In Idaho, whether a business owner or corporate officer is covered by workers' compensation — and whether they can change that — depends on the entity type and Idaho's own rules. Getting the election right affects both your protection and your premium. Here is how inclusion and exclusion work in Idaho, the form or filing to use, and what it means for your policy.
Who must carry workers' compensation in Idaho?
Mandatory from the first employee (full-, part-time, seasonal, or occasional), with narrow agricultural, domestic, and casual exceptions; coverage must be in force before the first hire.
Can owners and officers be included or excluded in Idaho?
| Sole proprietor | Excluded; may elect in. |
|---|---|
| Partners | A working partner is excluded; may elect in. |
| LLC members | A working member is excluded; may elect in. |
| Corporate officers | An officer owning 10%+ voting stock (and a director, if any) is excluded; may elect in. Officers not meeting the test are included. |
How to make the election in Idaho
- Our form: CWCO General Inclusion / Exclusion Form — records the election where Idaho does not publish its own form.
- Official source: Idaho Industrial Commission — Form IC-53 (family-member exemption)
Payroll counted for an included owner in Idaho
When an owner or officer is included, premium is figured on their payroll between a minimum and maximum (effective 1/1/2027), set by NCCI.
| Included owner/officer minimum | $1,150 per week |
|---|---|
| Included owner/officer maximum | $4,500 per week |
Included executive officer $1,150–$4,500/week; covered partners, sole proprietors, and LLC members at $29,500/year. NCCI-set, changes annually.
These amounts update periodically; we confirm the current figure for your policy.
Idaho's assigned-risk / residual market
An employer that can't secure workers' comp in the standard market can still get covered through Idaho Assigned Risk Insurance Plan (administered by NCCI); the Idaho State Insurance Fund is a competitive state fund. We market your risk to voluntary carriers first and turn to the residual market only as a last resort.
Related
Idaho business insurance · Workers' compensation coverage · Idaho Industrial Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do business owners have to carry workers' comp on themselves in Idaho?
It depends on your entity and role. Excluded; may elect in. An officer owning 10%+ voting stock (and a director, if any) is excluded; may elect in. Officers not meeting the test are included. Employees are always covered.
How do I include or exclude an owner from workers' comp in Idaho?
The right form, portal, or endorsement depends on your entity type. Idaho records the election on the policy with the carrier; our general inclusion/exclusion form documents it.
What payroll is used for an included owner in Idaho?
Included executive officer $1,150–$4,500/week; covered partners, sole proprietors, and LLC members at $29,500/year. NCCI-set, changes annually. We confirm the current figure for your policy.
Can Cory Washington & Co. handle my Idaho workers' comp election?
Yes. We confirm which rule applies to your entity, prepare the correct form or election, coordinate it with your carrier, and keep your workers' comp aligned with the rest of your program. Request a quote or a policy review and we'll take it from there.
This page is general educational information from Cory Washington & Co. LLC about how workers' compensation owner inclusion and exclusion works in this state. It is not legal, tax, or insurance advice and is not a determination of your eligibility or obligation. Workers' compensation laws, forms, payroll limits, and residual-market programs change and depend on your entity type, ownership, and operations. Confirm the current rules and amounts with your licensed advisor at Cory Washington & Co. LLC and the state agency before making any election.