NEXT is best for workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts due to its excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage options. The Hartford and Simply Business offer equally strong alternatives for business owners, with nearly identical overall performance ratings.
Workers' Comp Insurance in Massachusetts
NEXT is the top workers' comp insurance provider in Massachusetts, with an overall score of 4.6 out of 5, based on our analysis.
Compare top Massachusetts 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 lead the pack as Massachusetts's top-rated workers' compensation insurance providers.
Your business's specific needs, including industry risks, number of employees, past claims and available budget, determine which workers' comp provider fits best.
To find the right workers' comp coverage in Massachusetts, start by collecting quotes, examining each provider's industry knowledge, reviewing their service history and comparing policy features.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
| NEXT | 4.60 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.58 | 2 |
| Simply Business | 4.51 | 3 |
| Coverdash | 4.44 | 4 |
| biBERK | 4.42 | 5 |
| Nationwide | 4.41 | 6 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.39 | 7 |
| Hiscox | 4.36 | 8 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | 9 |
| Chubb | 4.25 | 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.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts businesses often need more than just workers' compensation insurance. Look at these helpful resources about other types of coverage:
Best Massachusetts Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and The Hartford are the best workers' compensation insurance providers in Massachusetts.
NEXT
Best Overall Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$72Based on average costs across Massachusetts businessesOur survey: Claims process
3.9/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingOur survey: Recommend to others
4.8/5Percentage of current customers who would recommend NEXT
The Hartford
Best for Coverage Availability
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$73Based on average costs for Massachusetts businessesOur survey: Claims process
4.5/5Rating from our annual provider surveyOur survey: Recommend to others
4.5/5Percentage of customers who would recommend The Hartford
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
Massachusetts business owners can get cheap workers' comp insurance from NEXT at $72 monthly ($868 annually). The Hartford and Thimble offer competitive rates at $73 and $74 per month, respectively. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT | $72 | $868 |
| The Hartford | $73 | $871 |
| Thimble | $74 | $888 |
| Progressive Commercial | $74 | $888 |
| Simply Business | $75 | $895 |
| Hiscox | $75 | $899 |
| Coverdash | $76 | $913 |
| biBERK | $78 | $941 |
| Nationwide | $85 | $1,019 |
| Chubb | $89 | $1,067 |
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 Massachusetts
Workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts costs businesses an average of $77 per month or $925 annually. Bay State employers pay $3 more than the national monthly average of $74. Your business's actual premium depends on your industry's risk level, number of employees, annual payroll and previous claims experience.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in Massachusetts by Industry
In Massachusetts, workers' compensation insurance costs vary by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay Massachusetts's lowest rates at $6 per month, while roofing companies face the highest premiums at $873 monthly. This substantial difference reflects each industry's workplace injury risk profile.
| Accountants | $21 | $256 |
| Ad Agency | $17 | $200 |
| Auto Repair | $159 | $1,905 |
| Automotive | $123 | $1,475 |
| Bakery | $56 | $672 |
| Barber | $15 | $178 |
| Beauty Salon | $15 | $184 |
| Bounce House | $42 | $505 |
| Candle | $42 | $502 |
| Cannabis | $88 | $1,060 |
| Catering | $78 | $933 |
| Cleaning | $51 | $616 |
| Coffee Shop | $49 | $589 |
| Computer Programming | $29 | $352 |
| Computer Repair | $25 | $302 |
| Construction | $189 | $2,267 |
| Consulting | $32 | $380 |
| Contractor | $173 | $2,076 |
| Courier | $236 | $2,828 |
| DJ | $15 | $178 |
| Daycare | $14 | $169 |
| Dental | $12 | $141 |
| Dog Grooming | $69 | $825 |
| Drone | $28 | $337 |
| Ecommerce | $23 | $273 |
| Electrical | $60 | $722 |
| Engineering | $40 | $478 |
| Excavation | $112 | $1,340 |
| Florist | $64 | $768 |
| Food | $44 | $528 |
| Food Truck | $48 | $573 |
| Funeral Home | $28 | $334 |
| Gardening | $50 | $594 |
| HVAC | $65 | $786 |
| Handyman | $98 | $1,177 |
| Home-based | $11 | $127 |
| Hospitality | $72 | $869 |
| Janitorial | $51 | $617 |
| Jewelry | $31 | $376 |
| Junk Removal | $147 | $1,761 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $39 | $474 |
| Lawyers | $56 | $667 |
| Manufacturing | $62 | $742 |
| Marine | $157 | $1,880 |
| Massage | $15 | $184 |
| Mortgage Broker | $14 | $174 |
| Moving | $276 | $3,314 |
| Nonprofit | $33 | $401 |
| Painting | $146 | $1,751 |
| Party Rental | $39 | $464 |
| Personal Training | $26 | $317 |
| Pest Control | $73 | $879 |
| Pet | $32 | $388 |
| Pharmacy | $7 | $80 |
| Photography | $18 | $214 |
| Physical Therapy | $7 | $86 |
| Plumbing | $67 | $810 |
| Pressure Washing | $88 | $1,052 |
| Real Estate | $31 | $376 |
| Restaurant | $67 | $802 |
| Retail | $36 | $436 |
| Roofing | $873 | $10,471 |
| Security | $55 | $657 |
| Snack Bars | $46 | $549 |
| Software | $27 | $329 |
| Spa/Wellness | $18 | $221 |
| Speech Therapist | $6 | $76 |
| Startup | $14 | $164 |
| Tech/IT | $29 | $346 |
| Transportation | $240 | $2,885 |
| Travel | $7 | $89 |
| Tree Service | $232 | $2,784 |
| Trucking | $283 | $3,399 |
| Tutoring | $11 | $127 |
| Veterinary | $21 | $248 |
| Wedding Planning | $30 | $356 |
| Welding | $122 | $1,468 |
| Wholesale | $42 | $502 |
| Window Cleaning | $220 | $2,643 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, businesses must carry workers' compensation insurance as soon as they hire their first employee. This insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages if workers are injured or ill due to their job duties.
