Self-Insured employers are those employers who have applied for and been granted the authority to administer their own workers' compensation claims. Self-insured employers agree to abide by BWC and the Industrial Commission's rules and regulations and to provide accurate and timely payments of compensation and benefits subject to the provisions of those rules.

Self-insured employers pay benefits directly to their injured employees and service providers and do not pay workers' compensation premiums into the State Insurance Fund. Disputes in self-insured claims are referred to the Ohio Industrial Commission. Self-Insurance is considered a privilege and BWC monitors the activity of all self-insuring employers in Ohio to ensure that benefits are paid fairly, promptly and in accordance with Ohio law. Injured workers who feel their self-insured employer is not operating in compliance with the rules governing self-insurance are eligible to file a complaint which will be investigated by BWC's Self-Insured Department.