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B. The City of Seattle is Self-Insured

The City of Seattle does not participate in the employee insurance program managed by the State of Washington. Like many public and private employers, the City of Seattle is self-insured, meaning the city is responsible for covering the costs of on-the-job injuries and related health problems. The city’s self-insurance program is regulated by the Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). This means that even though the city is self-insured, you have the same rights and responsibilities as other workers in Washington State.
The fact that the City of Seattle is self-insured has two noteworthy advantages: first, the cost of our workers’ compensation coverage is less than that of similar coverage managed by the state. Second, our claims are handled locally (instead of being managed by a team in Olympia), which has been helpful. Most of our members find their claims are quickly approved without the friction that sometimes occurs when dealing with a remote bureaucracy. Below, you’ll find more on the claims process, how to manage your claims, and how to advocate for yourself.