MoneyGeek identified the best workers’ compensation insurance companies in Oregon based on average premiums, customer satisfaction ratings, financial stability and the efficiency of the online quote process. Pie emerged as our overall winner, ranking first in affordability and online quote accessibility.

Oregon state law mandates workers’ compensation insurance for all small businesses. This coverage protects business owners from legal and financial liabilities arising from work incidents. It covers legal expenses, lost wages and medical bills if an employee suffers from a work-related injury or illness.

Key Takeaways

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Based on the data from MoneyGeek, Pie is identified as the best workers' compensation insurance provider in Oregon. Here's why:

1. Ranking and Affordability: Pie ranks first as the best overall workers' compensation insurance provider in Oregon. It holds this position due to its affordability, with an average monthly premium of $70 for businesses with 20 employees.

2. Financial Stability and Customer Service: Although specific financial stability and customer service ratings for Pie have not been provided in the data, its top ranking and affordability suggest strong financial performance and satisfactory customer service.

3. Efficiency of Online Quote Process: Pie is noted for its accessibility when obtaining online quotes, making it a convenient choice for small businesses looking for quick and efficient insurance application processes.

In summary, Pie combines affordability with efficient service delivery, making it an excellent choice for workers' compensation insurance in Oregon. Businesses should consider their specific circumstances, such as employee count and payroll, as these factors will influence actual insurance costs.

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In Oregon, the cheapest workers' compensation insurance provider for small businesses with 20 employees is Pie. Pie offers an average monthly premium of $70, making it the most affordable option in the state for businesses of this size. 

Choosing Pie as your workers' compensation insurance provider is an advantageous decision for cost-conscious businesses for several reasons:

1. Affordability: Pie's average monthly premium of $70 is notably lower than Oregon’s average cost of $129 for businesses with 20 employees. This substantial saving can significantly impact a business's overall operating costs.

2. Comprehensive Coverage: Despite being the most affordable option, Pie offers robust coverage that includes protection from legal and financial liabilities due to work incidents, covering legal expenses, lost wages, and medical bills. 

3. Online Accessibility: Pie excels in providing an efficient and accessible online quote process, allowing businesses to quickly obtain quotes and manage their policies with ease. This convenience is a significant advantage for business owners who need to focus on other aspects of their operations.

4. High Ratings: Pie has earned a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100, indicating strong customer satisfaction and financial stability. This assures businesses of the company's reliability and ability to meet their coverage needs.

These factors make Pie an excellent choice for businesses seeking cost-effective workers’ compensation insurance without compromising on coverage quality.

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In Oregon, several factors influence the premiums for workers' compensation insurance, and understanding these variables can help businesses manage their insurance costs effectively.

1. Nature of the Business: Different industries come with varying levels of risk. For instance, construction or manufacturing businesses typically have higher premiums due to the increased likelihood of workplace injuries compared to office-based jobs.

2. Employee Class Codes: Each job role is assigned a specific classification code that reflects its risk level. These codes significantly impact the premium calculation, with higher-risk roles attracting higher premiums.

3. Annual Payroll and Employee Headcount: While both factors are crucial, payroll costs have a more pronounced effect on premium rates than the sheer number of employees. A higher payroll indicates more covered wages in case of an accident, thus potentially increasing the premium.

4. Claims History: A business with a history of frequent or severe claims may face higher premiums. Insurers may interpret past claims as indicative of a riskier workplace and adjust premiums accordingly.

5. State Regulations: Oregon has specific laws mandating workers' compensation insurance for small businesses, influencing the baseline cost of coverage. Understanding state-specific rules and exemptions is essential for business owners.

6. Insurance Limits: Standard policy limits, such as $1 million for total policy, per accident, and per employee, can also impact premiums. Policies with higher limits generally come with higher premiums.

Rates can vary significantly based on these factors. For example, Pie offers the most affordable workers’ comp insurance in Oregon, with a monthly premium averaging $70 for companies with 20 employees and $1,250,000 in payroll expenses. However, depending on specific business conditions, providers like biBERK and Thimble may be more suitable, particularly for micro and midsize businesses, respectively.

Hence, while the average rate for a business with 20 employees in Oregon stands at approximately $129 per month, actual costs can differ based on the outlined factors. Employers are advised to evaluate their unique circumstances and consider consulting with multiple insurers to find the most cost-effective coverage tailored to their needs.

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 Oregon.

