Workers’ comp coverage isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a smart way to protect your team and reduce business risk. If you need help securing a policy or confirming your obligations, Beyond is here to support you.
If you’re a New York employer looking to protect both your business and your team, you’re in the right place. At Beyond, we provide the essential information you need to understand how workers’ compensation works and how to stay compliant.
Simply put, purchasing workers’ compensation insurance is a win-win for both employers and employees. It provides injured employees with no-cost medical care and wage replacement when they’re unable to work, while helping protect employers from expensive legal costs and lawsuits that can arise from workplace injuries.
As of 2026, virtually all employers in New York State must provide workers’ compensation coverage for their employees—even if you have just one employee.
This includes employees who are:
Part-time, full-time, temporary, seasonal, casual/day labor
Leased or borrowed
Unpaid workers, including volunteers and family members
Household employers (domestic workers): Workers’ compensation coverage is required if a domestic worker is employed 40+ hours per week by the same employer (with specific rules for counting time).
Employers must also post a notice of coverage at their place(s) of business.
Some business structures may be exempt only when there are no employees beyond the owners/officers—for example, certain one- or two-person corporations that have no other employees (including day labor, leased/borrowed workers, volunteers, family members, or subcontractors).
Still unsure about your obligation? The New York Workers’ Compensation Board has detailed coverage-requirement pages by business type.
New York workers’ comp generally provides:
Medical Coverage
Covers necessary medical treatment for work-related injuries/illnesses.
Wage Replacement (Lost Wage Benefits)
New York has a 7-day waiting period:
7 days or less missed: typically no lost wage benefits
8–14 days missed: benefits start on the 8th day
15+ days missed: benefits may be paid from the first day missed
Survivor Benefits
If a workplace fatality occurs, funeral/memorial costs may be reimbursed up to:
$12,500 in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and Rockland
$10,500 in all other NYS counties
Employers can purchase workers’ comp through:
A private carrier, broker, or agent
The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) (a public carrier option)
Self-insurance (with state approval)
If you’re denied coverage in the open market, New York also references an Assigned Risk Plan administered via National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI).
Not carrying required workers’ comp coverage can trigger serious consequences, including:
Stop-Work Orders
A stop-work order requires the immediate stop of all business activities.
Criminal penalties
For five or fewer employees: misdemeanor, fine $1,000–$5,000
For more than five employees: class E felony, fine $5,000–$50,000
Employees
Must notify the employer within 30 days (sooner is better).
Employers
Must notify their insurer within 10 days when the injury/illness requires medical treatment beyond first aid or the worker loses at least one day (beyond the injury date).
Most employers will report via the insurer’s process, but the official employer report is the C-2F (Employer’s First Report of Work-Related Injury/Illness), which notes the 10-day requirement.
For more help, contact the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, or visit:
Workers’ comp coverage isn’t just a legal requirement—it’s a smart way to protect your team and reduce business risk. If you need help securing a policy or confirming your obligations, Beyond is here to support you.
