NEXT leads North Carolina's workers' comp insurance market with outstanding customer service and comprehensive coverage options. North Carolina's small business owners can also count on Simply Business and The Hartford as equally reliable alternatives, as both providers maintain remarkably similar quality standards.
Workers' Comp Insurance in North Carolina
NEXT tops our analysis as the best workers' comp insurance provider in North Carolina with an overall score of 4.6 out of 5.
Compare top North Carolina workers' comp insurance providers and find your ideal coverage.
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Updated: September 10, 2025
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Key Takeaways
NEXT, Simply Business and The Hartford rank as the top workers' comp insurance providers in North Carolina based on overall performance scores.
Your business type, number of employees, past insurance claims and available budget will determine which North Carolina workers' comp provider fits your needs.
To find the right workers' comp coverage in North Carolina, request multiple quotes, check each provider's business expertise, review their service history and examine coverage details.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| NEXT Insurance | 4.60 | 1 |
| The Hartford | 4.52 | 2 |
| Simply Business | 4.52 | 2 |
| Coverdash | 4.45 | 3 |
| biBERK | 4.42 | 4 |
| Nationwide | 4.40 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.37 | 6 |
| Hiscox | 4.36 | 7 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | 8 |
| Chubb | 4.26 | 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 NORTH CAROLINA
Your company might need more protection. Here are valuable resources to help you explore other types of coverage:
Best North Carolina Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and Simply Business deliver exceptional workers' compensation coverage in North Carolina, establishing themselves as the state's premier insurance providers.
NEXT
Best Overall Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$59Based on average costs across business types in North CarolinaOur survey: Claims process
3.9/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingOur survey: Recommend to others
4.8/5Percentage of customers who would recommend NEXT Insurance
The Hartford
Runner-Up Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average monthly premium
$61Typical monthly cost for workers' compensation coverage with The HartfordOur survey: Claims process
4.5/5Rating based on customer satisfaction with claims handlingOur survey: Recommend to others
4.5/5Percentage of current customers who would recommend The Hartford
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in North Carolina
North Carolina businesses can secure cheap workers' comp coverage through NEXT at $59 monthly ($710 annually). The Hartford and Thimble offer competitive alternatives at $61 per month each. With just a few dollars separating these options, North Carolina business owners have multiple affordable choices. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed:
| NEXT Insurance | $59 | $710 |
| The Hartford | $61 | $726 |
| Thimble | $61 | $730 |
| Simply Business | $61 | $735 |
| Progressive Commercial | $62 | $742 |
| Hiscox | $62 | $744 |
| Coverdash | $63 | $752 |
| biBERK | $65 | $778 |
| Nationwide | $70 | $845 |
| Chubb | $73 | $876 |
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 North Carolina
Workers' compensation insurance in North Carolina costs businesses an average of $64 per month or $764 annually. North Carolina's rates run $10 below the national monthly average of $74. Your business's actual premium will vary based on industry risk level, number of employees, total payroll and claims history.
Average Cost of Workers' Comp in North Carolina by Industry
In North Carolina, workers' compensation insurance costs vary dramatically by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay the lowest premiums at $5 per month, while roofing companies face substantially higher rates at $730 monthly. This significant difference reflects the varying workplace injury risks across different professions in North Carolina.
| Accountants | $18 | $214 |
| Ad Agency | $14 | $167 |
| Auto Repair | $131 | $1,571 |
| Automotive | $101 | $1,215 |
| Bakery | $46 | $554 |
| Barber | $12 | $147 |
| Beauty Salon | $13 | $152 |
| Bounce House | $35 | $414 |
| Candle | $35 | $417 |
| Cannabis | $73 | $875 |
| Catering | $64 | $764 |
| Cleaning | $42 | $502 |
| Coffee Shop | $40 | $482 |
| Computer Programming | $24 | $292 |
| Computer Repair | $21 | $253 |
| Construction | $157 | $1,883 |
| Consulting | $26 | $315 |
| Contractor | $142 | $1,706 |
| Courier | $193 | $2,320 |
| DJ | $12 | $147 |
| Daycare | $11 | $138 |
| Dental | $10 | $117 |
| Dog Grooming | $56 | $675 |
| Drone | $23 | $277 |
| Ecommerce | $19 | $227 |
| Electrical | $49 | $591 |
| Engineering | $33 | $396 |
| Excavation | $93 | $1,117 |
| Florist | $52 | $628 |
| Food | $36 | $437 |
| Food Truck | $40 | $475 |
| Funeral Home | $23 | $277 |
| Gardening | $40 | $483 |
| HVAC | $55 | $659 |
| Handyman | $81 | $970 |
| Home-based | $9 | $105 |
| Hospitality | $60 | $725 |
| Janitorial | $42 | $504 |
| Jewelry | $26 | $312 |
| Junk Removal | $122 | $1,468 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $33 | $392 |
| Lawyers | $46 | $549 |
| Manufacturing | $50 | $606 |
| Marine | $130 | $1,566 |
| Massage | $13 | $152 |
| Mortgage Broker | $12 | $145 |
| Moving | $225 | $2,698 |
| Nonprofit | $28 | $331 |
| Painting | $121 | $1,456 |
| Party Rental | $32 | $384 |
| Personal Training | $22 | $262 |
| Pest Control | $61 | $735 |
| Pet | $27 | $322 |
| Pharmacy | $5 | $66 |
| Photography | $15 | $177 |
| Physical Therapy | $6 | $71 |
| Plumbing | $56 | $671 |
| Pressure Washing | $73 | $870 |
| Real Estate | $26 | $314 |
| Restaurant | $55 | $655 |
| Retail | $30 | $362 |
| Roofing | $730 | $8,762 |
| Security | $45 | $545 |
| Snack Bars | $38 | $455 |
| Software | $23 | $275 |
| Spa/Wellness | $15 | $181 |
| Speech Therapist | $5 | $63 |
| Startup | $11 | $136 |
| Tech/IT | $24 | $283 |
| Transportation | $197 | $2,363 |
| Travel | $6 | $73 |
| Tree Service | $191 | $2,295 |
| Trucking | $231 | $2,775 |
| Tutoring | $9 | $105 |
| Veterinary | $17 | $202 |
| Wedding Planning | $25 | $296 |
| Welding | $100 | $1,203 |
| Wholesale | $34 | $413 |
| Window Cleaning | $179 | $2,145 |
How Much Workers' Comp Insurance Do I Need in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, businesses with three or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. This coverage helps pay for medical expenses and lost wages if employees get hurt or sick because of their job. Companies working with radiation must have coverage regardless of size.
