State overview
Subcontractor insurance requirements by state: overview
Subcontractor insurance rules vary by state in three main ways: who must carry workers’ comp, how far a contractor is liable for a sub’s uninsured employees, and what limits apply to indemnity and additional insured clauses. We cover California, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Texas in detail. Pick your state below.
Not sure where your own subs stand? Paste your list and get a free gap report in two minutes.
Free COI auditWhat varies by state
- Workers’ comp rules. Who must carry it and who may opt out or file an exemption.
- Statutory employer rules. Whether a contractor can become responsible for a sub’s employees when the sub is uninsured.
- Indemnity and additional insured limits. Many states restrict how much risk a contract can shift to a sub.
- Lookup tools. Some states let you check workers’ comp or license status online.
State guides we have written
| State | Start here |
|---|---|
| California | California hub, workers’ comp exemption rules |
| Florida | Florida hub, statutory employer |
| Georgia | Georgia hub, statutory employer rule |
| New York | New York hub, Labor Law 240 and COIs |
| North Carolina | North Carolina hub, statutory employer rule |
| Texas | Texas hub, additional insured and indemnity |
If your state is not listed
Start with the general guides: verifying workers’ comp and licenses by state and what to ask subs for. Then check your state’s workers’ comp agency and contractor licensing board. Our contact page lets you tell us which state to cover next.
How we write state pages
State pages only state what we read in a primary source, such as statute text or an agency page. Laws change. Check the current version and ask a licensed attorney before relying on it.
Not legal or insurance advice. This is general information. Your contract, your state and your policy decide what applies to you. Ask your broker or attorney.
Frequently asked questions
Do subcontractor insurance requirements differ by state?
Yes. Workers’ comp rules, statutory employer liability, and limits on indemnity and additional insured clauses all vary.
Which states do you cover?
California, Florida, Georgia, New York, North Carolina and Texas so far.
Where can I check a sub’s workers’ comp in my state?
Some states offer online lookups. See our guide on verifying workers’ comp and licenses by state, then check your state agency’s website.
Keep reading
See your certificate gaps in two minutes
Paste your subcontractor list and get an instant report, or leave your email and phone and we will review it for you.