Comparison
AmTrust vs. Berkshire Hathaway GUARD for Workers' Comp
AmTrust Financial is a privately held small-business specialist founded in 1998, rated A- (Excellent) and known for online issuance and pay-as-you-go billing. Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, founded in 1983 and acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2012, is rated A+ (Superior) and distributed regionally through independent agents.
AmTrust Financial Services and Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies both write a substantial amount of small-business workers' compensation, but they differ in ownership, rating, and how their coverage is built. AmTrust was founded in 1998 in Manhattan and went private in 2018; its rated subsidiaries carry an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent), affirmed October 10, 2025. AmTrust is known for streamlined online policy issuance and a pay-as-you-go premium program tailored to smaller accounts across many class codes.
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD was founded in 1983 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway's National Indemnity Company in 2012. Its member companies -- AmGUARD, EastGUARD, NorGUARD, and WestGUARD -- carry an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior), affirmed August 12, 2026, one category above AmTrust's current rating. GUARD distributes regionally through independent agents rather than emphasizing a single nationwide online application. Both carriers are quoted through our agency.
The options
AmTrust Financial
Founded 1998; AM Best A- (Excellent); privately held; known for online issuance and pay-as-you-go billing.
Pros
- Streamlined online policy issuance built for small commercial accounts
- Pay-as-you-go premium program tied to payroll
- One of the largest writers of small-business workers' comp in the U.S.
- Broad appetite across many lower-hazard and moderate-hazard class codes
Cons
- AM Best rating one category below GUARD's current rating
- Privately held, without a public parent's disclosure requirements
- Scale in small-commercial risk means less emphasis on large, complex accounts
Best for
- Small businesses with modest payroll seeking fast, streamlined issuance
- Accounts that want pay-as-you-go billing
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Founded 1983; AM Best A+ (Superior); Berkshire Hathaway-owned; distributed regionally through agents.
Pros
- Higher AM Best rating category (A+) than AmTrust
- Backed by Berkshire Hathaway's broader insurance operations
- Decades of regional underwriting and claims data
- Distributed through independent agents with long agency relationships
Cons
- Coverage is organized regionally by member company rather than one nationwide brand
- Less emphasis on a single, unified online application than some insurtech carriers
- May take longer to issue than a fully automated online carrier for simple risks
Best for
- Small and mid-size businesses in regions where a GUARD member company actively writes
- Employers who value a Berkshire Hathaway-backed balance sheet
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Side by side
| Feature | AmTrust Financial | Berkshire Hathaway GUARD |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1998, New York, NY | 1983, Wilkes-Barre, PA |
| AM Best rating | A- (Excellent) | A+ (Superior) |
| Rating affirmed | 2025-10-10 | 2026-08-12 |
| Ownership | Privately held (since 2018) | Owned by Berkshire Hathaway (since 2012) |
| Pay-as-you-go billing | Yes, a core program | Not a defining feature |
| Distribution model | Independent agents, streamlined online issuance | Independent agents, regional member companies |
| How quoted | Through our agency | Through our agency |
The bottom line
AmTrust and Berkshire Hathaway GUARD both serve the small-business workers' comp market but take different approaches: AmTrust emphasizes fast, streamlined online issuance and pay-as-you-go billing, while GUARD offers a somewhat higher AM Best rating and decades of regional underwriting experience backed by Berkshire Hathaway. Neither is a universal better choice; the better fit typically depends on which carrier's appetite matches a given business's class code, region, and payroll profile. Comparing both alongside other carrier options is the most reliable approach.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the higher AM Best rating, AmTrust or GUARD?
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD's A+ (Superior) rating is one category above AmTrust's A- (Excellent) rating.
Is AmTrust publicly traded?
No, AmTrust went private in 2018. GUARD is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, whose parent company is publicly traded, though GUARD itself is a subsidiary.
Does GUARD offer pay-as-you-go billing?
Pay-as-you-go is not a defining feature of GUARD's program the way it is for AmTrust.
Are both companies available nationwide?
AmTrust writes broadly across many states; GUARD distributes through regional member companies, so availability can vary more by location.
Can I compare both through your agency?
Yes, both AmTrust and Berkshire Hathaway GUARD are quoted through our agency alongside other carrier options.
Last reviewed · Reviewed by Provident Financial Group licensed agents
Compare up to 10 carriers in minutes.
One application goes out to every carrier we can access for your class of business. You get a ranked comparison you can review and purchase online — with a licensed agent available whenever you want one.
Mon–Fri, 8:00am–6:00pm ET · Independent agency licensed in 23 states