To determine the best workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia, MoneyGeek analyzed providers in the state for their affordability, customer satisfaction, financial stability and online quote process. biBERK came out on top with high scores across these metrics.

Workers' compensation insurance is a legal requirement for small business owners in Georgia, serving as a safeguard against potential financial and legal liabilities. In the event of an employee's work-related illness or injury, it can cover medical expenses, lost wages and potential lawsuits, reducing liability for you and your employees.

Key Takeaways

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Based on the analysis provided by MoneyGeek, the best workers' compensation insurance provider in Georgia is biBERK. Here's an overview of their ranking, average monthly premium, and key highlights of their offerings in terms of financial stability and customer service:

Ranking:
1. biBERK - Best Overall Provider

Average Monthly Premium:
- biBERK charges an average of $148 per month for workers' compensation insurance in Georgia. However, this cost can vary based on specific factors unique to each business.

Financial Stability and Customer Service:
- Customer Satisfaction: biBERK has received high scores for customer satisfaction, which indicates their dedication to serving clients efficiently and effectively.
- Financial Stability: Although specific financial ratings are not provided, their ability to offer competitive rates and maintain strong customer service suggests they have a stable financial footing.
- Online Quote Process: biBERK has a robust online quote process, making it easier for businesses to obtain and manage their insurance policies.

While biBERK leads as the best overall option, for businesses particularly focused on affordability, Pie Insurance offers the cheapest premiums, averaging $106 per month, and as low as $29 monthly for businesses with approximately five employees.

Summary:
For Georgia businesses, biBERK stands out as the top choice for workers' compensation insurance due to its balance of affordability, excellent customer service, and solid financial reliability. It's crucial for business owners to consider their unique business characteristics and needs when selecting an insurance provider, as costs and coverage may vary significantly.

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In Georgia, the most affordable option for workers' compensation insurance is Pie Insurance, offering premiums that average $106 per month. For small businesses with approximately five employees, the premium can be even lower, averaging $29 per month. 

Pie Insurance is a great option for cost-conscious businesses in Georgia due to several reasons:

1. Affordability: As the cheapest provider in the state, Pie Insurance significantly undercuts the average monthly cost of workers' compensation insurance in Georgia, which is $158. This can substantially reduce operational expenses for small businesses.

2. Tailored for Small Businesses: With specific rates for businesses with around five employees, Pie Insurance caters to micro-businesses, making it a suitable choice for startups and small enterprises with limited budgets.

3. Comprehensive Coverage: Despite its lower cost, Pie Insurance still offers the critical coverages needed to protect businesses from financial liabilities associated with workplace injuries or illnesses, including medical expenses and lost wages.

4. Predictable Expense Management: Having a predictable monthly premium allows businesses to more effectively manage their financial planning, making Pie Insurance an appealing choice for companies mindful of their cash flow.

Overall, choosing Pie Insurance could help businesses in Georgia maintain compliance with state laws while optimizing their operations' financial aspect.

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When determining workers' compensation insurance premiums in Georgia, several factors play a crucial role in influencing the overall cost. Here's a comprehensive look at what affects workers' comp rates in the state:

1. Payroll: Payroll is a primary factor in calculating workers' compensation premiums. The higher the total annual payroll, the higher the potential premium, as the risk exposure increases with more significant payroll.

2. Employee Count: The number of employees directly affects the cost. More employees increase the likelihood of workplace injuries, thereby raising the premium. For example, a business with 100 employees will pay more compared to one with only five.

3. Employee Class Code: Each job role is assigned a class code that corresponds to the risk level of that position. Jobs with higher risk (like construction) have higher premiums compared to lower-risk jobs (like clerical work).

4. State Regulations: Georgia law requires businesses with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. State-specific guidelines and requirements can impact the cost, with certain policy minimums influencing premiums.

5. Claims History: Businesses with a history of frequent or severe claims can expect to see higher premiums. Insurers view past claims as an indicator of future risk, and thus, businesses with a clean claims history could benefit from lower rates.

6. Coverage Limits: Policy limits also affect premium costs. Higher coverage limits tend to increase premiums, as insurers are potentially liable for more significant payouts.

7. Financial Stability and Provider Ratings: The chosen insurance provider's financial stability, customer satisfaction, and ability to handle claims can indirectly affect rates. Providers like biBERK, known for strong customer satisfaction and competitive pricing, might offer advantageous rates.

The variance in workers' comp rates in Georgia is evident from the available providers. For example, biBERK offers an average monthly premium of $148, while Pie Insurance provides more affordable options averaging $106. This variation demonstrates that choosing the most suitable provider depends not only on cost but also on other factors such as claims handling, service quality, and the specific needs of your business.

Overall, to find the best workers' compensation provider in Georgia, businesses should consider affordability, the number of employees, total payroll, previous claims, and the specific insurance company’s reputation and stability.

