AmTrust Financial vs The Hartford

Verdict

AmTrust Financial and The Hartford are the two names agents most often pit against each other for small-business workers' comp. The Hartford is the No. 1 U.S. comp writer; AmTrust is No. 3 with $3.52 billion of comp premium. Overall, The Hartford ranked No. 6 by 2025 commercial lines direct premiums at $14.61 billion, and AmTrust No. 23 at $6.25 billion (NAIC data). AmTrust has been private since 2018; The Hartford is public (NYSE: HIG).

Ratings are the plainest gap. AM Best rates The Hartford A+ (Superior), affirmed July 2026, with AA- from S&P. AmTrust is A- (Excellent) per its own pages in October 2026, the level set by a 2018 downgrade. AmTrust publishes no S&P, Moody's or Fitch rating on its site, and as a private company gives less financial disclosure. If a lender or prime contractor requires A or better, that matters.

Beyond comp, both write a BOP, package, general liability and commercial auto for small business. The Hartford adds a bigger middle market (revenue over $10 million), Navigators and Maxum for specialty and E&S, and online or phone quoting for small businesses. AmTrust sells small business only through independent agents, with E&S through wholesale general agents and an $800 million program unit supporting more than 25 MGAs. AmTrust also says it writes small business in California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas. Class, payroll and loss history set price, so have your agent quote both.

Choose AmTrust if

• Your account sits in a class or state where The Hartford's small business rules decline it.
• You need workers' comp with Pay-As-You-Owe billing, with no money down at inception.
• You want a statutory disability benefits policy for New York.
• Your agent has an MGA program for your niche, such as staffing, security guards or arborists.
• You want an agent-only relationship and local service.

Choose The Hartford if

• You need an A+ AM Best rating for a contract.
• You want to get a small business quote online or by phone without an agent.
• You expect to move toward middle market, with umbrella, cyber or professional liability from the same group.
• You want a BOP discount of up to 10% when you also buy comp from The Hartford.
• You want the largest comp book, with a pharmacy network and 24/7 claim reporting.

Key differences

Before you choose, check the issuing company; AmTrust files about 20 U.S. insurers and The Hartford many pooled affiliates, and E&S policies from either are non-admitted. Verify the class code and payroll on each quote, since misclassification comes back at the audit. Compare forms and ask how claims in your class are handled. The Hartford added to general liability and commercial auto reserves in the second quarter of 2026, so ask your agent about renewal pricing. See workers' comp for small businesses, AM Best rating and how to judge a business insurance company.