Workers’ Compensation · Virginia & North Carolina

Workers’ comp insurance for Virginia and North Carolina employers.

If an employee is hurt on the job, workers’ compensation pays their medical bills and lost wages and protects your business from a lawsuit. Blue Ridge Insurance compares workers’ comp across several carriers so you get the right class codes and a fair rate.

Get a Workers’ Comp QuoteCall (434) 212-3300
State Requirements

Most employers with three or more employees must carry it.

Virginia requires workers’ compensation once you regularly have more than two employees, and part-time employees count toward that number. North Carolina requires it once you regularly employ three or more, counting full-time, part-time and family members working for pay. Corporate officers count toward North Carolina’s total even if they exclude themselves from coverage.

Your premium is driven by payroll and the class code assigned to each job. A misclassified employee can cost you for years, so we review class codes at every quote and renewal rather than carrying forward whatever was on the last policy.

North Carolina exceptions

  • Any employee exposed to radiation: required from one employee
  • Farms: generally exempt below 10 full-time, non-seasonal workers
  • Small sawmill and logging operations: limited exemptions
  • Domestic household workers: generally exempt
  • Sole proprietors, partners and LLC members: not counted, can elect coverage
What’s Covered

What workers’ comp pays for

Medical care

Treatment for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Lost wages

A portion of an employee’s income while they recover and can’t work.

Disability benefits

Benefits for temporary or permanent impairment from a workplace injury.

Death benefits

Support for an employee’s dependents after a fatal workplace accident.

Employer’s liability

Defense and damages if an employee sues the business over an injury.

Pay-as-you-go options

Some carriers bill on actual payroll, which eases cash flow and audit surprises.

Get a Quote

Start your workers’ comp quote.

Tick Business Insurance in the form. Payroll by job type and your current declarations page, if you have one, make the quote faster.

  • Class codes reviewed, not just copied
  • Virginia and North Carolina employers
  • Help preparing for payroll audits
Common Questions

Workers’ comp questions

Do part-time employees count?
Yes, in both Virginia and North Carolina. Part-time employees count toward the threshold. Tell us your headcount and we’ll confirm what applies to you.
I’m under the threshold. Do I still need workers’ comp?
Possibly. General contractors and many commercial contracts require proof of workers’ comp regardless of your headcount, and carrying it protects you if an employee is hurt.
What is a payroll audit?
Workers’ comp is priced on estimated payroll. After the policy year, the carrier checks actual payroll and adjusts the premium up or down. Accurate estimates and class codes keep that adjustment small.
Do I need to cover subcontractors?
If a subcontractor doesn’t carry their own workers’ comp, your policy may be charged for them at audit. Collecting their certificates of insurance protects you.
Can I cover myself as the owner?
Often, yes. Sole proprietors, partners and LLC members can usually elect to include themselves. We’ll walk through the cost and the trade-off.

Paying too much for workers’ comp?

Send us your current policy and we’ll check the class codes and compare carriers.

Get a QuoteCall (434) 212-3300