Simply Business: Online Small-Business Insurance Marketplace
Simply Business describes a digital marketplace and licensed-producer service for small businesses. The policy and selected insurer determine coverage, fees, servicing and claims responsibilities. 1,2
What Is The Hartford?
The Hartford suits SaaS and software small businesses seeking a BOP and an online quote; buyers needing commercial auto through self-service or built-in California EPL coverage should use another route. Eligible small-business quotes can start online in minutes. 4,5,6
What Is Workers’ Compensation Insurance?
Workers’ compensation can pay medical care and part of an employee’s lost wages after a work-related injury or illness. If you have staff, check who is covered in each state; owners, contractors and some workers may be treated differently. 8,9,10,11
Key Differences in Workers’ Compensation Insurance
The Hartford offers actual-payroll billing
The Hartford says pay-as-you-go billing bases payments on actual payroll instead of estimates and offers a portal for claim status, payments and medical cards. Simply Business describes an online quote route but does not discuss billing or portal features in its overview. Ask the proposed panel carrier how payroll is reconciled and what employee claim tools are available. 7 2
Published price references use different payroll thresholds
The Hartford says customers with less than $300,000 in payroll pay an average of $81 monthly, with some policies starting at $13; price varies and standard limits are not published. Simply Business does not show a comparable WC average on its reviewed page. Compare quotes using the same payroll, job classes and coverage details. 7 3
Medical management resources are described by Hartford
The Hartford lists a medical provider network, prescription program, needle-stick reimbursement and nurse case managers coordinating care. Simply Business describes potential benefits but not a comparable service package. Ask the selected marketplace insurer which network and care-management features apply in your location. 7 3
What to Confirm in Workers’ Compensation Insurance Quotes
Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
Simply Business
Review Score
4 rated sources
Customers disagree about Simply Business. Trustpilot shows 4.3 out of 5 from 1,901 reviews, but BBB customers give it 1.95 from 20 reviews and ConsumerAffairs shows 1.0.[6][10][7]
Read Simply Business reviewsThe Hartford
Review Score
5 rated sources
The Hartford’s service record is mixed: NerdWallet rates it 4.5/5 but reports below-average small-business satisfaction. Low Trustpilot ratings add a service concern, although they mix policy types.[1][2][4][5][6][7]
Read The Hartford reviewsOffering Details
Simply Business vs The Hartford: Workers’ Compensation Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Workers’ compensation insurance through Simply Business | The Hartford Workers' Compensation Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Role in This Line | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford's workers' compensation insurance gives employees medical, wage and other benefits after a work-related injury or illness; most states require this coverage if a business has employees. 7Company-reported. Workers' compensation product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| Who It’s For | The page explains that requirements vary by state and that a one-person LLC without employees may not be required to carry the coverage in many states. This is general education, not a jurisdiction-specific legal determination. 3Company-reported. Company-published workers-compensation information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer. | The Hartford says coverage requirements vary by state, and in some states (monopolistic states) workers' compensation can only be bought through a state-run fund, not from a private insurer like The Hartford. Common industries it names include gyms, manufacturing, medical offices, restaurants and retailers. 7Company-reported. Workers' compensation product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| Coverage Features | The company’s page describes workers’ compensation as potentially covering medical, rehabilitation, wage-replacement and death benefits for employees injured or made ill at work; state law and policy terms affect benefits. 3Company-reported. Company-published workers-compensation information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer. | Confirm in your quote. |
| Limits and Retentions | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford says customers with less than $300,000 in payroll pay an average of $81 a month, with some policies starting as low as $13 a month; the page does not publish standard coverage limits, since state law and payroll drive required benefit levels. 7Company-reported. Company-reported average as of 2026-09-23; not a specific quote. |
| Risk Services | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford says policyholders get access to a Preferred Medical Provider Network of over 1 million providers, a prescription drug program covering more than 65,000 U.S. pharmacies (usually no out-of-pocket cost, plus mail order), a Needle Stick Reimbursement Program, and a Nursed Back to Health Program with nurse case managers coordinating care. 7Company-reported. Workers' compensation product page as read 2026-09-23. The Hartford offers pay-as-you-go billing based on actual payroll rather than an estimate, and a My Workers' Comp Connection portal where injured employees can check claim status, review payments, sign up for direct deposit, and get a medical services card. 7Company-reported. Workers' compensation product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| How to Apply | The company publishes a workers’ compensation quote route. Its Terms say quote availability may vary by state, insurer and business details and binding requires panel-member approval. 3,2Company-reported. Company-published workers-compensation information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer. | Confirm in your quote. |
Full Comparison
More Simply Business vs The Hartford Comparisons
Other Workers’ Compensation Insurance Comparisons
Sources
Simply Business
- Our Small Business Insurance Story. Simply Business; Opening description and audience; digital marketplace, business types and U.S. service. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Terms of Service. Simply Business; Dated June 30, 2026; §1 lines 22–28; §8 lines 87–113; §10 lines 143–149; §19 line 211. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Small Business. Simply Business; Coverage and benefits lines 45–69; state/buyer qualifications lines 178–189. Accessed 2026-09-29.
The Hartford
- Legal Notice. The Hartford; The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. holding-company description; no representation that all products are available in all locations; P&C writing-company table as of December 31, 2025 including Hartford Fire (NAIC 19682) and Hartford Underwriters (NAIC 30104); life writing companies including Hartford Life and Accident (NAIC 70815). Accessed 2026-09-16.
- SaaS Insurance for Your Business. The Hartford; Audience list (software startups, SaaS, IT consulting); Get a Business Owner’s Policy; What Is Business Owner’s Policy Insurance?; general liability introduction and Get a Quote; Get Commercial Property Insurance; Commercial Property Insurance for Your Business; Benefits of The Hartford’s WC Insurance for Employers and Employees; cyber insurance and data breach descriptions; Get a quote for cyber insurance; EPLI introduction and Private Choice Premier; add-ons (workers’ compensation, data breach, commercial auto); technology professional liability mention; small-business availability banner; industry-average premium footnote; footnote 2 state restrictions; footer product-availability disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Find a Local Insurance Agent. The Hartford; Small-business and midsize agent locators; FAQ that buyers can purchase without an agent by calling or quoting online; statement that agents may charge fees. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance Plans. The Hartford; What Is Workers' Compensation Insurance?; How Much Is Workers' Compensation Insurance?; Who Needs Workers' Compensation Insurance?; The Advantages of Workers' Comp From The Hartford; Benefits of The Hartford's WC Insurance; Workers' Compensation Insurance in Monopolistic States. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Guide
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Opening definition; mandatory coverage except Texas opt-in; exclusive remedy; monopolistic state funds; self-insurance note. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Small Business Insurance. National Association of Insurance Commissioners; Typically covers medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and lost wages; check with your state insurance department; ask these questions / who qualifies as a covered employee (contractors, part-time staff, interns); payroll and type-of-work rating factors. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- DWC employer information. California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers’ Compensation; Opening trade-off and California requirement; basic benefits including medical care, temporary and permanent disability, supplemental job displacement, return-to-work supplement and death benefits; out-of-state employer note. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Employer resources. Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation; In Texas, private employers can choose to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage, but it is not required in most cases; lost wages and medical benefits; except when gross negligence results in a fatality, coverage limits liability. Accessed 2026-09-16.