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

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

Pie ranks as Oregon’s overall best workers’ compensation insurance provider, earning a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100. Pie’s workers’ comp policies cost a monthly average of $70 for companies with 20 employees. However, your actual rate may vary depending on several factors, such as the nature of your business and the number of employees you have.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?


1
PieBest Overall in Oregon
Score:92

5/5

Affordability

1/5

Customer Satisfaction

2/5

Financial Stability

5/5

Online Quote Process

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Geek Quick Take
  • Cheapest provider at an average monthly rate of $70
  • Fastest online quote process, taking less than a minute
  • Poor record of customer satisfaction
More About Pie

Pie was established in 2017 but has quickly gained a solid reputation as a provider of workers’ compensation insurance. Coverage from this company costs around $70 per month — the cheapest among the Oregon providers we reviewed. Pie also has the most efficient online quote process, allowing you to access a personalized quote in less than a minute.

However, Pie received the highest rate of customer complaints in our study, which might make you want to rethink your options if you value quality service. Pie’s A- financial stability rating from AM Best is also the lowest among the insurers we reviewed, meaning the insurer may be unable to pay its claims reliably.

2
The Hartford
Score:90

1.4/5

Affordability

5/5

Customer Satisfaction

4/5

Financial Stability

4/5

Online Quote Process

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take
  • Coverage costs $147 per month, on average
  • Lowest rate of complaints among reviewed Oregon providers
  • Strong financial stability score from AM Best
More About The Hartford

Backed by more than 200 years of experience in the insurance industry, The Hartford has developed a strong reputation for delivering outstanding customer service. Based on ratings from the NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners), this provider receives few customer complaints, demonstrating its commitment to customer satisfaction.

The Hartford is also financially secure, earning an A+ (Excellent) financial stability rating from AM Best. However, be prepared to pay a higher premium in exchange for these perks. The Hartford has the third most expensive rates among providers we reviewed, averaging $147 per month.

3
biBERK
Score:89
4
Nationwide
Score:89
5
Thimble
Score:89
6
Next
Score:88

Cheapest Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Oregon

Pie offers Oregon’s cheapest workers’ comp insurance, costing a monthly average of $70. We based our study on rates for businesses with 20 employees and $1,250,000 in annual payroll expenses. Employee count and total payroll will significantly impact your company’s workers’ compensation insurance costs.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Pie

Pie is MoneyGeek’s top choice for Oregon’s most affordable workers’ comp insurance provider. It offers premiums at a monthly average of $70. In addition to having the cheapest rates, Pie has the fastest online quote application among the insurers we studied — you can access a personalized quote online in about 30 seconds.

However, Pie has a very high rate of customer complaints and a relatively low financial stability rating of A- from AM Best. These ratings mean that policyholders may not promptly receive payouts for their claims.

In the table below, we’ve ranked companies based on average monthly and annual rates for a business with 20 employees to help you find Oregon’s cheapest workers’ compensation provider. Note that the most affordable provider for your small business may vary depending on several factors.

Pie$70$835
Thimble$111$1,209
Nationwide$142$1,703
The Hartford$147$1,762
biBERK$152$1,611
Next$154$1,848

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Micro Businesses in Oregon

biBERK is the best workers’ comp provider for micro businesses in Oregon, offering policies at an average monthly cost of $58. We based our ranking on quotes for a business with five employees and an annual payroll expense of $312,500.

Companies that have less than 10 employees are known as micro businesses. While having more employees can increase your workers’ compensation premium, it’s important to note that payroll costs have a significantly greater impact on your rates.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
biBERK

MoneyGeek recommends biBERK as Oregon’s best workers’ compensation insurance provider for micro businesses. Its policies cost a monthly average of $58, the second cheapest among the insurers we reviewed.

biBERK received the highest financial stability rating in our study of A++ from AM Best. The company has a record of few customer complaints, demonstrating its commitment to customer service. Its online quote process takes less than a minute and a half to complete, saving you time while shopping for rates.

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Midsize Businesses in Oregon

Thimble is the best workers’ compensation provider for midsize businesses in Oregon. It is also the cheapest option at an average monthly premium of $466.

Your number of employees is a key factor in the cost of your workers’ comp insurance, but payroll costs have a bigger impact on premiums. MoneyGeek considered both factors in our study of the best workers’ comp providers for midsize businesses. Sample companies in our studies have 100 employees and an annual payroll of $6,250,000.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
Thimble

MoneyGeek recommends Thimble as Oregon’s best workers’ compensation provider for medium-sized companies. Thimble’s monthly rates are around $466 — the cheapest of this category’s insurers.

