State-required for every California employer with one or more employees. We structure cost-effective WC programs tailored to your industry, payroll, and claims history — across 350+ carriers.
Operating without required coverage is a criminal offense. The California Labor Commissioner actively audits and enforces compliance across all industries.
What Workers' Comp Covers
California workers' compensation benefits are defined by state law. Here's what every policy must provide.
All reasonable and necessary medical care for work injuries — emergency care, doctor visits, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and prescriptions.
Wage replacement while unable to work due to injury — typically 60-70% of pre-injury average weekly wage up to California's maximum weekly benefit.
Compensation for lasting impairment resulting from a work injury. Calculated based on a disability rating from a treating physician under California's rating system.
If the employee cannot return to their previous job due to permanent injury, they receive a training/retraining voucher — up to $6,000 in California.
If a work injury results in death, California law requires payments to dependents. Burial expenses up to $10,000 plus ongoing dependency payments.
Workers' comp protects the employer from most employee injury lawsuits. The exclusive remedy rule generally prevents employees from suing in civil court.
California WC premiums follow a specific formula. Understanding each component helps you manage costs.
Each job type has an NCCI class code. Office workers (~$0.40/$100) cost far less than roofers (~$30/$100). Accurate classification is critical.
Your claims history vs. industry average. Below 1.0 saves money. Above 1.0 costs more. We review your e-mod for errors.
Safety programs, schedule credits, and broker-negotiated discounts can reduce premium 15-25%.
Final premium adjusts at year-end to actual payroll. Pay-as-you-go options eliminate large audit bills.
Experience Modification Factor
The experience modifier can reduce your premium by 25% or increase it by 30%+ based entirely on your claims history.
How to Improve Your E-Mod
Document safety training, conduct regular inspections, and maintain a written IIPP (required in California for all employers). Carriers reward documented programs with premium credits.
Modified or light-duty work for injured employees reduces temporary disability claim duration — the largest driver of claim costs and e-mod increases.
E-mod data can contain errors. We review your unit statistical report for misclassifications, incorrect payroll, or erroneous claims that may be inflating your modifier.
Open claims carry more e-mod weight than closed claims. Working to close claims promptly — through return-to-work or settlement — improves your modifier faster.
Misclassified employees in high-rate codes drive up premium unnecessarily. We review your class codes to ensure every employee is correctly classified.
By Industry
Every industry has different risks, class codes, and carriers. Select yours to see what matters most.
Serving All of California
Serving employers in every California county — from single-employee businesses to large multi-location operations.
FAQ
Yes. California Labor Code § 3700 requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers' comp — including part-time and seasonal workers. Operating without it is a criminal offense: fines up to $10,000, stop-work orders, and personal liability for all injury costs.
Formula: (Payroll ÷ 100) × Class Code Rate × Experience Modifier = Premium. Rates vary dramatically — office workers under $0.50/$100 to roofers over $30/$100. The experience modifier adjusts your premium up or down based on your claims history vs. industry average.
The e-mod multiplies your premium based on your actual claims vs. similar businesses. 1.0 is average. 0.80 saves 20% on premium. 1.25 adds 25%. California e-mods are calculated by the WCIRB. We review your unit stat report for errors that may be inflating your modifier.
Often yes. Under AB5, misclassified workers may be deemed employees, making you responsible for their coverage. Even properly classified independent contractors — if uninsured — can create liability if injured on your job site. Always require certificates of insurance from all subcontractors.
SCIF is California's state-operated workers' comp carrier. It's the insurer of last resort — available to any employer. For some high-risk industries or businesses with poor claims history, SCIF may be the best or only option. For most businesses, private carriers offer more competitive rates. We compare both.
Key strategies: implement a formal safety program and written IIPP, establish a return-to-work program, verify accurate employee class codes, review your e-mod for WCIRB errors, manage open claims aggressively, and shop 350+ carriers through Bollinsure. Premium reductions of 15-30% are achievable.
Immediately: get medical care, file a DWC-1 claim form within one working day of learning of the injury, report to your workers' comp carrier, and provide the employee their rights information. Prompt reporting is legally required in California and reduces claim costs — delays typically lead to higher claims and e-mod impact.
Major California WC carriers include ICW Group, The Hartford, Travelers, AmTrust, Markel, EMPLOYERS, Zenith National, and the State Compensation Insurance Fund. The right carrier depends on your industry, payroll, and claims history. Bollinsure compares 350+ markets to find the best combination of price and service.
Ready for a Better Rate?
We compare 350+ carriers to find the most competitive WC program for your payroll, industry, and claims history — with full e-mod review included.