The Hartford earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for plumbing companies because of its affordability and coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including Simply Business, biBerk and Nationwide.
Best Plumbing Business Insurance
Updated: July 14, 2025
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Key Takeaways
The Hartford is the best business insurance company for plumbing firms because it offers the greatest balance of affordability and customer service.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for plumbing businesses is The Hartford, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your plumbing business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Plumbing Companies
| The Hartford | 96 | 98 | 91 |
| Simply Business | 94 | 98 | 83 |
| biBERK | 91 | 92 | 91 |
| Nationwide | 91 | 89 | 91 |
| Thimble | 90 | 96 | 81 |
| Progressive Commercial | 90 | 94 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 88 | 91 | 87 |
| Chubb | 88 | 87 | 87 |
| NEXT Insurance | 87 | 80 | 94 |
| Coverdash | 85 | 80 | 83 |
*All scores were based on a plumbing business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. The Hartford
pros
Lowest professional liability insurance
Strong overall affordability
High financial strength and trust
cons
Limited digital quote customization
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford ranks highest for plumbing business insurance, offering the most affordable rates for both professional liability and bundled BOP coverage. It also scores near the top for general liability affordability, making it a smart choice for licensed plumbers with varied coverage needs.
Backed by an A+ from AM Best, The Hartford is known for financial strength and reliability in claims handling. Its stability works well for contractors managing high-liability residential or commercial projects. Though less tech-driven, it's still a top choice with deep industry experience.
2. Simply Business
pros
Cheapest general liability coverage
Strong BOP pricing
Access to multiple insurers
cons
Slower customer support response times
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Simply Business is a strong pick for plumbing companies that want affordable general liability insurance, with the lowest monthly cost in our analysis. It also offers one of the most competitive BOP rates, appealing to small contractors who want packaged protection. Because it’s a broker platform, plumbers can compare policies from multiple carriers with one application. This flexibility helps those with unique risk profiles or business setups. However, customer service may lag behind direct insurers, especially during claims or policy changes.
3. biBerk
pros
Excellent customer service
Strong general liability pricing
Backed by Berkshire Hathaway
cons
No coverage for subcontractors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
biBerk works well for plumbing companies that want strong customer service and competitive pricing, especially for general liability insurance. It’s backed by Berkshire Hathaway, giving it major financial backing and claims reliability.
biBerk’s policies are designed for small businesses, making it a good fit for independent plumbers and midsize teams. The platform also supports fast online quoting and easy policy management. Just note that it doesn’t cover subcontractors, something to consider if your business model relies on them.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Plumbing Firms
Our study shows The Hartford offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for plumbing companies across most policy types. However, this applies only to plumbing 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 Plumbing Companies
With an average monthly rate of $271, Simply Business offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for plumbing companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: Thimble and The Hartford.
| Simply Business | $271 | $3,257 |
| Thimble | $294 | $3,531 |
| The Hartford | $301 | $3,611 |
| Progressive Commercial | $317 | $3,800 |
| Hiscox | $347 | $4,158 |
| Nationwide | $367 | $4,408 |
| biBERK | $370 | $4,444 |
| Chubb | $390 | $4,679 |
| Coverdash | $510 | $6,124 |
| NEXT Insurance | $518 | $6,215 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Plumbing Companies
Thimble offers the lowest-priced workers' comp insurance for plumbing companies, with typical rates starting at $28 monthly or $330 annually. Still, it’s worth checking quotes from other low-cost insurers like Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Coverdash and Hiscox.
| Thimble | $28 | $330 |
| Progressive Commercial | $30 | $356 |
| Coverdash | $31 | $377 |
| Hiscox | $31 | $369 |
| Simply Business | $31 | $368 |
| The Hartford | $31 | $374 |
| biBERK | $32 | $388 |
| NEXT Insurance | $32 | $384 |
| Nationwide | $35 | $414 |
| Chubb | $37 | $444 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Plumbing Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for plumbing companies, with low average monthly rates of $80. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT, Progressive Commercial and Hiscox.
