Is workers comp required in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers compensation. Owners, partners and corporate officers are treated under their own rules, and some workers such as certain agricultural or domestic employees may be handled differently.
Buying coverage in New Jersey
Workers comp in New Jersey is a competitive private market. Agents compare carriers that write your class of business, and an assigned-risk option exists for employers that private carriers decline.
Who sets the rules
The New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation oversees workers comp in New Jersey. Classifications and loss costs in New Jersey come from the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (CRIB), an independent rating organization, so codes and rules can differ from NCCI states.
What New Jersey employers should know
- New Jersey uses its own rating bureau, which publishes the state's classifications and experience rating rules.
- Contractors working in both New Jersey and New York should make sure each state is properly listed on the policy.
New Jersey also has Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance programs, which employers handle through the state plan or an approved private plan. See statutory disability coverage.
How premiums are calculated
Insurers in New Jersey price policies from payroll by classification, then apply your claims experience and any credits or debits. Keeping payroll estimates current avoids a large audit adjustment. Learn more about how workers comp rates work and preparing for an audit.
Industry guides for New Jersey employers
Contractor workers comp
Workers comp for general contractors and trades like roofing, electrical, plumbing and painting.…
Restaurant workers comp
Workers comp for restaurants, cafes, bars and caterers. Burns, cuts and slips, tipped payroll,…
Retail workers comp
Workers comp for retail shops, boutiques, convenience stores and specialty retailers. What it…
Small business workers comp
Workers comp for small businesses: when it is required, how premium works, pay-as-you-go billing…
New Jersey workers comp FAQ
Is workers comp required in New Jersey?
New Jersey generally requires all employers with one or more employees to carry workers compensation. Rules and exceptions change, so confirm your situation with the state agency or an agent.
Who oversees workers comp in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Division of Workers' Compensation administers the workers compensation system in New Jersey.
Can I buy New Jersey workers comp from a private insurer?
Yes. Private insurers write workers comp in New Jersey, and a market of last resort is available for businesses that are hard to place.
How is workers comp priced in New Jersey?
Classifications and loss costs in New Jersey come from the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau (CRIB), an independent rating organization, so codes and rules can differ from NCCI states. Insurers in New Jersey price policies from payroll by classification, then apply your claims experience and any credits or debits. Keeping payroll estimates current avoids a large audit adjustment.