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We collected 677 workers’ compensation insurance quotes and analyzed cost information alongside customer satisfaction and financial stability reports to determine the best workers’ compensation insurance companies for small businesses in Georgia.

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Coverage costs and company information for workers' compensation insurance providers in Georgia were last updated in 2023.

677Quotes Analyzed
 
6Companies Compared
 
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Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Georgia

Our analysis ranks biBERK as the overall best workers’ comp insurance provider in Georgia. biBERK narrowly outranked Thimble thanks to the company's strong customer satisfaction record. biBERK's workers' compensation insurance costs an average of $148 per month, but this can change depending on factors unique to your business.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?


1
biBERKBest Overall in Georgia
Score:93

2.9/5

Affordability

4/5

Customer Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

3/5

Online Quote Process

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Geek Quick Take
  • Monthly premiums average $148
  • Strong financial stability rating of A++ from AM Best
  • Exceptional customer satisfaction record
More About biBERK

biBERK is a small business insurance provider founded in 2015. Backed by the Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group, biBERK has a strong financial stability rating of A++ by AM Best, making it a reliable provider for businesses in Georgia. The company also receives a low rate of customer complaints, according to the NAIC, which means its ongoing customer care is quite good. However, biBERK is not the most affordable insurer in Georgia. Monthly premiums cost an average of $148, and the time to get a quote can take an average of two and a half minutes, which is longer than many other insurers.

2
Pie
Score:92

5/5

Affordability

1/5

Customer Satisfaction

2/5

Financial Stability

5/5

Online Quote Process

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take
  • Coverage costs an average of $106 per month
  • Quote process takes less than a minute
More About Pie

Launched in 2017, Pie Insurance is a solid option for workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia. Coverage costs an average of $106 per month or $1,266 per year, and you can get quotes in less than a minute. However, Pie Insurance has a mediocre financial stability rating from AM Best (A-). As such, Pie Insurance offers affordable workers' compensation insurance, but you might want to think twice if you prioritize finding a financially stable insurer. Pie also scored poorly in customer satisfaction, with a higher rate of complaints than the other insurers we scored.

3
Thimble
Score:92
4
The Hartford
Score:90
5
Next
Score:89
6
Nationwide
Score:88

Cheapest Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Georgia

If you’re after affordability, the cheapest workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia is from Pie Insurance, with premiums averaging $106 per month.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Pie

Pie Insurance is MoneyGeek’s top choice for affordable workers' compensation insurance in Georgia, with an average cost of just $106 per month or $1,266 per year for businesses with 20 employees and $1,250,000 in annual payroll costs. Employee count and payroll costs significantly impact how much workers' comp insurance costs.

Pie is great for business owners who are just starting out and need cheap coverage, or those trying to reduce operating costs. However, Pie Insurance has a mediocre financial stability rating of A- from AM Best. Although affordability is crucial to consider, it's important to evaluate all aspects of Pie Insurance to determine whether it meets your business needs.

See how we ranked companies by average monthly cost in the table below to find the cheapest insurer. Remember, the best option for your small business may depend on other factors.

Pie$106$1,266
Thimble$122$1,468
biBERK$148$1,565
Next$169$2,025
Nationwide$199$2,382
The Hartford$205$2,458

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Micro Businesses in Georgia

For Georgia businesses with approximately five employees, the best option for workers’ compensation is Pie Insurance, with an average monthly premium of $29.

Although employee count does impact your workers’ comp insurance premium, payroll is typically the main cost factor. We gathered quotes for a business with five employees and annual payroll costs of $312,500 to determine the best workers’ comp for micro businesses (that is, businesses with fewer than 10 employees) in Georgia.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Pie

Pie Insurance is MoneyGeek’s top choice for workers’ compensation for micro businesses in Georgia. Businesses with five employees and annual payroll costs of $312,500 can expect to pay $29 per month, or $337 per year, for workers’ comp coverage. Pie also has the quickest online quote process among the companies on our list. Business owners may retrieve a quote in less than a minute, making it easy and fast to comparison-shop for workers’ comp insurance.

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Midsize Businesses in Georgia

Nationwide offers the best workers’ compensation for midsize businesses in Georgia, with a monthly premium of $391 for businesses with approximately 100 employees.

Besides employee count, payroll plays a major role in the cost of workers’ comp. We gathered quotes for a company with 100 employees and an annual payroll amount of $6,250,000 to find the best workers’ comp for midsize businesses in Georgia.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Nationwide

Nationwide ranks highest for medium-sized companies in Georgia. Nationwide offers a monthly premium of $391 ($4,691 per year) for businesses with 100 employees and annual payroll costs of $6,250,000. Nationwide isn’t the cheapest option for midsize businesses — that would be Pie Insurance — but strong customer satisfaction and financial stability scores pushed Nationwide to the top spot. However, Nationwide has a slower online quote process than other companies on our list. Business owners can expect to retrieve a quote in about three minutes.

