Thimble earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for HVAC companies due to its affordability and solid coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including The Hartford, Nationwide and Simply Business.
Best HVAC Business Insurance
Updated: July 11, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Thimble is the best business insurance company for HVAC firms because it offers the offers the best mix of low rates and stability.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for HVAC businesses is Thimble, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your HVAC business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for HVAC Companies
| Thimble | 91 | 98 | 81 |
| The Hartford | 90 | 88 | 91 |
| Nationwide | 89 | 86 | 91 |
| Simply Business | 88 | 85 | 83 |
| NEXT Insurance | 87 | 80 | 94 |
| biBERK | 86 | 82 | 91 |
| Chubb | 85 | 80 | 87 |
| Coverdash | 85 | 81 | 83 |
| Hiscox | 83 | 80 | 87 |
| Progressive Commercial | 83 | 80 | 81 |
*All scores were based on an HVAC business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. Thimble
pros
Cheapest rates across most policies
Short-term and monthly coverage options
Fast digital quoting platform
cons
May not cover large-scale installs
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Thimble leads for HVAC companies by offering the lowest rates across all core coverage types: general liability, workers’ comp and BOP. It’s ideal for small shops or subcontractors needing flexible, low-commitment insurance—available by the hour, job, or month. Its mobile-friendly platform makes it easy to bind coverage on demand. While Thimble is great for residential and light commercial work, companies tackling major system installs or multi-phase projects may need more comprehensive options.
2. The Hartford
pros
Lowest professional liability pricing
Strong customer satisfaction
Backed by AM Best A+ rating
cons
Less flexible for microbusinesses
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford is a great choice for HVAC contractors who want reliable coverage and solid claim support. It offers the most affordable professional liability policy for HVAC businesses, which is essential when system design errors or installation mistakes are a risk. Backed by an A+ from AM Best, The Hartford offers financial stability and dependable service. It works well for established teams working on larger commercial or multi-unit residential systems.
3. Nationwide
pros
Trusted brand and broad availability
Competitive general liability pricing
Strong for larger HVAC contractors
cons
Less tech-forward than competitors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide delivers a good choice for HVAC contractors who value working with a major national brand. It offers competitive general liability pricing and offers dependable customer support, especially for companies managing multiple technicians and vehicles.
Its coverage options are well-suited for commercial work or ongoing maintenance contracts. While its digital tools aren’t as advanced as newer providers, Nationwide’s stability and breadth of service make it a dependable choice for long-term growth.
Cheapest Business Insurance for HVAC Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, Thimble offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for HVAC companies across most policy types. However, this applies only to HVAC companies with two employees and you may find lower rates elsewhere. Below are the most affordable providers by major coverage types.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance for HVAC Companies
With an average monthly rate of $108, Thimble offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for HVAC companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: Nationwide and The Hartford.
| Thimble | $108 | $1,293 |
| Nationwide | $219 | $2,633 |
| The Hartford | $229 | $2,749 |
| Simply Business | $234 | $2,807 |
| Coverdash | $271 | $3,248 |
| Progressive Commercial | $276 | $3,306 |
| biBERK | $279 | $3,352 |
| NEXT Insurance | $285 | $3,423 |
| Chubb | $297 | $3,562 |
| Hiscox | $301 | $3,618 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for HVAC Companies
Thimble offers the lowest-priced workers' comp insurance for HVAC companies, with typical rates starting at $27 monthly or $323 annually.
Still, it's worth checking quotes from other low-cost insurers like Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Hiscox and NEXT Insurance.
| Thimble | $27 | $323 |
| Progressive Commercial | $29 | $348 |
| Hiscox | $30 | $361 |
| Simply Business | $30 | $360 |
| Coverdash | $31 | $369 |
| NEXT Insurance | $31 | $376 |
| The Hartford | $31 | $366 |
| biBERK | $32 | $380 |
| Nationwide | $34 | $405 |
| Chubb | $36 | $435 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for HVAC Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for HVAC companies, with low average monthly rates of $73. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT Insurance, Progressive Commercial and Simply Business.
| The Hartford | $73 | $870 |
| NEXT Insurance | $76 | $911 |
| Progressive Commercial | $78 | $931 |
| Hiscox | $80 | $964 |
| Simply Business | $80 | $962 |
| Thimble | $81 | $970 |
| Coverdash | $82 | $988 |
| biBERK | $84 | $1,003 |
| Nationwide | $87 | $1,045 |
| Chubb | $94 | $1,133 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for HVAC Companies
For HVAC companies seeking bundled general liability and property insurance in a business owner’s policy (BOP), Thimble offers the most affordable coverage with an average yearly cost of $1,997. This is around $1,512 cheaper yearly than The Hartford, the next cheapest provider.
| Thimble | $166 | $1,997 |
| The Hartford | $292 | $3,509 |
| Nationwide | $329 | $3,952 |
| Simply Business | $348 | $4,177 |
| biBERK | $370 | $4,446 |
| Coverdash | $392 | $4,703 |
| Progressive Commercial | $411 | $4,935 |
| NEXT Insurance | $416 | $4,991 |
| Chubb | $445 | $5,335 |
| Hiscox | $452 | $5,423 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a HVAC Business?
