MoneyGeek determined the best workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts by evaluating insurers based on their affordability, customer satisfaction, financial stability and online quote process. The Hartford received high scores in all categories, emerging as the best overall.

Small business owners in Massachusetts are legally required to carry workers' compensation insurance. It financially protects the business owner by covering medical expenses, lost wages and potential lawsuits in the event of work-related illness or injury suffered by employees.

MoneyGeek Logo IconBest Workers'CompensationMassachusetts
2024

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Massachusetts

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We collected 677 workers’ compensation insurance quotes and analyzed cost information alongside customer satisfaction and financial stability reports to determine the best workers’ compensation insurance companies for small businesses in Massachusetts.

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Coverage costs and company information for workers' compensation insurance providers in Massachusetts were last updated in 2023.

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6Companies Compared
 
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Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Massachusetts

The Hartford emerged as the best company for workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts, earning a MoneyGeek score of 99 out of 100. Its policies cost an average of $114 per month. Rates for workers' compensation insurance may vary based on factors unique to your business.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?


1
The HartfordBest Overall in Massachusetts
Score:99

5/5

Affordability

5/5

Customer Satisfaction

4/5

Financial Stability

4/5

Online Quote Process

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take
  • Cheapest average monthly premium at $114
  • Excellent customer service track record
  • Strong financial strength rating from AM Best
  • Quick online quote process
More About The Hartford

The Hartford offers the best workers' compensation in Massachusetts, balancing affordable rates and stellar customer service. At an average of $114 per month, The Hartford is the most affordable provider in our comparison group. This insurer also receives fewer customer complaints than average, so policyholders can expect excellent service. The Hartford boasts a high financial strength rating from AM Best, meaning it is capable of meeting its financial obligations, including payment of claims. Its online quote process is fast, and it takes less than two minutes on average to get a quote.

2
biBERK
Score:95

3.5/5

Affordability

4/5

Customer Satisfaction

5/5

Financial Stability

4/5

Online Quote Process

Geek Quick Take
Geek Quick Take
  • Average premium of $119 per month
  • High customer satisfaction rating
  • Strong financial strength rating from AM Best
  • Fast online quote process
More About biBERK

biBERK is the second-best option for workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts at an average of $119 per month. Compared to other insurers, biBERK’s rates are relatively inexpensive. This insurer also has a low complaint index based on NAIC data, meaning that most customers tend to be satisfied with its services. If you need an online quote, biBERK has a fast quote process that takes a little over a minute.

Policyholders do not need to worry about this company’s ability to fulfill its financial obligations since it holds an A++ financial strength rating from AM Best.

3
Nationwide
Score:89
4
Thimble
Score:85

Cheapest Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Massachusetts

The Hartford offers the cheapest workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts at an average of $114 per month. This company has the cheapest rates for businesses with 20 employees and $1,250,000 in annual payroll costs.

Employee count and payroll costs have a significant impact on insurance costs, so rates may vary based on your company’s unique profile.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick
The Hartford

MoneyGeek found that The Hartford is the cheapest company for workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts. The cost of a policy averages $114 per month for businesses with 20 employees and $1,250,000 in annual payroll costs. Rates may differ based on your company’s employee count and payroll costs.

If you want affordability without sacrificing service quality, The Hartford is a great option as it has an excellent customer service track record. This insurer also has a strong AM Best financial strength rating, so they are a reliable partner for businesses looking for cheap but high-quality coverage.

Moneygeek ranked companies based on average monthly premiums to find the cheapest insurer, but the cheapest option for your small business may vary depending on other factors. You can use the table below to compare average monthly costs by provider for businesses with 20 employees.

The HartfordMonthly Cost$114Annual Cost$1,368
biBERKMonthly Cost$119Annual Cost$1,262
NationwideMonthly Cost$125Annual Cost$1,503
ThimbleMonthly Cost$131Annual Cost$1,450

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Micro Businesses in Massachusetts

biBERK offers the best workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts for micro businesses (businesses with less than 10 employees). A biBERK policy costs an average of $43 per month for a business with five employees and an annual payroll amount of $312,500.

Although employee count affects the cost of workers' compensation insurance, payroll costs tend to have a bigger impact on premiums.

mglogo
MoneyGeek Top Pick
biBERK

biBERK is the best provider for micro businesses looking for affordable workers' comp coverage. At an average of $43 monthly, this insurer offers the cheapest rates in the comparison group. Moreover, you will not have to compromise on quality to get affordable rates since this provider also has a solid customer satisfaction track record. biBERK also has a sound financial background based on AM Best ratings, so it's a reliable insurer able to meet its financial obligations.

Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Midsize Businesses in Massachusetts

biBERK is the best workers' comp insurance provider in Massachusetts for mid-sized businesses with 100 employees at an average of $504 per month. This premium is also based on an annual payroll amount of $6,250,000.

