Workers' Compensation Insurance for Small Business
Workers' Comp Insurance, Compared Across Up to 10 Carriers in Minutes
One application. Every carrier we can access. A ranked comparison you can purchase online — with a live certificate of insurance the moment you're covered.
Independent, not captive
We work for you, not one insurance company.
Compare up to 10 carriers
One application, many markets, side by side.
Purchase online
Review, e-sign and buy without waiting on paperwork.
Live certificate included
Proof of coverage that's current when clients check.
How it works
1. Apply once
Tell us about your business, payroll and class codes one time. No repeating the same details to five different websites.
2. We quote every carrier we can access
Instant-quote markets and traditionally placed carriers both get the same application, and you see which ones declined and why.
3. Buy online, get a live certificate
Review a ranked comparison, sign electronically, and your live certificate of insurance is ready the moment coverage is in force.
Proof of coverage that's always live.
- Your certificate of insurance lives on your phone — share it by text or email in seconds.
- It's current the moment anyone checks, so clients see your coverage as it stands today.
- Clients can opt in to automatic alerts when your coverage renews or changes.
Included with your coverage. Nothing to install. See how the Live Certificate Program works.
Find your workers' comp class code
Not sure of your class code? Search by what your business does.
Industries we quote
- Auto Repair & Body ShopsAuto repair and body shops combine lifting, sharp-tool, and chemical exposure with the specific risks of vehicle lifts and painting equipment.
- Cleaning & Janitorial ServicesCleaning and janitorial crews face chemical exposure, slip-and-fall risk, and repetitive strain across office, retail, and residential properties.
- Daycare & Child Care CentersChild care staff face lifting strain, exposure to childhood illness, and slip-and-fall risk while supervising active children all day.
- Electrical ContractorsElectrical contractors face shock, arc-flash, and fall exposure that pushes their workers' comp classification higher than most office-based trades.
- General Contractors & Trades (with employees)General contractors coordinate multiple trades on a jobsite, so their workers' comp needs to reflect carpentry, supervision, cleanup, and often several subcontracted crews.
- Home Health Care AgenciesHome health aides and caregivers work alone in unfamiliar and uncontrolled environments, which raises patient-handling, travel, and workplace-safety exposure compared to a hospital or clinic setting.
- Hotels & LodgingHotels combine housekeeping, food service, maintenance, and front-desk staff at a single property, each with a different injury profile.
- HVAC ContractorsHVAC contractors install and service heavy equipment on elevated platforms, in attics, and in mechanical rooms, combining fall, lifting, and refrigerant exposure.
- Landscaping & Lawn CareLandscaping crews work outdoors with mowers, trimmers, and chainsaws in every season, which makes cuts, heat exposure, and equipment injuries the main workers' comp concern.
- Light Manufacturing & Machine ShopsLight manufacturing and machine shops carry meaningful workers' comp exposure from powered machinery, materials handling, and repetitive production work.
- Medical & Dental OfficesMedical and dental offices are lower-hazard than hospitals or nursing homes, but staff still face needlestick, bloodborne-pathogen, and patient-handling exposure every day.
- Nonprofits & ChurchesNonprofits and churches employ paid staff for administration, facilities, and program work even when volunteers make up much of the workforce.
- Painting ContractorsPainting contractors spend much of the day on ladders and scaffolding, working with solvents and spray equipment in enclosed spaces.
- Plumbing ContractorsPlumbing contractors deal with confined spaces, heavy fixtures, and sharp or hot materials on both new-construction and service calls.
- Professional Offices (accounting, law, consulting, insurance, real estate)Accounting, law, consulting, insurance, and real estate offices are among the lowest-hazard workers' comp classifications, since work is almost entirely desk-based.
- Restaurants & Food ServiceRestaurants carry higher workers' comp exposure than most small businesses because kitchen work combines heat, blades, and fryers with a young, fast-turnover staff.
