NEXT is the leading provider of workers' comp insurance in Delaware. It has excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage options. The Hartford and Simply Business offer equally good alternatives for Delaware business owners.
Workers' Comp Insurance in Delaware
NEXT is Delaware's top workers' comp insurance provider, with an overall score of 4.61 out of 5 in our analysis.
Compare top Delaware workers' comp insurance providers and find your ideal coverage.
Select your industry
Select state
Updated: September 10, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business rank as the top workers' compensation insurance providers in Delaware based on overall performance scores.
Your business type, number of employees, previous claims and available budget all play important roles in determining the right workers' comp provider for your needs.
To find the best workers' comp coverage in Delaware, request quotes from multiple providers and compare their industry expertise, service records and coverage details.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Delaware
| NEXT | 4.61 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.59 | 2 |
| Simply Business | 4.54 | 3 |
| Coverdash | 4.46 | 4 |
| biBERK | 4.44 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 4.43 | 6 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.41 | 7 |
| Thimble | 4.40 | 8 |
| Hiscox | 4.39 | 9 |
| Chubb | 4.26 | 10 |
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.
Find Insurance for Your Business
Select your industry and state to get a customized quote.
Select your industry
Select state
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN DELAWARE
Best Delaware Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and The Hartford are Delaware's top workers' compensation insurance providers, offering coverage for business owners.
NEXT
Best Overall Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Premium
$74We analyzed thousands of workers' compensation quotes from insurers operating in Delaware across 79 industriesOur Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingOur Survey: Recommend to Others
4.6/5Likelihood customers would recommend this provider
The Hartford
Runner-up Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$76Based on average costs across business types and coverage levelsOur survey: Claims process
4.5/5Score based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingOur survey: Recommend to others
4.5/5Percentage of customers who would recommend The Hartford
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Delaware
In Delaware, NEXT offers the cheapest workers' comp coverage at $74 monthly ($883 annually). Business owners can also consider Thimble and Progressive, offering rates of $76 per month. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT | $74 | $883 |
| Thimble | $76 | $912 |
| Progressive Commercial | $76 | $914 |
| The Hartford | $76 | $915 |
| Hiscox | $76 | $917 |
| Simply Business | $77 | $922 |
| Coverdash | $78 | $936 |
| biBERK | $80 | $965 |
| Nationwide | $87 | $1,047 |
| Chubb | $91 | $1,094 |
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 Delaware
Workers' compensation insurance in Delaware costs businesses an average of $79 per month or $951 annually. Delaware's rates run $5 above the national monthly average of $74. Your company's actual premium depends on several factors, including your industry's risk level, number of employees, annual payroll and past claims experience.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in Delaware by Industry
In Delaware, workers' compensation insurance costs vary by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay the lowest premiums at $6 per month, while roofing businesses face much higher rates at $896 monthly. This substantial difference reflects the varying workplace injury risks across different industries.
| Accountants | $22 | $264 |
| Ad Agency | $17 | $206 |
| Auto Repair | $163 | $1,956 |
| Automotive | $127 | $1,528 |
| Bakery | $58 | $693 |
| Barber | $15 | $180 |
| Beauty Salon | $16 | $189 |
| Bounce House | $44 | $524 |
| Candle | $43 | $519 |
| Cannabis | $90 | $1,075 |
| Catering | $80 | $955 |
| Cleaning | $52 | $624 |
| Coffee Shop | $50 | $604 |
| Computer Programming | $31 | $366 |
| Computer Repair | $26 | $314 |
| Construction | $193 | $2,319 |
| Consulting | $33 | $390 |
| Contractor | $179 | $2,151 |
| Courier | $245 | $2,935 |
| DJ | $15 | $182 |
| Daycare | $14 | $172 |
| Dental | $12 | $145 |
| Dog Grooming | $70 | $843 |
| Drone | $29 | $346 |
| Ecommerce | $23 | $281 |
| Electrical | $62 | $742 |
| Engineering | $41 | $493 |
| Excavation | $115 | $1,377 |
| Florist | $66 | $792 |
| Food | $46 | $551 |
| Food Truck | $49 | $586 |
| Funeral Home | $29 | $346 |
| Gardening | $50 | $606 |
| HVAC | $68 | $813 |
| Handyman | $101 | $1,207 |
| Home-based | $11 | $130 |
| Hospitality | $75 | $899 |
| Janitorial | $53 | $633 |
| Jewelry | $33 | $391 |
| Junk Removal | $151 | $1,811 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $41 | $487 |
| Lawyers | $57 | $685 |
| Manufacturing | $64 | $765 |
| Marine | $163 | $1,952 |
| Massage | $16 | $189 |
| Mortgage Broker | $15 | $181 |
| Moving | $281 | $3,369 |
| Nonprofit | $34 | $412 |
| Painting | $151 | $1,807 |
| Party Rental | $40 | $482 |
| Personal Training | $27 | $323 |
| Pest Control | $76 | $906 |
| Pet | $33 | $398 |
