Business Insurance for Engineering: Key Takeaways

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Engineering firms need several types of business insurance, including general liability, professional liability, commercial property and workers' compensation coverage.

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NEXT ranks as the best business insurance provider for engineering businesses with a MoneyGeek score of 4.75 out of 5, balancing affordability, customer service and coverage options.

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biBERK offers the cheapest business insurance for engineers at $42 monthly, with general liability coverage starting at just $17 per month.

Best Business Insurance for Engineering Companies

NEXT leads our rankings for engineering business insurance with a 4.75 out of 5 MoneyGeek score, providing affordable financial protection with quality service at $53 monthly. The Hartford follows closely as our second-best choice for engineering firms, while biBERK offers the most budget-friendly option at $42 per month. Compare quotes from all three to find the right coverage for your engineering company.

Coverdash4.20$56
Hiscox4.20$58
Chubb4.30$68
Simply Business4.30$65
Thimble4.40$66
Progressive Commercial4.40$63
Nationwide4.50$58
biBERK4.70$42
The Hartford4.73$53
NEXT Insurance4.75$53

Note: We based all scores on a engineering business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.

Get Matched to the Best Engineering Business Insurer for You

Select your industry and state to get matched to the best provider for you and get customized quotes.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE
NEXT

1. NEXT: Best Overall for Engineering Businesses

*on NEXT Insurance
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pros

  • Best digital experience and highest recommendation rate among engineering business insurers

  • Lowest workers' compensation costs for engineering firms

  • Instant online quotes and 24/7 policy management through mobile app

  • Bundle discount saves up to 10% when combining multiple coverage types

  • Certificates of insurance available instantly at no extra fee

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cons

  • General liability ranks 8th in affordability

  • Claims process scores lower than overall customer satisfaction

  • Newer company founded in 2016 with less industry history than competitors

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

For engineering firms needing fast, affordable coverage, NEXT delivers the cheapest workers' compensation at $36 monthly. Engineering business owners consistently praise the instant certificate of insurance feature through the mobile app, which is important when project owners require proof of coverage before work starts.

NEXT's professional liability coverage addresses engineering-specific risks like design errors and miscalculations that cause financial losses. It also ranks first for digital experience in our customer survey, making it ideal for consulting engineers managing multiple projects who can't wait days for traditional agents to process paperwork.

biBerk

2. biBERK: Cheapest Overall for Engineering Companies

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pros

  • Cheapest general liability and BOP for engineering firms

  • Part of Berkshire Hathaway with A++ AM Best rating for financial stability

  • Ranks third for claims processing (4.0) and overall satisfaction (4.3) nationally

  • Easy online certificate generation without waiting for agents

  • Lets you buy directly online without paying extra broker or agent fees

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cons

  • Workers' compensation ranks 8th in affordability

  • Fewer policy customization choices than competitors

  • Some customers report long wait times for phone support

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

For engineering firms prioritizing budget-conscious coverage, biBERK delivers the cheapest rates for two we studied: general liability and business owner's policies at $22 monthly. Backed by Berkshire Hathaway's A++ rating, these low costs give engineering business owners substantial savings without compromising financial protection.

biBERK ranks third for claims processing in our customer survey, making it reliable when engineering projects face liability issues. Engineering professionals praise the instant online certificate generation, which is crucial when clients or general contractors require proof of insurance before project kickoff. Note that workers' compensation ranks eighth at $39 monthly, so consulting engineers employing staff should compare this cost carefully.

