The Hartford is Delaware’s best workers' compensation insurance provider, scoring 97 out of 100. However, Thimble and biBerk are also great options to consider. Each option offers reliable customer service, very low workers' comp rates and an extensive coverage selection.
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance in Delaware
Updated: June 3, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The Hartford, biBerk, Nationwide and Thimble are the best cheap workers' comp insurance providers in Delaware.
For most small businesses in Delaware, workers' compensation coverage costs around $823 per year or $73 per month.
Workers' comp insurance is required in Delaware for all companies with employees to cover expenses from employees sustaining injuries or illnesses during business activities.
Best Cheap Workers’ Comp Insurance Companies in Delaware
| The Hartford | 97 | $257 |
| Thimble | 95 | $246 |
| biBERK | 87 | $303 |
| Nationwide | 86 | $323 |
*Rates and scores are for software development businesses with small (five employees), medium (20 employees) and large (100 employees) operations, aggregated for an overall best recommendation.
The Hartford: Best Overall
pros
Exceptional customer service ratings
Fastest quotes process
Second-lowest rates in the state
cons
Not the most affordable option in Delaware
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford is Delaware's best workers’ comp insurance provider, with policies costing an average of $257 per month. It's an all-around insurance provider that checks all the boxes: competitive rates, excellent customer service and financial stability. Its online quoting system can also provide an estimate in just over one and a half minutes, the quickest in our study of business insurance providers.
How Much Is Workers' Comp Insurance in Delaware?
Depending on the size of your Delaware-based business, workers' comp rates vary anywhere from $823 to $7,789 per year. However, this only represents software development companies. Your actual rates will vary based on:
- Number of employees
- Industry risk level
- Specific work performed by employees
- Claims history
| Businesses with five or less employees | $73 | $823 |
| Medium-size small businesses | $142 | $1,616 |
| Larger small businesses | $673 | $7,789 |
Factors That Impact Workers’ Compensation Costs in Delaware
The cost of workers' compensation insurance varies for each business based on several factors:
Payroll costs
Workers' compensation insurance uses a payroll-based pricing model where premiums are calculated per $100 of employee wages. Companies with larger payrolls automatically pay more than those with smaller wage expenses.
Number of employees
Companies with larger teams have higher injury risk. As workforces grow, premiums go up, reflecting the increased probability of claims.
Employee class code
Your industry's risk level determines your employee class code. High-risk jobs like construction or manufacturing cost more to insure than office work.
Previous claims
Your claims history directly impacts premium costs. Frequent or expensive claims make insurers view your business as riskier, leading to higher rates.
Delaware Workers' Comp Insurance: Buyer's Guide
Finding the right business insurance can be challenging. We've broken down how to get the best workers' comp coverage, who needs it and what this type of policy covers to guide you.
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in Delaware
Here are the steps to help your organization get the best workers' compensation policy possible:
- 1
Learn about required coverages and options
Start by learning Delaware's workers' comp requirements for your industry and business size. An insurance agent can help you get the right amount of coverage without paying for more than you need.
- 2
Research costs and providers
Research average costs and providers specific to your business type to identify which companies deserve consideration. Also explore state-sponsored insurance programs and whether you qualify for self-insurance.
- 3
Consult similar businesses
Talk to other business owners in your community to gather firsthand insights about their workers' compensation experiences. Ask about service quality, coverage costs, claims handling, industry-specific needs and any coverage gaps they've encountered.
- 4
Compare multiple providers through different means
Get multiple quotes and compare providers equally to find the best deal. Prices vary depending on how you get quotes — online comparison sites versus speaking with an agent. Use different methods and contact various companies to gain the most balanced view of what's best for your business.
Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Delaware?
All Delaware businesses must carry workers' compensation insurance. Sole proprietors, partners and corporate officers who fully own a corporation may choose to be excluded.
WORKERS’ COMP PENALTIES IN DELAWARE
Delaware employers must provide workers' compensation insurance. If they don't, they could face serious penalties. Here's what could happen if the laws are ignored:
- Financial penalties: Fines up to three times the amount that would have been paid in insurance premiums
- Personal liability: Employers pay all medical bills and lost wages for injured employees out of pocket
- Reporting violations: Fines of $100 to $250 for not filing injury reports within 10 days
- Civil lawsuits: Loss of exclusive remedy protection, allowing injured employees to sue the employer directly for damages
- Regulatory enforcement: State compliance and enforcement actions by the Office of Workers' Compensation
What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in Delaware?
Workers' compensation insurance benefits employees with work-related injuries or illnesses. This coverage typically includes medical care, disability benefits, lost wages and more for injured employees, paying out 66% of weekly wages according to Delaware law. This protects employees and shields the business from potential legal claims related to workplace injuries or illnesses.
Best Workers' Compensation Insurance Delaware: Bottom Line
Delaware's leading workers' comp insurance providers are The Hartford, biBerk and Thimble. While we recommend these companies, compare rates and consult similar businesses in your industry to find the best deal.
Workers' Comp Insurance in Delaware: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about Delaware workers' comp insurance from our MoneyGeek experts.
Which company has the best workers’ compensation insurance in Delaware?
The Hartford leads Delaware's workers' compensation market with competitive pricing averaging $257 monthly and an exceptional customer service rating. However, the optimal insurance choice for your business will depend on factors such as your industry type, workforce size and specific state compliance requirements.
Does Delaware require businesses to have workers’ compensation insurance?
In Delaware, workers' comp insurance is mandatory for all businesses, though sole proprietors, partners and corporate officers with full ownership may opt out.
How much does workers’ compensation insurance cost in Delaware?
In Delaware, a business with around 20 employees can expect to pay about $142 monthly for workers' compensation coverage.
How We Rated Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Delaware
MoneyGeek calculated workers' compensation insurance rates using a software development business with five, 20 and 100 employees to represent various organization sizes.
Our scoring methodology included:
- Affordability (60%): Overall cost compared to other providers and different business profiles
- Customer experience (30%): Ratings from actual customers, J.D. Power studies, AM Best financial stability ratings and our team's experience with quote processes
- Coverage (10%): Additional options beyond standard offerings and breadth of industries served
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.
sources
- The Hartford. "Workers' Compensation Insurance Reviews." Accessed June 2, 2025.