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Workers' Compensation for Alaska Businesses
What are the laws that govern workers’ compensation insurance in Alaska?
According to the Alaska.gov website:
The Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act requires each employer having one or more employees in Alaska to obtain workers’ compensation insurance, unless the employer has been approved as a self-insurer by the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board.
Effective August 1, 2019, the following business owners/executives are exempt from having to insure themselves for workers’ compensation liability:
1. Sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship;
2. Partners in a partnership;
3. Members of a limited liability company with a minimum 10% ownership interest;
4. Executive officers of municipal, religious, and legally registered nonprofit corporations are not considered to be employees unless the corporation specifically elects to cover them; and
5. Executive officers of for-profit corporations with a minimum 10% ownership interest.
6. All entities listed above must still maintain workers’ compensation coverage for employees, including family members and friends.Exceptions
There are few exceptions to those who must be covered under a workers’ compensation policy. There are no exemptions for types of businesses. All exemptions are based on type of work performed by individuals. Generally speaking, those include:
1. Part-time baby-sitters;
2. Cleaning persons (non-commercial);
3. Harvest help and similar part-time/transient help (call division to discuss specific situations);
4. Sports officials for amateur events;
5. Contract entertainers;
6. Commercial fishers as defined in AS 16.05.940;
7. Taxicab drivers under specific contractual arrangements;
8. A participant in the Alaska temporary assistance program engaged in work activities required under AS 47.27.035;
9. Professional hockey team players and coaches if those persons are covered under a health care insurance plan;
10. Qualified real estate licensee under specific contractual arrangements; and
11. Persons defined as transportation network company drivers.Other Special Provisions Set Out in Statute
1. High school students in work-study programs are covered under the Act as employees of the state;
2. Volunteer emergency medical technicians are covered under the Act as employees of the state;
3. Special public safety officers appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety are covered under the Act as employees of the state;
4. Members of state boards and commissions are covered under the Act as employees of the state;
5. Volunteer fire fighters are covered under the act as employees of the local fire department;
6. Individuals engaged in civil defense or in disaster relief functions in Alaska are covered under the Act as employees of the state; and
7. Individual members of the Alaska State Defense Force who have been called into active duty, perHow to Obtain Workers’ Compensation Coverage in Alaska
In Alaska, workers’ compensation insurance is provided either by the voluntary commercial market or the involuntary commercial market. Alaska does not have a state fund for workers’ compensation insurance. Employers should contact their insurance agent or broker for assistance in acquiring a workers’ compensation policy for their business. If a person is unable to obtain coverage from a commercial carrier, they may purchase insurance through Alaska’s Assigned Risk Pool, which is administered by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI may be contacted at 800-622-4123 and found online at: https://www.ncci.com.
No Reciprocity in Alaska
Alaska does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states or countries. All employers must insure their exposure under the Act. This includes an out-of-state employer with employees working in Alaska, whether those employees are principally located in Alaska or outside this state. Under AS 23.30.025(a), an insurer issuing a policy of insurance covering benefits under the Act must be an admitted insurer in Alaska, licensed by the Alaska Division of Insurance, which administers AS 21, Alaska’s insurance code. For questions regarding insurance licensing, rates, or policies, please contact the Division of Insurance at (907) 465-2515.
Please contact the Workers’ Compensation Special Investigations Unit at 907-269-4002 should you have any additional questions about an employer’s workers’ compensation coverage requirements under the Act.
Alaska Statistics*
*2017 business stats provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics
142,448
number of Alaska residents employed by small businesses
10,482
number of Alaska workplace accidents
14,258 feet
height of the highest road in the U.S., Mt. Evans
9,600
miles of streams
26,000
average number of cars that pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel each day
Alaska Businesses We Cover with Workers' Comp Insurance

Food & Beverage
Bars, Bistros, Cafeterias/Buffets, Candy Stores, Caterers, Coffee Shops, Doughnut Shops, Fast Casual, Fast Food, Fine Dining, Health Supplement Stores, Juice Shops, Tea Houses, Taverns and Nightclubs
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Tech Services
Data Processing, Ecommerce, Hosting, Graphic Design, Network Installation/Repair, Office Machine Installation/Repair, Programming, Strategy & Management Consulting Services, and Software/Web Development (includes SOLOpreneuers!)
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Legal Services
Athlete/Actor/Entertainer Agents, Court Reporters, Lawyers & Attorneys at Law, Notaries and Transcription
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General Retail
Bakeries, Beer/Wine/Liquor Stores, Butcher/Meat Markets, Convenience Stores/Gas Stations, Discount Stores, Fish, Seafood, Fruit & Vegetable Markets, Grocery Stores, Laundromats, Pet Stores, Pharmacies/Drug Stores, Specialty Food Stores
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Educational Services
Computer Training, Cosmetology/Barber Schools, Exam Preparation/Tutoring, Fine Art Schools, Language Schools, Libraries/Archives, Management Training, Professional Training, & Translation/Interpretation Services
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Manufacturing
Microbreweries (less than 15,000 barrels produced per year) & Wine Making (no growing or production of grapes/fruit)
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Personal Services
Barber Shops/Salons, Cemeteries/Mausoleums, Crematoriums, Funeral Homes, Interior Design, Pet Kennels/Groomers, Photography/Photofinishing, Gyms, Nail Salons, Self-Storage, Tanning Salons, Tattoo/Piercing, and Wedding/Event Planners
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Clothing Retail
Bridal Stores, Clothing Stores, Dry Cleaners, Formal Wear/Costume Rentals, Luggage & Leather Goods Stores, Shoe Retail/Repair, and Tailor Shops
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Personal Product Retail
Art Galleries/Stores, Auto Parts, Beauty/Cosmetics, Bike Stores, Bookstores, Camera/Photo Supplies, Cell Phone Retail/Repair, Computer Stores, Jewelry Stores, Musical Instruments, Sporting Goods , Tobacco/Vaping & Video Games
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Medical Professions
Blood Banks, Dental Labs, Dentists/Orthodontists, GP/Medical Specialists, Kidney Dialysis Centers, Medical Diagnostics & Testing, and Veterinarians
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Architecture & Engineering Services
Architects & Drafting, Engineering, Surveyors, & Window Treatment Stores (we do not cover construction contractors or trucking companies)
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Financial Services
Accounting, Auditors, Banks/Credit Unions, Bookkeeping, Collection Agencies, Financial Advisors/Trust Companies, Mortgage & Loan Brokers, Payroll Services, Tax Preparation, Title & Title Insurance
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Scientific Services
Scientific Research & Development/Consulting, Technical Consulting, & Environmental Consulting
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Office, Home, & Garden
Hearing Aid Stores, Hobby/Craft/Art Stores, Gift/Novelty Stores, Florists, Floor Covering Stores, Mailing/Packaging Stores, Models/Toy/Games, Office Supplies, Optical Stores, Paint/Wallpaper Stores, Perfume Stores, Plumbing & Taxidermists
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Therapeutic Services
Acupuncture, Chiropractors, Mental Health Practitioners, and Physical & Occupational Therapy
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