Best Business Insurance Companies of 2026
Business insurance doesn't have to be complicated. We compare the factors that actually matter, so you can protect what you've built and get back to what matters most: scaling your business.
We analyzed 30 business insurance companies, comparing general liability, business owner's policies, workers' compensation, professional liability, and commercial auto options. We prioritized coverage range, affordability, financial strength, and how fast you can get covered. These six insurers emerged as the best options, whether you're an established company bundling a full program or a solo freelancer who needs a certificate of insurance today.
Hiscox
#1- AM Best
- A
- Coverage Types
- PL, GL, BOP, Cyber
- Starting Price
- ~$22.50/month
- Online Quote & Buy
- Yes, 5-10 minutes
- Certificates of Insurance
- Free & instant
- States
- 49 states · Not in AK
Hiscox is our top pick for 2026 because it is the small-business specialist: 600,000+ US customers, tailored coverage for 180+ professions, and the fastest way to buy professional liability, general liability, a BOP, or cyber online and walk away with a certificate of insurance in minutes, backed by an A-rated carrier and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Businesses with employees, vehicles, or higher-hazard operations should compare our #2 pick, which offers workers' comp and commercial auto in-house. It suits online businesses, especially small ones best.
Pros
- ✓Online quote, purchase, and instant certificate of insurance in about 5-10 minutes
- ✓Professional liability from ~$22.50/month, GL from ~$30/month, BOP from ~$42/month, with no fees for monthly payments
- ✓14-day money-back guarantee and up to 5% bundling discount
- ✓AM Best A (Excellent) and S&P A financial strength with 600,000+ US small business customers
- ✓E&O covers work performed worldwide, with tailored coverage for 180+ professions
- ✓Ranked #2 small business insurer with the top consumer-survey score by U.S. News in 2026
Cons
- ✗Narrow in-house lineup (GL, E&O, BOP, cyber); workers' comp, commercial auto, and umbrella come through partners
- ✗Higher-than-expected complaint ratios and weak public review scores, often tied to auto-renewal and cancellation friction
- ✗Declines higher-hazard trades like roofing, general contracting, and trucking, and many policy changes require a phone call
The Hartford
#2- AM Best
- A+
- Coverage Types
- BOP, GL, WC, PL, Auto, Cyber +
- Starting Price
- ~$13/month (WC)
- Online Quote & Buy
- Yes (BOP, GL, WC)
- Certificates of Insurance
- Online, ~5 minutes
- States
- 48 states · Not in AK or HI
The Hartford pairs top-tier financial strength and a huge, industry-tailored coverage catalog with competitive published pricing, making it the safe default for established small businesses that need workers' comp alongside a BOP. Expect to talk to an agent for anything beyond the core three policies, and scrutinize renewal pricing each year. It suits small businesses with employees & premises best.
Pros
- ✓A+ (Superior) AM Best rating, 200+ years in business, and the second-largest workers' comp writer in the US
- ✓One of the broadest small-business menus: BOP, GL, workers' comp, professional liability, auto, cyber, umbrella, EPLI, liquor liability, surety bonds, and more
- ✓Publishes its own average premiums (GL ~$68/month, BOP ~$141/month, WC ~$81/month) and ranked #1 for affordability by U.S. News in 2026
- ✓Up to 10% discount for bundling a BOP with workers' comp, plus pay-in-full savings
- ✓Strong digital self-service: 24/7 online claims and certificates of insurance in about 5 minutes
- ✓Fewer regulator complaints than expected for its size, with free risk-engineering resources
Cons
- ✗Below-average J.D. Power small commercial satisfaction score in 2026
- ✗Online purchase covers BOP, GL, and workers' comp only; professional liability, cyber, and many changes require a phone call
- ✗Public review sites show recurring complaints about renewal increases and premium audits
NEXT Insurance
#3- AM Best
- A+
- Coverage Types
- GL, PL, BOP, WC, Auto, Cyber
- Starting Price
- ~$19/month
- Online Quote & Buy
- Yes, ~10 minutes
- Certificates of Insurance
- Free & instant
- States
- All 50 states + DC
NEXT is the fastest, cheapest way for a freelancer or business with under 10 employees to get A+ rated general liability, a BOP, or workers' comp and walk away with a certificate of insurance in minutes, without ever talking to an agent. Its Munich Re backing and 750,000+ customers make it a serious carrier, not just an app, though businesses with complex needs or a claims-heavy history should still compare a traditional carrier like our #2 pick. It suits businesses under 10 employees best.
