You can get workers’ compensation insurance from three main places: private insurers, online brokers/marketplaces, and (in a few states) directly from a state fund.

Quick Scoop: Where to Get Workers’ Comp

Think of workers’ comp like a “must-have” safety net for any business with employees. In most of the U.S., you’ll buy it from a private insurance company or through an online platform that shops multiple insurers for you.

1. Private Insurance Companies

These are the big-name business insurers that sell workers’ comp directly or through agents.

  • Examples include national carriers that offer online quotes, phone support, and agents who help you pick coverage and limits.
  • You can usually:
    • Get a quote online in minutes
    • Talk to a licensed specialist by phone or chat
    • Bundle workers’ comp with other policies like general liability or BOP to save money.

On many insurer sites, you answer questions about your business (industry, payroll, number of employees, claims history) and get a tailored quote on the spot.

2. Online Brokers & Marketplaces

Online brokers don’t insure you themselves; they shop multiple insurers and show you quotes side-by-side.

  • Typical features:
    • One application, multiple quotes from different carriers.
* Options tailored for small businesses, freelancers, and startups.
* Licensed agents who help you by phone, email, or chat if you’re confused.
  • Many let you:
    • Buy fully online
    • Download your certificate of insurance (COI) immediately or within minutes
    • Manage policies and file claims in a digital dashboard.

This route is handy if you:

  • Don’t know which insurer to choose
  • Want to compare prices quickly
  • Are starting your first business and want a bit of hand-holding.

3. State Funds (Some States Only)

A few states run their own workers’ comp insurance funds that you must or can buy from.

  • In so‑called “monopolistic” states (for example, Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, Wyoming), you usually have to purchase workers’ comp directly from the state fund rather than a private carrier.
  • Other states (like New York) have state funds as a fallback or assigned-risk option if:
    • You’re high‑risk
    • You’re new
    • Private companies keep declining you.

If you’re having trouble getting coverage, checking your state’s workers’ compensation board website often points you to:

  • The state fund
  • Assigned-risk pools
  • Group self‑insurance or self‑insurance options for larger employers.

4. Quick “Where Should I Start?” Guide

Use this as a simple path you can follow:

  1. Check your state’s rules
    • Go to your state’s workers’ compensation board or department of labor website and confirm:
      • Whether you’re required to carry coverage
      • If you’re in a monopolistic state (must buy from state fund).
  1. Decide how you want to buy
    • If you want fast, DIY online:
      • Go to a major insurer or an online broker and use their online quote flow.
 * If you want advice and a relationship:
   * Work with a local or independent agent who can shop several carriers for you and explain nuances.
  1. Gather your info first
    You’ll almost always be asked for:
 * Legal business name and address
 * Entity type (LLC, corporation, sole prop, etc.)
 * Number of employees and payroll by role/class code
 * Nature of operations (what your people actually do)
 * Any past workers’ comp claims.
  1. Compare at least 2–3 options
    • Look at:
      • Estimated annual premium
      • How easy it is to get certificates of insurance
      • Claims support: portal, app, 24/7 help, nurse/medical networks, etc.

5. Different Angles: What Matters Most to You?

Depending on what you care about, “where to get workers compensation insurance ~~” might have a slightly different “best” answer.

  • If you care about speed & convenience
    • Use a big insurer or online-first carrier that lets you quote and bind coverage 100% online, often in under 10–15 minutes, with instant COIs.
  • If you care about personal advice
    • Use an independent agent or broker who works with several carriers, explains class codes, safety programs, and helps with audits and claims.
  • If you’re in a tough or high‑risk class (construction, certain trades, prior claims)
    • You might end up in a state fund or assigned-risk pool; your state workers’ comp board site and some specialty brokers can guide you there.

6. Simple Example Story

Imagine you’re starting a small landscaping company with three employees:

  1. You check your state site and learn you must have workers’ comp once you hire just one employee.
  2. You go to an online broker, fill out one form with your payroll and job duties, and it shows you several quotes from different insurers.
  1. You pick a mid-priced option with good online reviews and a simple claims portal, buy online, and download your COI to send to a commercial client the same day.

That’s the basic journey most small businesses follow today.

Quick HTML Table: Main Places to Get Workers’ Comp

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Where to get it</th>
      <th>How it works</th>
      <th>Best for</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Private insurance companies</td>
      <td>Buy directly from a carrier via website, phone, or local agent.[web:1][web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>Businesses wanting a single-name insurer and bundling with other policies.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Online brokers / marketplaces</td>
      <td>One application, multiple quotes from different carriers; buy and manage online.[web:2][web:6][web:8]</td>
      <td>Small businesses wanting quick comparison shopping and digital management.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>State workers’ comp funds</td>
      <td>State-run insurance; mandatory source in some monopolistic states; fallback option in others.[web:3][web:5]</td>
      <td>Employers in monopolistic states or those who cannot get private coverage.</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Meta description (SEO-style):
Looking for where to get workers compensation insurance ~~? Learn the main ways to buy workers’ comp in 2026, from private insurers to online marketplaces and state funds, plus practical steps to get covered.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.