| The Hartford | $80 | $965 |
| NEXT Insurance | $83 | $1,001 |
| Progressive Commercial | $86 | $1,029 |
| Hiscox | $88 | $1,058 |
| Simply Business | $89 | $1,065 |
| Thimble | $89 | $1,067 |
| Coverdash | $90 | $1,079 |
| biBERK | $92 | $1,106 |
| Nationwide | $97 | $1,159 |
| Chubb | $104 | $1,252 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Plumbing Companies
The Hartford provides the most affordable business owner's policy (BOP) coverage for plumbing companies, with an average yearly cost of $4,590 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $294 annually compared to Simply Business, the second most affordable option.
| The Hartford | $383 | $4,590 |
| Simply Business | $407 | $4,884 |
| Thimble | $454 | $5,442 |
| Progressive Commercial | $472 | $5,660 |
| biBERK | $482 | $5,789 |
| Hiscox | $523 | $6,270 |
| Nationwide | $555 | $6,660 |
| Chubb | $587 | $7,040 |
| Coverdash | $739 | $8,867 |
| NEXT Insurance | $750 | $9,005 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Plumbing Business?
Most companies with employees are legally required to carry workers' comp insurance, and businesses with 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.
RECOMMENDED PLUMBING BUSINESS COVERAGE
Plumbing companies should carry general liability insurance because it covers common risks like bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs. Professional liability insurance also helps businesses that work under client contracts or provide specialized services. It’s particularly helpful for plumbing businesses with commercial contracts or high-risk jobs, like technical, legal or customized services.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Plumbing Company
Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your plumbing company.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Think about what could go wrong in your plumbing 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
Research average costs for your business profile and find which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This helps you see how much you're saving when comparing quotes and which companies to start with.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Research what customers say on online rating sites and forums for a better look at company services. Also, research coverage options to make sure you're covered for what you need now and as your business grows.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
The best way to find a good deal is to compare multiple quotes for the same 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 Plumbing Business's Liability Risk
Reducing liability risks helps manage insurance costs for plumbing businesses. Below, we provide risk mitigation strategies tailored to your business's specific risk level or service type.
Plumbing Business Risk Type | Included Types of Plumbing Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Sewer/excavation plumbing, commercial/industrial plumbing, emergency plumbing services | Require trench safety and confined space certification. Use heavy equipment training and PPE (respirators, gloves, hard hats). Perform underground utility marking and site inspections before excavation. Implement emergency response protocols and jobsite hazard assessments. |
Moderately High | Renovation plumbing, new construction plumbing | Enforce permit/code compliance training. Document job scope and site conditions before work begins. Use insured subcontractors and written contracts. Install water shutoff valves and test before leaving site. |
Moderate | Residential service plumbing, maintenance plumbing | Train on proper installation techniques and leak prevention. Use customer checklists and signed service agreements. Document before/after photos. Keep clear communication on expected repair outcomes. |
Moderately Low | Handyman plumbing, light maintenance work | Require general liability insurance and basic plumbing certification. Use standardized job checklists. Limit service scope to small fixtures and avoid major pipe installations. Clearly communicate job limitations with clients. |
Lowest | Office-only plumbing consultants, inspection-only services | Maintain errors and omissions coverage. Use standardized inspection forms and disclaimers. Avoid offering installation or physical services. Provide written reports and retain client communication records. |
Best Insurance for Plumbing Business: Bottom Line
The Hartford is the best insurer for plumbing business insurance, also offering the cheapest option overall. We recommend getting quotes from Simply Business, Thimble and Progressive Commercial. To find the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing, and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Plumbing Business Insurance: FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about plumbing business insurance.
Who offers the best plumbing business insurance overall?
The Hartford leads as the top plumbing business insurance provider, boasting a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100 and exceptional customer service. Simply Business is a close contender.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for plumbing companies?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for plumbing companies by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Simply Business at $271 per month
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $28 per month
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $80 per month
- Cheapest BOP insurance: The Hartford at $383 per month
What business insurance is required for plumbing organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are required by law for plumbing businesses, with requirements varying by state. While not legally mandated, most commercial clients and property leases require general liability insurance and surety bonds.
How much does plumbing business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for plumbing companies vary widely depending on experience, location and licensing. Below are the average monthly costs for commonly needed coverage.
- General liability: $369 per month
- Workers comp: $31 per month
- Professional liability: $90 per month
- BOP insurance: $535 per month
How We Chose the Best Plumbing Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for plumbing 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.