Best Workers' Compensation Insurance
What kind of work do you do?
Business owner in woodshop consulting clipboard.
Choose from the nation's best insurance providers
Logos of Insureon's business insurance carrier partners

Best workers' compensation insurance for small businesses

When buying a workers' compensation policy, not every provider offers the same coverage and support. Find the best insurance company for your type of business, your budget, and your geographical area.

What are some of the best companies selling workers' comp in 2024?

Every small business is different, which is why there's no one insurance company that we recommend when buying workers' compensation insurance.

Insureon works with 40+ insurance carriers to find the coverage that is right for your small business. We've helped over 400,000 small businesses get protected with more than 1.5 million policies.

When you compare quotes with our application, we do the work for you by retrieving quotes from the companies that best match your business needs. The most important factors are:

All of our insurance partners are rated excellent or superior by AM Best [PDF]. Some providers specialize in workers' comp for certain professions, and others operate only in limited areas.

Best-rated workers' compensation insurance companies

When buying workers' compensation coverage with Insureon, you'll get quotes from some of the biggest names in the industry.

Workers' compensation insurance covers medical expenses for work-related injuries, including death benefits for fatal incidents. Most policies include employer's liability insurance, which pays for legal defense costs if an injured employee sues your business.

Because personal health insurance can deny claims for medical care related to work, even the self-employed may choose to carry this coverage.

Based on financial strength and overall rating, our top carriers for workers' comp insurance include:

The Hartford: Rated A+ by AM Best. Located in Hartford, CT. Specializes in property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and mutual funds.

AmTrust: Rated A-. Located in New York, NY. Specializes in property and casualty insurance, specialty risks, and workers' compensation insurance.

Acuity: Rated A+. Located in Sheboygan, WI. Specializes in property and casualty insurance.

Liberty Mutual: Rated A. Located in Boston, MA. Specializes in property and casualty insurance.

Chubb: Rated A++. Located in Simsbury, CT, Charlotte, NC, and Phoenix, AZ. Specializes in property and casualty insurance, business owner's policy (BOP).

Top carriers we partner with

Best workers' compensation insurance carriers by industry

When searching for workers' compensation for your small business, your profession is a key factor. A provider who knows the specific business risks associated with your work can make sure you're covered for the relevant exposures.

Here are the recommended providers for our top industries.

Construction and contracting

Construction businesses and contractors often look to Acuity or Liberty Mutual for workers' compensation insurance.

Acuity is a regional carrier with the strength and resources of a national carrier. They offer specialized coverages for contractors, such as carpenters and handyman services, with an emphasis on accident prevention and a 24/7 nurse hotline for workers with non-emergency injuries.

Plumbers, electricians, and other contractors can also rely on Liberty Mutual for workers' compensation. By working with a company that knows your industry, you'll gain peace of mind knowing you're insured for the right exposures.

Installation

Installation contractors and businesses often rely on the Hartford or Acuity for workers' compensation insurance.

Founded over 200 years ago, the Hartford is one of the oldest and most reliable insurance companies. It offers extensive support to injured workers and your business during a workers' comp claim.

Acuity has a 24/7 nurse helpline that provides nonemergency care for workplace injuries, as well as a network of affordable medical providers.

Consulting

The Hartford and Chubb are two of the best carriers for workers' compensation for consulting firms.

The Hartford is one of the oldest and most reliable insurance providers, and offers a network of experienced medical providers and pharmacies.

Chubb's workers' comp policy fits a wide range of small businesses. The company has an exemplary record for customer satisfaction during the claims process.

Cleaning

Cleaners often rely on AmTrust, Acuity, and Liberty Mutual for workers' compensation insurance.

AmTrust offers customized workers' comp packages that fit small cleaning businesses, in addition to a pay-as-you-owe payment plan for cleaning businesses that can't afford large payments upfront.

Acuity is a regional carrier with the strength and resources to match the major national carriers. The company's 24/7 nurse helpline helps resolve nonemergency injuries, and its network offers cost-effective access to medical providers and prescription drugs.

Liberty Mutual is one of the largest property and casualty insurers in the world, and even offers workers' comp solutions for cleaners with unusually high risks.

Best workers' comp carriers by state

Some carriers have a limited area of operations, so your state is another consideration when it comes to the best carriers for workers' comp insurance. Keep in mind that businesses in monopolistic states (Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming) must purchase workers' compensation from the state fund.

State requirements for workers' comp vary, but workers' compensation laws in most states require businesses to buy coverage when they hire their first employee, full-time or part-time.

Here are the most popular small business insurance companies for our top five states, based on the number of policies sold.

#1#2#3

The Hartford

Acuity

Liberty Mutual

The Hartford

AmTrust

Liberty Mutual

The Hartford

Acuity

AmTrust

The Hartford

AmTrust

Liberty Mutual

The Hartford

AmTrust

Liberty Mutual

How much does workers' compensation insurance cost?

A small business owner calculating their workers' comp insurance payments

The average cost of workers' compensation insurance is $45 per month for Insureon's small business customers.

Workers' comp premiums are calculated based on a few different factors, including:

  • The type of work your employees perform
  • Number of employees
  • Business location
  • Annual payroll
  • Policy limits and deductible
  • Workers' compensation claims history

How can I find affordable workers' comp insurance for my small business?

There are several ways to save money when it comes to workers' compensation insurance:

Other important policies for small businesses that purchase workers' compensation

Workers' comp protects your employees and helps you comply with state laws, but it's not the only type of business insurance coverage you need. To protect against other risks, small business owners often buy the following insurance products:

General liability insurance: This policy covers legal costs when a customer is injured at your store or office, or when your business accidentally damages customer property. It's often the first policy that a small business needs.

Business owner's policy: A business owner's policy combines general liability coverage with commercial property insurance in a cost-saving package. It provides coverage in the event of a customer accident or business property damage.

Professional liability insurance: This policy helps pay for legal costs if a customer sues your business for a mistake or negligence, and it's recommended for any business that offers professional services or advice. It’s also known as errors and omissions insurance.

Commercial auto insurance: Businesses that own a vehicle are typically required to carry this coverage. It helps pay for legal costs and medical bills if your business vehicle is involved in an accident.

Cyber insurance: This policy covers expenses related to data breaches and cyberattacks, such as the cost of notifying affected customers. It's also called data breach insurance.

Commercial umbrella insurance: When your underlying general liability, commercial auto, or employer's liability insurance policy reaches its limit, umbrella insurance kicks in to provide additional coverage. It's often used to increase general liability limits to those required by a contract.

How do I get workers' comp coverage?

It's easy to get a workers' compensation insurance policy with Insureon. Fill out our easy online application to receive quotes from trusted providers. Our expert insurance agents can answer any questions and help you find the right coverage for your needs.

Most businesses can get insured within 24 hours and easily download a certificate of insurance as proof of coverage right away.

Updated: February 5, 2024
Find workers' comp insurance quotes
Save money by comparing insurance quotes from multiple carriers.
EXPLORE ON INSUREON
Frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation insuranceBest general liability insurance for small businessesTop 10 causes of accidents in the workplace and their costsWhen do I need to buy workers' compensation insurance?Compare workers’ comp rates by state