Paragon Insurance Holdings and Zurich Launch New Workers’ Compensation Program

Paragon Insurance Holdings and Zurich American Insurance Company have launched a new workers’ compensation program, expanding coverage across diverse industries and U.S. states. For brokers and MGAs, this partnership introduces a flexible underwriting framework and integrated risk control resources designed to mitigate workplace exposures and improve loss ratios.

What was announced

The new workers’ compensation program is designed to serve a broad spectrum of businesses, specifically targeting sectors such as artisan contractors, manufacturing, retail and wholesale operations, and automotive services. It also extends to building and property management, as well as architecture and engineering firms. The program is available across most of the United States and offers the capability to accommodate multistate insureds on a single policy for eligible states.

From a technical standpoint, the program requires a minimum premium of $25,000. While it focuses on established businesses, new ventures will be considered subject to additional underwriting criteria. Submissions for the program are expected to include standard documentation: an ACORD 130, relevant supplemental applications, a current experience modification worksheet, and three to five years of currently valued loss runs.

A central feature of the offering is the integration of risk control services. Insureds gain access to more than 150 on-demand safety training courses in both English and Spanish, alongside basic access to GotSafety. The resource library includes over 1,200 safety bulletins and lessons, allowing businesses to customize their risk management approach. This is supported by dedicated underwriting and claims teams, providing a specialized service layer for clients with complex workplace safety needs.

"This relationship represents an important expansion of our workers’ comp platform and gives us the ability to serve an even broader range of businesses across the country,"

Erik Kriens at Paragon Insurance Holdings

The companies involved

Paragon Insurance Holdings is an international managing general agency (MGA) that provides specialized insurance programs across various niche markets. As an MGA, Paragon operates by writing business on behalf of carrier partners, utilizing its own underwriting expertise and distribution networks to reach brokers and their clients. The firm maintains a digital presence at paragoninsgroup.com and focuses on delivering tailored solutions that go beyond standard policy language.

Zurich American Insurance Company is a member of the Zurich Insurance Group, a global multi-line insurer. Zurich U.S. has spent 60 years developing its programs business, a division that focuses on understanding the unique risks of specialized industries and collaborating with program administrators. By leveraging its global scale and extensive resources, Zurich provides the capital and claims infrastructure necessary to support large-scale workers' compensation initiatives. The company’s strategy in the U.S. market emphasizes the development of tailored solutions that address specific industry pain points, particularly in high-exposure sectors like construction and manufacturing.

What this means from an insurtech perspective

This announcement highlights the ongoing shift in the workers’ compensation sector from a reactive "indemnity-only" model to a proactive "protect and prevent" strategy. By embedding 1,200 safety bulletins and 150 training courses directly into the program, Paragon and Zurich are putting pressure on traditional carriers who rely solely on pricing. For the insurtech value chain, this emphasizes the importance of risk-control data in underwriting. MGAs that can successfully integrate safety technology and educational resources into their distribution model are better positioned to maintain lower loss ratios. The $25,000 premium floor suggests that while automation is increasing, the mid-market still requires a high-touch, expert-led underwriting approach to handle complex, multi-state risks.