Workers comp coverage required in Wyoming
All employers with one or more employees are generally required to carry coverage. Verified 2026-05-09.
Who must carry workers comp in Wyoming?
Wyoming workers compensation coverage is required All employers with one or more employees are generally required to carry coverage.
The threshold language matters: states write the rule slightly differently. Some count any worker, some count only W-2 employees, some count owners separately, some have industry-specific exemptions (agriculture, domestic service, casual labor). For a Wyoming employer with a non-trivial workforce, the safest default is: assume coverage is required and confirm with the state department of insurance or a local agent.
How the threshold interacts with 1099s and subs
Individuals classified as independent contractors are generally not considered employees for workers' compensation purposes if they meet specific criteria. Principal contractors are generally liable for injuries to employees of uninsured subcontractors.
Penalty for going without
Employers failing to provide coverage may face fines, imprisonment, and civil liability for an injured worker's medical expenses and lost wages. The financial penalty is usually a fraction of the human cost: an injured employee at an uncovered employer can sue directly under tort law instead of being limited to the workers comp benefit, exposing the owner to lost-wage damages, pain and suffering, and punitive damages without the corporate veil.
Related reading
FAQs
Who has to carry workers comp in Wyoming?
All employers with one or more employees are generally required to carry coverage.
When does the requirement kick in for a new Wyoming employer?
The clock starts on the first day the first qualifying employee is on the books. Wyoming does not have a grace period for new employers, so a policy needs to be bound on or before the first hire date. Some agents can issue same-day binders for low-risk class codes.
What is the penalty for not having workers comp in Wyoming?
Employers failing to provide coverage may face fines, imprisonment, and civil liability for an injured worker's medical expenses and lost wages.
Do 1099 contractors trigger the coverage requirement in Wyoming?
Individuals classified as independent contractors are generally not considered employees for workers' compensation purposes if they meet specific criteria.
Are subcontractors counted toward the threshold in Wyoming?
Principal contractors are generally liable for injuries to employees of uninsured subcontractors.
What happens if I am audited and found non-compliant in Wyoming?
Wyoming typically issues a stop-work order, assesses back premium for the period of non-coverage, and adds penalties on top. Specifically: Employers failing to provide coverage may face fines, imprisonment, and civil liability for an injured worker's medical expenses and lost wages. Severe or repeat violations can lead to criminal charges and personal liability for the business owner, separate from the corporate veil.