Carrier comparison
Crum & Forster vs. The Hartford for Workers' Comp
Crum & Forster and The Hartford are two workers' compensation carriers we can quote side by side through Provident Financial Group, an independent agency. On one application we present every carrier we can access, ranked, so you can compare and purchase online.
Crum & Forster and The Hartford take different approaches to workers' compensation for small businesses. The details below come directly from each carrier's record on this site — we present the facts we have verified so you can compare them directly, then request quotes through our agency. We do not rank one carrier above another; we show every option side by side.
When you submit one application through US Workers Comp Insure, we request quotes from every carrier we can access for your class code and state, including both Crum & Forster and The Hartford where each carrier's appetite and underwriting criteria allow it. A carrier that declines is shown honestly rather than hidden, and a licensed agent at Provident Financial Group can explain why and what alternatives remain.
The two carriers
Crum & Forster
Crum & Forster is a specialty commercial insurer founded in 1896, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, and owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings since 1998. AM Best upgraded its rating to A+ (Superior) in August 2025, and the company writes workers' comp through specialty program divisions.
- AM Best rating:
- A+ (Superior) (as of 2025-08)
- How it’s quoted:
- Through our agency, alongside other carriers
Workers’ comp highlights
- AM Best upgraded Financial Strength Rating to A+ (Superior); Long-Term ICR aa- (Superior), announced August 28, 2025
- Founded 1896; headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey
- Owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited since a 1998 acquisition
- Writes workers' compensation through specialty program divisions
- Broad specialty commercial underwriting platform across multiple industries
- Distributed through independent agents
Typical fit
- Businesses in industries served by one of Crum & Forster's specialty program divisions
- Employers seeking a long-established specialty insurer with a recently upgraded rating
- Accounts with risk characteristics that benefit from tailored program underwriting
- Businesses working with an independent agent experienced with specialty placements
The Hartford
The Hartford is one of the largest, longest-operating workers' compensation carriers in the U.S., publicly traded and AM Best A+ (Superior) rated. It's known for pay-as-you-go billing, in-house claims handling, and a broad appetite across common class codes for small and mid-size employers.
- AM Best rating:
- A+ (Superior) (as of 2026-07)
- How it’s quoted:
- Through our agency, alongside other carriers
Workers’ comp highlights
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior); Long-Term ICR of aa (Superior), affirmed July 22, 2026
- One of the largest workers' compensation writers in the U.S. by premium volume
- Pay-as-you-go premium payment option tied to payroll
- In-house claims handling and risk-engineering/safety consulting for policyholders
- Founded 1810; publicly traded as The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG)
- Broad class-code appetite spanning contractors, offices, retail, and light manufacturing
Typical fit
- Established small and mid-size businesses with steady payroll history
- Employers who want a nationally recognized carrier name on their certificate of insurance
- Businesses that prefer pay-as-you-go billing tied to payroll
- Accounts with some claims history that can benefit from dedicated claims and safety consulting
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Side by side
| Attribute | Crum & Forster | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Crum & Forster | The Hartford |
| AM Best financial strength rating | A+ (Superior) (as of 2025-08) | A+ (Superior) (as of 2026-07) |
| How it's quoted | Through our agency, alongside other carriers | Through our agency, alongside other carriers |
| Typical account fit | Businesses in industries served by one of Crum & Forster's specialty program divisions; Employers seeking a long-established specialty insurer with a recently upgraded rating; Accounts with risk characteristics that benefit from tailored program underwriting | Established small and mid-size businesses with steady payroll history; Employers who want a nationally recognized carrier name on their certificate of insurance; Businesses that prefer pay-as-you-go billing tied to payroll |
| Overview | Crum & Forster is a specialty commercial insurer founded in 1896, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, and owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings since 1998. AM Best upgraded its rating to A+ (Superior) in August 2025, and the company writes workers' comp through specialty program divisions. | The Hartford is one of the largest, longest-operating workers' compensation carriers in the U.S., publicly traded and AM Best A+ (Superior) rated. It's known for pay-as-you-go billing, in-house claims handling, and a broad appetite across common class codes for small and mid-size employers. |
How each is quoted through our agency
Crum & Forster
Quoted through our agency alongside other carriers; we present every option side by side so you can compare and purchase online.
