Washington Daycare Insurance

Last updated: September 14, 2026

Washington child day care centers and outdoor nature-based programs must carry at least $100,000 per occurrence in day care liability insurance. Family homes may insure at that floor or opt out with written parent notice on the DCYF form.

Washington daycare liability minimum: $100,000 per occurrence

RCW 43.216.700 requires day care insurance as defined in RCW 48.88.020, or self-insurance under chapter 48.90 RCW. Liability limits shall be the same as set forth in RCW 48.88.050, which requires the joint underwriting association to offer a policy with liability limits of at least $100,000 per occurrence.

Centers and licensed outdoor nature-based child care share that mandate. Prove coverage at licensure, renewal and inspection. If coverage terminates, notify DCYF, post visible notice and give written parent notice within 30 days under the same statute.

Family home opt-out with parent notice

RCW 43.216.700(2) lets a licensed family day care home either provide proof of insurance or give each enrolled parent written notice of insurance status on the DCYF standard form and keep copies. If the home buys coverage, the $100,000 per occurrence floor still applies. The opt-out does not remove lease, contract or civil-exposure reasons to insure.

How much liability coverage should you buy above the minimum?

The $100,000 requirement is a legal floor, not a finding that this amount will cover every loss. Send the provider any lease, school agreement or other contract requiring higher limits. Ask for comparable options at your licensing floor and at higher limits, with the same covered activities and deductible, so you can see the cost difference.

Review the per-occurrence limit and any aggregate or separate abuse-related limit. Ask how defense costs affect available protection. If considering an umbrella, have the agent identify the underlying policies it requires and the childcare exposures it excludes; do not assume it fills every gap in the base policy.

Transport insurance under WAC 110-300-0480

WAC 110-300-0480 requires that when the provider supplies the vehicle, a current insurance policy cover the driver, the vehicle and all occupants. The WAC does not publish a dollar limit. Application materials historically ask for transportation insurance evidence covering liability and medical. Align commercial auto or hired/non-owned coverage with the trips you actually run.

Coverage to compare for a Washington daycare or preschool

General liability, professional liability and abuse or molestation coverage answer different questions. Have the provider explain how the proposal handles a premises injury, a supervision allegation and a claim involving a staff member. Confirm that the services you offer are described and that the relevant people and locations are insured.

For a home, ask the residential insurer how business childcare affects its coverage and compare the proposed endorsement with a separate childcare policy. For a center or preschool, distinguish landlord-owned property from your furnishings, supplies and improvements. Ask which causes of loss and interruptions are covered before adding property or business-income protection.

How much does Washington daycare insurance cost?

There is no single premium for every daycare. As a broad reference, Insureon’s national human-and-social-services customer medians are $91/month for general liability, $135 for a business owner’s policy and $99 for professional liability, checked September 14, 2026. That sample is broader than daycare; these are not state daycare averages or Simply Business prices.

Use those figures only to understand separate budget categories. A business owner’s policy can bundle liability and property, so do not add every figure as though it were a required package. Request a childcare-specific proposal using your program type, child count and ages, payroll, transportation, claims history and required limits.

Compare the total annual premium, deductible, included activities and any separate abuse-coverage limit. Ask about installment charges, endorsements and the cost of changes during the year. Two prices are comparable only after the provider explains the differences in protection.

Request quotes using your actual license category and services. Comparing those details consistently is more useful than assigning every Washington program the same estimated premium.

Workers’ compensation through L&I

Washington requires workers’ compensation from the first employee. Coverage is obtained through the Department of Labor & Industries state fund or as a qualified self-insurer. Private carriers do not write primary workers’ compensation in this monopolistic state. Keep employee-injury coverage separate from the day care liability minimum for children and visitors.

Keep coverage and licensing evidence aligned through the year

Calendar policy renewal alongside licensing paperwork. Resolve cancellation notices or a replacement policy before a lapse while children remain in care. Do not assume reduced enrollment, a school break or a change in insurer removes obligations that apply to your license type.

Before adding transport, provide the insurer with vehicle ownership, driver and trip details. Ask about commercial auto or hired/non-owned exposures and coverage for the off-site activity itself. Update the agent before a capacity increase, move or additional location so the policy and evidence match what DCYF expects to see.

Prepare your Washington daycare insurance quote

• Legal operator name, address, permit or certificate type and requested coverage date.
• Licensed capacity, actual enrollment, ages served, hours and all locations.
• Staff, volunteers, payroll and screening/supervision procedures.
• Transportation, field trips, water activities and other services offered.
• Existing policy, claim history and insurance requirements from leases or contracts.

Ask each provider to identify the named insured, covered activities, limits, deductibles, exclusions and endorsements. Confirm whether defense costs reduce any relevant limit and how claims must be reported. If a quote cannot cover an activity, resolve that gap rather than assuming a certificate will make the proposal acceptable.

Frequently asked questions

What is Washington’s daycare liability insurance minimum for centers?

RCW 43.216.700 requires day care insurance with liability limits the same as RCW 48.88.050—at least $100,000 per occurrence. Outdoor nature-based providers fall under the same mandate. That figure is a statutory floor tied to the day-care joint underwriting association offer, not a recommended market limit.

Can a Washington family day care home operate without liability insurance?

Yes, if the family provider gives each enrolled parent written notice of insurance status on the DCYF standard form and keeps copies on file. If the home carries insurance instead, limits track the same $100,000 per occurrence floor. Centers and outdoor nature-based programs do not have that opt-out.

What transport insurance does WAC require?

When the provider supplies the vehicle, WAC 110-300-0480 requires a current insurance policy covering the driver, the vehicle and all occupants. That WAC does not state a dollar floor. Ask the agent for commercial auto or hired/non-owned coverage that matches your trips and drivers.

Where do Washington daycares buy workers’ compensation?

From the first employee through the Department of Labor & Industries state fund, or as a qualified self-insurer. Washington is monopolistic for workers’ compensation; private WC carriers do not write the primary coverage.

Related guides

Daycare Insurance · Washington / Daycare

Requirements and source benchmarks checked September 14, 2026. Policy terms and availability depend on the insurer and your business.