Cheapest Business Insurance for Engineering Firms

Based on our analysis of engineering business insurance costs, biBERK offers the most affordable coverage at $42 monthly ($498 annually) for engineering firms. biBERK ranks first for general liability at $17 monthly and business owner's policies at $22 monthly. For workers' compensation, NEXT Insurance ($18 monthly) and The Hartford ($18 monthly) provide cheaper options than biBERK's monthly rate.

biBERK$42$498
The Hartford$53$631
NEXT Insurance$53$636
Coverdash$56$670
Hiscox$58$693
Nationwide$58$698
Progressive Commercial$63$761
Simply Business$65$783
Thimble$66$795
Chubb$68$816

Cheapest General Liability Insurance for Engineers

With rates at $40 monthly ($482 annually), biBERK offers the cheapest general liability insurance for engineering businesses, saving them $478 monthly compared to the industry average of $918. It makes biBERK 52% more affordable than typical general liability costs. Engineering companies should also compare quotes from The Hartford and Nationwide to find the best coverage.

biBERK$17$201
The Hartford$26$311
Nationwide$30$361
Progressive Commercial$33$398
Chubb$38$452

Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Engineers

Engineering firms seeking the cheapest workers' comp insurance will find it at NEXT, which costs $36 monthly ($430 annually). That's $2 below the $38 monthly average and saving engineering companies 5% on this coverage. The Hartford offers comparable rates at $36 monthly, while Thimble provides coverage at $37 monthly. Workers' compensation requirements vary by state, so engineers should verify specific mandates with their local labor department.

NEXT Insurance$36$430
The Hartford$36$432
Thimble$37$443
Progressive Commercial$37$444
Simply Business$37$445

Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Engineers

Coverdash provides the cheapest professional liability insurance for engineering businesses at $72 monthly ($864 annually). That gives a $32 monthly savings compared to the $104 industry average, representing a 31% discount on professional liability. Hiscox follows at $87 monthly, with biBERK at $88 monthly for engineering firms needing errors and omissions protection. Professional engineers should review policy terms carefully, as coverage includes specific exclusions affecting design work and project recommendations.

Coverdash$72$864
Hiscox$87$1,039
biBERK$88$1,061
NEXT Insurance$90$1,082
Simply Business$101$1,206

Cheapest BOP Insurance for Engineers

Engineering companies looking for general liability and property coverage benefit from biBerk's business owners' policy, which are the cheapest at $22 monthly ($262 annually). It saves engineering business owners $27 monthly compared to the $49 average. The Hartford ranks second at $36 monthly, followed by NEXT Insurance at $37 monthly.

biBERK$22$262
The Hartford$36$430
NEXT Insurance$37$439
Thimble$38$453
Nationwide$45$543

What Does Engineering Business Insurance Cost?

In general, business insurance costs for engineering companies are the following for the four most popular coverage types:

  • General Liability: $40 on average per month ranging from $17 to $72 depending on state
  • Workers Comp: $38 on average per month ranging from $36 to $44 depending on state
  • Professional Liability (E&O): $104 on average per month ranging from $72 to $132 depending on state
  • BOP Insurance: $49 on average per month ranging from $22 to $73 depending on state
Professional Liability (E&O)$104$1,248
BOP$49$583
General Liability$40$482
Workers Comp$38$459

What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Engineering Business?

Business insurance requirements for engineers include workers' compensation in most states, but professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance is equally important since clients typically won't sign contracts without proof of coverage. Beyond these, engineering firms should add general liability, commercial auto and business owner's policies depending on whether they maintain physical offices, employ staff or travel to job sites regularly.