Pros
- ✓Quote and buy 100% online in about 10 minutes, no agent needed
- ✓Free, unlimited 24/7 certificates of insurance plus the Live Certificate sharing tool
- ✓AM Best A+ (Superior) rating since 2025, backed by Munich Re's ERGO Group
- ✓Among the cheapest options for general liability (from ~$19/month) and workers' comp (from ~$14/month)
- ✓Broad menu: GL, professional liability, BOP, workers' comp, commercial auto, property, tools, cyber, and more across 1,300+ professions
- ✓Highly rated mobile app (4.9/5 on both app stores) with claims filing and up to 10% bundle discount
Cons
- ✗Complaint ratio runs above industry norms, especially on commercial property, with reviews citing renewal hikes and cancellation friction
- ✗Nonrefundable $3.99/month service fee plus a 1.99% card fee, and support is business hours only with claims started online
- ✗Not built for complex risks: no E&O for contractors, no flood coverage, no workers' comp in ND, OH, WA, or WY
Nationwide
#4- AM Best
- A+
- Coverage Types
- BOP, GL, WC, Auto, PL, Cyber, Farm +
- Starting Price
- ~$102/month avg
- Online Quote & Buy
- Online quote, agent to buy
- Certificates of Insurance
- Via agent or portal
- States
- All 50 states · Via agents
Nationwide is the pick for owners who want a single, financially rock-solid carrier for every policy they will ever need, including farm, fleet, and management coverage the digital insurers don't write. If you'd rather buy in ten minutes without talking to anyone, our top three picks will get you covered faster and usually cheaper. It suits owners who want every policy with one carrier best.
Pros
- ✓AM Best A+ (Superior), affirmed November 2025, from a 100-year-old Fortune 100 mutual company
- ✓Nearly every commercial product under one roof: BOP, GL, property, workers' comp, commercial auto, professional liability, cyber, EPLI, management liability, surety bonds, and farm and agribusiness
- ✓Fewer regulator complaints than expected on general liability, and above-average J.D. Power small commercial satisfaction in 2025
- ✓Named the best small business insurance company by U.S. News in 2026 for tailored coverage and unique products like accounts receivable coverage
- ✓Ranked 2nd for financial stability and 3rd for customer service among national carriers by MoneyGeek
- ✓Strong industry programs for contractors, food service, auto repair, retail, wholesale, and professional offices
Cons
- ✗You can start a quote online but must call or work with an agent to buy, and some online quotes are placed with partner carriers
- ✗Higher average pricing than digital insurers (MoneyGeek average ~$102/month; BOP ~$146/month)
- ✗Mobile app doesn't manage business policies, and additional insureds require a call
Thimble
#5- AM Best
- A (Partners)
- Coverage Types
- GL, PL, BOP, Equipment, Events
- Starting Price
- ~$5/hour or ~$17/month
- Online Quote & Buy
- Yes, under 60 seconds
- Certificates of Insurance
- Free & instant
- States
- All 50 states
Thimble is the fastest way to get a legitimate, A-rated certificate of insurance for a one-off job, a market booth, a venue rental, or a seasonal side business, and its monthly and annual general liability is competitively priced for freelancers. Businesses with employees, vehicles, or year-round operations will outgrow its lineup quickly and should compare a full-line carrier. It suits one-off jobs, events and seasonal side businesses best.
