New Hampshire Workers' Compensation Insurance
Everything you need to know about workers' comp in New Hampshire: when it's required, who's exempt, average rates, and how to get coverage in 60 seconds.
When is workers' comp required in New Hampshire?
Required for any employer with one or more employees.
Sole proprietor & partnership rules
Sole proprietors are exempt unless they elect.
Owner / corporate officer exclusion
Officers may be excluded.
New Hampshire-specific notes
New Hampshire allows election of coverage for sole props.
How much does workers' comp cost in New Hampshire?
The average workers' comp rate in New Hampshire is approximately $1.04 per $100 of payroll. Your actual rate depends on your industry class code, claims history, payroll size, and carrier.
Example: a New Hampshire business with $100,000 in payroll at the state average rate would pay approximately $1,040 per year. A clerical-only business (class code 8810) would pay much less; a roofing contractor (5551) would pay much more.
Want an exact rate for your business?
Class code rates vary widely. Get a free quote and we'll look up your exact New Hampshire rate for your industry.
Get My New Hampshire Quote →New Hampshire workers' comp by industry
Industry-specific rates, common class codes, and requirements for New Hampshire businesses:
Frequently asked — New Hampshire workers' comp
Do I need workers' comp if I have only one employee in New Hampshire?
Yes — New Hampshire requires workers' comp coverage starting with one employee.
Are 1099 contractors covered under my New Hampshire workers' comp policy?
Generally no — true independent contractors are not employees and not covered. However, New Hampshire (like most states) applies an "ABC test" or similar to determine if a 1099 worker is actually a misclassified employee. If they're misclassified, you may owe back premium and penalties. Many general contractors require their 1099 subs to carry their own workers' comp.
Can I get pay-as-you-go workers' comp in New Hampshire?
Yes — most major carriers offer pay-as-you-go workers' comp in New Hampshire, with premium based on actual payroll each pay period instead of a large upfront deposit.
What if I'm being audited by my New Hampshire workers' comp carrier?
Workers' comp audits often result in additional premium owed because of misclassified employees, missed payroll, or wrong class codes. We offer free audit reviews and can dispute incorrect classifications with your carrier. In many cases we save clients thousands.