# Idaho contractor insurance requirements

> What Idaho law says about workers' comp, contractor license insurance and indemnity clauses, and what to check on a contractor COI for a project there.

Reviewed Oct 28, 2026 by Forsured. Source: https://forsured.ai/coi-requirements/idaho/

## The short version

- Workers' comp required at: 1 employee
- License insurance minimum: $300K single limit
- Anti-indemnity statute voids: Sole negligence

## Workers' comp in Idaho

Idaho employers with one or more full-time, part-time, seasonal or occasional employees must carry workers' comp before the first hire.

Agency: [Idaho Industrial Commission](https://iic.idaho.gov/employers/)

## Contractor licensing and insurance

Idaho contractor registration requires general liability, including products and completed operations, of at least $300,000 single limit, plus proof of workers' comp or a statement of why it isn't required.

## Indemnity and additional insured clauses

Idaho's anti-indemnity statute (Idaho Code § 29-114) voids construction contract clauses that make a contractor indemnify another party for that party's sole negligence. Clauses that cover shared fault are generally allowed.

## What to check on a contractor COI for a Idaho project

1. **Workers' comp.** Nearly every contractor with employees needs it in Idaho. A contractor with a crew and no workers' comp on its COI is a gap. For an out-of-state contractor, confirm Idaho is listed on the workers' comp policy.
2. **General liability.** A Idaho license only shows the contractor met the state's floor. Compare each limit on the COI with your project requirements, which are usually higher.
3. **Additional insured.** The endorsement is a separate promise from the indemnity clause, so check both. Ask for the endorsement itself, not just a box ticked on the certificate.
4. **Dates.** Every policy should run through the end of the job. A COI only shows coverage on the day it was issued, so check again at each renewal.

## Common questions

### Do contractors need workers' comp in Idaho?

Idaho employers with one or more full-time, part-time, seasonal or occasional employees must carry workers' comp before the first hire.

### Does Idaho require contractors to carry general liability insurance?

Idaho contractor registration requires general liability, including products and completed operations, of at least $300,000 single limit, plus proof of workers' comp or a statement of why it isn't required.

### Can a Idaho construction contract make a contractor cover another party's negligence?

Idaho's anti-indemnity statute (Idaho Code § 29-114) voids construction contract clauses that make a contractor indemnify another party for that party's sole negligence. Clauses that cover shared fault are generally allowed.

## Sources

1. [Idaho workers' comp requirements](https://onpay.com/insights/workers-comp-requirements-by-state/idaho/), OnPay, May 2026
2. [Contractor registration FAQ](https://dopl.idaho.gov/con/con-faq/), Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
3. [Anti-Indemnity Statutes in All 50 States (2023)](https://grsm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Anti-Indemnity-Statutes-2023.pdf), Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, 2023
4. [State Workers' Compensation Officials](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/wc), U.S. Department of Labor

General information, not legal advice. Confirm with the state agency, your broker or your attorney.

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