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Apply for coverage

If you hire workers in B.C., you’re required to register for WorkSafeBC insurance coverage. If you’re a self-employed proprietor or partner, you may be eligible to purchase optional insurance coverage.

If you’re not sure if you need coverage or if you sometimes work outside of B.C., be sure to review our information on who needs coverage and out-of-province coverage. When you’re ready to apply, the information below will help ensure you have everything you need for your application. Completing all the fields in your application will help us to determine your eligibility for coverage faster and avoid a delay setting up your account.

The application process

The first step in applying for WorkSafeBC insurance is to complete an application for coverage. We recommend submitting your application 30 days before starting your business or hiring a worker. This allows time for us to process your application and ensures we have current information to set up your coverage.

Once we receive your application, we’ll review the information you’ve provided and determine whether you’re eligible for coverage. It can take approximately 10 business days for us to review your application, gather information, and notify you of our decision.

Information you’ll need to provide

  • The Canada Revenue Agency business number, mailing address, and, if applicable, the address where the physical work is being done.
  • The start date of the operations and a summary of the products and/or services provided, including an estimate of how much each product and/or service contributes to the business’s total revenue.
  • The number of active shareholders, their contact information and birthdates, and information about any other businesses the shareholders operate.
  • The estimated payroll for wages and salaries paid to workers and active shareholders for the previous year. If the business was active within the last three years, you’ll need to provide an estimate of the annual payroll for each of those previous years.
  • The proprietor’s legal name, contact information, and birthdate.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency business number, if you have one.
  • The mailing address and work location within B.C.
  • The name and WorkSafeBC account number (if known) of any WorkSafeBC accounts you have or have had in the past and any firms that are affiliated with the proprietorship.
  • The start date of operations, the start date of the first worker, and the number of workers employed.
  • An estimate of the wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, holiday pay, and any other compensation paid to workers.
  • Details about any business vehicle(s) and/or revenue-producing equipment used by the proprietorship, including the make, model, and year.

If you’re applying for Personal Optional Protection coverage, you’ll also need:

If you’re applying for Voluntary Spousal Coverage, you'll also need:

  • The start date of the coverage.
  • An estimate of your spouse’s earnings.
  • The legal names, contact information, and birthdates of the partners.
  • The Canada Revenue Agency business number, if you have one.
  • The mailing address and work location within B.C.
  • The name and WorkSafeBC account number (if known) of any WorkSafeBC accounts you or the partners of your firm have or have had in the past and any firms that are affiliated with your partnership.
  • The start date of operations, the start date of the first worker, and the number of workers employed.
  • An estimate of the wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, holiday pay, and any other compensation paid to workers.
  • Details about any business vehicle(s) and/or revenue-producing equipment used by the partnership, including the make, model, and year.

If you’re applying for Personal Optional Protection coverage, you’ll also need:

  • The legal name, contact information, and birthdates of the people hiring the workers.
  • The start date of the first worker(s) and work location within B.C.
  • An estimate of the wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, holiday pay, or any other compensation paid to workers.

How to apply

The easiest and most convenient way to apply for coverage is online. You’ll need to create an online services profile (or log in if you already have one). Your application will be saved automatically as you go through it.

Applying online will take approximately 20 minutes. Once you've submitted your application, you'll receive a confirmation number by email to confirm that we’ve received your application.

Apply online

Alternatively, you can download the Employer's Registration Application (Form 1800), complete the information, and then send it to us by mail or fax, or by selecting the “Submit” button on the form to email it to us.

If you’re a sole proprietor or partner in a partnership, and wish to include an application for optional coverage for yourself, please complete a Registration Application for Partnerships and Proprietorships & Application for Personal Optional Protection (Form 180C).

Notifying you of our decision

If you’re eligible for coverage, we’ll create an insurance account for you and send a letter confirming your account number, classification unit, the effective date of your coverage, and your premium rate.

If you’re not eligible for coverage with WorkSafeBC, we’ll send you a letter outlining why your application was not accepted. If we determine that you’re a worker, you’ll have the benefit of workers’ compensation coverage through your employer.

Need more information?

We're here to help. Please contact our Employer Service Centre.