⏰ Estimated read time: 11 minutes
- Chubb: Best for buying a BOP online.
- Next: Best online business insurance.
- Travelers: Best for working with an agent.
- Nationwide: Best for additional services, like retirement plans.
- Progressive: Best commercial auto insurance.
- Thimble: Best for short-term coverage.

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Best business insurance companies
Chubb
5.0
NerdWallet ratingSimple online shopping experience that most businesses can likely complete in a few minutes.
BOP includes business interruption and extra expense coverage.
Received fewer commercial property insurance complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
If you have more than $2 million in annual revenue, you'll need to talk with an agent or shop elsewhere.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Business property insurance.
- Business interruption insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
Next Insurance
5.0
NerdWallet ratingAll users can get quotes and purchase policies online.
Provides a digital certificate of insurance that you can share with anyone who needs it.
Received fewer commercial property and commercial auto insurance complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
Can’t file claims over the phone, only online.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Tools and equipment insurance.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Liquor liability insurance.
- Product liability insurance.
- Contractor license bonds.
Travelers
5.0
NerdWallet ratingOffers many types of commercial insurance, including specialized coverage like key person insurance and surety bonds.
You can access your certificate of insurance and track your claims through an online portal.
Received fewer commercial property insurance complaints and far fewer commercial auto insurance complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
You can’t get a quote or purchase a policy online.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Business income and extra expense coverage.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Management liability insurance.
- Employment practices liability insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Equipment breakdown insurance.
- Specialized coverage for industries like agriculture and energy.
Nationwide
5.0
NerdWallet ratingCan get a quote online.
Wide variety of coverage types, including specialty products like surety bonds.
Nationwide also offers other business financial services, like employee retirement plans and a high-yield business savings account.
Must contact an agent to purchase a policy.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Business income insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Commercial crime insurance.
- Employment practices liability insurance.
- Cyber liability insurance.
- Equipment breakdown insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Inland marine insurance.
- Builder’s risk insurance.
- Directors and officers insurance.
- Surety bonds.
Progressive
4.5
NerdWallet ratingFewer than expected commercial auto insurance complaints filed with state regulators based on its market share.
Specialized insurance products for truckers, including owner-operators, motor carriers and driver carriers.
24/7 roadside assistance available as an add-on service, provided by a third party.
Some policies are written by different insurance companies, which means you’ll have to work with those companies (not Progressive) to file claims.
You’ll generally have to contact a customer support agent to get a copy of your COI or add an additional insured.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Employee health insurance.
Thimble
4.0
NerdWallet ratingPolicies available one job, month or year at a time.
Policyholders can access their COI online and add an additional insured anytime. If you manage contractors, you can use Thimble’s Certificate Manager tool to ensure that everyone has compliant coverage.
Thimble’s unique “event insurance” bundles include liquor liability and general liability coverage.
For customer support, you’ll have to submit a ticket online. There’s no phone-based assistance.
Thimble sells policies underwritten by other insurance companies, which means you’ll have to work with those companies (not Thimble) to finish the claims process.
Commercial auto insurance isn’t available.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Event insurance, which includes liquor liability coverage.
- Cyber insurance.
- Business equipment insurance.
Other business insurance companies
- Allstate offers commercial auto insurance, but funnels other coverage requests to Next. Read NerdWallet’s review of Allstate business insurance.
- biBERK sells several key types of business insurance online, but not all policies are available in all states. Read NerdWallet’s review of biBERK business insurance.
- Farmers operates in 36 states, offering basic coverages like general liability, commercial auto and umbrella insurance. Read NerdWallet’s review of Farmers business insurance.
- Geico sells its own commercial auto insurance and other types of insurance, like general and professional liability, via Hiscox. Read NerdWallet’s review of Geico business insurance.
- Hiscox sells general and professional liability insurance online and its professional liability policies cover work done all over the world. Read NerdWallet’s review of Hiscox business insurance.
- Huckleberry sells policies from other insurers online and suggests policies based on your industry. Read NerdWallet’s review of Huckleberry business insurance.
- Liberty Mutual sells virtually every type of business insurance, including policies for highly specialized industries. Read NerdWallet’s review of Liberty Mutual business insurance.
- Pie Insurance sells workers’ comp and can give you an online price estimate for a policy. Read NerdWallet’s review of Pie business insurance.
- State Farm agents can sell most types of business insurance, but online features are limited. Read NerdWallet’s review of State Farm business insurance.
- The Hartford offers online quotes for a wide variety of business insurance types, and the company received high marks for its financial strength. Read NerdWallet's review of The Hartford business insurance.
- Three targets small-business owners who want many types of insurance coverage in just one policy. Read NerdWallet’s review of Three business insurance.
- USAA works with military families. Read NerdWallet’s review of USAA business insurance.

Save up to 30% on business insurance
NerdWallet Small Business helps you get realtime quotes from 30+ insurers, and instant access to your Certificate of Insurance (COI) through our partner, Coverdash.via Coverdash
What is business insurance?
Type of insurance | When it protects your business | Who needs it | Find a provider |
---|---|---|---|
If a third party or their property is harmed as a result of your business activity. | All businesses. May be required by a landlord or contractor. | ||
If you’re in an auto accident while working or in a company vehicle. | Businesses that use vehicles in their operations. May be required by law. | ||
If an employee is injured on the job. | Businesses with employees. Required by law in most states. | ||
If a client accuses you of making a mistake or giving them bad advice. This is also known as errors and omissions insurance. | Businesses that provide services for a fee. May be required by law or industry regulation. | ||
If your manufacturing or retail space, office, or assets like equipment or inventory are damaged and need to be repaired or replaced. | Businesses with owned or rented space or a significant amount of property. May be required by a landlord. | ||
If your business can’t generate revenue for a period of time. | Most businesses with recurring expenses. |
- General liability insurance.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Business income insurance is usually included, but not always.
- Some insurers offer optional add-ons, like data breach coverage.
What business insurance do you need?
- Find out what coverage is required by law. Some business insurance, like workers’ compensation, is required by law. Check the workers’ compensation regulations in your state to make sure you’re in compliance. Be on the lookout for industry-specific regulations as well; for example, state law might require lawyers to carry legal malpractice insurance.
- Find out if your contracts require insurance. Landlords, lenders and contractors may require certain types of coverage before doing business with you.
- Talk to a professional. If you’re unsure about what kinds of business insurance you need, a licensed commercial insurance agent near you can help you evaluate your risks.
- Get an online quote. Lots of online business insurance providers ask questions during the quote process and suggest certain kinds of coverage as a result. For instance, if you say your business works in a professional services industry, they might recommend professional liability insurance. Getting a quote can highlight certain risks and help you understand how much insurance might cost.
- Reassess your needs regularly. As your small business hires employees, adds locations or grows its product line, your insurance needs will grow too. Check on your insurance policies every year to make sure they still provide the best coverage for you.
How much does business insurance cost?
- What your company does.
- How many employees you have.
- Where you’re located.
- How public-facing your business is.
- Your claims history.
- What policies you need to buy.