissions
Professional Liability insurance (E&O)

Professional liability insurance covers you if a customer accuses you of making a mistake that adversely affects their business.



Get customized insurance wherever you do business

Learn more about workers’ compensation insurance options in the state where you work.

Customer reviews

I am so excited
I am totally excited about my new insurance for my small business. I am happy that the price was in a range that I can afford, the terms were easy to understand and it was so simple to purchase my first policy. I look forward to doing business with you in the future.
Curzella J.
Easiest insurance purchase – EVER!
I was looking around trying to compare insurance and I am so lucky I found NEXT. I was able to compare levels of coverage, and all the options, without pressure from a salesperson or time limits. I was able to check out prices and it was more coverage for less than the “traditional” company I looked at.
Michael W.
Happy small business owner!
I needed liability insurance for my new small business brick & mortar location. I got the run around from another company, but NEXT provided a competitive insurance quote in a timely manner. I now have the insurance that I need and it was stress-free!
Nicole E.

Let’s find the coverage you need for your business

Business insurance is divided into different policies. We offer seven types so it's easy to design the coverage that fits your business.

General Liability insurance
General Liability

Protect yourself from accidents that cause physical injury or damaged property.

Professional Liability or Error and Omissions Insurance
Professional Liability/E&O

Shield yourself from lawsuits that claim your work errors caused financial losses.

Workers' Compensation Insurance
Workers’ Compensation

Cover medical bills and lost wages if your employees have an accident at work.

Commercial Auto Insurance
Commercial Auto

Stay on the road with coverage for dents, tows and damage to someone else’s vehicle.

Tools & Equipment Insurance
Tools & Equipment

Upgrade your general liability coverage to protect any gear that’s stolen, damaged or lost.

Commercial Property Insurance
Commercial Property

Keep your building, inventory and equipment protected from fire or water damage.

Business Owner’s Policy Insurance
Business Owner’s Policy

Combine general liability and commercial property into one policy to protect your business.

Check Out Our Blog
Does a sole proprietor need Workers' Compensation insurance?
Protect

Does a sole proprietor need Workers' Compensation insurance?

Arizona general contractor license and insurance requirements
Start

Arizona general contractor license and insurance requirements

Workers’ Compensation laws every business owner should know
Grow

Workers’ Compensation laws every business owner should know

* To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten, not all applicants may qualify. Individual rates and savings vary and are subject to change. Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only.
What we cover
Chat with Us

Mon – Fri | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT

FacebookYoutubeLinkedinTwitter
© 2023 Next Insurance, Inc. 975 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
Better Business Bureau
Issuance of coverage is subject to underwriting. Not available in all states. Please see the policy for full terms, conditions and exclusions. Coverage examples are for illustrative purposes only. Your policy documents govern, terms and exclusions apply. Coverage is dependent on actual facts and circumstances giving rise to a claim. Next Insurance, Inc. and/or its affiliates is an insurance agency licensed to sell certain insurance products and may receive compensation from insurance companies for such sales. Policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the issuing insurance company. Refer to Legal Notices section for additional information.