Virginia 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 Virginia?

Are you a Virginia business owner with three or more part-time or full-time employees? If the answer is yes, Virginia law requires you to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Your employees are entitled to receive benefits for workplace-related injuries and illnesses under Virginia workers’ compensation law as your employee did not cause an accident intentionally. Workers’ comp can help business owners if they experience an injury while on the job, and it provides important liability protection.

Virginia workers’ compensation insurance helps pay for expenses related to job-related injuries, including:

  •  Medical expenses
  •  Lost wages
  •  Vocational training if the employee is unable to perform his or her previous job
  •  Permanent disability benefits
  •  Death benefits

Once you have a policy in place, you must post a notice where your employees will see it at your business that shows you have coverage.

Unlike healthcare insurance, you cannot share the costs of workers’ compensation insurance in Virginia with your employees or deduct the cost from their wages.

As a business owner, you are fully responsible for the insurance premium. If you purchase coverage with NEXT Insurance you have the option to pay monthly or annually.

How does Workers’ Compensation work in Virginia?

There are typically more than 40,000 workers’ compensation claims in Virginia each year, According to the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Having proper workers’ compensation insurance coverage protects your workers who suffer injuries on the job and protects your business from the impact of potential claims. Without coverage, you could be forced to pay for related expenses out of pocket.

In fact, even if you are a self-employed business owner with no employees but hire contractors to perform work for you, Virginia workers’ compensation requirements still apply. For example, if you are a general contractor and you hire a plumbing company as a subcontractor, you will have to maintain workers’ compensation insurance for the plumbing company’s employees that work on that job, even if the company already carries its own workers’ compensation insurance.

An injured worker can obtain coverage for acute injuries, like a broken leg or wrist, and for injuries that might worsen over time, such as a spinal injury due to repetitive movements on the job.

For example, if one of your employees suffers a major back injury while lifting heavy boxes, your policy can help pay for the employee’s medical bills and a portion of his or her lost wages if the employee is unable to return to work for an extended period of time.

When one of your employees is injured on the job, you have 10 days to report it to your insurance carrier and the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.

The benefits of buying Virginia Workers’ Comp insurance

There are three main types of workers’ compensation benefits in Virginia:

Medical benefits

If an employee suffers a temporary disability as a result of a job-related accident, such as a broken leg after slipping on ice, workers’ compensation insurance  can help pay for medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.

Lifetime medical benefits kick in for injuries that may have long-term or lifetime impacts. An example might be lung disease caused by long-term exposure to chemicals on a construction site. In this case, the insurance provider will pay for an impacted employee’s medical expenses now and into the future up to the policy limits.

Wage-loss replacement benefits

An employee may be eligible for wage-loss replacement benefits if a workplace injury prevents him or her from:

  • Working for a period of time
  • Working at the same occupation

For example, an employee who operates heavy equipment might file a wage-loss replacement claim due to a back injury that prevents her from performing her regular job.

When an employee files a wage-loss claim, the insurance company pays up to the policy limit for lost wages if the employee has to miss more than seven consecutive days of work.

If the employee qualifies for wage-loss compensation benefits, Virginia workers’ compensation rates allow her to receive 66% of her weekly pay up to a maximum of about $1,100 per week as long as the employee receives medical treatment.

When you purchase coverage with Next Insurance, we strive to make claims decisions within 48 hours so your employees have the financial safety net they need and you can get back to focusing on your business.

Workers’ Comp death benefits in Virginia

If an employee dies because of a job-related injury or illness, Virginia workers’ compensation covers up to $10,000 in burial expenses. Surviving dependents will also receive up to 66% of the employee’s average weekly wage.

How much does Workers’ Comp insurance cost in Virginia?

Many factors affect the cost of workers’ comp coverage. Virginia rates vary based on the following:

  • The industry your business is in
  • How many employees you have
  • Your total payroll
  • 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, such as commercial construction, you’ll likely pay more than a business owner working in retail sales or e-commerce, for example.

How to apply for Workers’ Comp insurance

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

After you provide basic information about your business and complete your online application, we’ll provide you with your coverage options. Select the policy that’s right for you, 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 that are important in Virginia

Workers’ compensation can help protect your business from expenses related to workplace injuries, but it’s not the only type of protection you need. Here are three other types of Virginia business insurance 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 to someone other than an employee or damaging 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 or professional negligence that adversely affects their business. This coverage is called errors and omissions insurance in some industries.



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.

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* 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.
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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.