Get Workers' Comp Insurance Quotes

Every job role in your business gets assigned a classification code that reflects injury risk, which insurers use to set your base rate per $100 of payroll.

• A roofer working at heights receives a higher-risk code than an office administrator
• Construction laborers, drivers and machine operators pay higher rates than clerical staff
• Mixed-duty employees get classified under their most hazardous task
• Misclassification during an audit can result in retroactive charges for up to three years

Why it matters: Classification codes directly tie to injury data. Jobs with higher historical injury rates cost more to insure because insurers expect more frequent and more severe claims.

Insurers multiply your payroll by your rate per $100, so higher payroll means higher premiums even if your risk level stays the same.

• Total gross wages for all covered employees (including overtime, bonuses and commissions)
• Separate payroll totals for each job classification code
• Owner and officer payroll (which can sometimes be excluded or capped depending on your state)
• Seasonal fluctuations that affect your total annual payroll

Why it matters: More payroll means more exposure, so if you have twice the payroll, insurers assume twice the potential for claims even if your safety record is excellent.

Your past workers' comp claims affect your quote through your experience modifier — a number that adjusts your rate up (above 1.0) or down (below 1.0) based on how your claims compare to similar businesses.

• Frequency of claims filed in the past three to five years
• Severity of each claim (total medical costs and lost wage payments)
• Whether claims were minor medical-only or involved lost work time
• How your claims compare to industry averages for businesses your size

Why it matters: Insurers use your claims track record to predict future losses — businesses with more or costlier claims pose higher financial risk and pay accordingly.

Where your business operates affects your quote because states with higher mandated benefits or medical costs produce higher quotes.

• Required benefit amounts for wage replacement and medical care
• State medical fee schedules that control how much providers can charge
• Whether your state allows insurers to compete or requires state fund coverage
• Lawyer involvement rates and lawsuit frequency in your state

Why it matters: Insurers pay claims based on state-mandated benefits and local medical costs, so operating in a high-cost state means higher expected claim payouts.

Some insurers offer credits if you have formal safety training, documented policies or return-to-work programs that signal lower claim frequency and severity.

• Written safety policies and regular employee training sessions
• On-site safety officers or designated safety personnel
• Modified duty or return-to-work programs for injured employees
• Safety equipment requirements and enforcement procedures

Why it matters: Businesses that actively prevent injuries file fewer claims, and those that bring workers back to modified duty reduce lost-wage costs, both of which lower insurer risk.