Updated: July 17, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
The Hartford and NEXT are the best business insurance companies for excavation firms because they offer the greatest balance of coverage and customer service.
biBerk offers the cheapest commercial insurance for excavation businesses seeking general liability and BOP coverage, with good rates on the coverage you need.
To shop for business insurance for your excavation business, assess the risks in your industry, consult insurance agents and similar excavation businesses and compare multiple options.
The Hartford and NEXT earned our top spots for the best small business insurer for excavation companies with strong coverage and stability. We also recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including Nationwide and biBerk.
Insurance requirements and availability vary by state. Workers' compensation and commercial auto insurance requirements differ by jurisdiction. Consult local regulations for specific mandates in your area.
| The Hartford | 95 | 98 | 91 |
| NEXT Insurance | 95 | 95 | 94 |
| Nationwide | 94 | 96 | 91 |
| biBERK | 94 | 98 | 91 |
| Coverdash | 91 | 92 | 83 |
| Progressive Commercial | 88 | 91 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 87 | 88 | 87 |
| Chubb | 87 | 83 | 87 |
| Thimble | 86 | 88 | 81 |
| Simply Business | 85 | 80 | 83 |
*All scores were based on a excavation business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
Cheapest professional liability coverage
Top-tier financial strength and trust
Strong BOP and general liability pricing
Slower digital tools than newer carriers
The Hartford ties for the highest ranking among excavation companies due to its strong coverage offerings, great rates on professional liability and trusted claims support. It’s especially well-suited for contractors managing heavy equipment, subsurface risks and commercial job sites.
Backed by an A+ from AM Best, The Hartford is ideal for businesses that prioritize long-term policy stability. While the quoting process may feel a bit old-school, the coverage is rock-solid where it counts.
Excellent customer satisfaction
Affordable pro liability and GL rates
Fast digital policy management
Less support for large-scale firms
NEXT is a strong fit for excavation businesses that want fast, digital-first insurance solutions. With a 4.7‑out‑of‑5 rating, it’s known for responsive service and ease of use. NEXT performs well across general and professional liability pricing, making it ideal for small-to-midsize excavation contractors. While enterprise-level operations may need broader options, NEXT is perfect for those seeking simplicity, affordability and a paperless workflow.
Cheapest general liability and BOP
Backed by Berkshire Hathaway
Easy online quoting and certificate access
Doesn’t cover subcontractor liability
biBerk is the most cost-effective option for excavation companies that want low rates without compromising core protections. It leads in both general liability and BOP pricing, offering significant savings over other providers. As a Berkshire Hathaway company, biBerk brings strong financial backing and straightforward policy management online. It’s best suited for owner-operated or small excavation teams that don’t use subcontractors, as those aren’t covered under standard plans.
Our study shows biBerk offers competitive commercial insurance rates for excavation companies, leading in general liability and BOP coverage for our sample profile. This applies to excavation companies with two employees, and you may find lower rates elsewhere. Below are the most affordable providers by major coverage types.
With an average monthly rate of $371, biBerk offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for excavation companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: Nationwide and The Hartford.
Rates shown are based on our sample business profile and may vary based on your specific business characteristics, location, and coverage needs.
| biBERK | $371 | $4,453 |
| Nationwide | $374 | $4,493 |
| The Hartford | $381 | $4,577 |
| NEXT Insurance | $394 | $4,727 |
| Coverdash | $442 | $5,304 |
| Progressive Commercial | $459 | $5,504 |
| Thimble | $490 | $5,877 |
| Hiscox | $502 | $6,023 |
| Chubb | $565 | $6,777 |
| Simply Business | $667 | $8,003 |
For excavation businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $46 per month or $550 yearly. Still, it’s worth checking quotes from other low-cost insurers like Progressive Commercial, Hiscox, Simply Business and Coverdash.
Rates shown are based on our sample business profile and may vary based on your specific business characteristics, location, and coverage needs.
| Thimble | $46 | $550 |
| Progressive Commercial | $49 | $593 |
| Hiscox | $51 | $614 |
| Simply Business | $51 | $613 |
| Coverdash | $52 | $629 |
| The Hartford | $52 | $623 |
| NEXT Insurance | $53 | $640 |
| biBERK | $54 | $647 |
| Nationwide | $58 | $690 |
| Chubb | $62 | $740 |
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for excavation companies, with low average monthly rates of $61. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT, Progressive Commercial and Thimble.
