Workers' compensation insurance pays for an employee's medical care, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of lost wages when they are injured or become ill because of their job. In Idaho, virtually every business with one or more employees is required to carry it. Failing to do so exposes you to stop-work orders, fines, and direct liability for the full cost of any claim out of pocket. Beyond the legal requirement, it also protects the employer from most personal-injury lawsuits an injured worker might otherwise file.

Bittick places workers' comp with multiple carriers across our licensed states, CA, CO, ID, NV, OR, TX, VA, and WA, so we can match your class codes, payroll structure, and loss history to the market that prices your risk fairly.

Prevent injuries before they happen and manage claims when they do.

Your workers' compensation program is only as strong as your loss prevention practices and claims management. We help you build both.

Illustrated scene depicting the risks Workers Compensation Insurance protects against, with hotspot markers highlighting each scenario.

The risk

How this coverage helps

What this coverage includes

Medical bills and treatment costs

When a worker gets hurt on the job, workers' comp pays the medical bills directly related to that injury, including emergency care, surgery, prescriptions, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments. There is no deductible the employee has to meet first. In Idaho, the worker selects a provider from the employer's posted panel of physicians. Getting this detail right from day one avoids disputes about which bills the policy owes.

Lost-wage replacement

If an injury keeps an employee off the job for more than five days in Idaho, workers' comp steps in to replace a portion of their wages, typically 67 percent of the average weekly wage up to a state-set maximum. Payments continue through the recovery period, and a separate permanent-disability benefit applies if the injury leaves lasting impairment. This keeps your employee financially stable while they heal, which helps them actually come back.

Employer's liability coverage

Standard workers' comp policies in Idaho include an employer's liability section, sometimes called Part Two. If an employee or a family member files a civil lawsuit over a workplace injury, this part of the policy covers your legal defense costs and any judgment up to the policy limit. It is the layer between a compensable injury claim and a much more expensive courtroom fight.

Death benefits and funeral expenses

If a workplace fatality occurs, the policy pays a death benefit to the worker's dependents and contributes toward funeral costs. In Idaho, the death benefit is calculated as a percentage of the deceased worker's wage, paid to qualifying dependents for a defined period. It does not make a family whole, but it provides immediate financial support at the worst possible time.

Occupational illness claims

Not every workers' comp claim starts with a single accident. A roofer in the Treasure Valley who develops heat exhaustion over a long summer, a landscaper exposed to herbicide runoff, or a shop worker with repetitive-stress damage in their wrists can all file occupational illness claims. Workers' comp covers conditions that develop over time because of job duties, not just sudden injuries.

Pairs well with

General Liability Insurance

Workers' comp covers your employees; general liability covers third parties, customers, vendors, or bystanders who are injured or whose property is damaged because of your business operations. Most lenders and general contractors require both.

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Business Owners Policy (BOP)

A BOP bundles general liability and commercial property into one policy. For many small businesses, pairing a BOP with a standalone workers' comp policy is the most efficient way to get broad protection without duplicating coverage.

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Commercial Auto Insurance

If an employee is injured in a vehicle accident while driving for work, workers' comp covers the bodily injury side, but a separate commercial auto policy covers vehicle damage and third-party liability. You need both if employees drive for business.

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Employers Practice Liability Insurance (EPLI)

Workers' comp does not cover employment disputes such as wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment claims. EPLI fills that gap and is worth considering once you have a payroll of any meaningful size.

Umbrella / Excess Liability Insurance

A severe employer's liability judgment can exceed the limits on a standard workers' comp policy. A commercial umbrella adds a higher layer of protection over your underlying liability limits across multiple policies.

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Frequently asked questions

Is workers' compensation insurance required in Idaho?
Yes. Idaho law requires nearly every employer with one or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. The requirement applies to full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers. Sole proprietors and corporate officers can sometimes exempt themselves, but employees cannot be excluded. Operating without coverage can result in stop-work orders and personal liability for claim costs.
How much does workers' compensation insurance cost for an Idaho small business?
Premiums are calculated by multiplying your payroll by a class-code rate set for your type of work, then adjusting for your business's own claims history. A low-risk office payroll costs far less per hundred dollars than a roofing or excavation payroll. Bittick shops your account across multiple carriers to find the rate that reflects your actual operations and safety record, not just a generic industry bucket.
What injuries does workers' comp actually cover?
Workers' comp covers injuries and illnesses that arise out of and in the course of employment. That includes sudden accidents like falls, cuts, and burns, vehicle accidents during work hours, repetitive-motion injuries that develop over time, and occupational illnesses caused by exposure to chemicals, dust, or extreme conditions on the job. Injuries sustained during a personal errand or while commuting to and from work are generally not covered.
Can an employee sue me even if I have workers' comp?
In most situations, workers' comp is the exclusive remedy, meaning an employee who accepts workers' comp benefits gives up the right to sue you for the same injury. However, there are exceptions, including claims involving intentional acts or third-party liability. The employer's liability section of your workers' comp policy covers your legal defense costs and any judgment if a covered lawsuit does get filed.
Does workers' comp cover independent contractors?
Generally, no. Workers' comp covers employees, not independent contractors. But misclassifying an employee as a contractor is a serious compliance risk in Idaho. If the state determines a worker was actually an employee, you could owe back premiums and be held liable for their injury costs. Bittick can help you think through your worker classification before it becomes an audit issue.
Do you help businesses in Texas with workers' comp too?
Yes. Our San Antonio office serves employers across the San Antonio metro and broader Texas market. Texas is unique in that workers' comp is not mandatory for most private employers, but carrying it has significant legal advantages, including limiting your exposure to tort lawsuits from injured workers. We can walk through the tradeoffs for your specific Texas business.

Get Workers' Comp Coverage That Fits Your Payroll and Workforce

Tell us about your business and we will shop the market to find the right policy at the right price.

Don't like forms? Contact us at 208-609-3511 or email us.