Best Workers' Compensation Insurance in West Virginia (2023)

MoneyGeek analyzed workers’ compensation providers in West Virginia based on affordability, customer satisfaction, financial stability and online quote process to determine the state’s best insurer. The Hartford stands out as the top company, scoring high across these metrics.

In West Virginia, small business owners are legally obligated to have workers' compensation insurance. It protects against financial and legal liabilities and covers medical expenses, lost wages and potential lawsuits resulting from work-related illnesses or injuries. This coverage reduces liability for employers and employees.

The Hartford is our pick as the best workers' compensation insurer in West Virginia. Amongst five other providers, it has the best customer service and the highest MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. The Hartford's workers' compensation insurance averages $130 per month, but costs may vary.

Pie is the most affordable option for workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia for businesses with 20 employees and an annual payroll cost of $1.25 million. On average, its premiums cost $83 per month.

Employee count and payroll impact insurance costs since larger organizations are usually riskier to insure.

We ranked West Virginia workers’ compensation insurance companies based on average monthly costs to identify the cheapest provider. However, the most affordable option for your small business may vary depending on other factors.

The table below breaks down the annual and monthly costs for insuring a business with 20 employees. It ranks providers based on their monthly prices.

MoneyGeek finds The Hartford is the best choice for workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia for businesses with five employees. If your annual payroll amounts to $312,500, its policies cost about $61 per month.

A business with one to nine employees is commonly categorized as a micro business. Although employee count affects the cost of workers' compensation insurance, payroll usually has a greater impact on determining premiums.

The Hartford provides the best workers' compensation insurance for midsize businesses in West Virginia, offering a monthly premium of around $506 for companies with an annual payroll of $6.25 million.

The company's employee count affects the cost of workers' compensation insurance, and its payroll amount often impacts its premiums.

The average cost of workers' compensation insurance in West Virginia for businesses with 20 employees is $135 per month, which is lower than the national average of $168 per month.

Our sample policy limits are as follows:

• $1 million total policy limit
• $1 million per-accident limit
• $1 million per-employee limit

The total policy limit represents the maximum coverage for all claims combined. So if multiple accidents or claims occur, the total payout from the insurer won't exceed $1 million.

The per-accident limit ensures insurance coverage can extend up to $1 million for a specific workplace incident.

Meanwhile, the per-employee limit indicates the maximum coverage available for each individual employee, providing up to $1 million for any injuries or medical expenses related to their work.

If expenses exceed these limits, the business owner would be responsible for paying those costs out of pocket. The table below breaks down the average cost of workers’ compensation insurance in West Virginia for various company sizes.

Workers' compensation insurance costs vary due to your number of employees, payroll costs, employee class code, past claims history and more.

In West Virginia, businesses with three or more employees must have workers' compensation insurance. However, agricultural businesses (with less than five employees), domestic workers and churches are exempted from getting coverage.

Obtaining workers' compensation insurance is crucial for a business, regardless of exemptions from legal requirements. This insurance ensures financial protection and coverage for workplace injuries, reducing the risk of substantial expenses and potential legal repercussions in the event of employee injuries on the job.

Workers’ compensation insurance provides essential benefits for employees who experience work-related injuries or illnesses:

• Medical Care Coverage: Workers' comp insurance covers necessary medical treatments, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation and therapy.
• Disability Benefits: In case of temporary or permanent disability resulting from a work-related incident, workers' compensation provides disability benefits, replacing a portion of the employee's lost income during the disability period.
• Lost Wages Compensation: Workers' comp insurance compensates employees for lost wages when they can't work due to work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Rehabilitation Services: Workers' compensation may cover vocational rehabilitation programs to help injured employees regain skills and transition back to the workforce.
• Death Benefits: In unfortunate cases where employees pass away due to work-related incidents, workers' compensation provides death benefits to dependents or beneficiaries.

By having workers' compensation insurance, business owners fulfill their responsibility to protect their employees. It also provides financial protection in case of litigation.

Employees can use the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commission to file workers' compensation insurance claims.

To receive workers' comp benefits, employees must submit a form to the state board and provide copies to their employer and the employer's insurance provider.

In certain instances, the employer may assist employees in navigating the claims process and handling the form submission. Promptly fulfilling workers' comp claims following a work-related injury or illness is crucial.

MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about workers’ compensation insurance in West Virginia to help you find the best provider for your needs.