Retail workers compensation in North Dakota
North Dakota is a monopolistic state fund (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance), so class-by-class Retail rates are available only via the state fund, not in public filings. As a national reference, Retail workers comp runs a median of $1.26 per $100 of payroll, with a range of $0.020 to $12.71 across reporting states. North Dakota caps weekly benefits at $1,569 with a 1-year statute of limitations. Verified 2026-05-09.
Retail rate context for North Dakota
North Dakota does not publish class-by-class loss costs publicly, but Retail 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.
| Retail class code | Typical occupation | National median | National range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8726 | Retail Salespersons | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 1925 | Retail Bakery | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 2002 | Retail Meat/Fish Dealer | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8001 | Wholesale Stores - N.O.C. | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8006 | Hardware Stores | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8008 | Drug Stores | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8013 | Jewelry Stores | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8017 | Store, retail NOC | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8018 | Store, wholesale | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
| 8021 | Shoe Stores | $1.26 | $0.020 - $12.71 |
North Dakota compliance for Retail employers
Coverage threshold
All employers with employees
1099 vs W-2 in Retail
Individuals classified as independent contractors are generally not considered employees for workers' compensation purposes, provided they meet specific criteria defined by WSI to establish an independent contractor relationship.
Owner exclusion
Allowed in North Dakota. Sole proprietor self-coverage optional; LLC member self-coverage optional.
Max weekly benefit
$1,569 at 66.67% of average weekly wage, effective 2025-07-01.
Statute of limitations
1 year from injury date in North Dakota.
Cross-cite: full North Dakota workers comp overview · Retail cross-state rate comparison · North Dakota workers comp lawyer guide · North Dakota settlement chart
Estimate your Retail premium in North Dakota
Pre-filled to Retail and North Dakota. 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 Retail businesses in North Dakota
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Step 1, Confirm coverage threshold
All employers with employees For Retail operations, this typically applies once you make a first W-2 hire, even part-time.
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Step 2, Pick the right class code
Retail businesses typically use codes like 8726, 1925, 2002. The wrong code can cost 4 to 10x more or get reclassified at audit. Across reporting states, Retail median rates run $1.26 per $100 with a range of $0.020 to $12.71.
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Step 3, Get a quote
North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance is one option in North Dakota; private carriers (Travelers, Hartford, Liberty Mutual, AmTrust) also write coverage. Schedule credits up to 25% are typical for low-loss accounts.
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Step 4, Document subcontractors
A general contractor is responsible for ensuring that subcontractors carry workers' compensation coverage for their employees. If a subcontractor does not have coverage, the general contractor may be held liable for injuries to the subcontractor's employees. Retail operators with crews of 1099s should keep certificates of insurance for every sub, otherwise the GC absorbs the sub liability at audit.
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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. Retail class allocation can shift if any worker spends more than 50% of time on a different code.
Retail workers comp FAQs in North Dakota
Why aren't Retail workers comp rates published for North Dakota?
North Dakota is a monopolistic state fund. Class-by-class rate data for this state is available through the rating bureau or licensed brokers. For a national reference, Retail median rates run $1.26 per $100 of payroll across all reporting states, with a typical range of $0.020 to $12.71.
How can a Retail business in North Dakota get a real quote?
Get a quote from any private carrier licensed in North Dakota or the state fund (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance). Provide your annual payroll, ownership structure, and your current Retail class code. Most carriers will return a binding quote within 24-48 hours.
Are Retail 1099 contractors covered by workers comp in North Dakota?
Individuals classified as independent contractors are generally not considered employees for workers' compensation purposes, provided they meet specific criteria defined by WSI to establish an independent contractor relationship.
What is the maximum weekly benefit for an injured Retail worker in North Dakota?
North Dakota caps weekly workers comp benefits at $1,569 (effective 2025-07-01), calculated as 66.67% of the average weekly wage. Retail workers are subject to the same statutory cap as workers in any other industry.
How long does a Retail worker have to file a comp claim in North Dakota?
The statute of limitations in North Dakota is 1 year from the date of injury. Most claims also require notice to the employer within 30 days. Retail workers should report any incident on the date it happens, even minor strains, because cumulative trauma claims can fail without contemporaneous documentation.
Can a Retail business owner exclude themselves from comp coverage in North Dakota?
Yes, North Dakota allows business owners (sole proprietors, partners, LLC members, corporate officers) to file an exclusion election. Retail 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.