- Retail StoresRetail workers' comp is generally lower-hazard than food service or construction, but it still covers real risks from lifting stock, ladder use, and slips on sales floors.
- Salons, Barbershops & SpasSalons and spas are generally lower-hazard than most service businesses, but staff still face chemical exposure, cuts, and repetitive strain from standing and detailed handwork all day.
- Warehouses & DistributionWarehouse and distribution operations combine forklift traffic, racking and lifting exposure, and driver risk in a single facility.
Workers' comp requirements by state
We're licensed in 23 states. Each state page covers who must carry coverage, how owners and officers are treated, penalties for going without it, and how coverage is bought there.
Why an independent agency
Direct markets plus traditional placement
Some carriers quote instantly online; others need a submission and an underwriter. We use both so your business is shopped where it actually fits.
A ranked comparison, honestly presented
You see the carriers that quoted, how the coverage compares, and the carriers that declined — not a filtered list that hides the gaps.
A licensed agent, not a call center
Questions about class codes, officer exclusions, or an audit go to a licensed agent at Provident Financial Group who knows your file.
What drives your price
Workers' compensation pricing isn't a single number pulled from a chart. These are the factors carriers weigh when they rate your business.
- Payroll by class code
- Which class codes apply to your work
- Experience modification factor
- Claims history and severity
- Your state's rules and filed loss costs
- Safety programs and documented controls
Carriers quoted through our agency include
- The Hartford
- Travelers
- AmTrust
- GUARD
- EMPLOYERS
- Pie
- NEXT
- biBERK
- Markel
- Hanover
- Liberty Mutual
- Great American
- THREE
- Philadelphia Insurance
- Crum & Forster
Carrier names are used for identification only. We are an independent agency and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any carrier named here. Carrier availability varies by state, class of business and underwriting appetite.
Workers' comp insurance questions
What is workers' compensation insurance?
Workers' compensation insurance pays medical care and a portion of lost wages for employees who are injured or become ill because of their work. It also includes employers liability coverage (Part Two), which responds to certain lawsuits related to a workplace injury. Most states require it once you have employees.
Who is required to carry workers' comp insurance?
Requirements are set state by state. Many states require coverage from the first employee, while others start at a certain number of employees or treat some owners and officers differently. Our state pages walk through the rule for each of the 23 states we're licensed in.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost?
Cost depends on your payroll, the class codes that describe your work, your experience modification factor, your claims history, your state's filed rates, and the safety controls you have in place. Rather than quoting a figure, we compare multiple carriers so you can see what your business actually qualifies for.
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
Once coverage is bound, your certificate is available right away, and Provident insureds get a live certificate — proof of coverage on your phone that's current the moment a client checks it and shareable by text or email in seconds.
What is a workers' comp class code?
A class code is a number that describes the kind of work your employees do, and it drives how your payroll is rated. Getting the code right matters: the wrong classification can create audit surprises. You can look up codes on our class code pages or ask a licensed agent to confirm yours.
What is pay-as-you-go workers' comp?
Pay-as-you-go programs calculate your premium from actual payroll each pay period instead of an upfront estimate spread over the year. It can smooth cash flow and reduce audit surprises. Availability varies by carrier and state, and we'll tell you which of your quotes offer it.
Is workman's comp the same as workers' comp?
Yes. "Workman's comp," "workmans comp," "work comp" and "workers' comp" all refer to the same thing: workers' compensation insurance. The older term simply stuck around in everyday use.
Can business owners exclude themselves from coverage?
In many states, owners, officers, partners and LLC members can elect to be included or excluded, and the rules differ by state and entity type. Excluding yourself removes your own injuries from the policy, so it's worth talking through with a licensed agent before filing an election.
Get Multiple Quotes within minutes.
Answer a few questions about your business and we'll compare the carriers that write your class of work — or call and talk it through with a licensed agent.
Mon–Fri, 8:00am–6:00pm ET · Independent agency licensed in 23 states