Workers’ comp insurance cost for auto repair shops in Kentucky

Q: What does workers' comp cost auto repair shops in Kentucky?

Modeled from the 2024 filed manual rate of $1.42 per $100 of payroll: a <5-employee repair shop lands around $680–$2.7k per year before experience mods and schedule credits.

Q: What drives the rate up or down?

Three levers: payroll (the exposure base), claims history (the experience modifier), and schedule credits/debits the insurer applies. Auto service and repair work is NCCI class 8380 — mechanical repair and service centers, including their drivers.

Published 2026-06-05 · Updated 2026-06-11 · by Brokly

Direct answer: Kentucky auto repair shops pay a filed workers’-comp manual rate of $1.42 per $100 of payroll (2024 filed rate) — the 38th-highest of 51 US jurisdictions. Modeled on real payrolls, most <5-employee auto repair shops land around $680–$2.7k/yr, before experience mods and schedule credits.

65% of KY auto repair shops have <5 employees — the chart below prices every size band from its own observed payroll.
Kentucky sits 38th of 51: OH pays more ($1.57), AR less ($1.10).
Workers’ comp is one of several coverages — see everything your repair shop needs in Kentucky →

What do Kentucky auto repair shops pay for workers’ comp?

Modeled annual premium across the real size distribution of KY auto repair shops

bar height = how many auto repair shops are that size · figures = modeled annual cost

typical · most KY auto repair shops

▼

<5 emp

≈$1.3k/yr

5–9 emp

≈$4.3k/yr

10–19 emp

≈$9.5k/yr

20–49 emp

≈$27k/yr

SMALLER

MID-SIZE

LARGER

A <5-employee KY repair shop: modeled $680–$2.7k/yr in workers’-comp premium (that band’s own average wage, before experience mods and schedule credits). Bar heights show how many of the 906 KY auto repair shops fall in each size band.

Cohort: size distribution of 906 KY auto repair shops (Census CBP 2023); premiums modeled from one filed rate ($1.42/$100 payroll, 2024). Bands shown cover 906 of 906 establishments (100.0%). 2023 payroll dollars, not inflation-adjusted. Illustrative benchmark — not a quote or coverage recommendation.

Filed manual rate (KY)

$1.42 / $100 payroll

as of 2024

Typical <5-employee repair shop (65% of KY)

$680–$2.7k / yr modeled

as of 2024 · CBP 2023

Sources: Oregon DCBS workers' compensation premium rate ranking study, June 2025 (calendar-year 2024 rates) (as of calendar year 2024, retrieved 2026-06-04) · US Census County Business Patterns 2023, state file (General automotive repair (NAICS 811111)) (as of 2023, retrieved 2026-06-05)

How does Kentucky compare to nearby ranks?

Calculated manual rates, $ per $100 payroll, NCCI class 8380 (Automobile Service or Repair Center), 2024. See all 51 jurisdictions →

Rank	State	Rate / $100 payroll
34	Indiana	$1.49
35	Virginia	$1.48
36	District of Columbia	$1.47
37	Tennessee	$1.43
38	Kentucky	$1.42
39	Delaware	$1.38
40	Arizona	$1.22
41	Texas	$1.21
42	Louisiana	$1.14

Sources: Oregon DCBS workers' compensation premium rate ranking study, June 2025 (calendar-year 2024 rates) (as of calendar year 2024, retrieved 2026-06-04)

Frequently asked questions

What does workers' comp cost auto repair shops in Kentucky?

Modeled from the 2024 filed manual rate of $1.42 per $100 of payroll: a <5-employee repair shop lands around $680–$2.7k per year before experience mods and schedule credits.

What drives the rate up or down?

Three levers: payroll (the exposure base), claims history (the experience modifier), and schedule credits/debits the insurer applies. Auto service and repair work is NCCI class 8380 — mechanical repair and service centers, including their drivers.

Auto repair shops in nearby-ranked states: Tennessee ($1.43) · Arizona ($1.22) · Texas ($1.21) · Virginia ($1.48)

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Illustrative benchmark — not a quote or coverage recommendation. Figures are modeled from public filings and Census data for 906 Kentucky auto repair shops; your premium depends on your payroll, claims history, and carrier.