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Workers Compensation Insurance: Cheap Quotes From $12/mo

According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance companies write over $40 billion in workers' compensation insurance benefits every year. This number has been rising steadily, according to Insurance Journal, which reports that workers comp claims frequency has continued to rise.

However, there is a silver lining in these reports, and it's that worker’s comp claims are becoming more sustainable. This is due in large part to training initiatives that drastically reduce the chances of workplace injuries and their consequences.

The majority of workers comp claims result from first-time workplace incidents. As people get more training, workers comp insurance costs should also start to fall despite the increased frequency.

Understanding workers' compensation insurance for small business, begins with understanding how does it work, what it covers, and other critical components regarding the policy. In this article, you will discover the answers to common questions about workers’ compensation insurance, which include:

  • What is workers compensation insurance?

  • How does workers compensation insurance work?

  • Is workers compensation insurance compulsory?

  • How long does workers comp last?

  • How much is workers compensation insurance?

  • The best workers compensation insurance companies

What is Workers Compensation Insurance?

Workers’ comp insurance is the insurance policy that helps workers receive benefits for lost payments wages and medical bills due to workplace injury or illnesses. The medical benefits and the wage amount covered vary from state to state.

Worker’s compensation started after a law was passed in 1911 called The Worker’s Compensation Act. Before that time, all employee compensation disputes had to be resolved in courts by tort judgment. The worker had an increased burden to prove the employer was negligent, resulting in rarely favorable judgments for the worker. This law was passed in reaction to horrible working conditions and deaths that were occurring in high-risk labor jobs.

Today, workers’ comp is considered social insurance because it involves a contract between the employer and employee where they work together to get benefits from an insurance provider. It also has this classification because it is one of the most universally required insurance types for businesses by law from the government.

When deciding to get workers compensation insurance, you must pay attention to the legal requirements and your business's needs. The US Department of Labor is responsible for setting the standards for disability compensation programs and instituting programs to reduce work-related incidents of injuries and illnesses.


How Does Workers Compensation Insurance Work?

Workers' compensation insurance works by following a step-by-step process. The employer, the employee, the insurance company, and possibly an adjudicator will be involved in the course of the employee receiving benefits. This process is described below:

ProcessSteps
Employee reports an injuryThe employee has the responsibility of taking the first step of reporting an injury to their employer within 30 days of the incident date
Employer and employee file a claimThe employer is responsible for giving the employee a compensation form within one business day. They both fill out the necessary parts of the form and send it to the insurance company
The insurance company responds to the claimThe insurance company will determine whether to authorize payment for the claim
Employee files an adjudication claim if necessaryIn the case that an employee disagrees with the decision, they can file a claim to appeal it. An adjudicator is appointed to make a further determination


A cleaning crew carrying their cleaning equipment


Who Are Required to Have Workers Compensation Insurance?

Practically every business must have workers compensation coverage by US law, no matter their size. Even if you only have one employee, you must have general liability and workers comp insurance for small business.


Who is Exempt From Workers Compensation Insurance? 

Certain businesses are excluded from having to buy workers compensation insurance. The reason for their exemption is outlined below:

Exempt PartyReason for exemption
Texas businessesTexas doesn’t require workers comp insurance from businesses
Agricultural workersThey may opt-out
VolunteersUnpaid workers
Government workersGovernment insurance is already adequate coverage
Independent contractorsAre not typically classified as employees
Sole proprietors/LLCsOwners are exempt from the requirement, and if they don’t have any employees, they may not be required to provide workers’ comp

What Does Workers Compensation Insurance Cover?

