NEXT leads the field for workers' comp insurance in West Virginia, with excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage options. The Hartford and Simply Business provide equally strong alternatives for business owners, with all three providers delivering comparable quality service.
Workers' Comp Insurance in West Virginia
NEXT is West Virginia's best workers' comp insurance provider, with an overall score of 4.59 out of 5 in our analysis.
Compare top West Virginia workers' comp insurance providers and find your ideal coverage.
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Updated: September 11, 2025
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Key Takeaways
NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead West Virginia's workers' compensation insurance market with the highest overall ratings.
Your industry risk level, number of employees, history of claims and available budget determine which workers' comp provider fits your business needs.
To find the right workers' comp coverage in West Virginia, compare quotes from multiple providers, evaluate their industry expertise and review their service records.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in West Virginia
| NEXT | 4.59 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.53 | 2 |
| Simply Business | 4.50 | 3 |
| Coverdash | 4.43 | 4 |
| biBERK | 4.42 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 4.41 | 6 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.37 | 7 |
| Hiscox | 4.35 | 8 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | 8 |
| Chubb | 4.26 | 9 |
How Did We Determine These Rates and Rankings?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Actual rates vary based on your business location, industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia business owners often need more than just workers' compensation insurance. Use these helpful guides about other types of coverage:
Best West Virginia Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and The Hartford emerge as the best workers' compensation insurance providers in West Virginia, offering superior coverage options for business owners.
NEXT
Best Overall Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$72Based on average costs for workers' compensation coverage in West VirginiaOur survey: Claims process
3.9/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingRecommend to others
4.8/5Percentage of current customers who would recommend NEXT
The Hartford
Runner-Up Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$73Based on average costs for small business coverage in West VirginiaOur survey: Claims process
4.5/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handling experienceOur survey: Recommend to others
4.5/5Percentage of customers who would recommend The Hartford to others
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in West Virginia
In West Virginia, NEXT provides the most affordable workers' comp coverage at $72 monthly ($861 annually). The Hartford and Thimble offer competitive rates at $73 and $74 per month, respectively. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT | $72 | $861 |
| The Hartford | $73 | $871 |
| Thimble | $74 | $884 |
| Simply Business | $74 | $892 |
| Progressive Commercial | $75 | $894 |
| Hiscox | $75 | $896 |
| Coverdash | $76 | $914 |
| biBERK | $79 | $943 |
| Nationwide | $85 | $1,022 |
| Chubb | $89 | $1,067 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers’ comp policies. Your actual premium depends on where your business is located, what industry you're in, how many employees you have, and other factors insurers consider.
Average Cost of Workers’ Comp Insurance in West Virginia
Workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia costs businesses an average of $77 per month or $925 annually. West Virginia's rates run slightly higher than the national monthly average of $74. Your business's actual premium depends on several factors, including industry risk level, number of employees, total payroll and claims history.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in West Virginia by Industry
In West Virginia, workers' compensation insurance costs vary by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay the lowest premiums at $6 per month, while roofing businesses face the highest rates at $877 monthly. This substantial difference reflects the varying workplace injury risks across different professions.
| Accountants | $21 | $256 |
| Ad Agency | $17 | $202 |
| Auto Repair | $158 | $1,894 |
| Automotive | $124 | $1,484 |
| Bakery | $57 | $678 |
| Barber | $15 | $176 |
| Beauty Salon | $15 | $184 |
| Bounce House | $42 | $506 |
| Candle | $42 | $505 |
| Cannabis | $88 | $1,052 |
| Catering | $77 | $923 |
| Cleaning | $51 | $612 |
| Coffee Shop | $49 | $591 |
| Computer Programming | $30 | $354 |
| Computer Repair | $25 | $303 |
| Construction | $190 | $2,279 |
| Consulting | $32 | $379 |
| Contractor | $174 | $2,086 |
| Courier | $236 | $2,836 |
| DJ | $15 | $177 |
| Daycare | $14 | $167 |
| Dental | $12 | $141 |
| Dog Grooming | $69 | $824 |
| Drone | $28 | $336 |
| Ecommerce | $23 | $274 |
| Electrical | $60 | $722 |
| Engineering | $40 | $478 |
| Excavation | $113 | $1,352 |
| Florist | $64 | $773 |
| Food | $44 | $528 |
| Food Truck | $48 | $574 |
| Funeral Home | $28 | $335 |
| Gardening | $49 | $587 |
| HVAC | $66 | $795 |
| Handyman | $99 | $1,186 |
| Home-based | $11 | $127 |
| Hospitality | $73 | $870 |
| Janitorial | $51 | $615 |
| Jewelry | $31 | $376 |
| Junk Removal | $146 | $1,753 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $39 | $471 |
| Lawyers | $55 | $663 |
| Manufacturing | $62 | $741 |
| Marine | $157 | $1,888 |
| Massage | $15 | $184 |
| Mortgage Broker | $15 | $175 |
| Moving | $271 | $3,256 |
| Nonprofit | $33 | $399 |
| Painting | $146 | $1,746 |
| Party Rental | $39 | $465 |
| Personal Training | $26 | $314 |
| Pest Control | $74 | $888 |
| Pet | $32 | $386 |
| Pharmacy | $7 | $80 |
| Photography | $18 | $214 |
| Physical Therapy | $7 | $86 |
| Plumbing | $68 | $812 |
| Pressure Washing | $87 | $1,045 |
| Real Estate | $32 | $380 |
| Restaurant | $66 | $797 |
| Retail | $37 | $439 |
| Roofing | $877 | $10,529 |
| Security | $55 | $655 |
| Snack Bars | $45 | $545 |
| Software | $28 | $333 |
| Spa/Wellness | $18 | $220 |
| Speech Therapist | $6 | $76 |
| Startup | $14 | $164 |
| Tech/IT | $29 | $345 |
| Transportation | $240 | $2,884 |
| Travel | $7 | $88 |
| Tree Service | $232 | $2,789 |
| Trucking | $280 | $3,357 |
| Tutoring | $10 | $126 |
| Veterinary | $21 | $247 |
| Wedding Planning | $30 | $358 |
| Welding | $122 | $1,461 |
| Wholesale | $42 | $502 |
| Window Cleaning | $220 | $2,643 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, employers must carry workers' compensation insurance as soon as they hire their first employee. This mandatory coverage protects workers by paying medical expenses and lost wages if they become injured or ill due to their job duties.
