Let’s be honest: no client ever calls you excited about their workers’ comp policy. But when an injury happens, it’s the first coverage they’ll ask about—and the one that can make or break your relationship. Whether it’s a nurse with a back strain, a warehouse slip, or a repetitive motion claim in an office, workers’ comp issues land fast and loud. That’s why brokers can’t afford to treat it as a check-the-box placement.
What separates a smooth claim from a six-month headache usually comes down to the carrier: how fast they triage, how tight their provider network is, and if they actually pick up the phone when you call.
To help you cut through the noise, we pulled the latest data from the IB+ Data Hub for the top 10 best workers’ comp insurance companies—not just by numbers, but with the insights brokers need to know before placing that next policy.
The following are the largest workers' comp insurance companies in the US, based on market share data taken from our IB+ Data Hub platform. You can see this data for yourself, and much more, in this data resource with options to filter by state, year, and other lines of business.
Market share: 8.51%
Travelers is the largest workers’ compensation insurance provider in the US by market share, with over $3.8 billion in direct premiums written.
Travelers has become a go-to carrier for brokers handling middle-market to large, multi-state clients across industries. The company’s investment in technology—including predictive analytics, digital claims tools, and anti-fraud platforms—helps brokers reduce loss costs and speed up return-to-work outcomes.
Offerings:
Medical + Indemnity Coverage: Covers employee injuries and illness with strong return-to-work support
TravPay Billing: Pay-as-you-go billing integrated directly with payroll systems
e-CARMA Analytics: Risk insight platform to identify cost drivers and loss trends for clients
SMART Medical Review: Proprietary cost-containment process to flag and audit overbilled medical charges
Market share: 5.97%
The Hartford has a long-standing reputation for stability, strong broker partnerships, and consistent performance in the small and mid-sized business segment.
The Hartford supports a claims-first strategy backed by clinical triage, pay-as-you-go billing, and scalable risk control services. These factors make it one of the best workers' comp insurance companies for brokers seeking long-term value and proactive claims outcomes.
Offerings:
Pay-As-You-Go Billing: Integrated premium collection aligned with payroll systems to simplify cash flow
Nurse Triage & Return-to-Work: Immediate injury response backed by clinical coordination to reduce downtime
Specialized Endorsements: Includes needlestick and infectious disease coverage for healthcare clients
3. Zurich Insurance Group
Market share: 5.16%
Zurich has been serving the US workers’ compensation market for over a century, operating through Zurich North America since 1912. The company is known for its customizable workers’ comp programs and clinical oversight. Its proactive claims handling is designed to help employers reduce medical costs and lost-time claims.
The insurer is a reliable option for brokers managing complex or program-driven accounts, especially those seeking more than just off-the-shelf solutions.
Offerings:
Flexible Program Structures: Include guaranteed-cost, large-deductible, and SIR options
Clinical Triage & Return-to-Work: In-house clinical teams support faster recovery timelines
Program Solutions: Niche workers' compensation coverage for hospitality and food service via Origin Specialty
Market share: 4.51%
AmTrust is among the best workers’ comp insurance companies in the US with a focus on small-to-mid-market businesses. In 2024, it wrote approximately $3.37 billion in workers’ comp premiums. Now, AmTrust has grown into a global specialty P&C insurer with about 6,000 employees worldwide. It operates across North America, the UK, and Europe.
The company emphasizes efficient claims handling, advanced clinical support, and technology—making it a strong partner for brokers serving small businesses.
Offerings:
AmCares 24/7 Nurse Triage: Immediate injury triage by RN, guiding employees to proper care—self-care, telemedicine, clinic, or ER—at no extra cost
Predictive Nurse Assignment: Nurses assigned within three days based on predictive claim models to manage higher-risk cases early
Managed Care & Bill Review: URAC-accredited program with medical bill audits, network optimization, and pharmacy cost controls—saving about $0.67 per dollar reviewed
Market share: 4.24%
Chubb operates globally as part of a Swiss-based insurer founded in 1872. The company has a strong U.S. workers’ comp presence through its North America division. In 2024, Chubb wrote approximately $2.9 billion in US workers’ compensation premiums. With its advanced clinical and medical management services, Chubb stands out for brokers aiming to contain medical costs and streamline claim outcomes.
Offerings:
Dedicated Nursing Team – over 20 years of specialization in workers' compensation, focused on medical management and early return-to-work
Full Bill Review & Medical Oversight – 100 percent of medical bills audited, repricing cuts at around $0.69 per dollar billed
Pharmacy Benefit Management – PBM delivers 18 percent savings on drugs, 57 percent via formulary programs
Market share: 3.75%
Part of Warren Buffett’s conglomerate powerhouse, Berkshire Hathaway’s workers’ compensation operations are embedded in its National Indemnity and Homestate Insurance units. In 2024, the group wrote approximately $2 billion in workers' comp premiums.
Although not focused on small accounts, Berkshire Hathaway is a strong choice for brokers managing mid-to-large employer clients looking for robust risk infrastructure and tight cost controls. Brokers benefit from its stable capital and long-term perspective, as well as disciplined underwriting and claims management.
Offerings:
Nurse Triage & Case Management: Available on policies with premiums over $250,000, guiding employees to appropriate care quickly
Medical Bill Review & Audits: In-house team audits bills using Genex software and provides network oversight in key states like California, New Jersey, and Texas
Preferred Provider Networks & Telemedicine: Covers telephonic, virtual, field case management and vocational rehab via network partners
Market share: 3.39%
BCBSM entered the workers’ compensation space by acquiring Accident Fund—originally a state agency founded in 1912. This made it among the top workers' comp insurance companies nationally with a premium volume of $1.5 billion in 2024. BCBSM is a non-profit mutual insurer with over four million members and strong local relationships across healthcare and employer markets.