  • Workers' Compensation: Insurance Required in most states when you hire employees, workers' comp covers medical costs and lost wages when your structural engineer injures their back lifting survey equipment or your civil engineer develops carpal tunnel from CAD work. Site visits to active construction zones present slip and fall risks that make this coverage essential for engineering firms.
  • Professional Liability Insurance (E&O): Protects engineering companies when clients claim your load calculations were incorrect, your soil analysis missed critical foundation issues or your MEP systems design caused project cost overruns. When a building owner sues because your HVAC specifications resulted in inadequate cooling, professional liability covers legal defense and damages. Most engineering contracts require $1 million to $2 million limits.
  • General Liability Insurance: Covers injuries and property damage your engineering business causes at client sites or your office. When you knock over a client's expensive testing equipment during a consultation or a visitor slips on your office floor, general liability handles the costs. Engineering firms typically carry $1 million per occurrence to meet lease and contract requirements.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance: Essential for engineering firms whose staff drive to construction sites, client offices or field locations for inspections and measurements. When your engineer rear-ends another vehicle while traveling to a site survey, commercial auto covers repair bills and injury claims that personal policies exclude.
  • Business Owner's Policy (BOP): Combines general liability with property coverage for your engineering office, protecting AutoCAD workstations, surveying instruments and project files from fire or theft. When a burst pipe floods your office and destroys computers containing ongoing project data, BOP covers replacement costs and lost income during recovery.
  • Cyber Liability Insurance: Critical as engineering businesses store sensitive client blueprints, structural calculations and proprietary designs electronically. When hackers breach your systems and steal project specifications or ransomware locks you out of CAD files, cyber insurance covers recovery costs and lawsuits from compromised data.
  • Commercial Umbrella Insurance: Provides extra protection when engineering errors on major infrastructure projects exceed your primary coverage limits. If your bridge design flaw leads to a $3 million lawsuit but your professional liability caps at $1 million, umbrella coverage fills the gap. Engineering consultants on large projects often need $2 million to $5 million.

How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Engineering Company

Follow our step-by-step method for getting business insurance that protects your engineering firm without overpaying.

  1. 1

    Decide on Coverage Needs Before Buying

    What happens if your structural calculations cause a building defect or your CAD designs lead to construction errors? Engineering mistakes can cost millions. Talk to engineers in your specialty about claims they've seen, then match coverage to your actual project risks.

  2. 2

    Research Costs

    A solo mechanical engineer pays vastly different rates than a 10-person civil engineering firm doing municipal projects. Research costs specific to your engineering discipline and project types. Knowing typical rates for firms like yours prevents overpaying or buying inadequate coverage.

  3. 3

    Look Into Company Reputations and Coverage Options

    Read reviews from engineering firms that filed professional liability claims, not just routine property damage. Does the insurer understand engineering E&O claims? Can they cover you if you expand from residential to commercial projects or add new engineering services?

  4. 4

    Compare Multiple Quotes Through Different Means

    Get quotes from insurers who understand engineering, not just generic business insurance. Independent agents access specialty carriers covering niche engineering work. Call directly to ask about discounts for PE licensure, continuing education or professional association memberships.

  5. 5

    Reassess Annually

    Hiring another licensed engineer, using drones for site surveys or switching from consulting to design-build projects changes your liability exposure. Review coverage each renewal, especially after expanding services or increasing project values. Your business evolves, and your insurance should too.

Best Insurance for Engineering Business: Bottom Line

Finding affordable business insurance for your engineering firm starts with understanding what coverage you need. General liability, professional liability, commercial property and workers' compensation protect against your biggest risks. NEXT earned our top rating with a 4.75 MoneyGeek score, while biBERK offers the most budget-friendly rates at $42 monthly.

Engineering Business Insurance Chart

Engineering Insurance: FAQ

We answer frequently asked questions about Engineering business insurance:

Who offers the best Engineering business insurance overall?

Who has the cheapest business insurance for Engineering firms?

What business insurance is required for Engineering organizations?

How much does Engineering business insurance cost?

How We Chose the Best Engineering Business Insurance

We selected the best business insurer for engineering companies based on the following criteria:

  • Affordability (50% of score): The lower a company's costs compared to the competition based on our base profile for four core coverage types, the better the company performs.
  • Customer service (30% of score): We scored providers on overall customer satisfaction using industry studies, customer review forum ratings and public forum sentiment analysis from sites like Reddit.
  • Coverage (15% of score): We scored business insurance providers for this category based on the flexibility, payment and actual coverage options.
  • Financial stability (5% of score): Using financial stability industry ratings from companies like AM Best and Moody's, we created an overall rating to judge how likely companies are to pay out claims compared to the competition.

All pricing in this article is based on the following base profile to represent the vast majority of small businesses in all states:

  • Three-person business with two employees
  • Coverage: $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year for all but BOP, which includes the same coverage plus $5,000 of business property coverage
  • $150,000 in payroll
  • $300,000 annual revenue

About Mark Fitzpatrick


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Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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