| Pharmacy | $7 | $82 |
| Photography | $19 | $222 |
| Physical Therapy | $7 | $90 |
| Plumbing | $69 | $828 |
| Pressure Washing | $90 | $1,082 |
| Real Estate | $32 | $386 |
| Restaurant | $68 | $816 |
| Retail | $38 | $450 |
| Roofing | $896 | $10,753 |
| Security | $56 | $673 |
| Snack Bars | $47 | $568 |
| Software | $28 | $342 |
| Spa/Wellness | $19 | $225 |
| Speech Therapist | $6 | $77 |
| Startup | $14 | $171 |
| Tech/IT | $29 | $353 |
| Transportation | $248 | $2,979 |
| Travel | $8 | $92 |
| Tree Service | $238 | $2,860 |
| Trucking | $290 | $3,480 |
| Tutoring | $11 | $130 |
| Veterinary | $21 | $255 |
| Wedding Planning | $31 | $369 |
| Welding | $126 | $1,506 |
| Wholesale | $43 | $521 |
| Window Cleaning | $225 | $2,694 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in Delaware?
In Delaware, businesses must carry workers' compensation insurance as soon as they hire their first employee.
Employers who fail to maintain proper coverage could be fined $10,000 and end up with potential criminal charges.
Sole proprietors
Business owners operating alone can choose to exclude themselves from workers' comp coverage, provided they have no employees
Corporate officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock can opt out by filing an exclusion form with proper health insurance documentation
Real estate agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission basis qualify for exemption when operating under independent contractor agreements
Domestic workers
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week or earning under $500 per quarter may be exempt from coverage requirements
Agricultural workers
Small farms with fewer than five regular employees or annual payroll under $20,000 can qualify for agricultural exemptions
Independent contractors
Independent contractors are exempt from worker's comp.
Religious organizations
Members of religious orders can be exempt when they maintain other medical coverage
Professional athletes
Athletes in certain professional sports leagues may be exempt when covered under separate injury protection agreements
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in Delaware
You can find good workers' comp providers while keeping business insurance costs reasonable. Compare quotes from multiple carriers, noting their claims process and any coverages.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
Delaware law requires most businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
- 2
Collect business details
Prepare accurate payroll records and employee job classifications before getting quotes.
- 3
Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three insurers and compare rates.
- 4
Find industry-specific providers
Select insurers who understand your business type's risks.
- 5
Review provider performance
Check each insurer's claim processing speed and complaint history.
- 6
Examine policy details
Review coverage limits and exclusions carefully. Think about pay-as-you-go options.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Review your coverage yearly because business changes affect your premium costs.
Delaware Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
Delaware businesses have access to top workers' compensation insurance providers like NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business. Consider getting quotes from these providers to find the best fit for your industry.
Delaware Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Find straightforward answers to the most common questions below.
Is workers' comp insurance required for all Delaware businesses?
Delaware law requires businesses with one or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in Delaware?
NEXT offers the lowest-priced workers' compensation insurance in Delaware at $74 per month ($883 annually).
What does workers' comp insurance cover in Delaware?
Delaware workers' comp insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits include necessary medical treatment, partial wage replacement during recovery and death benefits.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in Delaware?
NEXT leads Delaware's workers' comp providers with a 4.61 score, excelling in customer service (4.7) and coverage options (4.8). The Hartford follows at 4.59, known for strong affordability, while Simply Business scores 4.54 with the highest coverage score (4.9).
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in Delaware?
Operating without workers' compensation insurance in Delaware is illegal. Employers face fines up to $10,000, potential criminal charges and business closure.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in Delaware?
Sole proprietors in Delaware don't have to have workers' compensation insurance since they're not considered employees.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in Delaware?
Get quotes from at least three workers' comp insurance providers. Look for carriers with expertise in your specific industry. Review each company's claims handling process, customer satisfaction ratings and complaint records.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Delaware
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in Delaware'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, Delaware 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 Delaware 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.