NEXT leads for workers' comp insurance in Montana, standing out for excellent customer service and comprehensive coverage options. The Hartford matches NEXT's overall excellence, while Simply Business offers another reliable choice for Montana business owners.
Workers' Comp Insurance in Montana
NEXT tops our analysis as Montana's top workers' comp insurance provider, with an overall score of 4.6 out of 5.
Compare top Montana 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 stand out as Montana's top-rated workers' comp insurance providers based on our analysis.
Your business type, number of workers, past insurance claims and available budget will determine which Montana workers' comp provider fits your needs.
To find the right workers' comp coverage in the Treasure State, request quotes from multiple providers and compare their industry knowledge, service history and policy features.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Montana
| NEXT Insurance | 4.60 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.60 | 1 |
| Simply Business | 4.52 | 2 |
| Coverdash | 4.45 | 3 |
| biBERK | 4.43 | 4 |
| Nationwide | 4.42 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.39 | 6 |
| Hiscox | 4.37 | 7 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | 8 |
| Chubb | 4.25 | 9 |
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 MONTANA
Montana businesses often need more than just workers' compensation insurance to stay fully protected. To help you understand your coverage options, we've gathered essential resources about other types of coverage that can safeguard your business:
Best Montana Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and The Hartford emerge as the premier workers' compensation insurance providers in Montana, offering superior coverage options for business owners.
NEXT
Overall Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Premium
$69We analyzed thousands of workers' compensation quotes from insurers operating in Montana across 79 industriesOur Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handling experienceOur Survey: Recommend to Others
4.8/5Percentage of current customers who 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
$69Based on our analysis of Montana workers' compensation insurance ratesOur survey: Claims process
3.9/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handling experienceOur survey: Recommend to others
4.8/5Percentage of current customers who would recommend this provider
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Montana
Montana businesses can get affordable workers' comp coverage from NEXT Insurance at $69 monthly ($825 annually). The Hartford and Thimble offer competitive rates at $69 and $70 per month, respectively, with minimal price differences between providers. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT Insurance | $69 | $825 |
| The Hartford | $69 | $827 |
| Thimble | $70 | $842 |
| Progressive Commercial | $70 | $846 |
| Hiscox | $71 | $848 |
| Simply Business | $71 | $851 |
| Coverdash | $72 | $866 |
| biBERK | $75 | $897 |
| Nationwide | $81 | $966 |
| Chubb | $84 | $1,012 |
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 Montana
Workers' compensation insurance in Montana costs businesses an average of $73 per month or $878 annually. Montana's rates run about $1 less than the national monthly average of $74. Your business's actual premium depends on several factors, including your industry's risk level, number of employees, annual payroll and claims history.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in Montana by Industry
In Montana, workers' compensation insurance costs vary dramatically by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay the lowest premiums at $6 monthly, while roofing businesses face higher rates at $836 per month. This substantial difference reflects the varying workplace injury risks across different professions.
| Accountants | $20 | $245 |
| Ad Agency | $16 | $189 |
| Auto Repair | $150 | $1,805 |
| Automotive | $116 | $1,398 |
| Bakery | $53 | $634 |
| Barber | $14 | $167 |
| Beauty Salon | $14 | $173 |
| Bounce House | $40 | $480 |
| Candle | $40 | $478 |
| Cannabis | $84 | $1,003 |
| Catering | $73 | $880 |
| Cleaning | $48 | $580 |
| Coffee Shop | $47 | $564 |
| Computer Programming | $28 | $339 |
| Computer Repair | $24 | $288 |
| Construction | $181 | $2,171 |
| Consulting | $30 | $366 |
| Contractor | $165 | $1,980 |
| Courier | $225 | $2,695 |
| DJ | $14 | $166 |
| Daycare | $13 | $159 |
| Dental | $11 | $133 |
| Dog Grooming | $65 | $778 |
| Drone | $26 | $318 |
| Ecommerce | $22 | $259 |
| Electrical | $57 | $683 |
| Engineering | $38 | $457 |
| Excavation | $107 | $1,278 |
| Florist | $61 | $731 |
| Food | $42 | $500 |
| Food Truck | $46 | $546 |
| Funeral Home | $27 | $321 |
| Gardening | $47 | $561 |
| HVAC | $63 | $754 |
| Handyman | $94 | $1,124 |
| Home-based | $10 | $119 |
| Hospitality | $69 | $830 |
| Janitorial | $48 | $576 |
| Jewelry | $30 | $360 |
| Junk Removal | $139 | $1,665 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $37 | $445 |
| Lawyers | $52 | $624 |
| Manufacturing | $58 | $702 |
| Marine | $149 | $1,790 |
| Massage | $14 | $173 |
| Mortgage Broker | $14 | $165 |
| Moving | $257 | $3,088 |
| Nonprofit | $32 | $380 |
| Painting | $140 | $1,684 |
| Party Rental | $37 | $441 |
| Personal Training | $25 | $298 |
| Pest Control | $70 | $834 |
| Pet | $30 | $364 |
| Pharmacy | $6 | $77 |
| Photography | $17 | $203 |
| Physical Therapy | $7 | $82 |
| Plumbing | $63 | $761 |
| Pressure Washing | $83 | $990 |
| Real Estate | $30 | $357 |
| Restaurant | $62 | $745 |
| Retail | $35 | $417 |
| Roofing | $836 | $10,029 |
| Security | $52 | $619 |
| Snack Bars | $43 | $519 |
| Software | $26 | $313 |
| Spa/Wellness | $17 | $208 |
| Speech Therapist | $6 | $72 |
| Startup | $13 | $157 |
| Tech/IT | $27 | $328 |
| Transportation | $228 | $2,738 |
| Travel | $7 | $83 |
| Tree Service | $218 | $2,621 |
| Trucking | $269 | $3,224 |
| Tutoring | $10 | $120 |
| Veterinary | $19 | $233 |
| Wedding Planning | $28 | $341 |
| Welding | $117 | $1,399 |
| Wholesale | $40 | $477 |
| Window Cleaning | $209 | $2,504 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in Montana?
