Planning your au pair budget? Here's what insurance actually costs — with real numbers for 2026.
Total Annual Insurance Costs
For most host families, total insurance costs range from $850 to $2,700 per year:
| Coverage Type | Annual Cost Range | |---------------|-------------------| | Workers' Compensation | $500 - $1,500 | | Auto Insurance Addition | $200 - $800 | | Supplemental Medical | $150 - $400 | | Total | $850 - $2,700 |
Your actual costs depend on:
- Your state
- Whether your au pair drives
- Coverage levels you choose
- Your existing insurance providers
Workers' Compensation Costs
Workers' comp is usually the biggest insurance expense.
By State Type
| State Category | Typical Annual Cost | |----------------|---------------------| | High-cost states (NY, CA, NJ) | $800 - $1,500 | | Medium-cost states | $500 - $900 | | Low-cost states | $400 - $700 |
Why Costs Vary
Workers' comp premiums depend on:
- State regulations — Some states have higher minimum coverage
- Medical costs — Higher in major metros
- State funds vs. private market — Varies by state
- Your claims history — Clean history = lower rates
States With Highest Costs
- New York — $900 - $1,500
- California — $800 - $1,400
- New Jersey — $700 - $1,300
- Connecticut — $700 - $1,200
States With Lowest Costs
- Texas — $400 - $800 (if you choose to get it)
- Florida — $400 - $900
- Indiana — $400 - $800
- Ohio — $450 - $850
Auto Insurance Costs
Adding an au pair to your auto insurance typically costs $200 - $800 per year extra.
Factors That Affect Cost
| Factor | Impact on Cost | |--------|----------------| | Au pair's age (under 25) | +$100 - $300 | | Your location (urban) | +$100 - $200 | | Coverage levels | Varies widely | | Au pair's driving history | +/- $100 |
By State
| State | Typical Additional Cost | |-------|------------------------| | Michigan | $500 - $1,000 | | New York | $400 - $900 | | California | $400 - $900 | | Florida | $300 - $800 | | Texas | $200 - $600 | | Midwest states | $200 - $500 |
Ways to Save
- Shop around — Get quotes from multiple insurers
- Raise deductibles — If you can afford higher out-of-pocket
- Ask about discounts — Multi-policy, good student, etc.
- Consider usage — Some insurers offer lower rates for occasional drivers
Medical Insurance Costs
Agency-Provided Coverage
Your au pair agency provides basic medical insurance as part of the program fee. This is included — not an extra cost.
Typical agency coverage:
- $50,000 - $100,000 coverage limit
- $250 - $500 deductible
- Basic medical, hospitalization, emergency
Supplemental Coverage
If you want better coverage, supplemental plans cost $150 - $400 per year.
| Coverage Level | Annual Cost | |----------------|-------------| | Basic supplement | $150 - $200 | | Standard supplement | $200 - $300 | | Premium supplement | $300 - $400 |
Is Supplemental Worth It?
Consider supplemental if:
- Agency plan has low limits
- You want dental/vision coverage
- Your au pair has health concerns
- You're in a high-cost medical area
Total Cost Examples
Example 1: California Family, Au Pair Drives
| Coverage | Cost | |----------|------| | Workers' comp (required) | $1,100 | | Auto insurance addition | $600 | | Supplemental medical | $250 | | Total | $1,950/year |
Example 2: Texas Family, Au Pair Drives
| Coverage | Cost | |----------|------| | Workers' comp (optional, but recommended) | $600 | | Auto insurance addition | $400 | | Supplemental medical | $200 | | Total | $1,200/year |
Example 3: New York Family, No Driving
| Coverage | Cost | |----------|------| | Workers' comp (required) | $1,200 | | Auto insurance addition | $0 | | Supplemental medical | $300 | | Total | $1,500/year |
Example 4: Florida Family, Minimum Coverage
| Coverage | Cost | |----------|------| | Workers' comp (optional, skipped) | $0 | | Auto insurance addition | $350 | | Supplemental medical (skipped) | $0 | | Total | $350/year |
⚠️ Note: We don't recommend skipping workers' comp, even when optional. The risk isn't worth the savings.
Monthly Breakdown
Prefer to think monthly? Here's what insurance costs per month:
| Total Annual | Monthly Cost | |--------------|--------------| | $850 | ~$71/month | | $1,200 | ~$100/month | | $1,800 | ~$150/month | | $2,700 | ~$225/month |
For context, the total cost of hosting an au pair (stipend, room, board, insurance) is typically $18,000 - $25,000 per year. Insurance is a small fraction.
How to Get the Best Rates
1. Shop Around
Get quotes from multiple providers. Rates vary significantly.
2. Bundle Services
Some providers offer discounts if you combine:
- Payroll + workers' comp
- Multiple insurance types
3. Ask About Discounts
Potential savings:
- Multi-policy discount
- Safe driver discount
- Loyalty discount
4. Review Annually
Insurance rates change. Review your coverage each year.
5. Don't Over-Insure
Buy what you need, not more. But don't under-insure either.
Get Personalized Estimates
Costs vary based on your specific situation. Take our quiz to get personalized recommendations and connect with providers who can give you accurate quotes.