State insurance guide

North Dakota Business Insurance Guide 2026

North Dakota requires all employers, with limited exceptions, to insure all employees, including part-time, seasonal and occasional workers, before they begin work. Auto liability minimums and paid leave rules follow, each with its official source.

By PolicyBenchmarkUpdated

Explore North Dakota requirements

Open the state requirements checklist

North Dakota requires all employers, with limited exceptions, to insure all employees, including part-time, seasonal and occasional workers, before they begin work, and that coverage must come from Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI), the state's exclusive fund (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, Coverage Requirements). Auto liability coverage must be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-16.1-11 (North Dakota Legislative Branch, chapter 39-16.1 PDF)). According to NCSL's table, there is no state paid family leave or disability insurance program to fund.

We checked each official source on October 3, 2026. Treat this as general information and confirm with the linked agencies how each rule applies to you.

Shopping for business insurance in North Dakota? Request coverage help

Workers' compensation

Who must carry it: 1 or more employees; WSI state fund only (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, Coverage Requirements).

North Dakota’s Workers’ Compensation law, with limited exceptions, requires all employers to insure all employees including full-time, part-time, seasonal, and occasional workers before employees begin working.

Source: North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, Coverage Requirements

Exemptions and exclusions

N.D.C.C. 65-01-02 excludes agricultural or domestic service, railroad common carriers, and clergy and employees of religious organizations engaged in operating a place of worship from "hazardous employment". The definition of employee also leaves out the employer's spouse, children under 22, casual employment outside the course of business and qualifying commission-paid real estate agents, among others (N.D.C.C. chapter 65-01).

WSI is the only source of coverage. The agency states that North Dakota law does not allow private insurers to underwrite workers' compensation in the state (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, Coverage Requirements).

The agency to ask is the North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI). Our workers' compensation guide explains the coverage, and the workers' comp calculator checks the payroll arithmetic in a proposal.

Auto liability minimums

The minimum auto liability coverage in North Dakota:

Owners of vehicles registered in North Dakota must also provide security for basic no-fault (PIP) benefits, which are capped at $30,000 per person (N.D.C.C. chapter 26.1-41). Ask your insurer whether these also apply to your commercial and fleet policies.

Vehicles used commercially or for hire can face different or higher federal or state requirements; the commercial auto guide explains what to compare.

Other requirements to check

Your trade license, lease or client contracts in North Dakota can set their own conditions, for example general liability limits or certificate wording. Keep track with the certificate of insurance checklist, and see the requirements-by-state guide if you work across state lines.

Where to verify

To prepare, run the state requirements checklist with your employee count and vehicle use; for a PolicyBenchmark follow-up, request coverage help.

Frequently asked questions

Does a North Dakota business with one employee need workers' compensation?

Generally, yes: North Dakota applies the requirement from the first employee (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, Coverage Requirements). Exemptions listed above can still apply to particular workers or owners; the agency to ask is the North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI).

Can I buy workers' compensation from a private insurer in North Dakota?

No. WSI is the only source of coverage. The agency states that North Dakota law does not allow private insurers to underwrite workers' compensation in the state (North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance, Coverage Requirements).

Are North Dakota's auto minimums enough for business vehicles?

North Dakota's minimums are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage (N.D. Cent. Code § 39-16.1-11 (North Dakota Legislative Branch, chapter 39-16.1 PDF)). They are the legal floor, not a measure of what a business needs. Commercial and for-hire vehicles can face different or higher federal or state requirements, and contracts can require more.

Does North Dakota require employers to pay into a paid leave program?

No, according to NCSL's table, last updated November 7, 2025: North Dakota has no state paid family and medical leave program and no state temporary disability insurance program. Confirm before planning a future payroll year.

About this article

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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance advice. Always consult with a licensed insurance professional before making coverage decisions.