In Montana, businesses must carry workers' compensation insurance as soon as they hire employees. This insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages if workers get injured or become ill due to their job duties.
Employers who fail to maintain proper workers' comp coverage face fines up to $1,000, plus additional penalties of $100 for each day of non-compliance.
Sole proprietors
Business owners operating alone can typically opt out of workers' comp coverage since they are considered self-employed rather than employees.
Corporate officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock can elect to exclude themselves from coverage by filing appropriate documentation.
Independent contractors
Workers classified as true independent contractors under state guidelines generally do not require coverage, provided they maintain business independence.
Domestic workers
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week or earning below state thresholds may be exempt from mandatory coverage requirements.
Agricultural workers
Small farms with limited seasonal workers or family-only labor often qualify for exemption from workers' comp requirements.
Real estate agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission basis typically qualify as independent contractors exempt from coverage.
Professional athletes
Athletes in certain professional sports may be covered under separate injury protection agreements instead of standard workers' comp.
Remote workers
Employees working exclusively from home in other states may have different coverage requirements based on their primary work location.
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in Montana
Affordable coverage options exist in Montana to protect your team and maintain reasonable business insurance costs.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
Montana law requires most businesses with employees to carry workers' compensation insurance.
- 2
Collect business details
Prepare accurate payroll records, employee counts, and job classifications. These details affect your premium rates and help prevent costly audit surprises.
- 3
Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three different insurance carriers for quotes. Rates can vary between providers in the Treasure State.
- 4
Find industry-specific experience
Select insurers who understand your business type. This ensures they know local regulations and can properly classify your workplace risks.
- 5
Review provider performance
Look at claim processing times and complaint records. Consider extra benefits like workplace safety training and return-to-work programs.
- 6
Examine policy details
Review coverage limits and payment options. Consider pay-as-you-go structures for better cash flow management.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Review your coverage yearly as business changes affect premium costs.
Montana Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
Montana business owners have access to several outstanding workers' compensation insurance providers. NEXT Insurance, The Hartford and Simply Business stand out as the leading carriers in the Treasure State. Consider getting quotes from these providers and compare their offerings based on your specific industry needs and company size.
Montana Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Here are answers to the most common questions about coverage requirements and costs in the state.
Is workers' comp insurance required for all Montana businesses?
Montana law requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. Notable exemptions include sole proprietors, independent contractors and household employees working less than 20 hours per week. Failing to maintain coverage can result in fines up to $1,000, plus $100 per day of noncompliance and possible imprisonment up to 6 months.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in Montana?
NEXT offers the lowest-priced workers' compensation insurance in Montana at $69 per month ($825 annually). Your specific premium will vary based on your industry risk level, number of employees, payroll size and claims history.
What does workers' comp insurance cover in Montana?
Montana workers' comp insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits include necessary treatments, rehabilitation services, and partial wage replacement during recovery. The insurance protects employers from lawsuits while providing essential coverage for employees, but not independent contractors.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in Montana?
NEXT and The Hartford lead Montana's workers' compensation insurance market, both scoring 4.60 overall. NEXT excels in customer service (4.70), while The Hartford offers superior affordability. Simply Business ranks third with 4.52, featuring the best coverage options (4.90). Choose based on your priority: service quality, cost efficiency or coverage breadth.
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in Montana?
Operating without workers' compensation insurance in Montana is illegal and carries severe penalties. Employers face fines up to $50,000, potential imprisonment and business closure. The Montana Department of Labor & Industry enforces compliance and can order uninsured businesses to pay all employee medical costs and lost wages directly.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in Montana?
Sole proprietors in Montana are exempt from mandatory workers' compensation insurance unless they work in specific high-risk industries like construction or roofing. While not required for most, many sole proprietors opt to purchase coverage voluntarily to protect themselves against work-related injuries and lost income.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in Montana?
Start by getting multiple quotes from Montana workers' comp insurers licensed by the state. Look for carriers with proven experience in your industry sector. Evaluate their claims handling process, financial strength ratings, and complaint records with the Montana Department of Insurance. Consider customer service quality and responsiveness when comparing providers.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in Montana
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in Montana'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, Montana 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 Montana 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.