Employers vs Hartford: Workers Comp Comparison (2026)

Choosing between Employers Holdings and Hartford for your small business insurance? This comprehensive comparison breaks down pricing, coverage options, customer reviews, and which carrier is the better fit for different types of businesses.

Quick Comparison: Employers Holdings vs Hartford

Feature	Employers Holdings	Hartford
Price Range	$25–$90/mo	$40–$150/mo
AM Best Rating	A (Excellent)	A+ (Superior)
Best For	Workers comp specialists	Established small businesses
Key Coverages	Workers Comp	GL, BOP, WC, Commercial Auto, Professional Liability
Online Quotes	Through agents	Yes — through agents & online

Employers Holdings Overview

Employers Holdings is a workers compensation specialist focused on small businesses in low-to-moderate hazard industries. With a narrow focus on WC, Employers has developed deep expertise in pricing, underwriting, and claims management for this critical coverage line.

Key Strengths

Workers comp specialist with deep industry expertise
Competitive rates for low-hazard small businesses
Strong return-to-work programs that reduce claims costs

Coverage Options

Employers Holdings offers exclusively workers compensation insurance. Their narrow focus allows them to offer competitive rates and specialized services including loss control, safety resources, and return-to-work programs.

Hartford Overview

Hartford is one of the most trusted names in small business insurance, with over 200 years of experience. As an AARP-endorsed carrier with an A+ AM Best rating, The Hartford provides comprehensive coverage options for businesses of all sizes.

Key Strengths

200+ years of insurance experience and financial stability
Comprehensive coverage suite including GL, BOP, WC, and commercial auto
Strong claims handling with dedicated small business team

Coverage Options

Hartford offers a full suite of commercial insurance products including general liability, business owner's policies, workers compensation, commercial auto, professional liability, and umbrella coverage. They're known for competitive pricing on bundled packages.

Pricing Comparison

When comparing Employers Holdings and Hartford on price, there are important differences to consider:

Coverage Type	Employers Holdings	Hartford
General Liability	Not offered	$40–$80/mo
BOP	Not offered	$50–$100/mo
Workers Comp	$25–$70/mo	$45–$120/mo

As a WC specialist, Employers often offers the most competitive workers comp rates for small businesses in low-hazard industries like offices, retail, and professional services.

The Hartford offers competitive rates, especially for businesses that bundle multiple coverage types. Discounts available for claims-free history.

Coverage Comparison

General Liability

Both carriers offer standard general liability coverage, but there are differences in limits, endorsements, and pricing. Employers does not offer general liability — you'll need a separate carrier for GL coverage. The Hartford provides strong GL coverage with competitive rates, especially when bundled as part of a BOP.

Professional Liability (E&O)

Employers does not offer professional liability — their sole focus is workers compensation. The Hartford offers professional liability coverage suitable for a wide range of industries, from consultants to healthcare providers.

Workers Compensation

Employers excels at workers comp with deep underwriting expertise, competitive pricing, and strong safety and return-to-work programs. The Hartford is one of the largest workers comp providers in the U.S., with dedicated return-to-work programs and injury management.

Customer Reviews & Ratings

Metric	Employers Holdings	Hartford
Customer Satisfaction	4.3/5 (Good)	4.5/5 (Very Good)
Claims Process	WC specialist claims team	Dedicated small biz team
Ease of Purchase	Agent-based	Online + agent options

Which Is Better for Your Business?

Choose Employers Holdings if:

Workers comp is your primary or only insurance need
Your business is in a low-to-moderate hazard industry
You want a specialist carrier rather than a generalist

Choose Hartford if:

You want comprehensive coverage from a single carrier
Your business needs workers comp and commercial auto
You value a long track record and financial stability

The Bottom Line

Employers Holdings is an excellent choice for small businesses that need workers comp from a dedicated specialist with competitive rates. The Hartford is an excellent all-around choice for small businesses wanting comprehensive coverage from a financially strong carrier. The best choice depends on your specific business needs, budget, and the types of coverage you require.

Ready to compare quotes? Use Insura to get side-by-side quotes from Employers Holdings, Hartford, and other top carriers in minutes. Our licensed agents can help you find the right coverage at the best price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Employers Holdings or Hartford cheaper for small business insurance?

Employers often has the lowest workers comp rates for small businesses in low-hazard industries, starting around $25/mo.

Which carrier has better customer reviews?

Employers gets strong marks from agents and policyholders for their WC expertise, though their limited product range means you'll need other carriers for GL and BOP.

Can I get quotes from both carriers through Insura?

Yes! Insura works with both Employers Holdings and Hartford, along with dozens of other A-rated carriers. Get multiple quotes in minutes and compare coverage side by side.