Carrier comparison
Markel vs. THREE by Berkshire Hathaway for Workers' Comp
Markel and THREE by Berkshire Hathaway 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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway 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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway 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
THREE by Berkshire Hathaway
THREE by Berkshire Hathaway is a small-business insurance brand launched in 2019 that bundles workers' compensation with general liability, property, and commercial auto in a single policy. Its underwriting entity is included in the A++ (Superior) AM Best rating held by National Indemnity Company and its affiliates.
- AM Best rating:
- A++ (Superior) (as of 2026-04)
- How it’s quoted:
- Through our agency, alongside other carriers
Workers’ comp highlights
- Underwriting entity included in National Indemnity Company's AM Best A++ (Superior) rating, affirmed April 16, 2026
- Launched 2019 as a Berkshire Hathaway small-business brand
- Bundles workers' compensation with general liability, property, and commercial auto in one policy
- Underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE
- Positioned around a simplified, combined-policy buying experience for small business
Typical fit
- Small businesses that want workers' comp bundled with other core coverage lines
- Employers seeking to simplify multiple policies into one combined product
- Accounts that qualify for THREE's small-business bundling criteria
- Businesses prioritizing a top-tier financial strength rating in a bundled product
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 | THREE by Berkshire Hathaway |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Markel | THREE by Berkshire Hathaway |
| AM Best financial strength rating | A (Excellent) (as of 2026-09) | A++ (Superior) (as of 2026-04) |
| 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 | Small businesses that want workers' comp bundled with other core coverage lines; Employers seeking to simplify multiple policies into one combined product; Accounts that qualify for THREE's small-business bundling criteria |
| 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. | THREE by Berkshire Hathaway is a small-business insurance brand launched in 2019 that bundles workers' compensation with general liability, property, and commercial auto in a single policy. Its underwriting entity is included in the A++ (Superior) AM Best rating held by National Indemnity Company and its affiliates. |
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.
THREE by Berkshire Hathaway
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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway. 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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway 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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway 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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway compare on AM Best rating?
Markel carries an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent) (as of 2026-09), and THREE by Berkshire Hathaway carries A++ (Superior) (as of 2026-04). Ratings are for identification only and do not imply an endorsement.
Which should I choose, Markel or THREE by Berkshire Hathaway?
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 THREE by Berkshire Hathaway 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 THREE a standalone workers' comp policy?
No. THREE bundles workers' compensation together with general liability, property, and commercial auto coverage into a single combined policy rather than issuing it standalone.
What is THREE's AM Best rating?
THREE's underwriting entity, Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, is included among the National Indemnity Company affiliates rated A++ (Superior) with an aaa (Exceptional) Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating, affirmed April 16, 2026.
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
- threeinsurance.com — https://threeinsurance.com/workers-compensation
- threeinsurance.com — https://threeinsurance.com/brand
- markets.financialcontent.com — https://markets.financialcontent.com/stocks/article/bizwire-2026-4-16-am-best-affirms-credit-ratings-of-national-indemnity-company-and-its-affiliates?Language=english%2F1000
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-three-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