TN · Childcare & Daycare · NCCI state

Childcare & Daycare workers compensation in Tennessee

Tennessee is an NCCI loss-cost state, so class-by-class Childcare & Daycare rates are available only via NCCI subscription, not in public filings. As a national reference, Childcare & Daycare workers comp runs a median of $4.46 per $100 of payroll, with a range of $1.89 to $4.72 across reporting states. Tennessee caps weekly benefits at $1,427 with a 1-year statute of limitations. Verified 2026-05-09.

National median $4.46
Rate authority NCCI
Max weekly benefit $1,427

Childcare & Daycare rate context for Tennessee

Tennessee does not publish class-by-class loss costs publicly, but Childcare & Daycare rates from comparable reporting states give you a useful planning range. Use the national rate range below as a baseline; your actual quote depends on payroll size, loss history, and your specific NCCI class code.

Childcare & Daycare class code Typical occupation National median National range
9059 Day care $4.46 $1.89 - $4.72
Why no per-state rates here? Tennessee is an NCCI state where loss-cost data is published only to NCCI subscribers, not in public state insurance department filings. The class codes above use the same NCCI nomenclature, but your binding rate comes from your carrier's filed loss cost multiplier (LCM) applied to those base loss costs.

Tennessee compliance for Childcare & Daycare employers

Coverage threshold

Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries.

1099 vs W-2 in Childcare & Daycare

Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, often based on control and economic dependence.

Owner exclusion

Allowed in Tennessee. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.

Max weekly benefit

$1,427 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-07-01.

Statute of limitations

1 year from injury date in Tennessee.

Audit window

Tennessee carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Keep Childcare & Daycare payroll segregated by class code and have job-duty documentation ready.

Cross-cite: full Tennessee workers comp overview · Childcare & Daycare cross-state rate comparison · Tennessee workers comp lawyer guide · Tennessee settlement chart

Estimate your Childcare & Daycare premium in Tennessee

Pre-filled to Childcare & Daycare and Tennessee. Adjust payroll to see a real premium range from filed rates.

Estimate your workers comp premium

Pick your industry, state, and annual payroll. Range comes from real rate filings.

Filing checklist for Childcare & Daycare businesses in Tennessee

  1. Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold

    Employers with 5 or more employees are generally required to carry workers' compensation insurance, with exceptions for certain industries. For Childcare & Daycare operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.

  2. Step 2, Pick the right class code

    Childcare & Daycare businesses typically use codes like 9059. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. Across reporting states, Childcare & Daycare median rates run $4.46 per $100 with a range of $1.89 to $4.72.

  3. Step 3, Get a quote

    Private carriers write Childcare & Daycare coverage in Tennessee. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

  4. Step 4, Document subcontractors

    General contractors are generally liable for the workers' compensation coverage of uninsured subcontractors and their employees. Childcare & Daycare operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.

  5. Step 5, Annual audit

    Carriers audit payroll within 90 days of policy expiration. Have payroll segregated by class code, job descriptions on file, and overtime properly excluded from rated payroll. Childcare & Daycare class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.

Penalty for non-coverage in Tennessee: Penalties for non-compliance include fines, stop-work orders, and potential criminal charges, with employers liable for all medical expenses and lost wages.

Childcare & Daycare workers comp FAQs in Tennessee

Why aren't Childcare & Daycare workers comp rates published for Tennessee?

Tennessee uses NCCI for workers comp ratemaking. NCCI loss-cost data for this state is published only to NCCI subscribers, not in public state insurance department filings. For a national reference, Childcare & Daycare median rates run $4.46 per $100 of payroll across all reporting states, with a typical range of $1.89 to $4.72.

How can a Childcare & Daycare business in Tennessee get a real quote?

Get a quote from any private carrier licensed in Tennessee. Provide your annual payroll, ownership structure, and your current Childcare & Daycare class code. Most carriers will return a binding quote within 24-48 hours. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.

Are Childcare & Daycare 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in Tennessee?

Workers are generally presumed to be employees unless they meet specific criteria for independent contractor status, often based on control and economic dependence.

What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Childcare & Daycare worker in Tennessee?

Tennessee caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,427 (effective 2025-07-01), calculated as 66.67% of the average weekly wage. Childcare & Daycare workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.

How long does a Childcare & Daycare worker have to file a comp claim in Tennessee?

The statute of limitations in Tennessee is 1 year from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Childcare & Daycare workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.

Can a Childcare & Daycare business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in Tennessee?

Yes, Tennessee allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Childcare & Daycare owner-operators often elect out to keep premium below the minimum. Sole-proprietor self-coverage is not required, and LLC member self-coverage is not required.