Best Insurance for Small Businesses

We understand how much time, effort and commitment you put into your small business. That’s why it’s so important to find the best small business insurance to protect it.
Author:
Wendy Mitzel
Wendy Mitzel,Staff Copywriter
Wendy Mitzel
Experienced staff copywriter specializing in small business insurance for The Hartford.
Updated: 05/29/2025
Read Time: 7 minutes
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Key Takeaways

  • Customizing your coverages with the help of an insurance expert can create the best small business insurance policy for you.
  • When exploring the best business insurance options for a small business, many owners start with a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) for basic coverage.
  • To find the best coverage, you’ll want to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies and consider the history, reputation and capability of an insurer.

What Is the Best Insurance for a Small Business?

The best insurance is the one that fits you best. Every business is different, with unique needs and risks. Customizing your coverages with the help of an insurance expert can create the best small business insurance policy for you.
 
When exploring the best business insurance options for a small business, many owners start with a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) for basic coverage. It combines three essential coverages that help protect your small business from claims of bodily injury or property damage. With a BOP, you’ll get:
 
You can also customize your BOP to add more coverage for your small business, like:
 

How to Find The Best Small Business Insurance

Small business owners face risk every day. We can help you find the right small business insurance to help ensure you don’t lose everything if a disaster strikes. For example, you could lose your business property and equipment if a fire breaks out. Alternately, you may have to close if you can’t afford to cover a customer’s medical bills after they slip and fall while inside your location.
 
To find the best coverage, you’ll want to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. To get started, get a quote from us today. We offer multiple types of business insurance to help protect small businesses from claims that could shut you down.
 
As you look into your options, it’s important to consider the history, reputation and capability of an insurer. If and when a claim is made against your business insurance policy, working with a claims specialist who knows the ropes can make every aspect of the process easier and more efficient. Specialists should have the resources and relationships to help you hire outside experts, secure any needed physical repairs and/or monetary claims and fully resolve disputes.
business owner happy being protected by the Best Insurance for Small Businesses

Getting the Best Small Business Liability Insurance for Your Company

You’ll want to work with an experienced insurance carrier to create the best small business liability insurance plan for you.
 
At The Hartford, we have over 200 years of experience and have worked with small business owners in every industry to better understand their risks. Whether you need a quote or help filing a claim, we’re here for you.

How Do I Know if I Need Small Business Insurance?

Most small businesses need insurance because they would not be able to afford a large loss or liability claim from a disaster or lawsuit. Additionally, many states require that all businesses, regardless of size, carry workers' compensation insurance. Whatever your type of business, small business insurance can help protect your company, products and the professional services you provide.
 

For Technology Businesses

Common technology insurance coverages include:
 
  • Professional liability insurance to help protect business owners from errors, mistakes or omissions in services provided to customers. You can add this coverage to a Business Owner’s Policy or purchase it as a standalone policy.
  • General liability insurance to help cover claims that a technology business hurt somebody or damaged someone else’s property.
  • Data breach insurance to help respond to a breach if personally identifiable information is stolen. Some insurers call this coverage cyber liability insurance.

For Pet Groomers

We’ve helped pet groomers across the country get the coverages they need. Common pet grooming insurance options include:
 
  • Animal bailee coverage, which helps protect animals in the care of a groomer. If an animal gets hurt or lost, this coverage can help pay for veterinary bills or advertising costs.
  • Animal damage to buildings coverage to help protect buildings or business property. So, if a dog escapes from their leash and chews up a chair, this coverage can help pay for the damages.
  • Pet groomer professional liability insurance, which helps cover legal costs or judgments and settlements if a client sues a groomer for a mistake or omission in services.
  • We also offer coverages for animals, like pet trainer insurance, which can help protect your pet training business from liabilities like an injured pet, data breach or property damage.

For Accountants

We know accountants face challenges unique to their work. Common accountancy insurance coverages we offer include:
 
  • Electronic data and interruption of computer operations, which can help pay to repair or replace a firm’s computers, data or software if they’re damaged from a virus or power failure.
  • Valuable papers and records coverage to help recreate important paperwork if they’re damaged. This includes ledgers, financial statements or employee and client files.
  • Accountants professional liability insurance helps protect a firm from lawsuits related to mistakes or omissions in the services given.

For Videographers

Our videographer insurance helps business owners film confidently. Common coverages for videographers include:
 
  • Professional liability insurance to help cover legal costs if a client sues them for a mistake or omission in the services given.
  • Scheduled camera equipment coverage to help pay repair or replacement costs for equipment. This coverage applies to equipment wherever it is in the world.
  • Commercial auto insurance to help protect them and their team on the road if they drive for business. This can help cover property damage and injuries from an at-fault accident.

For Home Inspectors

Examining the structure of a house can put home inspectors at risk of many types of claims, from assessing property damage to providing inaccurate advice. Common coverages we offer for home inspector insurance include:
 
  • Business income for essential personnel to help replace lost income if a home inspector has to miss at least a month of work. Be aware that this insurance is only available for home inspection businesses with employees and coverage doesn’t apply to the business owner.
  • Lost keys coverage to help pay for new locks if an inspector misplaces a set of keys.
  • Contractor’s tools coverage, which helps protect equipment worth less than $500. It can help pay for repair or replacement costs if the tools get damaged.
  • Professional liability for home inspectors, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, helps cover legal defense costs if a customer sues you for a mistake your business made on the job.

For Caterers

Working with food means you face risks. Common catering insurance coverages we offer include:
 
  • Perishable goods in transit to help cover losses from food getting spoiled while in transit.
  • Liquor liability insurance to help cover claims that a caterer caused an injury from selling, serving or furnishing alcohol.
  • Business income for food contamination to replace lost income if a governmental authority shuts down the business after a food poisoning case. It can also help cover extra expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Insurance

Insurance coverage requirements for limited liability companies varies by state, however even if not required, it’s important to remember businesses are exposed to risk at many levels. Small business liability insurance and additional coverages protect your company from legal claims and property loss.
Our customers paid an average of $67 a month for general liability insurance and $86 a month for workers’ compensation insurance.** Small business insurance costs can vary because each business is unique and has different needs. Insurance companies use different factors to determine costs, such as:
 
 
  • Types of coverage
  • Claims history
  • Location
  • Industry
The best way to find out your business insurance cost is to get a quote online or through your local insurance agency.

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** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
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The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.