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The A-Z guide to New Hampshire Workers' Comp

New Hampshire Workers’ Comp Laws

New Hampshire workers’ comp laws require workers’ comp coverage for every employee, both full-time and part-time, regardless of the number of employees. New Hampshire workers’ comp coverage protects employees and employers in cases of medical care and compensation if a worker is injured or falls ill while on the job. 

Worker’s compensation insurance in New Hampshire is a safety net that covers all employees under state law. It aims to protect workers by providing financial support if they get injured, harmed, fall ill, or become disabled while on the job. The insurance covers everyone, including family members, subcontractors, LLC members, and security officers.

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employee

Family members who work in the business must be covered by a policy.

Self-employed people who don't have workers do not need a policy

Is workers’ comp insurance required in New Hampshire?

Yes, workers’ compensation insurance is required for all employees in New Hampshire.

According to New Hampshire workers’ comp laws, family members like spouses, children, or parents who work for a business are considered employees, so they too would be covered under workers’ compensation insurance.

Do you need workers’ compensation coverage if you’re self-employed?

For self-employed workers in New Hampshire, workers’ compensation insurance is an elective. It isn’t mandatory, but it is recommended and is known as self-insurance.

For subcontractors and large groups of self-employed workers under New Hampshire workers’ comp laws, workers’ comp insurance will often be provided under contractual agreements to whichever company offers them a project and will continue for as long as the project is active. 

Who is exempt from New Hampshire workers’ comp requirements?

In New Hampshire, up to three owners, members, or executive officers can be excluded from workers' compensation coverage. However, exclusion is not automatic. The insurance company must submit the necessary paperwork to the Department of Labor to ensure these individuals are excluded.

Common types of workers in New Hampshire we can insure

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How much is workers’ comp coverage in New Hampshire?

Your specific New Hampshire workers’ comp rate will depend on the following factors:

  • The type of business you have
  • The size of your payroll
  • Your safety record
  • Claim history
workers comp policy cost

How can New Hampshire small business owners save money on workers' comp?

New Hampshire business owners can save money on workers' comp by following these steps:

  1. Classify Employees Correctly
    Make sure all your employees are classified based on their job roles. Misclassification can lead to higher costs.
  2. Implement a Safety Program
    Set up a safety program with regular training and a safety committee. A safer workplace means fewer accidents and lower costs.
  3. Create a Return-to-Work Program
    Develop a program that allows injured employees to do light-duty tasks as they recover. This helps reduce costs and lets employees earn wages while they heal.
  4. Establish a Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace
    Have a no-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. This reduces accidents and lowers workers' comp costs.
  5. Ask About Dividends
    After your insurance audit, ask about applying dividends to your policy. This can reduce your premiums.
  6. Monitor Claims
    Keep an eye on claims to improve your Experience Modification Rate (Ex-Mod). Fewer claims mean lower premiums.

By following these steps, New Hampshire businesses can cut their workers' comp costs and keep their workplaces safe.

How does workers’ comp work in New Hampshire?

In New Hampshire, workers' comp is a crucial part of protecting your business and employees. Here's how it works.

To get a workers' comp policy, you'll need to estimate your annual payroll. This estimate helps the insurance company calculate your premium for the year.

At the end of the year, the insurance company will audit your actual payroll. If your actual payroll was lower than the estimate, you'll get a refund. If it was higher, you'll need to pay the difference.

It's important to keep accurate payroll records throughout the year to avoid any surprises during the audit.

Workers' comp in New Hampshire covers medical expenses for work-related injuries or illnesses. It also provides coverage for lost wages if an employee can't work due to their injury. Additionally, it protects your business from lawsuits related to workplace injuries.

If an injury happens, you must report it to your insurance company, which will handle the claim costs. This ensures your business's financial stability, regardless of who was at fault for the injury.

What does workers’ comp cover in New Hampshire?

Workers who file a workers' comp claim in New Hampshire can receive benefits for the following:

workers comp covers medical bills

Medical bills

workers comp covers lost wages

Lost Wages

Workers' comp coverage also protects employers from legal action. This means that if an employee sues your business because of a workplace injury, the insurance will cover the legal costs of the case.

How to get workers’ comp insurance in New Hampshire

There are a couple of ways to obtain workers’ compensation insurance in New Hampshire, such as: 

  • You can purchase through an insurance agency like Kickstand Insurance, where we offer full coverage and customized plans to fit the needs of your business and employees. We ensure that you meet legal requirements to avoid non-compliance repercussions. 
  • Some businesses will either have a bad claims history or be in a very risky industry so regular insurance companies won’t want to cover them. These businesses will be able to get a policy from the New Hampshire State Insurance Fund. They assess your assigned risk and offer coverage based on where a business lands in the risk pool. 

What can happen if I don’t have workers’ comp insurance in New Hampshire?

Ignoring New Hampshire workers’ comp laws can have serious repercussions, such as: 

  • Initial non-compliance penalties up to $2,500.
  • Additional penalties of up to $100 per employee per day for every day without insurance
  • Personal liability for all expenses incurred by employee injuries or illnesses, like medical costs and lost wages

If penalties and fines have been doled out and a business still fails to comply with workers’ compensation insurance legalities, New Hampshire law could shut down the business for repeated non-compliance. 

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What are workers’ comp death benefits in NH?

If a worker dies while on the job, workers’ comp death benefits in New Hampshire include: 

  • Weekly wage-matched compensation paid out to surviving dependents. This continues until a widow or widower is remarried without children. If the worker had children, the payments would continue until a child reaches 18 years old. However, if the dependent is enrolled as a full-time student, the payments continue until 25 years old. 
  • Burial expenses up to $10,000. 

According to New Hampshire workers’ comp laws, dependents other than a spouse and children, compensation is available based on the level of dependency. An employee enrolled in workers’ compensation can choose the beneficiaries of their insurance in the event of their passing while at work. 

How do workers’ comp settlements work in NH?

Workers’ compensation insurance settlements in New Hampshire typically result in lump sums, which is a one-time payment to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs due to injury or illness. 

Sometimes an agreement can be met between an employee and an employer where compensatory payments are weekly, spread out until compensation runs dry. 

For employees, worker’s compensation payments are non-taxable income. However, the employer may be subject to federal income taxes based on the injured worker’s wages and workers’ comp checks. 

What are the statutes of limitations regarding workers’ comp in NH?

To make a claim for workers’ compensation in New Hampshire, an employee has two years from the date of their injury, at which time the employer will make a First Report of Injury. For illnesses, if an injury is gradual, the employee must provide notice on the date they experience symptoms to link possible damage to a place of employment. 

Under New Hampshire workers’ comp laws, disability, rehabilitation, death benefits, or medical expenses, an employee or an employee’s beneficiary has three years from the date of injury or death to file a claim. However, as of 1994, appeals to compensation claims must be made within 18 months of receiving notice of a denial. 

How do I get a workers’ comp insurance policy with Kickstand Insurance?

Start by filling out a short online form about your business. We’ll use that info to get you an estimated quote. Then, one of our experienced agents will contact you to review the quote and make sure you are getting the absolutely lowest rate possible for your business. Once the quote is finalized, you’re ready to buy the policy - often with coverage starting that day!

Learn more about Workers' Comp in New Hampshire

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