Best Workers'CompensationConnecticutBest Workers' Compensation Insurance in Connecticut (2023)
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MoneyGeek researched various major insurance companies to determine the best workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut based on price, customer satisfaction, financial security and ease of obtaining online quotes. We found that The Hartford offers the best balance of these features.
Most small business owners in Connecticut are required by law to carry workers' compensation insurance. It protects you and your employees from future financial and legal repercussions. Workers' compensation insurance can pay for medical costs, missed wages and potential lawsuits if an employee suffers a work-related illness or accident.
Best Workers'CompensationConnecticutBest Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut
Best Overall in Connecticut - The Hartford
Cheapest in Connecticut - Thimble
Best for Micro Businesses - biBERK
Best for Midsize Businesses - Thimble
Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut
The Hartford received high marks across the board, making it our pick for the best workers' comp insurance in Connecticut. Its average rate is $149 per month. However, this may vary depending on your company’s specific requirements.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
1
The HartfordBest Overall in Connecticut
Score:97
- Affordable workers’ comp insurance at $149 per month
- Strong financial standing
- Relatively few customer complaints
More About The Hartford
The Hartford is Connecticut’s best workers’ comp insurance provider, with policies costing $149 per month or $1,789 per year. It's an all-around insurance provider that checks all the boxes: it offers competitive rates, excellent customer service and is on solid financial footing. Its online quoting system can provide an estimate in just over one and a half minutes.
2
biBERK
Score:95
- Premium costs $174 per month
- Few customer complaints on average
- A++ financial rating by AM Best
More About biBERK
With an A++ financial stability rating from AM Best, biBERK is one of the most financially secure workers’ comp insurance providers in the state. The NAIC notes that the company receives relatively few consumer complaints, which indicates excellent customer service. At $174 per month or $1,847 per year, biBERK is neither the cheapest nor the most costly insurer in the state. Getting an online quote takes 1 minute and 45 seconds, on par with most of its competitors.
3
Thimble
Score:94
- Most affordable at $137 per month
- Fast online quoting system
- Rated A+ for financial stability
More About Thimble
Thimble is Connecticut's second-best workers' compensation insurance provider. It offers the state’s most affordable workers' comp policy at only $137 per month. The company has an A+ score from AM Best for financial security. In most cases, Thimble can provide an online estimate in under two minutes. However, the NAIC's complaint index shows that Thimble offers below-average customer service compared to other companies on our list.
4
Next
Score:90
- Workers’ compensation insurance costs $161 per month
- Excellent customer satisfaction rating
More About Next
Next Insurance has the best NAIC customer satisfaction score of the companies in our list, indicating it receives few complaints. Next’s average quote request response time is just over two minutes, which is about standard. However, its AM Best rating of A- indicates that it is not Connecticut's most financially stable workers' comp insurer. In addition, Next Insurance is the second-most expensive workers’ comp insurer in the state, with policies averaging $204 per month.
5
Nationwide
Score:87
- Most expensive at $253 per month
- Solid financial stability
- Low rate of customer complaints
More About Nationwide
Nationwide has an A+ rating for financial stability from AM Best, indicating it’s a financially secure option for Connecticut employers. The NAIC reports that the company receives few consumer complaints, suggesting its customer care approach works. However, its monthly $253 cost is the most expensive of the insurers we surveyed. Nationwide's online quote process can take up to three and a half minutes, which is longer than average.
Cheapest Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut
Thimble offers Connecticut's cheapest workers' compensation insurance, with premiums starting at $137 per month for businesses with 20 employees and an average annual payroll of $1,250,000.
Thimble
For businesses with 20 employees and annual payroll expenditures of $1,250,000, Thimble offers the most affordable workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut. It costs $137 per month, or $1,524 annually.
Thimble is well-suited to frugal folks or new business owners who can't afford more expensive insurance. However, our research shows that Thimble has a much lower customer satisfaction rating than the other companies we looked at and receives an above-average number of complaints.
We looked at the average monthly rate of workers' compensation insurance providers to determine which insurers were the most affordable overall. However, the best choice for your small business may vary depending on different factors.
The table below compares the average monthly premiums insurers charge Connecticut companies with 20 employees.
Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Micro Businesses in Connecticut
For companies with five or fewer employees, biBERK is Connecticut's best workers’ compensation insurance option. On average, it charges $64 per month or $679 per year.
Although payroll has a more significant impact, the number of employees also affects your workers' compensation insurance premium. To find the best workers' compensation for micro-businesses or enterprises with fewer than 10 employees in the state, we surveyed companies with five employees and annual payroll costs of $312,000.
biBERK
MoneyGeek recommends biBERK for any Connecticut micro-business owners looking for workers' comp coverage. This insurer is excellent in all aspects and is the most affordable to boot at $64 per month. AM Best gives it an A+ for financial stability and the NAIC's complaint index indicates that the company does a good job of resolving client issues. It also has a quick online quoting system.
Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Midsize Businesses in Connecticut
Thimble offers the best and cheapest workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut, with a monthly premium of $604 for businesses with 100 employees.
Payroll and the number of employees affect workers' compensation rates. We compiled quotes for businesses with 100 employees and a $6,250,000 yearly payroll to determine the state's best workers' compensation for midsize corporations.
Thimble
Thimble provides the best workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut for medium-sized enterprises. With premiums as low as $604 per month, or $7,132 per year, this insurer is ideal for businesses with fewer than 100 workers and an annual payroll of $6,250,000 or less. It has a solid financial foundation and offers online quotes in less than two minutes. However, it receives more customer complaints than the other companies we researched.
How Much Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut?
Workers' compensation insurance rates in Connecticut for businesses with 20 or more employees is $184 per month, higher than the $168 per month national average. We used the following coverage limits in our study:
- $1 million total policy limit
- $1 million per accident limit
- $1 million per employee limit
The insurer will pay up to $1 million for any one accident, regardless of how many employees were involved. The employer is responsible for covering lost income and medical costs beyond $1 million. Employers can purchase an umbrella policy to increase coverage limits.
Workers' compensation insurance premiums are heavily influenced by annual payroll and employee headcount. The table below shows how the number of employees affects workers' compensation premiums in Connecticut.
How was this cost calculated?
Factors That Impact Workers’ Compensation Costs in Connecticut
The cost of premiums for workers' comp insurance varies widely between companies. Workforce size, payroll costs, employee class code, state legislation and past claims all play a role in determining a workers’ compensation policy rate.
Payroll costs
Most insurance companies have a flat rate per payroll dollar. State governments determine individual sector rates. Businesses with higher payroll expenditures usually pay higher premiums. Connecticut’s average premium rate is $1.64 for every $100 in payroll in 2022, which is higher than the national average.
Number of employees
The cost of insurance can vary widely depending on the size of your staff. The more people who work in a company, the higher the likelihood of people becoming sick or injured. Workers' compensation premiums increase relative to a company’s number of employees.
Employee class code
An employee’s class code represents the type of work they do, such as consulting or construction. The fee per payroll dollar is specified in this code. Premiums are generally higher for industries with greater risk of injuries, such as construction, than for those with lower risk, such as consulting.
Previous claims
Insurance premiums are based in part on a policyholder's claims history. Insurers often charge higher rates to companies that have filed several claims in the past.
Connecticut has a high rate of workers' compensation claims. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), private industry employers in Connecticut reported 32,700 cases of nonfatal occupational illnesses and injuries in 2021. Meanwhile, according to BLS data, more than 2.6 million private sector workers suffered nonfatal injuries or illnesses in the workplace in 2021 nationwide.
Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut?
Connecticut law requires that companies with even one employee carry workers' comp insurance. Connecticut's Workers' Compensation Act does not apply to sole owners, members of limited liability companies or domestic workers who clock in for fewer than 25 hours a week.
MoneyGeek recommends getting workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut, even if you are exempt. Without workers' compensation insurance, you are fully responsible for the costs of injuries sustained on the job, including medical bills. You also will not be protected if an employee files a lawsuit against you.
WORKERS’ COMP PENALTIES IN CONNECTICUT
Employers who fail to provide legally required workers’ compensation in Connecticut are subject to the following penalties:
- The State of Connecticut Workers' Compensation Commission (WCC) may issue a cease-and-desist order if it determines that you do not have adequate workers' compensation insurance.
- Workers' Compensation Commission can levy a daily fee of $300 for each uninsured employee.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in Connecticut?
Workers' comp pays for an injured employee's medical costs and lost wages. It also protects employers from lawsuits brought by employees who have been harmed on the job.
If an employee becomes ill or is injured on the job, workers' compensation insurance can help them continue in their current position instead of being replaced immediately. Injured workers may be eligible for rehabilitation programs that provide medical care and skills training to help them return to work as soon as possible. Workers' compensation insurance may also offer death benefits to the dependents of a worker who tragically dies on the job.
Workers’ Comp Resources for Employees in Connecticut
Connecticut employees file insurance claims with the Workers' Compensation Commission. Employees are responsible for notifying their superiors of any workplace injuries or illnesses. The State's third-party claims administrator (Gallagher Bassett Services) receives a report of the injury and decides whether to approve a claim.
Using in-network service providers in the event of a medical emergency is crucial. If an employee seeks medical attention from a provider outside the third-party medical provider network, their right to workers' compensation benefits — which are within the purview of the Workers' Compensation Commission — may be jeopardized.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut
MoneyGeek answers the following frequently asked questions about workers’ comp insurance in Connecticut.
About Melissa Wylie
sources
- CT.gov. "Workers' Compensation Rights, Responsibilities and Claims." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- Insureon. "Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Connecticut." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- Oregon.gov. "2022 Workers’ Compensation Premium Index Rates." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities: Latest Numbers." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "State Occupational Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities." Accessed May 30, 2023.