Am I required to carry workers comp insurance in SC?

[delrico]

I'm hiring my first employees. Initially I will just hire 2. I looked on the workers compensation commission website and on there it says that workers comp is only required in South Carolina if you have 4 or more employees. Since I'm going to have 2 I should be good but do I need to file with them in any way to tell them that I do or do not carry workers comp? Do I need to file or is it just on an inspection basis or something?

[smid]

You aren't required to carry it - however, you're still "on the hook" for all medical bills and lost wages your employees might incur.

Additionally, if you don't carry workers comp, you're not "immune" from lawsuits regarding any injuries the employees might have. That means, you ALSO will have to pay them pain & suffering, and legal fees. Even a minor injury could bankrupt you.

Just because you don't have to carry it, doesn't mean you shouldn't.