Pros
- ✓Only major provider selling general liability by the hour, day, or month, from ~$5/hour for low-risk work
- ✓Quote to bound policy in under 60 seconds on the app or website
- ✓Instant certificates of insurance and unlimited additional insureds at no charge
- ✓Policies underwritten by A-rated carriers such as Markel; owned by Arch Insurance (Arch Capital Group) since 2023
- ✓170,000+ policies sold; ideal for event vendors, gig workers, freelancers, fitness pros, and seasonal trades
- ✓Trustpilot 4.2/5 across 2,300+ reviews, with praise for speed and pricing
Cons
- ✗No workers' comp or commercial auto, so it can't be a one-stop shop once you hire or drive for work
- ✗Per-day pricing costs more than annual coverage if you work most days, and reviews cite renewal, installment, and card fees that aren't obvious at checkout
- ✗Support is mostly digital; policy changes and cancellations can be slow to resolve
Progressive Commercial
#6- AM Best
- A+
- Coverage Types
- Auto, Trucking + partner BOP/GL/WC
- Starting Price
- ~$260/month (auto)
- Online Quote & Buy
- Yes (auto only)
- Certificates of Insurance
- Online 24/7
- States
- 50 states · No BOP/GL in HI
Progressive Commercial is the obvious first quote for any business whose risk lives on the road: its online buying, published pricing, telematics discounts, and sheer scale in commercial auto are unmatched. Treat it as an auto specialist rather than a one-stop shop, and compare its partner-placed BOP and liability policies against the dedicated small-business carriers above. It suits any business whose risk lives on the road best.
Pros
- ✓#1 US commercial auto and truck insurer with roughly 13-15% market share
- ✓True online quote-and-bind for commercial auto, plus 24/7 certificates of insurance and ID cards
- ✓Publishes real average premiums by vehicle type, from ~$260/month for contractors to ~$926/month for transport trucks
- ✓Telematics savings: Snapshot ProView (5-18%) and Smart Haul for truckers (5-15%+)
- ✓Covers nearly every vehicle class, from food trucks to tractor-trailers, with in-house heavy-truck adjusters
- ✓AM Best A+ (Superior) and U.S. News #1 for ease of claims and price transparency
Cons
- ✗BOP, general liability, workers' comp, professional, and cyber are underwritten by partner carriers, not Progressive, and the non-auto menu is thin (no umbrella, D&O, or standalone property)
- ✗Mixed complaint record, with reviews citing renewal hikes and low vehicle valuations
- ✗6-month policy terms, and A+ is a notch below the A++ carriers
Quick Comparison
Swipe left to see the full table →
| Provider | Rating | AM Best | Starting Price | Online Quote | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Hiscox | 4.4 | A | ~$22.50/month | Yes, 5-10 minutes | Best Overall for Small Business | Get Quote |
| #2 The Hartford | 4.3 | A+ | ~$13/month (WC) | Yes (BOP, GL, WC) | Best for Established Businesses | Get Quote |
| #3 NEXT Insurance | 4.0 | A+ | ~$19/month | Yes, ~10 minutes | Best for Instant Online Coverage | Get Quote |
| #4 Nationwide | 4.1 | A+ | ~$102/month avg | Online quote, agent to buy | Best Full-Service Carrier | Get Quote |
| #5 Thimble | 4.0 | A (Partners) | ~$5/hour or ~$17/month | Yes, under 60 seconds | Best for Short-Term & On-Demand Coverage | Get Quote |
| #6 Progressive Commercial | 4.0 | A+ | ~$260/month (auto) | Yes (auto only) | Best for Commercial Auto | Get Quote |
Starting prices are each insurer's published or quoted minimum for its cheapest policy; your premium depends on industry, payroll, revenue and location.
How we ranked the best business insurers
Our team of 4 experts evaluated over 30 business insurance providers, prioritizing what small business owners care about most: coverage options, affordability, speed, and financial strength. Each insurer is judged on the four criteria below, and no insurer pays for its position.
Coverage Range & Industry Fit
We evaluate whether insurers offer general liability, BOPs, workers' comp, professional liability, commercial auto, and cyber, and how many industries they actually write. The best companies cover the policies a growing business needs under one roof.
Affordability & Value
We compare published averages, third-party quote studies, and real customer medians across industries and business sizes. The best general liability policies start under $50/month, and bundling into a BOP should save 10-15%.
Financial Strength & Claims
We verify AM Best ratings, regulator complaint ratios, and claims-satisfaction data to ensure each insurer can pay a large claim when it matters. All our top picks carry A ratings or higher.
Customer Experience & Digital Tools
We analyze how fast you can get a quote, whether you can buy online, how quickly certificates of insurance are issued, and what customers say about renewals, audits, and support.
Sources
- Coverage menus, starting prices, online buying and certificate tools: each insurer's own website, checked in September 2026. The Hartford and Progressive publish their own average premiums.
