Best Workers' Comp Insurance in Oregon

Oregon workers' comp costs depend on your industry and team size. Find answers to common coverage questions below.

NEXT leads our rankings for workers' comp insurance in Oregon with strong customer support and flexible policy options. The Hartford and Simply Business rank as strong alternatives, both offering solid coverage for small business owners.

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We evaluated leading insurers across Oregon to identify the most reliable workers' comp providers for businesses.

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NEXT delivers the cheapest workers' comp insurance in oregon at just $64 monthly ($770 annually), putting $4 back in your pocket each month compared to the state's $68 average. The Hartford comes in second at $64 per month, while Thimble rounds out the top three most affordable options at $65 monthly. The table below shows costs from all companies we analyzed.

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The Hartford delivers the most affordable workers' comp coverage for automotive businesses at $101 monthly or $1,212 annually. The Hartford leads pricing across 19 industries, including automotive, welding and window cleaning sectors. Tied for second place, The Hartford also offers competitive rates in 19 industries, excelling in accountants, bakery and wholesale businesses.

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Oregon businesses pay $68 monthly ($820 annually) for workers' comp insurance cost, running below the national average of $74. Costs vary by industry, from $15 monthly ($8 per employee) for ad agencies to $196 monthly ($98 per employee) for window cleaning services.  

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Several key factors influence your workers' compensation insurance costs in Oregon:

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Oregon law requires workers' compensation insurance for all employers with one or more employees. Your required workers' compensation coverage must provide full medical benefits with no dollar limits, temporary disability payments of two-thirds of average weekly wages, permanent disability compensation based on injury severity, and death benefits for families.

Failing to carry coverage results in penalties of $1,000 or twice the premium owed (whichever is greater), plus $250 daily for continued noncompliance. You're also personally liable for all benefits injured workers would have received, potentially exceeding $100,000 per claim.

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While you're often required to have coverage in Oregon, some business categories are exempt from workers' comp requirements:

• Sole proprietors: You don't need coverage for yourself as a sole proprietor, but you must meet Oregon's independent contractor criteria if you work under contract for other businesses.
• Business partners: Partners skip coverage requirements unless you're in construction, which caps exemptions at two partners. Family-run partnerships where everyone is related (parents, spouses, siblings, children, in-laws, or grandchildren) can exempt all partners.
• LLC members: Most LLC members don't need coverage for themselves and follow corporate officer exemption rules based on ownership percentage and board participation.
• Corporate officers: You can opt out of coverage when you serve on your company's board and own at least 10% of the stock. Construction corporations limit this to two officers unless your family owns and operates the business.
• Domestic and household workers: Workers you hire for household services at your private home are exempt, including home health aides, gardeners, and people doing maintenance, repairs or remodeling at your residence.
• Casual labor: Workers stay exempt when your total labor costs remain under $1,000 in any 30-day period and the work falls outside your regular business operations.
• Volunteer and unpaid workers: Voluntary carpoolers (groups of 15 or fewer commuting together), ACTION program volunteers, and municipal volunteers your city hasn't elected to cover skip coverage requirements.
• Media and sports workers: Newspaper carriers meeting Oregon's delivery requirements and soccer referees working individual matches on a per-game basis don't need coverage.
• Amateur athletes and officials: Olympic-level amateur athletes who receive only lodging and basic expenses are exempt, as are certified amateur sports officials whose certifying organizations provide liability insurance.
• Religious and charitable workers: People working primarily for room and board from religious, charitable, or relief organizations don't require coverage.
• Self-employed licensed contractors: Landscape and construction business owners with active Oregon licenses and substantial ownership automatically qualify for exemption.
• Real estate professionals: Certain real estate workers meeting Oregon's specific criteria under ORS 656.037 qualify for exemption.
• Independent contractors and out-of-state workers: Workers you bring into Oregon temporarily don't need Oregon coverage if your home state policy covers them, your state offers reciprocal coverage for Oregon employers, and you don't hire Oregon residents.

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Getting workers' comp coverage with the right provider at competitive rates means matching your industry's specific needs to appropriate coverage types.

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NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business top our rankings, though the right pick depends on your specific industry, team size and budget. Get quotes first, then look at how each insurer handles businesses like yours.

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