Aside from having the lowest rates, Thimble has the quickest online quote process and exhibits solid financial stability. That said, it has the highest rate of complaints among its competitors, which might be a dealbreaker for you if you prefer to receive a quality customer experience.

How Much Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Oregon?

In Oregon, workers’ compensation insurance costs approximately $129 monthly for businesses with 20 employees. That’s $39 more than the monthly national average cost of $168. MoneyGeek collected quotes based on a sample policy with the following limits:

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

A policy with these limits will cover up to $1 million in total liability costs (including medical bills, lost wages or legal fees) for all accidents a business reports within a policy period. These limits also cap payouts at $1 million per accident and $1 million per employee, which means you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any costs beyond these limits. We recommend purchasing commercial umbrella insurance with increased coverage limits to boost your company’s financial protection.

Your annual payroll and employee headcount are the key determinants of your workers’ comp insurance costs. Refer to the table below to see how Oregon’s average workers’ compensation insurance cost varies based on your number of employees.

How was this cost calculated?

5$63$714
20$129$1,495
100$607$7,023

Factors That Impact Workers’ Compensation Costs in Oregon

The cost of Oregon workers’ compensation insurance varies for each business depending on several factors. State regulations, payroll costs, employee headcount, employee class codes and previous claims history will all likely affect your premiums.

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    Payroll costs

    Insurers base their rates on the state’s premium index rate for every $100 of payroll. Insurers generally charge businesses with high payroll expenses with higher premiums than those with lower payroll costs. In 2022, Oregon charged an average of $0.93 per $100 of payroll, making it the 10th cheapest state for workers’ comp insurance.

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    Number of employees

    Workers’ comp coverage gets more expensive the more employees you have. With more employees, there’s a higher chance of having at least one of your staff getting sick or injured on the job.

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    Employee class code

    Employees are categorized based on the type of work they perform. This employee class code determines the rate for every $100 of payroll. Businesses that face a higher risk of injury, like construction, are typically charged higher rates than those with lower risks, such as consulting.

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    Previous claims

    Having a history of workers’ compensation claims is usually viewed by insurers as a red flag that can drive up your premiums. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 47,800 out of the nation’s 2.6 million cases of private-industry nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses within the private industry in 2021 occurred in Oregon.

Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Oregon?

All Oregon businesses are required to obtain workers’ compensation insurance. However, certain types of workers may qualify for an exemption.

Workers’ comp insurance protects companies from the financial impact of liability claims. Business owners should consider this coverage a safety net against unexpected expenses due to medical bills and legal damages if employees get injured or sick on the job.

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WORKERS’ COMP PENALTIES IN OREGON

Employers in Oregon who don’t provide state-mandated workers’ compensation insurance may face criminal and civil penalties, including:

  • First offense: Penalty equivalent to twice the amount of insurance premiums you should have paid (a minimum of $1,000).
  • Second offense: Penalty of up to $250 per day for each day of noncompliance, with no limit on the total penalty.
  • Third and subsequent offenses: Permanent court injunction. Failure to obey will result in contempt of court and other sanctions, including imprisonment.

These severe penalties should incentivize business owners to invest in workers’ comp insurance.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in Oregon?

Workers’ comp insurance benefits employers and employees alike. Employers are protected from lawsuits and medical treatment expenses if an employee suffers a work-related injury or illness. This coverage provides employees with vocational rehabilitation, compensation for lost wages and death benefits.

This type of financial protection is necessary for all small business owners since liability for even one workplace injury can quickly run into tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Resources for Employees in Oregon

The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division provides a resource hub where employees can report an injury, file a claim, browse health care providers, look up an employer’s coverage and find helpful information about getting paid for time off.

Employees who wish to file for workers’ comp benefits must complete Form 801 (“Report of Job Injury or Illness”) and submit it to the employer, who should then send it to its insurance provider within five days of notice. If you’re seeking medical treatment, inform your physician that your injury is work-related. Ask for your doctor’s assistance in completing Form 827 (“Worker’s and Health Care Provider’s Report for Workers’ Compensation Claims”). Your employer’s insurer will notify you in writing whether your claim is accepted or denied within 60 days of your employer’s knowledge of the claim.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Oregon

The best workers’ compensation insurance provider for your small business provides quality coverage at the most affordable premiums. MoneyGeek helps you cut through the noise by giving you the essential information for selecting your Oregon insurer.

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

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

Does Oregon require businesses to have workers’ compensation insurance?

How much does workers’ compensation insurance cost in Oregon?

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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