Washington State requires workers' compensation for household employees working 40 or more hours per quarter. Au pairs easily meet this threshold.
Washington Requirements
Required:
- ✅ Workers' Compensation Insurance (40+ hours/quarter)
- ✅ Auto insurance addition (if au pair drives)
Recommended:
- 💡 Supplemental medical insurance
Workers' Compensation
The 40-Hour Rule
Washington requires workers' comp for household employees who work 40+ hours in any quarter. That's less than 4 hours per week.
Au pairs work up to 45 hours per week — so you definitely need coverage.
Washington's Unique System
Washington has a state-run workers' comp system through the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). You must get coverage through the state.
How it works:
- Register with L&I as a household employer
- Pay quarterly premiums
- Report hours worked
Cost estimate: $500 - $1,000/year
Registration
Register at lni.wa.gov or call L&I for assistance with household employer accounts.
Auto Insurance
Washington requires auto insurance. If your au pair drives:
Minimum Requirements
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 property damage
Seattle Area Considerations
Seattle traffic is challenging. Consider:
- Whether your au pair needs to drive
- Public transit options (Seattle has decent transit)
- Extra practice before city driving
Cost to add au pair: $300 - $900/year
Tech Industry Families
Many Seattle-area host families work in tech with demanding schedules. Make sure your insurance is set up properly before your au pair arrives — you won't have time to deal with paperwork emergencies.
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