We answered frequently asked questions in short for cheap workers comp insurance below:
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance
With rates as low as $6/mo, NEXT and The Hartford offer the cheapest workers comp insurance across all industries and states we studied.
Get matched with the cheapest workers' comp insurance company for you below.

Updated: October 27, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Cheap Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ Fast Answers
Who are the cheapest workers compensation insurance providers?
The following are the cheapest workers comp insurance providers for most small businesses:
- NEXT Insurance: $69/mo
- The Hartford: $70/mo
- Thimble/Progressive/Simply Business: $71/mo
- Hiscox: $72/mo
- Coverdash: $73/mo
How can I lower my workers comp insurance costs?
The best ways to lower your workers comp insurance premiums is the following:
- Ensure employees have accurate job classifications
- Get a higher deductible
- Institute strong safety and claims management practices
- Review payroll reporting to include all credits and remove exclusions
- Establish back to work and wellness programs for employees
- Consider pay as you go workers comp programs
Is it cheaper to buy workers’ comp insurance through a state fund or a private insurer?
Most businesses will find that private insurers are much more affordable for their commercial insurance needs. However, if you are in a high-risk industry like construction or have a large history of claims, state funds may be the better and cheaper option.
What factors affect the price of workers’ comp insurance the most?
In general, your workers comp insurance costs are affected most by your risk code of your industry, the number of employees you have, payroll, location, claims history and safety procedures in place to reduce claims.
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies
NEXT has the lowest workers' compensation rates at $69 per month ($829/yr) in our survey of workers' comp providers for a 2 employee business. That's $5 less than the $74 industry average monthly rate. The Hartford and Thimble both charge under $75 monthly, giving you several budget-friendly choices.
| NEXT Insurance | $69 | $829 |
| The Hartford | $70 | $839 |
| Thimble | $71 | $847 |
| Progressive Commercial | $71 | $855 |
| Simply Business | $71 | $856 |
| Hiscox | $72 | $861 |
| Coverdash | $73 | $875 |
| biBERK | $75 | $901 |
| Nationwide | $81 | $974 |
| Chubb | $85 | $1,021 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of workers' compensation policies for businesses with up to two employees across 79 major industries.
Get Matched With The Best Cheap Workers Comp Insurer
Select your industry and state to get a customized workers compensation quote.

NEXT
Cheapest Workers Comp Insurance Overall
Average Cost of Workers’ Comp
$69/monthThese rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of workers' compensation policies for businesses with up to two employees across 79 major industries.Savings Compared to Industry Average
$5/monthThese rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of workers' compensation policies for businesses with up to two employees across 79 major industries.Claims Process
3.9Likely to be Recommended to Others
4.8
- pros
Cheapest rates nationwide
Ranked first in customer satisfaction
Has a solid digital-first experience
Offers Workers' Comp policies for all monopolistic states
A- AM Best rating
consRanked lower in claims processing than other providers in our study
Newer company with less than 10 years in business
When you're looking for the best workers' comp insurance, you usually have to choose between cheap rates and good service. NEXT delivers both, offering the lowest rates at $69 monthly, while having the highest customer service scores in our survey.
NEXT's fully digital platform lets you get coverage in 10 minutes with instant certificate access. It matters when clients require proof of workers' comp before signing contracts or when you need coverage documentation for licensing and bidding on jobs.
Overall Score 4.58 2 Customer Service 4.70 1 Coverage 4.80 3 Affordability 4.42 7 Financial Stability 4.78 8 NEXT delivers exceptional value for cost-conscious business owners, offering workers' comp at $69 monthly compared to the industry average of $74. If you're watching your bottom line, that's a $60 savings annually.
NEXT is the cheapest workers' comp insurance provider across the 79 industries we studied and the most affordable option in 40 states. That makes it the go-to choice for those seeking affordable coverage.
Construction, restaurants and health care practices, high-risk industries that typically require workers' comp, benefit most from NEXT's competitive rates. It helps these businesses manage one of their largest operational expenses while complying with state requirements.
NEXT ranks first for digital experience and policy management, giving you instant certificate access and 24/7 online control, which is essential for contracts and licensing. However, claims processing ranks fourth nationally, meaning longer resolution times.
