No, as owner we can not use insurance. It is strictly for employees.
We hire independant contractors, their work assignments are sent to them over the internet, they return the finished product via the internet, they rarely if ever come to our office. The State of Arizona requires us to carry workmans comp on them, unless they also work for someone else, which those who work for us now all do, we get a form from the state to fill out the employees wages, and the amount we owe, quarterly, we write no employees on it, and send it back.
I had one long time employee who was involved in a serious automobile accident (non-work related). She was out for over a year but I kept her on the payroll. I didn't mind paying the salary but it really grated that I had to pay the WC premiums, too.
I can understand the county requireing WC. If you didn't have it they would be next in line for a suit.