Workers compensation coverage usually applies on the following benefits that an employee must receive upon sustaining a work-related injury or disease:

  • Hospitalization-Workers compensation insurance can be claimed to cover the cost of an employee’s stay on the hospital and the necessary medical procedures required

  • Medication-Employees covered by workers compensation insurance can file a claim to cover the cost of medication for the continued healing of a work-related injury or disease

  • Lost wages-Workers compensation insurance can cover a percentage of a covered employee’s lost wages. The specific amount is determined by the provisions of the workers comp law of the state 

  • Funeral expenses and allowance to dependents-Death and cash allowance to dependents is the final workers compensation insurance coverage. The policy can be used to cover the cost of a covered employee’s burial. Dependents will also receive cash based on the covered employee’s average weekly salary


The actual amount of benefits an employee receives from workers comp insurance for small business will vary depending on the type of injury or disease sustained. Workers comp laws in the US typically categorize this as a:

  • Temporary partial disability-These are injuries or illnesses that can be healed but will impede an employee to perform regular tasks temporarily. For example, first or second-degree burns, muscle strain, and nerve damage

  • Temporary total disability-These are injuries or illnesses that can be healed but will force an employee to get off work for a definite period of time. A good example is temporary vision loss due to migraines

  • Permanent partial disability-These are injuries or illnesses that an employee can recover from but will leave a permanent impairment in bodily functions. The employee can return to work but not as effective as he or she used to before 

  • Permanent total disability-These are injuries or illnesses that will force an employee to quit work and will leave an impairment that will affect one or more bodily functions 

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Is It Possible To Cover Yourself?

What if you’re a self-employed professional? Is it possible to cover yourself with workers compensation insurance?

You can purchase workers compensation insurance for self employed individuals. All you have to do is to classify yourself as a sole proprietor with no employees and ask the insurance company if your name can be added as an insured in their workers comp insurance policy. 

Self employed workers comp insurance works the same way as the workers comp policy you purchase for employees. It will cover the cost of your hospitalization, medical bills, lost income, and burial. 


How Long Does Workers Comp Last?

Below you can see how the length of worker’s comp can vary by state:

StateHow long an employee can be on workers comp?
GeorgiaUp to 400 weeks
AlabamaUp to 300 weeks
AlaskaUp to 104 weeks
ArkansasUp to 450 weeks
California104-240 weeks
ColoradoNo limit
ConnecticutUp to 520 weeks
DelawareUp to 300 weeks
FloridaUp to 260 weeks
HawaiiNo limit
IdahoNo limit
IllinoisUp to 162 weeks
IndianaUp to 500 weeks
IowaNo limit
Kansas225-415 weeks
KentuckyUp to 425 weeks
LouisianaUp to 520 weeks
MaineUp to 520 weeks
MarylandUp to 156 weeks
Massachusetts156-260 weeks
MichiganNo limit
Minnesota130-225 weeks
MississippiUp to 450 weeks
MontanaUp to 260 weeks
NebraskaUp to 300 weeks
NevadaUp to 156 weeks
New HampshireUp to 262 weeks
New Jersey400-600 weeks
New MexicoUp to 700 weeks
New York225-525 weeks
North CarolinaUp to 500 weeks
North DakotaUp to 1,500 weeks
OhioUp to 520 weeks
Oklahoma156-208 weeks
OregonNo limit
PennsylvaniaUp to 500 weeks
Rhode Island312-500 weeks
South CarolinaUp to 500 weeks
South DakotaUp to 400 weeks
TennesseeUp to 450 weeks
TexasNo Limit
UtahUp to 312 weeks
VermontUp to 104 weeks
VirginiaUp to 500 weeks
Washington500-667 weeks
West Virginia104-336 weeks
Wisconsin400-1,000 weeks
WyomingNo limit

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Workers Compensation Insurance Cost

The average workers compensation insurance cost is $101 per month or $1,212 per year, depending on your employee payroll, location, and claims history. Depending on which industry your business is in, this can have a smaller or more significant effect on the final premium price as well. The average cost of workers comp insurance of the best companies is broken down below:


Cost per MonthCost per YearBest for
NEXT$12$144Best overall; Fastest workers compensation insurance
The Hartford$13$156Workers compensation insurance policy with preferred medical provider networks and pharmacies
Coverwallet$30$360Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes online
Tivly$85$1,020Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes over the phone
Thimble$35$420Getting coverage quickly
Hiscox$23$276Workers compensation insurance for small businesses


Compare options to get the best workers comp coverage. Click the “Get Quotes” button on this page to compare workers comp insurance quote in one sweep.

