Hotel & Motel class codes

Hospitality properties split across a small family of codes:

• Code 9052 — Hotel: All Other Employees: housekeeping, front desk, maintenance, and bell staff
• Code 9058 — Hotel: Restaurant Employees: the property’s food-service payroll rates separately
• Code 8810 — Clerical: back-office and reservations staff in many states
• Bar operations: alcohol-led outlets may rate under 9084

Getting the class code right matters more in this industry than almost anything else on the policy. Misclassification is one of the most common reasons hotels and motels overpay — and one of the first things we check when we review an existing policy. Browse our class code guides for a deeper look at how rates attach to codes.

What drives workers’ comp claims for hotels and motels

Hotel claims concentrate in housekeeping and the physical plant:

• Housekeeping strains — lifting mattresses, pushing carts, and cleaning dozens of rooms a shift
• Slips and falls — wet bathrooms, pool decks, kitchens, and lobbies
• Laundry injuries — hot equipment and repetitive linen handling
• Maintenance incidents — ladders, electrical work, and boiler rooms
• Security events — guest incidents that pull staff into harm’s way

How much does workers’ comp cost for hotels and motels?

Hotel payroll typically prices between roughly $2 and $5 per $100 depending on state, property type, and history — with the restaurant split rating on its own food-service scale. A limited-service property with $600,000 of payroll commonly lands between $12,000 and $30,000, and housekeeping ergonomics is the single biggest controllable factor.

Because we quote hotels and motels across a dozen A-rated carriers — including specialists who actively want this class of business — the spread between the best and worst quote on the same account is often 20–40%. That spread is why comparison shopping matters more than any single discount.

Ways to lower your premium

• Pay-as-you-go billing — premium calculated from actual payroll each pay period, which fits the seasonal staffing patterns common in this industry
• Accurate class codes and payroll splits — clerical staff belongs in code 8810, not your governing class
• A documented safety program — carriers credit written procedures, training records, and a clean loss history
• Experience mod management — reporting claims promptly and closing them fast protects your mod at renewal
• Invest in housekeeping ergonomics — fitted-sheet policies, mattress-lift tools, and two-person lift rules directly cut the class’s dominant claim

Hotel & Motel workers’ comp FAQs

What workers’ comp class codes apply to a hotel?

Most hotel staff rate under code 9052, while the property’s restaurant employees rate under 9058. Clerical staff may split to 8810, and alcohol-led bar outlets can rate under 9084.

Why is housekeeping the biggest driver of hotel comp costs?

Housekeeping combines the property’s largest payroll with its highest claim frequency — lifting, pushing, and repetitive room work. Ergonomic tools and training measurably move both claims and premium.

Does a B&B with two employees need workers’ comp?

In most states, yes — the requirement typically starts with the first employee. Small properties often pay near carrier minimum premiums, which makes comparing minimums across markets the key move.

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