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Workers' compensation insurance provides assistance to employees injured on the job. Find out the top choices for workers' comp in this guide.
WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
UPDATED
Workers’ compensation insurance is required for most businesses in nearly every state, with Texas as the primary exception. In many states, coverage is required as soon as you hire your first employee, though requirements vary by location and industry.
Because workers’ comp is regulated at the state level, it’s important to understand your specific obligations before purchasing a policy.
The best small business insurers offer workers’ compensation coverage alongside other policies. If your current provider doesn’t, this guide can help you compare options and find a provider that meets your business needs.
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| Company | Best For | Next StepsBest For |
|---|---|---|
The Hartford Small Business Insurance
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ERGO NEXT Business Insurance
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Thimble
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Nationwide Commercial Insurance
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Progressive Commercial Insurance
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| Show More Options | ||
Travelers Small Business Insurance
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| Show Fewer Options |
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
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Finding the right workers’ comp provider means looking beyond the policy itself. Things like claims support, pricing, and ease of coverage matter just as much. We’ve done the research, and these are our top picks:
| Pricing | Instant Quotes | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hartford Small Business Insurance | Around $80/month (varies by payroll/risk) | Limited (typically requires agent follow-up) | 48 states |
| ERGO NEXT Business Insurance | Starts at $14/month | 40+ states | |
| Thimble | Personalized Quote | 48 states | |
| Nationwide Commercial Insurance | Personalized quote | 40+ states | |
| Progressive Commercial Insurance | $80/month (median pricing) | 46 states | |
| Travelers Small Business Insurance | Personalized quote | 44 states |
Pricing
Pricing varies, with some average cost examples availableCoverage Options
Comprehensive coverage with customizable policiesQuote Speed
Usually same-dayPros
Cons
The Hartford is a well-established commercial insurer offering a broad range of business insurance products, including workers’ compensation. Its combination of coverage options, risk management resources, and strong service infrastructure makes it a solid choice for many small to midsize businesses.
Workers’ comp coverage is available in most states, and policies can be tailored to fit a variety of industries and risk profiles.
Get Started With The Hartford Small Business Insurance
Pricing
Starts at $19/month (varies widely)Coverage Options
Core coverage with some niche optionsQuote Speed
Instant online quotesPros
Cons
ERGO NEXT (formerly NEXT Insurance) stands out for its streamlined digital buying experience. Small business owners can get a workers’ compensation quote online in minutes, purchase coverage online in many cases, and manage their policy through the web or mobile app.
That makes NEXT a strong fit for businesses that want a faster, more self-service insurance experience rather than a traditional agent-led process. NEXT also offers a range of other small business coverages, which can make bundling easier for eligible businesses.
Get Started With ERGO NEXT Business Insurance
Pricing
Flexible pricing based on coverage duration and needsCoverage Options
Basic to moderate coverage with flexible policy optionsQuote Speed
Instant online quotesPros
Cons
Thimble is designed for small businesses, freelancers, and independent contractors who need flexible insurance coverage. Its core strength is short-term and on-demand policies, which can be useful for seasonal work or project-based jobs.
While workers’ compensation is not Thimble’s primary offering, it may be available through partners in certain states. Businesses that need a simple, digital-first experience -- and may also require general liability or event-based coverage -- can benefit from Thimble’s platform.
Pricing
Pricing varies based on coverage and business profileCoverage Options
Comprehensive coverage with customizable policy optionsQuote Speed
Approximately 30 minutesPros
Cons
Nationwide is a large, established insurer with a strong reputation for claims handling and customer support. The company offers 24/7 claims reporting and maintains a large claims services team to assist policyholders.
Nationwide also provides access to a network of medical providers and return-to-work programs, which can help streamline care for injured employees and support faster recovery.
Get Started With Nationwide Commercial Insurance
Progressive Commercial Insurance |
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Pros
Cons
Progressive is a well-known commercial insurer that offers a wide range of business insurance products, making it a strong option for bundling coverage.
Through its Progressive Advantage program, businesses can access workers’ compensation insurance from partner carriers while managing other policies -- such as commercial auto or general liability -- through Progressive. This setup allows businesses to compare options and coordinate multiple coverages in one place.
Get Started With Progressive Commercial Insurance
Pricing
Pricing varies based on coverage and business profileCoverage Options
Comprehensive coverage across multiple industriesQuote Speed
Requires agent contact (not instant)Pros
Cons
Travelers is a large, established commercial insurer offering workers’ compensation and a full suite of business insurance products. It’s a strong fit for businesses that need flexible coverage and prefer working with an agent.
A key feature is its pay-as-you-go billing option, which ties premiums directly to actual payroll. This can help reduce large upfront payments and minimize the risk of overpaying if payroll fluctuates.
Get Started With Travelers Small Business Insurance
Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing business insurance since 2020. Our writers have tested over twenty different major insurance companies. In each review, we evaluate pricing, features, customer service, and user reviews.
Read more about how we rate business insurance providers.
When comparing different business insurance companies, we consider many data points, including relative pricing, the number of standard insurance policies available, and the ability to create custom policies. Our lists of the best business insurance providers include only those we’ve deemed worthwhile from multiple vantage points and often share qualities such as low cost, a variety of niche business insurance policies, multiple ways to file claims, and excellent customer support.
We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, ensuring that the business insurance companies included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.
Workers’ compensation insurance is one of the few types of business insurance that may be required by law, depending on your state and number of employees.
Unlike most policies, workers’ comp is designed to protect your employees directly. If an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their job, the policy pays benefits to the employee or their dependents.
Here’s an overview of what workers’ compensation typically covers:
Workers’ compensation requirements vary by state, but most businesses are required to carry coverage once they hire employees.
Some states allow exemptions for certain types of workers or business structures. These may include:
Government employees are typically covered under separate federal or state programs.
In some states, workers’ compensation must be purchased through a state-run program rather than a private insurer. These “monopolistic” states include:
In these states, you’ll need to obtain coverage directly through the state fund.
Additionally, some states require a minimum number of employees before workers’ comp becomes mandatory. Requirements vary, so check your state’s rules carefully if your business operates in:
Once you understand your state’s requirements and any applicable exemptions, you can begin comparing workers’ compensation providers.
Workers’ compensation insurance costs vary based on your business’s risk profile and coverage needs. Because pricing is individualized, you’ll need to request a quote to get an accurate estimate.
Common factors that affect cost include:
As a general benchmark, some small businesses pay around $50 to $60 per month for workers’ comp coverage. However, costs can vary significantly — especially for higher-risk industries or larger teams.
Where available, this guide includes sample pricing for individual providers. These figures are estimates and may not reflect your actual premium.
No two small businesses are exactly alike. That’s why we include a range of options on our list of the best workers’ compensation insurance for small businesses. Whether your business is still small or on the large side and growing bigger, we have included a good choice for you on this list.
We recommend asking for no-obligation price quotes from at least three insurance companies. Make sure you understand your insurance quote from each company, so you can make fair comparisons and choose the one that’s right for your business.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
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