The Hartford
Quoted through our agency alongside other carriers; we present every option side by side so you can compare and purchase online.
The bottom line
There is no single "best" carrier between Crum & Forster and The Hartford. The right fit depends on your operation, class codes, payroll and how each carrier's underwriting appetite lines up with your account — and that is exactly what one application, sent to every carrier we can access, is built to show you.
Rather than choosing one carrier up front, US Workers Comp Insure requests quotes from every carrier we can access for your state and class code, including Crum & Forster and The Hartford where each carrier's criteria allow it, and presents them ranked side by side. A carrier that declines is shown honestly rather than hidden, and a licensed agent at Provident Financial Group can explain why and what alternatives remain.
Frequently asked questions
Are Crum & Forster and The Hartford both available through your agency?
Yes. Both are carriers we can present side by side when you request workers' compensation quotes through our agency, alongside the other carriers we can access for your state and class code.
How do Crum & Forster and The Hartford compare on AM Best rating?
Crum & Forster carries an AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) (as of 2025-08), and The Hartford carries A+ (Superior) (as of 2026-07). Ratings are for identification only and do not imply an endorsement.
Which should I choose, Crum & Forster or The Hartford?
There is no single best answer. The right carrier depends on your operation, class codes, payroll and how each carrier's underwriting appetite fits your account. Rather than picking one up front, we request quotes from every carrier we can access and show you a ranked comparison so you can decide.
Do I have to choose only one carrier to get a quote?
No. You submit one application and we request quotes from every carrier we can access for your account — including Crum & Forster and The Hartford where each carrier's criteria allow it — then present them ranked side by side.
Who owns Crum & Forster?
Crum & Forster has been owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited since Fairfax acquired it in 1998.
What is Crum & Forster's current AM Best rating?
AM Best upgraded Crum & Forster Insurance Group's members to a Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of aa- (Superior) on August 28, 2025.
Is The Hartford a direct-to-consumer insurer or does it require an agent?
The Hartford sells commercial workers' compensation policies through licensed independent agents and brokers rather than directly to consumers, so coverage is typically bound through an agency.
Does The Hartford offer pay-as-you-go workers' comp?
Yes. The Hartford offers a pay-as-you-go option that calculates premium from actual payroll each pay period instead of a large upfront deposit based on estimated annual payroll.
Sources
- cfins.com — https://www.cfins.com/crum-forster-upgraded-to-a-superior-financial-strength-rating-and-aa-superior-credit-rating-by-am-best/
- cfins.com — https://www.cfins.com/about/financial-highlights/
- businesswire.com — https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260722861076/en/AM-Best-Affirms-Credit-Ratings-of-The-Hartford-Insurance-Group-Inc.-and-Its-Subsidiaries
- thehartford.com — https://www.thehartford.com/about-us/insurance-history
- assets.thehartford.com — https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/facts_about_the_hartford.pdf
Last reviewed · Reviewed by Provident Financial Group licensed agents
Carrier names are used for identification only; we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any carrier. Quotes are not offers of insurance; coverage and pricing are determined by each carrier’s underwriting.
US Workers Comp Insure is a brand of Provident Financial Group, a licensed independent insurance agency. NJ resident license; licensed in 23 states — NJ, NY, CT, VT, OH, MI, VA, PA, DE, MD, NC, SC, GA, FL, TX, KY, KS, CA, IN, AZ, DC, MA and NV. State license numbers available on request. We are an independent agency, not an insurer; coverage is underwritten by the issuing carrier and is subject to that policy's terms, conditions, limits and exclusions. Quotes are not offers of insurance, and no coverage is bound until confirmed in writing by a licensed agent. Carrier names are used for identification only; we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any carrier named on this site.
View this comparison at https://usworkerscompinsure.com/compare/crum-forster-vs-the-hartford-workers-comp
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