How Much Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Georgia?

On average, workers' compensation insurance in Georgia costs $158 per month for businesses with 20 employees, which is less than the national average cost of $168 per month. Our sample policy limits are as follows:

  • $1 million total policy limit
  • $1 million per accident limit
  • $1 million per employee limit

This means that the policy will cover up to $1 million for any given accident and $1 million per employee, up to the total policy limit of $1 million. However, if your employee needs more in lost wages or has medical bills exceeding these limits, you must pay for that out of pocket. Umbrella insurance can also help expand your coverage limits.

Annual payroll and employee count are among the most significant factors impacting workers' compensation insurance costs. See how the cost of workers' comp in Georgia varies by employee count in the table below.

How was this cost calculated?

5$62$725
20$158$1,861
100$521$6,077

Factors That Impact Workers’ Compensation Costs in Georgia

The cost of workers’ compensation insurance can vary significantly from one business to another. This includes factors such as the number of employees, payroll costs, employee class code, state regulations and previous claims.

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    Payroll costs

    Insurance providers typically charge a set rate for every $100 of payroll. The rate is set at the state level and varies by industry. Businesses with high payroll costs will likely pay a higher premium than those with lower payroll expenses. Georgia charged an average of $1.15 per $100 of payroll in 2022, slightly less than most other states.

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    Employee class code

    An employee's class code indicates what kind of work they perform, such as consulting or construction. This code determines the rate charged for every $100 of payroll. In industries with higher injury risks, such as construction, your rates are likely higher than in industries with lower injury risks, such as consulting.

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    Number of employees

    How many employees you have can significantly impact your insurance costs. A company with many employees faces a higher risk of employees getting injured or sick on the job. This increased risk can raise workers' compensation insurance premiums.

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    Previous claims

    Insurance providers consider previous claims when determining rates. Businesses with a lengthy history of claims are seen as higher risk.

    Workers’ compensation claims are not uncommon in Georgia. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recorded 78,100 nonfatal workplace illnesses and injuries at private-industry businesses in Georgia in 2019, the most recent year available. At the national level, the BLS recorded more than 2 million nonfatal private-industry workplace injuries and illnesses in 2021.

Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Georgia?

Workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia is only required for businesses with three or more employees, regardless of whether they are part-time or full-time. A sole proprietor and up to five officers or members of a limited liability company (LLC) are the only exemptions.

Even if you are exempt, getting workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia is essential to ensure you’re financially protected. Opting out of workers' compensation insurance means you assume all financial responsibility for workplace injuries. This could result in high costs and legal action from the injured employee.

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WORKERS’ COMP PENALTIES IN GEORGIA

Employers in Georgia who don’t obtain legally required workers’ compensation insurance could be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including:

  • A fine of $500–5,000 per violation and/or up to one year in prison for failing to provide required coverage
  • A fine of $1,000–10,000 per violation for making false statements to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation
  • A fine of $100–1,000 per offense for general violations of state workers’ comp laws

What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in Georgia?

Having workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia can provide several benefits for employers and employees.

For employees who suffer a work-related injury or illness, it can cover the cost of necessary medical treatment, such as hospital stays, surgeries and rehabilitation. Workers’ comp may also compensate employees for lost income if they cannot work due to injury or illness. Additionally, workers’ comp may cover lost wages, vocational rehabilitation and even death benefits if an employee passes away due to a work-related incident.

For business owners, workers’ compensation ensures your business is financially protected if something happens to your employees on the job. Medical expenses, lost wages and other costs can add up quickly. With workers’ compensation insurance, your business will not have to pay them out of pocket.

Workers’ Comp Resources for Employees in Georgia

Employees in Georgia can find resources and file workers’ compensation insurance claims through the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation. Employees needing workers’ comp benefits must file form WC-14 with the state board and provide a copy to their employer and the employer’s insurance provider.

In some cases, the employer may guide an employee through the claim process and take on the responsibility of filing the form. Workers’ comp claims must typically be filed as soon as possible after an employee has sustained an injury or illness at work.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Georgia

Choosing the right provider for workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia is essential, but there are several things to consider before making a decision. Find answers to frequently asked questions about the best workers' compensation insurance in Georgia.

Which company has the best workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia?

Which company has the cheapest workers’ compensation insurance in Georgia?

Does Georgia require businesses to have workers’ compensation insurance?

How much does workers’ compensation insurance cost in Georgia?

About Melissa Wylie


Melissa Wylie headshot

Melissa Wylie is the Content and SEO Manager at MoneyGeek, with nearly a decade of editorial experience and six years of work in financial content focused on small businesses. She previously held SEO positions at Bankrate and LendingTree, with bylines on ValuePenguin and MagnifyMoney.

Wylie has a journalism degree from the University of North Texas. Her strong foundation in journalism helps her craft content that simplifies complex financial topics to help everyone feel confident when making decisions with their money.


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