Employers who don't follow these requirements face daily fines of $1 per employee, plus additional penalties up to $100 per day. North Carolina can also pursue criminal charges.
Sole proprietors
Business owners who work independently can choose to exclude themselves from workers' compensation coverage while maintaining it for any employees.
Corporate officers
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock can opt out by filing an exclusion form with the state workers' compensation board.
Independent contractors
Self-employed individuals who maintain control over their work methods and schedule typically qualify for exemption from coverage requirements.
Real estate agents
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission basis can operate without workers' compensation coverage when properly classified as independent contractors.
Domestic workers
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week or earning less than $500 per quarter may be exempt from coverage requirements.
Agricultural workers
Small farm operations with limited payroll or seasonal workers often qualify for exemption from mandatory coverage requirements.
Religious organizations
Members of religious orders performing duties for their organization can be exempt when their beliefs conflict with insurance principles.
Professional athletes
Athletes in certain professional sports leagues may be covered under separate injury protection agreements rather than traditional workers' compensation.
How to Get the Best Workers' Comp Insurance in North Carolina
While North Carolina workers' comp seems complicated, you can get coverage that protects your employees while keeping business insurance costs manageable.
- 1
Check coverage requirements
North Carolina law requires most businesses with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Even part-time workers count toward this requirement, so review your staffing carefully.
- 2
Collect business data
Prepare accurate payroll records, employee counts, and job classifications before requesting quotes. Wrong information can result in coverage gaps or unexpected premium adjustments during annual audits.
- 3
Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three insurance carriers for quotes. North Carolina has significant rate variations between providers, even for similar coverage levels.
- 4
Find industry-specific experience
Select insurers who understand your business sector's unique risks.
- 5
Review provider performance
Investigate each insurer's claim processing speed and complaint history.
- 6
Examine policy details
Review coverage limits and exclusions. Consider payment options including pay-as-you-go structures.
- 7
Schedule annual reviews
Review your coverage yearly as business changes affect premium costs.
North Carolina Workers’ Comp: Bottom Line
North Carolina businesses have access to several outstanding workers' compensation insurance providers. Our analysis shows NEXT Insurance, Simply Business and The Hartford lead the pack in serving North Carolina companies. Consider getting quotes from these providers and compare their offerings based on your specific industry needs, company size and available budget.
North Carolina Workers' Comp Insurance: FAQ
Here are answers to the most common questions to help you find coverage.
Is workers' comp insurance required for all North Carolina businesses?
North Carolina requires businesses with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Sole proprietors, independent contractors and corporate officers can opt out of coverage. Family members who work for the business may also be exempt. Businesses without coverage face fines up to $100 per employee per day and possible misdemeanor charges.
How much does workers' comp insurance cost in North Carolina?
NEXT offers the lowest-cost workers' comp insurance in North Carolina at $59 per month ($710 annually). Your actual premium will vary based on your industry risk level, number of employees, payroll size and claims history.
What does workers' comp insurance cover in North Carolina?
North Carolina workers' compensation insurance covers medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries or illnesses. Benefits include necessary treatments, rehabilitation, and disability payments. The insurance also protects employers from lawsuits. Coverage applies to employees but not independent contractors.
Which workers' comp insurance company is best in North Carolina?
NEXT leads North Carolina workers' comp providers with a 4.60 overall score, excelling in customer service (4.70) and coverage options (4.80). Simply Business follows at 4.52, offering the most comprehensive coverage choices, while The Hartford (4.52) distinguishes itself with strong customer support. Choose based on your priority: service quality, coverage breadth or industry expertise.
What happens if I don't have workers' comp insurance in North Carolina?
North Carolina law requires most businesses with three or more employees to carry workers' compensation insurance. Operating without coverage can result in fines up to $100 per employee per day, criminal misdemeanor charges and business closure. The North Carolina Industrial Commission enforces compliance and employers must pay all employee medical bills and lost wages directly.
Do sole proprietors need workers' comp insurance in North Carolina?
Sole proprietors in North Carolina are exempt from workers' compensation requirements unless they work in high-risk industries like construction or roofing.
How do I choose the right workers' comp insurance company in North Carolina?
Start by obtaining quotes from at least three workers' comp insurance companies in North Carolina. Look for carriers with proven experience in your industry sector. Review each insurer's claims handling process, customer satisfaction scores and complaint records with the NC Department of Insurance before making your final selection.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in North Carolina
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in North Carolina'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, North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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.