Businesses operating without proper coverage face fines up to $2,500 and possible criminal penalties, including jail time for serious violations.
Sole proprietors
Business owners operating alone without employees can typically opt out of workers' compensation coverage for themselves while maintaining personal health insurance
Corporate officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock can elect to exclude themselves from workers' comp requirements by filing a written notice
Independent contractors
Verified independent contractors who control their own work methods and schedule are generally exempt from mandatory coverage requirements
Real estate agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission qualify as independent contractors and are typically exempt from workers' comp requirements
Agricultural workers
Small farms with fewer than five regular employees or under $20,000 in annual payroll can qualify for exemption from mandatory coverage
Domestic workers
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week or earning below $750 per quarter may be exempt from coverage requirements
Religious organizations
Members of religious organizations who have taken vows of poverty while working for their church can qualify for exemption from coverage
Seasonal workers
Temporary workers employed for less than 13 weeks per year in non-hazardous seasonal roles may be exempt from coverage requirements
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in West Virginia
Getting workers' comp coverage in West Virginia is straightforward when you know where to look, with options available to protect your team while keeping business insurance costs in check. Compare quotes from multiple providers and evaluate their coverage options and claims processes to find the right fit for your business.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
West Virginia law requires most businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
- 2
Prepare business documents
Prepare accurate payroll records, employee counts and job classifications before requesting quotes.
- 3
Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three different insurance providers for quotes. West Virginia has rate variations between carriers.
- 4
Find industry-specific expertise
Select insurers who understand your industry's risks and local regulations. This is especially important for high-risk jobs, such as construction.
- 5
Review provider performance
Investigate each insurer's claim processing times and complaint history. Consider additional benefits like workplace safety training or return-to-work programs.
- 6
Examine policy details
Review coverage limits and exclusions carefully. Consider payment flexibility options, including pay-as-you-go structures.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Review coverage each year because changes in payroll, employee count or claims history can affect your business needs.
West Virginia Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
West Virginia businesses have access to several strong workers' compensation insurance providers. Our analysis shows NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead the market in West Virginia. Compare quotes from these providers and evaluate how each one serves your specific industry and company size before making your choice.
West Virginia Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Understanding workers' comp insurance requirements and costs in West Virginia often presents challenges for business owners. Find answers to your most common questions in our comprehensive guide below.
Is workers' comp insurance required for all West Virginia businesses?
Workers' comp insurance is mandatory for West Virginia businesses with employees. Key exemptions include sole proprietors, independent contractors and volunteer workers.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in West Virginia?
NEXT offers the lowest-priced workers' comp insurance in West Virginia at $72 per month ($861 annually). Your actual premium will depend on your industry risk level, number of employees, payroll size and claims history.
What does workers' comp insurance cover in West Virginia?
West Virginia workers' compensation insurance covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and partial wage replacement for work-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits include permanent disability compensation and death benefits.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in West Virginia?
NEXT leads West Virginia workers' compensation insurance with a 4.59 overall score, excelling in customer service (4.70) and coverage options (4.80). The Hartford follows at 4.53, known for consistent service, while Simply Business scores 4.50 and offers the most comprehensive coverage choices. Choose based on your priority: service quality, reliability or coverage breadth.
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in West Virginia?
Operating without workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia is illegal and carries severe penalties. Employers face fines, potential criminal charges and business closure.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in West Virginia?
Sole proprietors in West Virginia are exempt from mandatory workers' compensation insurance. Those working in high-risk industries like construction or roofing must carry coverage.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in West Virginia?
Compare quotes from at least three workers' comp insurance providers in West Virginia. Look for carriers with expertise in your specific industry and proven claims handling. Review their customer satisfaction scores and complaint records with the state insurance department. Consider financial strength ratings and responsive customer service.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in West Virginia
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in West Virginia's expensive market. We compared monthly premiums across all companies, since even comprehensive policies won't help if you can't afford them.
- Customer experience (30%): When your employee gets hurt, you'll need an insurer that handles claims quickly and treats injured workers fairly. We used J.D. Power ratings, West Virginia Department of Insurance complaint data and independent reviews.
- Coverage options (15%): We evaluated each company's policy flexibility, add-on options and coverage limitations for specific West Virginia industries and regulatory requirements.
- Financial strength (5%): Premium savings don't matter if your insurer struggles financially. We checked AM Best ratings to ensure recommended carriers can deliver on their promises.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.