NEXT is the top choice for workers' comp insurance in Arkansas, based on having the lowest premium, exceptional customer service and coverage flexibility. The Hartford ties with NEXT's score but costs more. Simply Business offers another strong choice for Arkansas business owners.
Workers' Comp Insurance in Arkansas
NEXT tops our analysis as the best workers' comp insurance provider in Arkansas with a 4.61 out of 5 overall score.
Compare top Arkansas workers' comp insurance providers and find your ideal coverage.
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Updated: September 10, 2025
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Key Takeaways
NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business rank as the top workers' comp insurance providers in Arkansas based on our analysis.
Your business's risk level, number of employees, previous claims and available budget will determine which Arkansas workers' comp provider fits best.
To find the right workers' comp coverage in Arkansas, request multiple quotes, evaluate each provider's industry knowledge and review its claims handling process.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Arkansas
| NEXT | 4.61 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.61 | 1 |
| Simply Business | 4.53 | 2 |
| Coverdash | 4.46 | 3 |
| biBERK | 4.43 | 4 |
| Nationwide | 4.42 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.40 | 6 |
| Thimble | 4.40 | 6 |
| Hiscox | 4.38 | 7 |
| Chubb | 4.26 | 8 |
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.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN ARKANSAS
While workers' compensation is essential for Arkansas businesses, it's just one piece of your insurance needs. Protect your company fully by exploring other types of coverage that fit your specific business requirements.
Use these helpful guides to learn more about your options:
Best Arkansas Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and The Hartford emerge as the top workers' compensation insurance providers in Arkansas, offering exceptional coverage for business owners.
NEXT
Best for Customer Service
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$66Based on average costs across multiple business typesOur survey: Claims process
3.9/5Based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingOur survey: Recommend to others
4.8/5Percentage of customers who would recommend NEXT
The Hartford
Best for Customer Service
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$68Based on average costs for businesses in ArkansasOur survey: Claims process
4.5/5Based on our annual survey of business ownersOur survey: Recommend to others
4.5/5Based on likelihood to recommend from current customers
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Arkansas
Arkansas businesses can secure workers' comp coverage through NEXT for $66 monthly ($789 annually), making it the state's most affordable option. Thimble and Progressive offer competitive alternatives at $67 and $68 per month, respectively. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT | $66 | $789 |
| Thimble | $67 | $805 |
| Progressive Commercial | $68 | $812 |
| The Hartford | $68 | $813 |
| Simply Business | $68 | $815 |
| Hiscox | $69 | $826 |
| Coverdash | $70 | $835 |
| biBERK | $72 | $863 |
| Nationwide | $78 | $932 |
| Chubb | $81 | $975 |
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 Arkansas
Workers' compensation insurance in Arkansas costs businesses an average of $71 per month or $847 annually.Arkansas's rates run $3 below the national monthly average of $74. Your business's actual premium depends on several factors, including your industry's risk level, number of employees, annual payroll and claims history.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in Arkansas by Industry
In Arkansas, workers' compensation insurance costs vary by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay the lowest premiums at $6 per month, while roofing businesses cost $796 per month.
| Accountants | $20 | $236 |
| Ad Agency | $15 | $184 |
| Auto Repair | $147 | $1,763 |
| Automotive | $112 | $1,349 |
| Bakery | $51 | $611 |
| Barber | $13 | $161 |
| Beauty Salon | $14 | $167 |
| Bounce House | $38 | $456 |
| Candle | $38 | $461 |
| Cannabis | $80 | $963 |
| Catering | $71 | $851 |
| Cleaning | $47 | $558 |
| Coffee Shop | $45 | $538 |
| Computer Programming | $27 | $329 |
| Computer Repair | $23 | $278 |
| Construction | $173 | $2,074 |
| Consulting | $29 | $353 |
| Contractor | $157 | $1,888 |
| Courier | $217 | $2,599 |
| DJ | $14 | $162 |
| Daycare | $13 | $153 |
| Dental | $11 | $128 |
| Dog Grooming | $62 | $743 |
| Drone | $26 | $309 |
| Ecommerce | $21 | $251 |
| Electrical | $55 | $665 |
| Engineering | $36 | $438 |
| Excavation | $103 | $1,241 |
| Florist | $58 | $699 |
| Food | $40 | $485 |
| Food Truck | $44 | $527 |
| Funeral Home | $26 | $309 |
| Gardening | $45 | $538 |
| HVAC | $60 | $724 |
| Handyman | $90 | $1,084 |
| Home-based | $10 | $114 |
| Hospitality | $67 | $805 |
| Janitorial | $47 | $565 |
| Jewelry | $29 | $344 |
| Junk Removal | $135 | $1,625 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $36 | $431 |
| Lawyers | $50 | $605 |
| Manufacturing | $56 | $673 |
| Marine | $145 | $1,736 |
| Massage | $14 | $167 |
| Mortgage Broker | $13 | $160 |
| Moving | $251 | $3,015 |
| Nonprofit | $31 | $367 |
| Painting | $135 | $1,623 |
| Party Rental | $35 | $426 |
| Personal Training | $24 | $290 |
| Pest Control | $67 | $810 |
| Pet | $30 | $355 |
| Pharmacy | $6 | $74 |
| Photography | $17 | $198 |
| Physical Therapy | $7 | $79 |
| Plumbing | $62 | $747 |
| Pressure Washing | $80 | $962 |
| Real Estate | $28 | $342 |
| Restaurant | $61 | $735 |