Rates shown are based on our sample business profile and may vary based on your specific business characteristics, location, and coverage needs.
| The Hartford | $61 | $729 |
| NEXT Insurance | $64 | $763 |
| Progressive Commercial | $64 | $772 |
| Thimble | $66 | $792 |
| Hiscox | $67 | $805 |
| Simply Business | $67 | $807 |
| Coverdash | $68 | $819 |
| biBERK | $70 | $835 |
| Nationwide | $73 | $874 |
| Chubb | $79 | $944 |
biBerk provides the most affordable BOP coverage for excavation companies, with an average yearly cost of $5,803 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $53 annually compared to The Hartford, the second most affordable option.
Rates shown are based on our sample business profile and may vary based on your specific business characteristics, location, and coverage needs.
| biBERK | $484 | $5,803 |
| The Hartford | $488 | $5,856 |
| Nationwide | $558 | $6,694 |
| NEXT Insurance | $574 | $6,890 |
| Coverdash | $639 | $7,662 |
| Progressive Commercial | $692 | $8,301 |
| Hiscox | $752 | $9,027 |
| Thimble | $759 | $9,107 |
| Chubb | $849 | $10,190 |
| Simply Business | $1,006 | $12,076 |
Companies with employees need workers' comp insurance, and businesses that use vehicles must have commercial auto coverage. Many clients or contracts also require businesses to carry general liability insurance before starting work. You might also need a surety bond in certain industries, especially when contracts require guarantees of service or compliance.
We recommend general liability insurance for excavation companies because it covers common risks like bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance is also a smart option for businesses that work under client contracts or provide specialized services. It’s particularly helpful for excavation businesses with commercial contracts or high-risk jobs, like technical, legal, or customized services.
Shopping for excavation business insurance can feel overwhelming with so many coverage types and providers to consider. Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your excavation company.
Think about what could go wrong in your excavation business, get advice from similar businesses, talk to agents and research the types of business insurance. This helps you understand your coverage needs and prevents you from buying excessive coverage.
Research average costs for your business profile and find which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This gives you a benchmark for how much you're saving when comparing quotes and which companies to start with.
Research what customers say on online rating sites and forums to get a better look at company services. Also, check coverage options to make sure you're covered for the right items, both now and as your business grows.
The best way to find a good deal is to compare multiple quotes for the same coverage. Pricing varies by your comparison method, whether with captive agents, comparison sites, company websites or independent agents.
Your business will change, affecting your rates and coverage needs. Repeat these steps annually to ensure you still have the best deal.
Reducing risk in your excavation business helps manage insurance costs effectively. We've organized risk mitigation strategies by business type or risk tier to help you avoid claims and keep your insurance rates low.
Excavation Business Risk Type | Included Types of Excavation Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Trenching, foundation excavation, utility line digging | Require OSHA trench safety and confined space training. Use shoring, trench boxes, and sloping per OSHA Subpart P. Conduct daily inspections by a competent person. Call 811 and confirm utility locates before any dig. Maintain emergency evacuation plans on-site. |
Moderately High | Site grading, demolition prep, culvert installation | Train operators on heavy equipment and hazard identification. Mark jobsite boundaries and install physical barriers. Maintain equipment logs and require PPE at all times. Use dust suppression and runoff control protocols. |
Moderate | Residential lot clearing, driveway digging, small-scale backhoe work | Provide site walk-throughs with clients to identify obstacles. Use signed jobsite access and damage disclaimers. Train staff on soft dig techniques near structures or irrigation systems. |
Moderately Low | Landscape contouring, drainage trenching, post-hole digging | Use hand tools or small trenchers with defined depth controls. Train crews on soil types and moisture monitoring. Post warning signs and barricades when working near pedestrian areas. |
Lowest | Excavation consulting, pre-dig surveying, utility marking | Carry professional liability insurance. Use digital mapping and GIS when possible. Always document site reviews and keep copies of all communications, maps, and reports. Provide signed dig recommendations to clients. |
The Hartford is the best insurer for excavation business insurance, while biBerk offers the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from NEXT and Nationwide. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Here are some frequently asked questions about business insurance for excavation companies.
The Hartford and NEXT provide the best business insurance for excavation companies with strong customer service reputation and overall scores of 95 out of 100.
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for excavation companies by coverage type:
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for excavation businesses, with requirements varying by state. While not legally mandated, general liability insurance and surety bonds are often required by most commercial clients and property leases.
Business insurance costs for excavation companies depend on your team size, equipment used, and project risk level. Below are the average monthly costs from our study:
We selected the best business insurer for excavation companies based on the following criteria:
All pricing in this article is based on the following base profile to represent the vast majority of small businesses in all states:
About Mark Fitzpatrick
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.
