Workers' comp covers your employees when they're hurt at work. We can quote it for you as its own policy, next to your gym insurance.
Workers' compensation insurance pays for an employee's medical care and lost wages when they're hurt on the job. It covers injuries to your own staff, which your gym liability insurance doesn't.
Gym Insurance by PushPress can quote workers' comp for most gym types as a separate policy. In Ohio, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming, workers' comp is bought from the state instead.
In most states, yes, once you have a W-2 employee on payroll. Whether 1099 contractors count depends on your state and on how they work with you. If you pay yourself as the owner, you may need to file an exemption with the state. The rules vary, and these four states come up the most:
| State | When workers' comp is required |
|---|---|
| California | From your first employee, full-time, part-time or seasonal. |
| New York | From your first employee. New York also requires disability and paid family leave coverage. |
| Florida | Once you have 4 or more employees, counting owners who are corporate officers or LLC members. |
| Texas | It's optional for private employers. If you skip it, an injured employee can sue you directly, and your lease may still require it. |
Workers' comp pays for an injured employee's treatment, from the first doctor's visit through physical therapy.
If the injury keeps them off work, workers' comp replaces part of their pay while they recover.
Most gyms with staff need both, because each one covers different people.
| Workers' comp | Gym liability | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it covers | Your employees | Members, guests and the public |
| What it pays for | An employee's medical care and lost wages | Your legal defense and any settlement |
| Who requires it | Most states, once you have employees | Most landlords, in your lease |
| From us | A separate policy we quote for you | The Gym Liability package |
Workers' compensation insurance pays for an employee's medical care and lost wages when they're hurt on the job, like a coach who strains their back spotting a lift. Most states require it once you have W-2 employees.
Gym Insurance by PushPress can quote it for you as a separate policy. Email us at support@gyminsurance.com and we'll get your quote started. We can't offer it for martial arts gyms, and in Ohio, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming workers' comp is bought from the state.
In most states, workers' comp is required once you have W-2 employees on payroll. Whether you need it for 1099 contractors depends on your state and on how they work with you. A contractor who works like an employee may need to be covered. If you pay yourself as the owner, you may need to file an exemption with your state's workers' comp board.
No. Gym liability insurance covers claims from members, guests and the public. An employee who's hurt on the job is a workers' comp claim.
Your price depends on your payroll, the jobs your staff do, your state and your claims history. We'll give you the exact number when we quote it.
No. We can't offer workers' comp for martial arts gyms, including boxing, jiu-jitsu, MMA and karate schools. If your school has W-2 staff, you can get workers' comp through your payroll company or a workers' comp provider in your state, and we can still cover your martial arts gym's liability.
Don't let high costs or inadequate coverage hold your gym back. Protect your business and your students with insurance built for you.
Updated October 20, 2026