MoneyGeek assessed several Montana workers' compensation insurance providers based on cost, customer service, financial stability and online applications. We found that biBERK is the best insurer, as it balances these factors to offer quality coverage.
Workers’ compensation insurance is essential for entrepreneurs, as it protects their businesses and employees in the event of work-related illnesses and injuries. Businesses in Montana are generally required to have workers' compensation insurance no matter their size, although some professions may be exempt.
Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Montana




Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Montana
biBERK is Montana’s best workers’ compensation insurance provider. The company earned a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100 based on its rates and customer service record. Its average monthly premium is $234, although your actual rates will depend on factors like your industry, number of employees and payroll.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

- Offers average monthly premiums of $234, one of the most affordable available rates
- AM Best financial stability rating of A++
- Excellent customer service record
- Accessible online quote process
biBERK is MoneyGeek’s top pick for Montana workers’ compensation insurance. With an average monthly premium of $234, biBERK has one of the cheapest policy rates while offering highly rated customer service.
The company earned an AM Best financial stability rating of A++, indicating that it can perform its obligations promptly when paying a claim. This rating can assure you that your insurer can cover certain liabilities when an employee is sick or injured. biBERK tops all this off with an efficient online quote application, allowing you to access a customized estimate within 90 seconds.

- Offers the cheapest available monthly premiums, at an average of $154
- Speedy online quote application
- Poor customer satisfaction record
Thimble is our runner-up recommendation for Montana workers’ compensation insurance providers. It’s the most affordable option among our reviewed companies, with an average monthly premium of $154. Getting a quote online only takes 37 seconds, allowing you to compare rates easily.
The company also received an A+ rating from AM Best for its financial stability, meaning it has the backing to pay claims promptly. However, Thimble might not offer the best customer service, as it received an above-average rate of customer complaints based on the NAIC’s (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) complaint index.

- Offers average monthly premiums of $300
- Strong record of excellent customer service
- Less than two minutes to access a customized online quote
MoneyGeek’s research found that Next has one of the lowest rates of customer complaints among our reviewed workers’ compensation providers, meaning you can expect quality customer service from this Montana insurer. Getting a quote online takes less than two minutes, allowing you to save time while comparison shopping.
However, Next’s excellent service comes with an expensive price tag at a $300 monthly average rate. It also has an AM Best rating of A- for financial stability, so it might not be the most capable of meeting its financial obligations relative to the other Montana insurers on our list.

- Expensive average monthly premium of $388
- AM Best rating of A+ for financial stability
- Best customer service record of any Montana workers’ compensation insurance provider
- Relatively slow online quote process
The Hartford received the best rating for customer satisfaction among any Montana workers’ compensation provider MoneyGeek reviewed. However, it offers the most expensive monthly premium of $388, which means its quality service comes in exchange for affordable rates. Nevertheless, there’s a good chance that it can fulfill its end of the bargain when paying claims, as it received a financial stability rating of A+ from AM Best. It also takes a little over two minutes to get a quote, which is on the slower end of companies we reviewed.

- Average monthly premium of $316
- AM Best rating of A+ for financial stability
- Offers excellent customer service
- Sluggish online quote application
Nationwide receives a low rate of customer complaints, according to the data we gathered from the NAIC. This rate demonstrates the company’s excellent customer service record. It also earned a financial stability rating of A+ from AM Best, indicating reliable financial backing to pay claims.
However, Nationwide has more expensive rates than other insurers, with an average monthly premium of $316. It also has the slowest online quote application of any Montana providers we reviewed.
Cheapest Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Montana
Thimble offers the cheapest workers’ compensation insurance in Montana, at $154 monthly on average. We based our recommendation on rates for businesses with 20 employees and yearly payroll costs of $1,250,000. The number of employees you have and your payroll expenses significantly influence your premiums.

Thimble
Thimble stands out as the most affordable company for Montana workers’ compensation insurance, with an average monthly premium of $154. It has an A+ rating from AM Best, indicating strong financial stability. The company offers the fastest turnaround time for online quotes, taking just 37 seconds on average, making it the quickest way to determine your rates compared to other insurers.
One of its weak points is customer satisfaction, as it has a higher rate of customer complaints than average, according to the NAIC's (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) complaint index. You might be trading good customer service for cheap rates with this provider.
We evaluated companies by considering the lowest average monthly premiums from Montana workers’ compensation insurance providers. Various factors can influence your rates, so the most affordable option for you may be different. The table below includes the annual and monthly workers’ compensation insurance premiums for businesses with 20 employees. We provided rankings based on monthly premiums.
Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Micro Businesses in Montana
biBERK offers the best workers' compensation insurance for businesses with five employees. It provides an average monthly premium of $84 for companies with an annual payroll of $312,500. The size of the business, the number of employees and payroll costs significantly affect your premiums. As a result, businesses with fewer than 10 employees (also known as micro businesses) generally enjoy more affordable premiums.

biBERK
With an average monthly premium of $84, biBERK is one of the companies with the cheapest premiums available for Montana micro businesses. It also received an A++ financial stability rating from AM Best, indicating its strong ability to fulfill obligations in the event of a claim. Financial strength assures you that your insurer can adequately cover liabilities when an employee faces illness or injury. biBERK also demonstrates excellent customer service with their scant customer complaint record.
Best Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Midsize Businesses in Montana
Thimble offers the best workers' compensation insurance for Montana businesses with 100 employees. It has an average monthly premium of $637, calculated based on an annual payroll of $6,250,000. The number of employees and the company’s payroll amount are crucial factors influencing your premiums. However, your payroll makes a more significant impact.