Brokers appreciate BCBSM’s dual leverage: access to Accident Fund’s niche workers' comp expertise, covering small-to-mid markets in industries like construction, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing. This combined with BCBSM’s deep provider network and financial stability.
Offerings:
Accident Fund WC Programs: Nationwide coverage through brands including Accident Fund, United Heartland, CompWest, and Third Coast—targeted to small-to-mid hazard accounts
Specialty Industry Focus: Segment-specific underwriting for sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and construction
Integrated Care Leveraging BCBSM Network: Claims access BCBSM’s provider and hospital networks in Michigan, beneficial for medical management and cost-containment
Non-profit Backing & Stability: Revenue diversification via AF Group profits helps subsidize health costs—strengthening insurer resilience and broker confidence
Market share: 3.02%
Best known through its Great American Insurance and National Interstate brands, American Financial Group (AFG) has established itself as one of the best workers' comp insurance companies in the US. In 2024, its specialty P&C division recorded around $1.39 billion in workers’ compensation direct premiums—about 2.4 percent US market share.
AFG is praised by brokers for its disciplined underwriting, strong profitability, and steady premium growth, supported by robust capital and consistent dividends.
Offerings:
24/7 Nurse Triage Hotline – Immediate clinical advice and self-care guidance for non-emergencies, reducing unnecessary ER visits
Proactive Risk Management – Embedded safety and hazards consulting helps identify and mitigate workplace risks
Underwriting Discipline – Focus on targeted classes and controlled risk appetite ensures policy profitability and sustainability
Market share: 2.98%
Old Republic International’s workers’ compensation business (via Old Republic Specialty and ORMARKS) wrote about $1.49 billion in US premiums in 2024.
Founded in the early 20th century, Old Republic is a diversified P&C insurer listed on the Fortune 500. It’s particularly valued by brokers for its strong presence in residual markets and niche sectors like aviation and trucking. Added capital stability and multi-state servicing capabilities make it a reliable partner for complex or specialized accounts.
Offerings:
Residual Market Servicing (ORMARKS): Nationally licensed to manage assigned-risk workers' comp policies—ideal for high-risk or underserved classes
Aviation WC Programs: Specialized coverage for airport operators, maintenance, charter services, flight schools—with dividend-incentive features
Trucking & Commercial Auto WC: Tied to its strong trucking segment; clients benefit from tailored workers' comp and auto liability bundling
Loss-Sensitive Plans: Guarantees cost control via deductible and sliding-scale dividend programs
Market share: 2.84%
The insurer leverages its global footprint in over 130 countries and top-tier financial stability—AM Best ratings hover around A+—to support brokers handling mid-to-large accounts requiring complex risk management. AIG emphasizes clinical, data-driven claims solutions with strategic partnerships. This enhances service quality and scale, making it a pragmatic option for brokers seeking tech-enabled claims support.
Offerings:
Productivity Edge Nurse Triage & Outcome-Based Network: 24/7 RN triage directs injured workers to appropriate care and triggers outcome-based provider use to accelerate recovery
IntelliRisk & GBGO Platforms: Interactive tools providing real-time claims data, mobile claim communication, and enhanced broker-client transparency
In-House Major Case Unit & Specialized Claim Teams: Embedded experts manage complex and high-severity cases, supported by a partnership with Gallagher Bassett
Outcome-Based Medical Networks & Bill Audits: Leverages provider networks and contract-based medical reviews to contain costs and standardize care.
If you have clients in California and you're searching for the best workers' comp insurance companies to recommend, you can check out this special report to find great options.
Workers’ compensation insurance is a mandatory policy that provides employees with medical treatment, wage replacement, rehabilitation, and death benefits following work-related injuries or illnesses. It also shields employers from direct lawsuits by covering employer liability in most cases.
Here’s a quick video explaining how it all works:
For brokers, offering the best workers’ comp insurance is about delivering policies that reduce downtime, control medical costs, and improve client retention. Many of the best workers comp insurance companies in the US also integrate nurse triage, return-to-work programs, and real-time claims visibility to help employers manage their workforce risk.
Meanwhile, the best workers' comp insurance for small business often includes flexible billing (like pay-as-you-go), bundled risk control, and simplified underwriting.
The answer is no—most workers’ compensation policies replace only a portion of lost wages, typically around 66 percent of the employee’s average weekly income, and payments are tax-free.
The benefit amount is usually calculated based on the worker’s average weekly wage, up to a state-mandated maximum. For brokers, this is an important detail to flag during placement, especially when working with clients in industries prone to high injury frequency.
Helping clients set the right expectations on wage replacement can reduce post-claim friction and improve the overall claims experience.
It’s also important to note that workers’ comp coverage doesn’t just apply to W-2 employees—and it’s a point many clients still overlook. This quick post from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is a good reminder for brokers: depending on the state and the business setup, contractors, freelancers, and even family members working in the business may need to be covered. It’s a conversation worth having during every placement.
As discussed, placing clients with top workers’ comp insurance companies by market share can translate to faster claims processing, broader coverage availability, and more competitive rates.
Larger carriers also tend to invest heavily in medical cost containment tools, clinical support teams, and digital platforms. That’s why many of the top 10 workers comp insurance companies above offer nurse triage lines, predictive claims analytics, and outcome-based provider networks.
Ultimately, market share alone doesn’t guarantee good service, but it’s often a sign that a carrier has the resources to deliver when it matters. If you’re updating your panel or quoting a complex account, start here—and match what they offer with what your clients actually need.
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