If you have employees, you'll need workers' comp insurance in most states, 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. A surety bond may also be necessary in certain industries, especially when contracts require guarantees of service or compliance.
RECOMMENDED HVAC BUSINESS COVERAGE
You should get general liability insurance for your HVAC business because it covers common risks like bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance also works well if you work under client contracts or provide specialized services. This works well for companies offering specialized services or handling large contracts where disputes are more likely.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your HVAC Company
Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your HVAC company.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Think about what could go wrong in your business, get advice from similar businesses, talk to agents and research the types of business insurance. This will give you a balanced perspective on your coverage needs and prevent you from being convinced to get excessive coverage.
- 2
Research costs
For the best deal, research average costs for your business profile and determine which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This will give you a measuring stick for how much you're saving when comparing quotes and which companies to start with.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
To narrow your options, research what customers say on online rating sites and forums to get a more comprehensive look at company services. Also, so you're covered for what you actually need, research coverage options to ensure you're covered for the right items.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
The best way to find the best deal is to compare multiple quotes for apples-to-apples coverage. Pricing differs by your comparison method, whether with captive agents, comparison sites, company websites or independent agents.
- 5
Reassess annually
Your business situation will change, influencing your rates and coverage needs. Repeat these steps annually to ensure you still have the best deal.
How to Decrease Your HVAC Business's Liability Risk
Reducing liability risk helps HVAC businesses to keep insurance costs down. We've organized risk mitigation strategies by business type or risk level to help you find the right approach for your business.
HVAC Business Risk Type | Included Types of HVAC Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Commercial/industrial HVAC installation, ductwork fabrication, rooftop unit servicing | Require OSHA and confined space certification. Use fall protection for roof or elevated installs. Train on electrical lockout/tagout and refrigerant handling. Implement written safety plans for jobsite-specific hazards and equipment lifts. |
Moderately High | Full HVAC system replacement, new construction HVAC, multi-zone split system installs | Conduct load calculations and code compliance reviews. Use lift equipment safety protocols. Document all installation specs. Require customer sign-offs on scope and completion. |
Moderate | Residential HVAC servicing, single-unit replacements, duct cleaning | Use PPE during filter and chemical handling. Train on safe ladder use and crawlspace ventilation. Perform safety inspections before starting. Document service reports and maintenance logs. |
Moderately Low | Thermostat installations, tune-ups, seasonal inspections | Use voltage testers and shutoffs before work. Keep HVAC tools regularly calibrated. Communicate system limitations to clients. Provide signed service agreements with disclaimers on aging units. |
Lowest | HVAC consulting, energy audits, remote diagnostics | Use written reports and digital logs. Maintain professional liability insurance. Avoid verbal guarantees about savings or lifespan. Require written client approval for recommendations and reports. |
Best Insurance for HVAC Business: Bottom Line
Thimble is the best insurer for HVAC business insurance, while also offering the cheapest option overall. We also recommend getting quotes from The Hartford and Nationwide. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing and compare multiple quotes side by side.
HVAC Business Insurance: FAQ
This section addresses frequently asked questions about business insurance for HVAC companies.
Who offers the best HVAC business insurance overall?
Thimble offers the best business insurance for HVAC companies with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100. The Hartford comes close with a score of 90.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for HVAC companies?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for HVAC companies by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Thimble at $108 per month
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $27 per month
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $73 per month
- Cheapest BOP insurance: Thimble at $166 per month
What business insurance is required for HVAC organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for HVAC businesses, with requirements varying by state. While not legally mandated, general liability insurance and surety bonds are effectively required by most commercial clients and property leases.
How much does HVAC business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for HVAC companies vary depending on the size of your business, number of employees and job complexity. Below are average monthly costs for essential coverage types:
- General liability: $230 per month
- Workers comp: $31 per month
- Professional liability: $82per month
- BOP insurance: $362 per month
How We Chose the Best HVAC Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for HVAC 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 it 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 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 a company is 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
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.
sources
- AM Best. "Hartford Fire Insurance Company." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews." Accessed June 16, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Thimble." Accessed June 16, 2025.