An employer subject to chapter 10A, subchapter III , this chapter , and chapters 85 , 85A , and 85B , shall not engage in business without first obtaining insurance covering compensation benefits or obtaining relief from insurance as provided in this chapter . A person who willfully and knowingly violates this section is guilty of a class “D” felony. 94 Acts, ch 1066, §3 ; 2005 Acts, ch 168, §16, 23 ; 2023 Acts, ch 19, §1758 Referred to in §87.15 , 87.19