Massachusetts enforces strict penalties for non-compliance, including stop work orders and fines of $100 per day until coverage is obtained. Employers may also face civil penalties up to $1,500 and potential criminal charges.
Sole Proprietors
Business owners operating alone without employees can typically opt out of workers' comp coverage for themselves while maintaining coverage for any future hires.
Corporate Officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock may elect to exclude themselves from coverage by filing a written waiver.
Independent Contractors
Individuals who maintain control over their work methods and schedule usually qualify for exemption, provided they meet state-specific contractor criteria.
Real Estate Agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission basis are typically exempt when operating under independent contractor agreements.
Domestic Workers
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week or earning below state thresholds may be exempt from mandatory coverage.
Agricultural Workers
Small farms with limited seasonal workers often qualify for exemption, though specific employee count and payroll thresholds vary.
Religious Organizations
Members of religious organizations who have taken vows of poverty while working for their church may be exempt from coverage requirements.
Professional Athletes
Professional athletes often operate under separate injury protection agreements, exempting them from standard workers' comp requirements.
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in Massachusetts
While workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts may seem daunting, finding the right coverage to protect your team is straightforward and can help maintain reasonable business insurance costs. Start by comparing rates from multiple providers and evaluating their coverage options and claims handling processes to find the best fit for your business.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
Massachusetts law requires most businesses with employees (even a part-time worker) 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
You should contact at least three different insurance carriers for quotes.
- 4
Find industry-specific expertise
You should choose insurers who understand your business sector's unique risks.
- 5
Review provider performance
Check each insurer's claim processing speed and complaint history. Look for added benefits like workplace safety programs or return-to-work assistance.
- 6
Examine policy details
Review coverage limits and exclusions carefully. Consider pay-as-you-go for better cash flow management.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Review your coverage yearly as business changes affect premium costs. Updates to payroll, employee count, or claims history can impact your insurance needs.
Massachusetts Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
Massachusetts businesses have access to several high-quality workers' compensation insurance providers. Our analysis shows NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead the pack in Massachusetts. Consider getting quotes from these providers to find the best fit for your specific industry needs and company size.
Massachusetts Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Massachusetts business owners often find workers' compensation insurance requirements and costs challenging to navigate. Find answers to your most pressing questions in our comprehensive FAQ guide below.
Is workers' comp insurance required for all Massachusetts businesses?
Massachusetts law requires businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. The few exemptions include sole proprietors without employees, independent contractors and domestic workers employed less than 16 hours weekly. Failing to maintain coverage can result in stop-work orders, fines up to $250 per day and criminal penalties including jail time.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in Massachusetts?
NEXT provides the lowest-cost workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts at $72 per month ($868 annually). Your actual premium will depend on your business's industry risk level, number of employees, payroll size and claims history.
What does workers' comp insurance cover in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts workers' comp insurance covers medical expenses and partial wage replacement for work-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits include ongoing care, rehabilitation costs and lost income during recovery. The insurance protects employers from lawsuits, while covering employees but not independent contractors.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in Massachusetts?
NEXT leads Massachusetts workers' comp providers with a 4.60 overall score, excelling in customer service (4.70) and coverage options (4.80). The Hartford follows at 4.58, known for strong affordability, while Simply Business scores 4.51 with the best coverage selection (4.90). Choose based on whether service quality, cost, or coverage breadth matters most to you.
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts?
Operating without workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts is illegal. Employers face daily fines of $100, stop-work orders and criminal charges with up to one year of jail time. The Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) enforces compliance and can shut down businesses. Employers must also pay all medical costs and lost wages for injured workers directly.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts?
Sole proprietors in Massachusetts are not required to carry workers' comp but those working in construction or high-risk industries must maintain coverage.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in Massachusetts?
Get multiple quotes from licensed Massachusetts workers' compensation insurers and compare their rates.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in Massachusetts'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, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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.