Customer feedback from Trustpilot varies. While many say they appreciate the easy-to-navigate website and helpful support staff, others struggle with claims representatives who don't promptly return calls or respond to emails. NEXT works best for business owners who want low-cost, do-it-yourself insurance rather than hands-on agent relationships.
Overall Customer Score 4.45 1 Claims Process 3.90 4 Customer Service 4.20 4 Digital Experience 4.80 1 Overall Satisfaction 4.40 2 Policy Management 4.30 1 Recommend to Others 4.80 1 Renewal Likelihood 4.60 1 NEXT offers standard workers' comp benefits with unlimited medical coverage and wage replacement, plus included employer's liability protection. You can add optional business owner's coverage to protect yourself for workplace injuries, and recently launched multi-location policies to manage multiple sites under one plan.
Keep in mind that there are some important coverage gaps. Your subcontractors need their own workers' comp coverage, but if your state classifies them as statutory employees, you may be required to include them under your policy regardless of their independent contractor status. You also won't get help with lost business income from covered incidents. You need separate general liability and commercial property policies, too. If you're cost-conscious, NEXT focuses on core workers' comp protection rather than expensive bundled extras.
This analysis covers standard workers' compensation benefits only. Additional coverage needs vary by business and state requirements. Consult with a licensed insurance professional to determine your complete coverage needs.
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance by Industry
NEXT consistently offers the cheapest workers' comp insurance rates across all 79 industries we analyzed. Speech therapists pay the lowest monthly rates at $6 from NEXT Insurance, on par with the industry average. Roofing contractors face the highest costs at $784 monthly, though this is still $54 below the $838 industry average.
| Accountants | NEXT Insurance | $19 |
| Ad Agency | NEXT Insurance | $15 |
| Auto Repair | NEXT Insurance | $143 |
| Automotive | NEXT Insurance | $110 |
| Bakery | NEXT Insurance | $50 |
| Barber | NEXT Insurance | $13 |
| Beauty Salon | NEXT Insurance | $14 |
| Bounce House | NEXT Insurance | $38 |
| Candle | NEXT Insurance | $38 |
| Cannabis | NEXT Insurance | $79 |
| Catering | NEXT Insurance | $69 |
| Cleaning | NEXT Insurance | $46 |
| Coffee Shop | NEXT Insurance | $44 |
| Computer Programming | NEXT Insurance | $27 |
| Computer Repair | NEXT Insurance | $23 |
| Construction | NEXT Insurance | $170 |
| Consulting | NEXT Insurance | $28 |
| Contractor | NEXT Insurance | $156 |
| Courier | NEXT Insurance | $213 |
| DJ | NEXT Insurance | $13 |
| Daycare | NEXT Insurance | $13 |
| Dental | NEXT Insurance | $11 |
| Dog Grooming | NEXT Insurance | $61 |
| Drone | NEXT Insurance | $25 |
| Ecommerce | NEXT Insurance | $20 |
| Electrical | NEXT Insurance | $54 |
| Engineering | NEXT Insurance | $36 |
| Excavation | NEXT Insurance | $100 |
| Florist | NEXT Insurance | $58 |
| Food | NEXT Insurance | $40 |
| Food Truck | NEXT Insurance | $43 |
| Funeral Home | NEXT Insurance | $25 |
| Gardening | NEXT Insurance | $44 |
| HVAC | NEXT Insurance | $59 |
| Handyman | NEXT Insurance | $88 |
| Home-based | NEXT Insurance | $9 |
| Hospitality | NEXT Insurance | $66 |
| Janitorial | NEXT Insurance | $46 |
| Jewelry | NEXT Insurance | $28 |
| Junk Removal | NEXT Insurance | $132 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | NEXT Insurance | $36 |
| Lawyers | NEXT Insurance | $50 |
| Manufacturing | NEXT Insurance | $55 |
| Marine | NEXT Insurance | $141 |
| Massage | NEXT Insurance | $14 |
