Carrier comparison
Markel vs. The Hartford for Workers' Comp
Markel 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.
Markel 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 Markel 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
Markel
Markel is a specialty insurer founded in 1930 by Samuel A. Markel in Norfolk, Virginia, now headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Its major insurance subsidiaries carry an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent), and its Markel Specialty division includes a small-business workers' compensation offering.
- AM Best rating:
- A (Excellent) (as of 2026-09)
- How it’s quoted:
- Through our agency, alongside other carriers
Workers’ comp highlights
- AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) for major operating entities, as of September 15, 2026
- Founded 1930 by Samuel A. Markel in Norfolk, Virginia
- Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, with offices across 18 countries
- Markel Specialty division offers workers' compensation for small businesses
- Built around specialty and non-standard commercial risks
- Distributed exclusively through independent agents
Typical fit
- Small businesses with specialty or non-standard risk characteristics
- Accounts that may not fit a standard-market carrier's appetite
- Employers already working with Markel for other specialty coverage lines
- Businesses comfortable with an agent-distributed specialty carrier
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
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
Side by side
| Attribute | Markel | The Hartford |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Markel | The Hartford |
| AM Best financial strength rating | A (Excellent) (as of 2026-09) | 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 | Small businesses with specialty or non-standard risk characteristics; Accounts that may not fit a standard-market carrier's appetite; Employers already working with Markel for other specialty coverage lines | 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 | Markel is a specialty insurer founded in 1930 by Samuel A. Markel in Norfolk, Virginia, now headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Its major insurance subsidiaries carry an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent), and its Markel Specialty division includes a small-business workers' compensation offering. | 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
Markel
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 Markel 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 Markel 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 Markel 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 Markel and The Hartford compare on AM Best rating?
Markel carries an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent) (as of 2026-09), 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, Markel 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 Markel and The Hartford where each carrier's criteria allow it — then present them ranked side by side.
When was Markel founded?
Markel was founded in 1930 by Samuel A. Markel in Norfolk, Virginia.
What is Markel's AM Best rating?
Markel's major insurance-operating entities carry an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent), as of September 15, 2026, per Markel's own financial-strength disclosures.
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
- markel.com — https://www.markel.com/about-us/financial-strength
- markel.com — https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation
- en.wikipedia.org — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markel_Group
- 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/markel-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