Compare Cheap Workers Compensation Insurance Quotes Online

Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance Companies

If you are looking for cheap workers comp insurance, it is important to shop around. Below is a list of the top companies with an excellent workmen compensation policy. They offer different advantages depending on your needs and your employee’s needs. Proceed below to know their pros, cons, and average cost:


NEXT Workers Compensation Insurance

Pros

  • Workers compensation insurance can be bundled with other business insurance policies 

  • Enjoy a 10% policy bundle discount 

  • Automatically has an employer’s liability add-on

Cons

  • Couldn’t find any

NEXT provides excellent workers compensation insurance for self employed professionals and small businesses thanks to its low price and bundle discounts to make finding other types of business insurance a breeze.

Best for: Best overall; Fastest workers compensation insurance 

Average cost: $12 per month 

Our rating: 10/10


The Hartford Workers Compensation Insurance

Pros

  • File and track your policy instantly online

  • Simple to incorporate add-ons

  • Workers' health program ensures your employees like the plan too

  • Number 2 workers comp insurance underwriter in 2021

Cons: 

  • Need to talk to an agent before selecting a policy

The Hartford stands out from the pack with its nursing back to a health program that helps coordinate every aspect of your employee’s recovery. They are a good option for healthcare convenience thanks to having access to more than 65,000 pharmacies that allow your employees to get the treatments they need without out-of-pocket costs.

Best for: Workers compensation insurance policy with preferred medical provider networks and pharmacies 

Average cost: $13 per month 

Our rating: 10/10 


CoverWallet Workers Compensation Insurance

Pros

  • Compare workers compensation insurance quotes online

  • Cancel your coverage anytime

  • Choose workers comp quotes from a wide variety of underwriters 


Cons

  • Not an insurance company but an insurance broker 

Another standout workers’ comp insurance company is CoverWallet. They boast a fantastic payment program where you pay in set installments instead of large lump sums. This means that your costs are spread out throughout the year instead of having upfront costs.

Best for: Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes online 

Average cost: $19 per month 

Our rating: 10/10


Tivly Workers Compensation Insurance

Pros

  • Company profiles make finding the right partner easy

  • Extensive experience with finding good policies

  • Call process to help you select the right policy

Cons

  • No mobile app

Tivly is another popular marketplace for wc insurance. They offer a place for business owners to find a workers compensation insurance quote while pairing you with a carrier that has the necessary experience to deliver the best policy. Call a Tivly representative now to compare quotes over the phone. 

Best for: Comparing workers compensation insurance quotes over the phone 

Average cost: $85 per month 

Our rating: 10/10


Thimble Workers Compensation Insurance 

Pros

  • Unmatched policy choices

  • Coverage is quick to set up

  • 60-second quotes

Cons: 

  • Online-only support for their customers

If you are in a hurry to get your coverage up and running, then Thimble might be a good choice for you. You can choose between workers comp insurance policies made for businesses, independent contractors and self-employed professionals. Another great feature is the speed you can get through the quote and purchase process.

Best for: Getting coverage quickly

Average cost: $35 per month 

Our rating: 10/10


Hiscox Workers Compensation Insurance 

Pros

  • Variety of policy options

  • Discounts when buying multiple products

  • Caters to small business needs

Cons

  • Not available in every state

Hiscox offers customers a personalized experience that allows them to choose from various options for their workers’ compensation insurance. Their workers' comp insurance for small businesses will typically be sold through their partners.

Best for: Workers compensation insurance for small businesses

Average cost: $23 per month 

Our rating: 10/10


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