- Price medians: Insureon and NEXT customer medians and MoneyGeek quote averages for 2026, by policy type.
- Financial strength: AM Best rating releases for each carrier and, for Thimble, its underwriting partners.
- Satisfaction and complaints: J.D. Power U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study (2025 and 2026), NAIC complaint ratios, U.S. News 2026 small business insurance rankings, MoneyGeek, Trustpilot and BBB.
Last updated: Sep. 15, 2026
Business Insurance Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy
The five things that decide whether you're properly covered and what you'll pay. Each one takes a minute to read.
1. What You'll Actually Pay (2026 Medians)
- General liability: ~$45/month. Consultants and IT pay $29-$32; contractors $73-$90.
- Business owner's policy (BOP): ~$83/month. Bundles liability, property, and lost income for 10-15% less than buying separately.
- Professional liability (E&O): ~$88/month. Most buyers choose $1M limits.
- Workers' comp: ~$54/month for low payroll. Priced per $100 of payroll; office staff cost cents, roofers $15+.
- Commercial auto: ~$150-$400 per vehicle per month.
- Cyber: ~$80-$130/month for $1M of coverage.
Quoted well above these for your industry? Get two more quotes. Carriers price the same business up to 30% apart.
2. Which Policies You Need
- Everyone with employees: Workers' comp. Required in 49 states, Texas optional.
- Everyone with premises or foot traffic: General liability, usually as a BOP.
- Everyone who gives advice or professional services: Professional liability. General liability excludes it.
- Everyone with a vehicle in the business name: Commercial auto. Personal auto excludes business use.
- Everyone who takes cards or stores customer data: Cyber. 98% of cyber claims involve small businesses.
3. How Much Coverage to Buy
- General liability: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. It's what 85% of small businesses buy and what landlords, clients, and Amazon ask for. Doubling to $2M/$4M costs about $1/month more.
- Professional liability: $1M per claim.
- Property: 80-100% of replacement cost, not purchase price, or a coinsurance clause cuts every payout.
- Umbrella: $1M-$5M (~$86/month for the first $1M) when contracts ask for more than $2M or you have vehicles or hazardous work.
4. How to Pay Less
- Bundle into a BOP and add workers' comp with the same carrier: 10-15%, plus up to 10% more.
- Pay annually: up to 13%, and it skips monthly service and card fees.
- Raise deductibles from $500 to $1,000-$2,500: 5-15%.
- Classify staff correctly: putting office workers in a clerical code instead of a field code can cut that part of workers' comp by 80-90%.
- Shop 60-90 days before renewal: the 2026 market is soft for property, workers' comp, and cyber, so loyal auto-renewers overpay.
5. The Mistakes That Cost the Most
- Assuming an LLC or homeowners policy protects the business. Neither pays a business lawsuit.
- Skipping workers' comp. Fines run from $1,000 to $100,000+ plus the injury bill.
- Letting professional liability or cyber lapse. Claims-made policies only pay if coverage is active when the claim arrives.
- Reporting a claim late. Notify within 24-48 hours; late notice is a top denial reason.
- Never shopping the renewal. See point 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about home warranty coverage
More on Business Insurance
Guides and reporting from our editors to help you decide.
How Much Does Business Insurance Cost in 2026? Real Prices by Policy
See what small businesses actually pay for general liability, BOPs, workers' comp, professional liability, and more, with prices by industry and state.
What Business Insurance Is Legally Required? State Rules Explained
Which business insurance policies the law requires, state by state, from workers' comp thresholds to commercial auto minimums and professional liability rules.
General Liability vs Professional Liability Insurance: Complete 2026 Guide
Understand the key differences between general liability and professional liability insurance so you buy the right coverage for your business.
How Much Business Insurance Do I Need? Calculate Your Coverage
Learn how to calculate the right business insurance limits using revenue, payroll, contracts, and risk exposure, with worked examples.
Business Owner's Policy (BOP) Explained: What It Covers in 2026
Everything you need to know about a business owner's policy, including what it bundles, what it costs, and who qualifies.
Workers' Compensation Insurance: Complete 2026 Guide for Employers
A complete guide to workers' compensation insurance: state requirements, how premiums are calculated, and how to lower your rate.