| Mortgage Broker | NEXT Insurance | $13 |
| Moving | NEXT Insurance | $245 |
| Nonprofit | NEXT Insurance | $30 |
| Painting | NEXT Insurance | $132 |
| Party Rental | NEXT Insurance | $35 |
| Personal Training | NEXT Insurance | $24 |
| Pest Control | NEXT Insurance | $66 |
| Pet | NEXT Insurance | $29 |
| Pharmacy | NEXT Insurance | $6 |
| Photography | NEXT Insurance | $16 |
| Physical Therapy | NEXT Insurance | $6 |
| Plumbing | NEXT Insurance | $60 |
| Pressure Washing | NEXT Insurance | $79 |
| Real Estate | NEXT Insurance | $28 |
| Restaurant | NEXT Insurance | $59 |
| Retail | NEXT Insurance | $33 |
| Roofing | NEXT Insurance | $784 |
| Security | NEXT Insurance | $49 |
| Snack Bars | NEXT Insurance | $41 |
| Software | NEXT Insurance | $25 |
| Spa/Wellness | NEXT Insurance | $16 |
| Speech Therapist | NEXT Insurance | $6 |
| Startup | NEXT Insurance | $12 |
| Tech/IT | NEXT Insurance | $26 |
| Transportation | NEXT Insurance | $216 |
| Travel | NEXT Insurance | $7 |
| Tree Service | NEXT Insurance | $207 |
| Trucking | NEXT Insurance | $253 |
| Tutoring | NEXT Insurance | $9 |
| Veterinary | NEXT Insurance | $18 |
| Wedding Planning | NEXT Insurance | $27 |
| Welding | NEXT Insurance | $110 |
| Wholesale | NEXT Insurance | $38 |
| Window Cleaning | NEXT Insurance | $197 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of workers' compensation policies for businesses with up to two employees across 79 major industries.
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance by State
NEXT has the cheapest workers' comp coverage in 40 states, while The Hartford offers the lowest rates in six states.
Small business owners in North Carolina enjoy the most affordable rates at $59 from NEXT ($4 below the $64 state average). Although NEXT is also the cheapest option in New York, its monthly rate is $80. It's the highest among the states in our study, though still $5 under the state average.
| Alabama | NEXT Insurance | $67 |
| Alaska | NEXT Insurance | $63 |
| Arizona | The Hartford | $65 |
| Arkansas | NEXT Insurance | $66 |
| California | NEXT Insurance | $76 |
| Colorado | The Hartford | $68 |
| Connecticut | NEXT Insurance | $75 |
| Delaware | NEXT Insurance | $74 |
| Florida | NEXT Insurance | $74 |
| Georgia | NEXT Insurance | $70 |
| Hawaii | NEXT Insurance | $73 |
| Idaho | NEXT Insurance | $65 |
| Illinois | The Hartford | $75 |
| Indiana | NEXT Insurance | $67 |
| Iowa | NEXT Insurance | $65 |
| Kansas | NEXT Insurance | $67 |
| Kentucky | NEXT Insurance | $64 |
| Louisiana | NEXT Insurance | $80 |
| Maine | NEXT Insurance | $59 |
| Maryland | NEXT Insurance | $66 |
| Massachusetts | NEXT Insurance | $72 |
| Michigan | NEXT Insurance | $65 |
| Minnesota | NEXT Insurance | $65 |
| Mississippi | NEXT Insurance | $69 |
| Missouri | NEXT Insurance | $68 |
| Montana | NEXT Insurance | $69 |
| Nebraska | NEXT Insurance | $65 |
| Nevada | NEXT Insurance | $78 |
| New Hampshire | NEXT Insurance | $69 |
| New Jersey | The Hartford | $78 |
| New Mexico | NEXT Insurance | $70 |
| New York | NEXT Insurance | $80 |
| North Carolina | NEXT Insurance | $59 |
| Oklahoma | NEXT Insurance | $65 |
| Oregon | NEXT Insurance | $64 |
| Pennsylvania | NEXT Insurance | $80 |
| Rhode Island | NEXT Insurance | $75 |
| South Carolina | NEXT Insurance | $71 |
| South Dakota | The Hartford | $65 |
| Tennessee | NEXT Insurance | $67 |
| Texas | The Hartford | $70 |
| Utah | NEXT Insurance | $66 |
| Vermont | NEXT Insurance | $66 |
| Virginia | NEXT Insurance | $62 |
| West Virginia | NEXT Insurance | $72 |
| Wisconsin | NEXT Insurance | $67 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of workers' compensation policies for businesses with up to two employees across 79 major industries.