Employee count is a factor in the cost of workers’ compensation insurance, but payroll amount tends to have a bigger impact on premiums.

mglogo
MoneyGeek Top Pick
biBERK

biBERK’s workers' compensation insurance costs an average of $504 per month for mid-sized businesses with 100 employees, the cheapest rate among insurers in Massachusetts. This rate is based on payroll costs of $312,500, so rates for your business may vary. Although biBERK does not have the highest customer satisfaction score in our comparison group, it still scored well in that area and has a relatively low NAIC complaint index. This insurer also offers policyholders a convenient online quote process that takes under two minutes.

How Much Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Massachusetts?

The average cost of workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts for businesses with 20 employees is $122 per month, which is cheaper than the average national cost of $168 per month.

Moneygeek’s analysis is based on a policy with the following limits:

  • $1 million total policy limit
  • $1 million per accident limit
  • $1 million per employee limit

With these policy limits, the insurer will pay a maximum of $1 million per employee and a maximum of $1 million for a single accident, up to a total of $1 million in a given policy year. Damages exceeding the set limits will not be covered by the workers' comp policy.

Employee count and annual payroll cost are the biggest factors in determining workers' comp insurance costs. The table below compares average costs in Massachusetts for businesses with five, 20 and 100 employees.

How was this cost calculated?

5Monthly Cost$55Annual Cost$620
20Monthly Cost$122Annual Cost$1,396
100Monthly Cost$530Annual Cost$6,149

Factors That Impact Workers’ Compensation Costs in Massachusetts

The cost of workers’ compensation insurance for each business will vary based on employee count, payroll costs and other factors.

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    Payroll costs

    Businesses with high payroll costs pay higher premiums for workers' comp insurance compared to those with low payroll expenses. Insurers usually charge a fixed premium index rate that is set at the state level for every $100 of payroll. Massachusetts charged an average premium index rate of $1.05 per $100 of payroll in 2022, ranking among states with the lowest rates.

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    Number of employees

    If your business has a high number of employees, you will likely pay more for workers' compensation insurance since businesses with more employees face a higher risk of employee work-related injuries.

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    Employee class code

    A class code refers to the nature of work performed by employees. The class code determines the rate charged for every $100 of payroll, with industries that have a higher risk of injuries like construction incurring higher rates.

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    Previous claims

    Workers' comp insurance costs can vary depending on the claims history of a business. Businesses with a history of claims typically pay higher premiums.

    Workplace injuries are relatively common in Massachusetts. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that there were 57,900 nonfatal workplace illnesses and injuries recorded at private businesses in Massachusetts in 2021. In the same year, there were more than 2.6 million nonfatal private-industry workplace injuries and illnesses reported nationally.

Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Massachusetts?

Workers' compensation insurance is mandated by law in Massachusetts for all businesses with any number of employees. Only domestic workers who work less than 16 hours per week are exempt.

Sole proprietors do not have to carry workers' compensation insurance for themselves. In addition, corporate officers who own at least 25% of a company can file for an exemption if they do not wish to be covered under their company's policy. Their employees must still be covered.

If a business does not carry workers' comp insurance as required by law, the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) will issue a stop work order to employers, and the employers will incur daily fines until coverage starts.

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WORKERS’ COMP PENALTIES IN MASSACHUSETTS

Employers in Massachusetts without workers' compensation insurance may incur the following penalties:

  • A stop work order (SWO) for all employees that are not covered.
  • Fines of a minimum of $100 per day from the issue date of the SWO until insurance coverage starts.
  • Criminal charges, including up to 1 year in prison and/or up to a $1,500 fine if convicted.

What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in Massachusetts?

Workers' compensation insurance in Massachusetts helps cover the cost of medical expenses incurred by employees who suffer injuries or illnesses on the job. This coverage also helps compensate the injured employee for part of their lost wages while they are unable to work. In addition, workers' comp insurance financially protects the business owner in case an injured employee or employees file a lawsuit against the business.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance Resources for Employees in Massachusetts

The Department of Industrial Accidents oversees workers’ compensation in Massachusetts. To file a workers' compensation claim and receive benefits, you should report a work-related injury or illness to your employer or supervisor. After notifying your employer, you can seek the necessary medical treatment. It's important to inform the healthcare provider that the injury is work-related so the insurance can be billed accordingly.

The employer will then provide workers' compensation claim forms that you can fill out and submit to the insurer or directly to the DIA. Once the claim is approved, you will start to receive the appropriate benefits based on your injury.

Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Massachusetts

MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions to help you learn more about workers' comp insurance in Massachusetts.

Which company has the best workers’ compensation insurance in Massachusetts?
Which company has the cheapest workers’ compensation insurance in Massachusetts?
Does Massachusetts require businesses to have workers’ compensation insurance?
How much does workers’ compensation insurance cost in Massachusetts?

About Melissa Wylie


Melissa Wylie headshot

Melissa Wylie is the Content and SEO Manager at MoneyGeek, with nearly a decade of editorial experience and six years of work in financial content focused on small businesses. She previously held SEO positions at Bankrate and LendingTree, with bylines on ValuePenguin and MagnifyMoney.

Wylie has a journalism degree from the University of North Texas. Her strong foundation in journalism helps her craft content that simplifies complex financial topics to help everyone feel confident when making decisions with their money.


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