Who is required by law to have workers compensation insurance?

[curney13]

My husband is starting up a company in Georgia and he will be the one and only employee. He's a wood finisher. (painter)

[rushford79]

It depends on your state laws. Most states will not require it for him as a sole proprietor but it is a really good idea. Also, if he ever hires one person, he will likely be required to have it. What if he falls off a ladder & breaks something? He will be out of work a good long time & what will you use for income? He may have good health insurance but that will only pay the medical bills, not his loss of income. The homeowner/building owner will likely not be liable if your husband just injured himself in the course of the work & the homeowner/building owner did nothing wrong.
Go to the agent who writes his general liability/commercial auot policy & ask for a quote.

[porter]

Not required by law. If he is the sole proprietor, and worker.

[aviya]

when you reach 5 employees

[jolie]

If he is sole proprietor and has no employees, he doesn't need it. If he has any employees, he does.

[ryscford]

It all depends on your state, but in TN, if you have 1 employee besides the owner, you're required by law to carry workers' comp. Georgia should have a state website that will inform you on all their laws.

[salvadore94]

Is he a sole proprietor, or a corporation with him as an employee?

It makes a huge difference.

[christie42]

It is a good idea to have workers compensation insurance, even if your husband is the owner and the only employee of the business. As for is it mandatory, you have to check the state law. It's different state by state.