Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Contractors & Small Businesses

Workers Compensation Insurance for Contractors and Business Owners in Georgia and South Carolina

If a general contractor is requiring proof of Workers Comp before letting you on a job site, you are in the right place. We have been helping contractors and small business owners across Clayton County, Gwinnett County, Rockdale County, and York County get their Workers Comp policies in place quickly and without complications since 2010. Call us at 770-960-8803 and we can help you today.

What Georgia Law Requires

In Georgia, any business that regularly employs three or more people — full-time, part-time, or seasonal — is required by law to carry Workers Compensation insurance. If your business is incorporated or structured as an LLC, corporate officers and members count toward that threshold even if they choose to exempt themselves from coverage.

Sole proprietors and partners are not considered employees under Georgia law, so Workers Comp is not legally required if you work alone with no employees. That said, most general contractors will still require it as a condition of working on their projects — regardless of whether you have employees or not. For contractors in that situation, there are policy structures that allow you to meet the requirement while keeping your costs reasonable. We will walk you through your options.

Working Solo Does Not Always Mean You Are Off the Hook

This is one of the most common situations we see. A contractor calls us thinking they do not need Workers Comp because they have no employees — and they are right from a legal standpoint. But the general contractor they are working for requires it anyway as a condition of the contract. We handle this regularly and can get you covered quickly so you do not lose the job.

Employees vs. Subcontractors — A Distinction That Matters

One of the most important and misunderstood areas of Workers Comp is the difference between an employee and a 1099 subcontractor — and the distinction carries real financial consequences.

When you hire someone as a direct employee, they are part of your payroll and factor into your policy cost. When you bring in another contractor who works independently — a 1099 — that person should carry their own Workers Comp and their own General Liability policy. If they do not, and something happens on the job, your policy could be affected.

Insurance carriers audit this. If a carrier finds subcontractors who were working on your jobs without their own coverage, they can reclassify those workers under your policy — and your premium can increase significantly. We always recommend collecting a Certificate of Insurance from every subcontractor before they start working with you.

Fase Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency. We do not perform policy audits or provide legal or accounting guidance on worker classification. For specific guidance, please consult a licensed attorney or accountant.

What Workers Comp Can Cover

If one of your employees is injured on the job, a Workers Comp policy can help cover medical expenses, a portion of their lost wages while they recover, rehabilitation costs, and in the most serious cases, disability benefits or death benefits for their family. Without coverage, those costs fall directly on you as the business owner — and a single serious accident can have consequences that are difficult to recover from financially.

Certificates of Insurance

Once your policy is active, we can provide your Certificate of Insurance promptly. That is the document your general contractor needs before you can start work. We process them quickly so you are never held up waiting on paperwork. If your subcontractors need their own certificates, send them our way — we will take care of them just as fast.

Your Work Vehicles Need the Right Coverage Too

If you are driving a truck or van to job sites, your personal auto policy likely does not cover you while that vehicle is being used for work. Visit our Commercial Auto page to learn about coverage built for work vehicles. We can handle both policies together so everything is in order from the start.

Building a Business? We Can Help With More Than Insurance

Many of our clients started out as solo contractors and have grown into full businesses over the years. If you are on that path, we can also help you set up your LLC or corporation, manage your bookkeeping, and prepare your taxes as a self-employed contractor. Everything in one place, with a team that understands how your business actually works.

Serving Contractors Across the Southeast

Our offices are in Jonesboro, Lilburn, and Conyers in Georgia, and in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We also serve contractors and business owners in Alabama and Tennessee by phone — including the construction and trades communities in Birmingham, Huntsville, Albertville, and Decatur in Alabama, and Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville in Tennessee.

Our team is bilingual and ready to help in English and Spanish. Si prefieres hablar en español, estamos aquí para ayudarte.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Workers Comp if I work alone?
Not by law in Georgia if you have no employees. But most general contractors require it as a condition of working on their projects regardless. Call us and we will find the right policy structure for your situation.

What happens if a subcontractor working for me gets hurt and does not have their own coverage?
Your policy could be affected. Always collect a Certificate of Insurance from every subcontractor before they start work. We can help you build that habit into how you run your business.

How quickly can I get a certificate of insurance?
We process certificates promptly once your policy is active. Call us at 770-960-8803 and we will get it taken care of.

Do you serve contractors in Alabama and Tennessee?
Yes. We are licensed in both states and handle everything by phone. No office visit required.

Get Your Free Quote

Do not let the lack of a Workers Comp certificate cost you a contract. Call us at 770-960-8803, stop by any of our offices, or reach out online. We will get you covered quickly and make sure your policy is structured correctly for how you actually work.

Workers Compensation requirements, terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits vary by state, carrier, and policy. Coverage is subject to the terms of the applicable insurance policy. Worker classification as employees or independent contractors has legal, tax, and insurance implications. This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Please speak with a licensed agent at Fase Insurance Group to determine the coverage appropriate for your specific business and situation.