NEXT ranks among North Carolina’s best workers' comp insurance providers, offering strong customer service and comprehensive coverage options. Small business owners in the state can also rely on Simply Business and The Hartford, both of which deliver similar levels of quality and reliability.
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.

Updated: October 22, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
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 determine which North Carolina workers' comp provider fits your needs.
To find the right workers' comp coverage in North Carolina, compare multiple quotes, check each provider's business expertise, review service history and examine coverage details.
Find Insurance for Your Business
Select your industry and state to get a customized quote.
Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| NEXT Insurance | 4.60 | $59 |
| The Hartford | 4.52 | $61 |
| Simply Business | 4.52 | $61 |
| Coverdash | 4.45 | $63 |
| biBERK | 4.42 | $65 |
| Nationwide | 4.40 | $70 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.37 | $62 |
| Hiscox | 4.36 | $62 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | $61 |
| Chubb | 4.26 | $73 |
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.
Your company might need more protection. Here are valuable resources to help you explore other types of coverage:
- General Liability Insurance in North Carolina
- [Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina](Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina)
- Employers' Liability vs. Workers' Comp
- How to Get Workers' Compensation Insurance
Best North Carolina Workers’ Comp Insurance Reviews
NEXT and Simply Business deliver exceptional coverage in North Carolina, establishing themselves as the state's premier insurance providers for small business owners with workers' comp requirements.

NEXT
Best Overall Provider
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
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 affordable workers' comp insurance from 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:
| 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' comp insurance costs vary dramatically by industry risk level. Speech therapists pay the lowest premiums at $5 per month, while roofing companies pay substantially higher rates at $730 monthly. This difference reflects the varying workplace injury risks across 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 pays 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 pay daily fines of $1 per employee, plus additional penalties up to $100 per day. North Carolina can also pursue criminal charges, except if your situation qualifies you for an exemption.
Self-employed business owners can choose to exclude themselves from workers' compensation coverage while maintaining it for any employees.
Executive officers owning at least 25% of company stock can opt out by filing an exclusion form with the state workers' compensation board.
Self-employed individuals who maintain control over their work methods and schedule are true independent contractors and usually qualify for exemption from coverage requirements.
Licensed real estate professionals working on commission basis can operate without workers' compensation coverage when properly classified as independent contractors.
Household employees working fewer than 40 hours per week or earning less than $500 per quarter may be exempt from coverage requirements.
Small farm operations with limited payroll or seasonal workers often qualify for exemption from mandatory coverage requirements.
Members of religious orders performing duties for their organization can be exempt when their beliefs conflict with insurance principles.
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 the cost of business insurance manageable. These steps let you get business insurance that fits your workers' comp needs.
- 1Check 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.
- 2Collect business data
Prepare accurate payroll records, employee counts, and job classifications before requesting quotes for small business insurance North Carolina. Wrong information can result in coverage gaps or unexpected premium adjustments during annual audits.
- 3Get multiple insurance quotes
Contact at least three insurance carriers for quotes. Even with affordable business insurance, rates in North Carolina can vary widely among providers with comparable coverage.
- 4Find industry-specific experience
Select insurers who understand your business sector's unique risks. Ask them about small business insurance coverage types you need besides workers' comp.
- 5Review provider performance
Investigate each insurer's claim processing speed and complaint history.
- 6Examine policy details
Review coverage limits and exclusions. Consider payment options including pay-as-you-go structures.
- 7Schedule 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 pay fines up to $100 per employee per day and risk 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 varies 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 North Carolina Department of Insurance before making your final selection.
How We Scored the Best Workers' Comp Insurance Companies in North Carolina
- Affordability (50%): Cost plays a major role in every small business insurance decision, especially in North Carolina’s competitive market. We compared monthly premiums from multiple insurers, since even the most comprehensive policy isn’t useful if it’s too expensive.
- Customer experience (30%): When an employee is injured, it’s important to have an insurer that handles claims quickly and fairly. Our review included J.D. Power ratings, North Carolina Department of Insurance complaint data and independent customer feedback.
- Coverage options (15%): We examined each company’s policy flexibility, available add-ons and coverage limits for North Carolina industries and businesses subject to specific state regulations.
- Financial strength (5%): A low premium doesn’t mean much if the insurer can’t pay claims. We reviewed AM Best ratings to confirm each company’s ability to meet its financial commitments.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

