Workers Comp for Security Guards | Fast, Affordable Coverage for Your Team

Class code 8742 applies to outside sales representatives and certain non-manual employees who travel to client locations, while 8810 covers clerical office employees who work exclusively at a desk. Neither applies to active security guards — on-duty guards typically fall under class code 7720 (Security Guard) or similar codes. Misclassifying security personnel as 8742 or 8810 can result in policy gaps and audit penalties, so accurate classification is critical.

Most active security guards are classified under NCCI class code 7720, which covers patrol and guard work involving physical presence at client locations. Some states use different codes, and the armed vs. unarmed distinction can also affect classification and premium. Soma's Risk Management Team verifies the correct code for your state and operation before binding coverage to prevent costly audit adjustments.

Yes — in virtually every U.S. state, businesses with employees are legally required to carry workers' compensation insurance. Security guard firms face particularly strict enforcement because of the elevated physical risk of the role. Additionally, most commercial contracts and facility agreements require proof of workers' comp before a security firm can begin on-site services. Operating without it exposes you to fines, lawsuits, and contract loss.

Workers' comp premiums for security companies are calculated based on payroll, guard classification (armed or unarmed), loss history, and state rates. Armed guard operations typically carry higher rates due to elevated injury and liability risk. Unarmed, stationary guard posts are generally lower. Soma shops your risk across hundreds of carriers to find the most competitive rate for your specific operation without sacrificing coverage quality.

Yes — workers' compensation covers medical expenses and lost wages for injuries sustained on the job, including injuries from physical confrontations, restraining individuals, or responding to incidents during a shift. This is one of the most common claim types for security guards. Policies must be properly structured with the correct class code to ensure these incidents are covered and not excluded as an uncovered category.

Yes, though prior claims can make placement more challenging through standard carriers. Soma specializes in placing workers' comp for hard-to-insure businesses, including security firms with a claims history. Through our network of specialty and surplus lines carriers — including Chubb, Kinsale, and others — we can often secure competitive coverage for operations that standard brokers decline outright.

With Soma, the process is significantly faster than working with traditional brokers. After submitting a single application with your payroll, headcount, and operational details, our Risk Management Team typically returns quotes quickly — often same-day or within 24 to 48 hours depending on complexity. Once you select a policy, we handle binding so your team is covered without delay.

In most states, yes — part-time employees are generally covered under workers' comp just like full-time staff. Independent contractors may be treated differently depending on state law and how the working relationship is structured. Misclassifying employees as contractors to avoid workers' comp is a common audit trigger and carries serious legal risk. Soma helps security firms properly structure their coverage to account for all worker types.