| Retail | $34 | $405 |
| Roofing | $796 | $9,550 |
| Security | $50 | $605 |
| Snack Bars | $41 | $495 |
| Software | $25 | $304 |
| Spa/Wellness | $17 | $200 |
| Speech Therapist | $6 | $69 |
| Startup | $12 | $149 |
| Tech/IT | $26 | $313 |
| Transportation | $221 | $2,650 |
| Travel | $7 | $81 |
| Tree Service | $214 | $2,572 |
| Trucking | $257 | $3,087 |
| Tutoring | $10 | $114 |
| Veterinary | $19 | $224 |
| Wedding Planning | $27 | $326 |
| Welding | $112 | $1,346 |
| Wholesale | $38 | $459 |
| Window Cleaning | $201 | $2,410 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, businesses with three or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance, but construction companies need coverage regardless of employee count. This insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages if workers get hurt or sick due to their job duties.
Companies that fail to maintain coverage face fines up to $10,000, and business owners could face criminal charges for intentional violations.
Sole Proprietors
Business owners who work alone can typically opt out of workers' compensation coverage. This exemption applies when there are no additional employees beyond the owner.
Corporate Officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock may elect to exclude themselves from coverage by filing a written notice with their insurance carrier.
Real Estate Agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission are usually exempt from workers' compensation requirements when operating as independent contractors.
Domestic Workers
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week often qualify for exemption. This includes housekeepers, nannies and other in-home service providers.
Agricultural Workers
Small farms with limited seasonal workers or family members as employees may qualify for exemption from mandatory coverage requirements.
Remote Workers
Telecommuting employees based in other states might be exempt if they never physically work within state boundaries.
Temporary Workers
Seasonal employees working fewer than 13 weeks per year may be exempt from coverage requirements in certain industries.
Religious Organizations
Members of religious organizations who have taken vows of poverty while working for their church or religious order often qualify for exemption.
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in Arkansas
While workers' compensation insurance in Arkansas might seem complex, affordable coverage options are available to protect your team and maintain reasonable business insurance costs. Take time to compare insurance rates from multiple providers, evaluate their coverage options and understand their claims handling processes before making your choice.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
Arkansas law requires most businesses with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
- 2
Collect business details
Prepare accurate payroll records, employee count and job classifications before requesting quotes.
- 3
Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three insurance providers for quotes.
- 4
Find industry-specific coverage
Select insurers who understand your business type and local regulations.
- 5
Compare provider services
Review each insurer's claim processing times. You can also see if insurers offer workplace safety programs and injury prevention resources.
- 6
Review policy details
Examine coverage limits and payment options carefully. Consider pay-as-you-go structures.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Review insurance options yearly because changes in number of employees or payroll can affect what cover you need.
Arkansas Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
Arkansas businesses can find good workers' compensation insurance providers. NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business are the leading carriers in Arkansas.
Arkansas Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Find clear answers to your most common questions about workers' comp in our FAQ guide below.
Is workers' comp insurance required for Arkansas businesses?
Arkansas law requires businesses with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in Arkansas?
NEXT offers the lowest-priced workers' compensation insurance in Arkansas at $66 per month ($789 annually).
What does workers' comp insurance cover in Arkansas?
Arkansas workers' comp insurance covers medical expenses and partial wage replacement for work-related injuries or illnesses.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in Arkansas?
NEXT and The Hartford lead Arkansas workers' comp providers, both scoring 4.61 overall. NEXT excels in customer service (4.7), while The Hartford has high affordability (4.55). Simply Business offers the best coverage options (4.9).
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in Arkansas?
Operating without workers' compensation insurance in Arkansas is illegal for most employers. Violations can mean fines up to $10,000 and potential criminal charges. The Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission enforces compliance.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in Arkansas?
Sole proprietors in Arkansas don't have to carry workers' compensation since they're not considered employees.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in Arkansas?
Get quotes from at least three workers' compensation insurance providers in Arkansas. Look for carriers experienced in your industry.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Arkansas
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in Arkansas'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, Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.