How To Get the Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance
Finding cheap workers' comp insurance is just the first step and qualifying for the best rates requires strategy. Your business structure, industry classification and timing can cut hundreds or thousands from your annual premium. In addition, smart shopping for competitive quotes with optimization tactics will reduce your costs to the minimum possible rate without sacrificing protection.
To make our savings recommendations more personal to your business, we've broken down workers compensation saving strategies by business type, company phase and industry.
Workers Comp Cost-Savings by Business Type and Structure
Your business structure affects workers' comp costs in ways that can save or cost you thousands annually. Different structures offer unique exemptions and ways to reduce what you pay.
You don't need workers' comp for yourself, just your employees. | Maintain clear records, separating your work from employee tasks. Converting to an LLC provides liability protection while preserving exemptions. | |
Partnership | Partners typically don't need coverage, but employees do. | Document partner versus employee roles clearly. Putting partners on employee payroll triggers unnecessary premiums. |
LLC (Single-member) | Most states let you skip coverage for yourself as the owner. | Research your state's exemption rules first. Annual opt-out paperwork and separate member/employee activities are essential. |
LLC (Multi-member) | Members can often opt out, but employee-members need coverage. | Each member should weigh opt-out benefits against coverage costs. Structuring pay to minimize covered payroll reduces premiums. |
S Corporation | Owner-officers can exempt themselves from coverage. | Exemption paperwork and reasonable officer salaries are both required. Extremely low salaries raise audit red flags. |
C Corporation | Officers need coverage, but you can limit how much payroll counts toward premiums. | Compensation caps work strategically here. Structure bonuses and benefits to avoid inflating workers' comp costs. |
Franchise Operations | You might get group rates through your franchisor, but have less control over your coverage. | Independent shopping often beats franchisor group rates. Negotiate coverage terms whenever possible. |
Disclaimer
Exemption rules change from state to state, so verify your local requirements before making decisions. When in doubt, check with your state's workers' comp office or talk to an insurance professional who knows your area's rules.
Workers Comp Cost-Savings Strategies by Business Phase
Your workers' comp insurance needs change as your business grows, and knowing when to make key moves can save you money. The strategies that work for a startup don't always make sense once you're established.
Startup Phase | Pick the right business structure from the start. LLCs and S-Corps let owners skip workers' comp coverage, while sole proprietors often can't. Get your worker classification codes right the first time, or you'll pay inflated rates for years. Don't classify yourself as an employee if you're the owner. It's a common mistake that could cost you hundreds monthly. |
Growth Phase | Double-check employee classifications when adding new roles. Your bookkeeper shouldn't be coded as a construction crew. Research exemption rules before expanding to new states, since each one handles owner coverage differently. Keep payroll organized across locations to avoid inflating your risk ratings when audited. |
Established Business Phase | Focus on your Experience Mod Rate (EMR), which compares your claims history to similar businesses. Dropping from 1.0 to 0.8 cuts your premium by 20%. Invest in safety programs that reduce workplace injuries instead of just checking compliance boxes. Set up return-to-work programs and injury response plans that keep claims costs low and workers productive. |
How To Save on Workers' Comp By Reducing Claims By Industry
Some businesses need workers' comp more than others. Construction and manufacturing companies can't operate without it, while solo consultants often qualify for exemptions. Prevention beats reaction every time since fewer claims mean better Experience Mod Rates and lower premiums.
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Transportation or Trucking |
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Restaurant or Food Service |
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Health Care (Dental or Veterinary) |
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Cheapest Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Bottom Line
NEXT offers the cheapest workers' comp insurance at $69 monthly, but your actual costs vary based on your location, claims history and business type. How you manage business insurance costs changes as your company grows. Start by getting the right classification codes, then work on improving your Experience Mod Rate over time. Focus on preventing workplace injuries common in your industry that drive up premiums.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- AM Best. "AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Next Insurance US Company Under Review With Positive Implications." Accessed September 1, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "nextinsurance.com." Accessed September 1, 2025.
- U.S. Department of Labor. "Safety & Health Fundamentals Certificate Program." Accessed September 1, 2025.