Thimble
Thimble offers the most affordable workers’ compensation insurance rates for midsize Montana businesses, with an average monthly premium of $637. You can see your estimated rates by getting a quote from the company, which will only take a little over 30 seconds online with their quick application. Thimble earned a financial stability rating of A+ from AM Best, assuring you that the company will cover your future claims.
However, Thimble has the highest customer complaint index based on the data we gathered. This information indicates that the company might be compromising service for cheap premiums.
How Much Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Montana?
In Montana, the average monthly cost of workers' compensation insurance is $279, surpassing the national average of $168 per month. To determine the average policy cost, we considered a policy with a $1 million total policy limit, $1 million per accident limit and $1 million per employee limit. The total policy limit represents the maximum coverage the insurer provides during the policy period, while the per-accident limit sets a cap on coverage for a single incident. Each employee can receive coverage up to the per-employee limit.
The table below illustrates the average workers' compensation insurance costs for Montana businesses employing five, 20 and 100 individuals. Consider comparing these costs to see how various factors may change your rates. The number of employees and payroll amount typically influence premiums most. Your rates may rely heavily on these factors, so it’s best to consider them before shopping for insurance.
How was this cost calculated?
Factors That Impact Workers’ Compensation Costs in Montana
The costs of your workers' compensation insurance can be influenced by various factors, leading to variations in rates specific to your business. These include payroll costs, number of employees, employee class codes and previous claims history.
Payroll costs
Increased payroll expenses can result in higher insurance premiums. Insurers typically calculate rates based on every $100 of your payroll expenses. Montana insurers’ average rate is $1.46 per $100 of payroll. This positions Montana as the 15th most expensive state for workers’ comp insurance.
Number of employees
Bigger companies might encounter higher insurance rates than smaller companies, as a larger workforce can increase the likelihood of employee injuries.
Employee class code
The nature of your employees' work, whether it involves office-based tasks or on-site activities, can impact your insurance rates. Class codes represent the classification of your employees’ work, which can influence the per-$100 rate of your insurance. Industries with higher risk, such as construction, typically have higher premiums than low-risk sectors, such as consulting.
Previous claims
Past workers' compensation claims can increase your premiums. In 2021, there were 10,400 reported cases of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses within Montana’s private industry. Comparatively, the private industry in the United States recorded 2,607,900 cases of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses.
Do You Need Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Montana?
You’ll need to purchase workers’ compensation insurance in Montana, no matter how many employees your company has. Whether you have full-time, part-time or seasonal employees, the law requires you to protect them with this coverage.
Some professionals can be exempt from this rule. These exemptions include domestic workers, amateur athletic officials and church ministers. The state also exempts independent contractors, but they must secure an exemption certificate to waive their rights and benefits. Sole proprietors, partners, LLC members and corporate officers are also not required to have this coverage.
Montana businesses that don’t comply with the workers’ compensation requirement will face the following financial penalties:
- Fees twice the amount of the premiums you would have paid if you had obtained coverage for the entire period you lacked a policy.
- Minimum penalty fee is $200, with no maximum limit.
These financial consequences may devastate your small business if you don’t comply with state insurance requirements.
What Does Workers’ Compensation Insurance Cover in Montana?
Workers' compensation insurance covers injuries that occur while employees perform their job duties. It extends coverage even if the injury happens outside of the workplace, as long as the employee is performing a task in the course of their regular employment. It covers medical treatment expenses and offers benefits such as wage replacement, disability benefits, rehabilitation services and death benefits.
This coverage protects employees from income loss during recovery, particularly when they cannot work. This coverage also protects the employer from financial responsibilities that may lead to losses. The employer holds the policy, protecting them from potential liability.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Resources for Employees in Montana
The Workers' Compensation Claims Assistance Bureau of the Department of Labor and Industry oversees workers’ compensation in Montana. It’s important to promptly notify your employer and seek medical attention if you suffer injury or illness as you complete work duties. Reporting the incident to the employer allows them to document it and assist with completing the required forms for filing a claim. You need to wait for a response from the insurer to determine if an injury or illness is eligible for coverage. In the event of a denial, there is an option to appeal the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Workers’ Compensation Insurance in Montana
MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions regarding insurers, costs and coverage. Our answers will help you identify the best Montana workers’ compensation insurance provider that meets your needs.
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sources
- Department of Consumer and Business Services. "2022 Workers’ Compensation Premium Index Rates." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry. "Department of Labor & Industry." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities: Latest Numbers." Accessed May 30, 2023.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "State Occupational Injuries, Illnesses and Fatalities." Accessed May 30, 2023.