Best Small Business Insurance in Delaware

NEXT leads our Delaware business insurance analysis with top-tier customer service, competitive rates and comprehensive coverage. Despite ranking 6th in financial stability, its excellent customer support and affordable premiums make it the smart choice for small businesses. The Hartford and Simply Business also offer solid coverage options for Delaware entrepreneurs.

Note: This data represents a small business with 2 employees, $150,000 in payroll and $300,000 in annual revenue. All scores were calculated for four of the most common coverage types in the industry across 79 industries in the United States.

Business insurance costs in Delaware range from $79 monthly for workers' compensation to $158 for a business owner's policy. Industry and risk factors drive these price differences. Below you can compare average rates for the four most common business insurance types in the First State:

We found average business insurance costs for Delaware companies for commonly needed coverage are as follows:

• General Liability Cost: $111 monthly or $1,333 annually
• Workers' Comp Cost: $79 per month or $951 per year
• Professional Liability (E&O) Cost: $83 per month or $1,001 annually
• Business Owners Policy (BOP) Cost: $158 monthly or $1,894 annually

Note: We analyzed rates for your two-employee business across 79 industries, focusing on general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation and business owner's policies. Our Delaware research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.

Business insurance costs in Delaware depend heavily on your industry and chosen coverage, ranging from $6 to $1,452 monthly. You can compare Delaware commercial insurance costs for your specific coverage type and industry below.

Note: We analyzed rates for your two-employee business across 79 industries, focusing on general liability, professional liability, workers' compensation and business owner's policies. Our Delaware research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.

Several Delaware-specific factors influence your business insurance premiums:

• Delaware Workers' Compensation: Delaware requires workers' compensation insurance for any business with one or more employees, except agricultural workers, and employers cannot charge employees any premium portion. However, Delaware achieved nine consecutive years of rate decreases through 2025. Delaware businesses can earn up to 19% premium discounts through the Workplace Safety Program.
• Coastal Flooding Risks in America's Lowest-Lying State: Delaware has the lowest average land elevation in the United States, creating substantial flood and hurricane exposure for businesses statewide. FEMA estimates just one inch of flooding causes up to $25,000 in property damage. Coastal businesses in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and other shore communities pay significantly higher property insurance premiums due to storm surge risks and flooding being Delaware's most common weather hazard.
• Modified Comparative Negligence Without Damage Caps: Delaware's modified comparative negligence system allows plaintiffs to recover damages when less than 51% at fault, with awards reduced proportionally. Delaware has no caps on damages in most personal injury cases, creating higher liability exposure than tort reform states. This combination increases potential claim payouts, driving up general liability insurance costs for Delaware businesses across all industries.
• Chemical Manufacturing Legacy and Environmental Exposure: Delaware's chemical industry heritage creates elevated environmental liability risks, with over 2,600 sites storing chemicals above state thresholds and more than 300 extremely hazardous substances. Businesses operating near Wilmington's chemical corridor or legacy DuPont and Hercules sites face higher pollution liability insurance costs. PFAS contamination from Delaware's rich history of chemical manufacturing adds environmental insurance considerations for businesses near historical industrial areas.

Compare quotes from multiple Delaware business insurers to find coverage matching your specific needs. Enter your industry and location below to connect with providers offering general liability, workers' compensation, professional liability and business owner's policies for your Delaware business.

Delaware maintains a straightforward approach to business insurance requirements, focusing on three core mandates. The state requires workers' compensation insurance for businesses with one or more employees, commercial auto insurance for business-owned vehicles, and unemployment insurance contributions for employers with Delaware workers.

Delaware keeps business insurance requirements straightforward for most companies. The state requires workers' compensation insurance for any business with one or more employees and commercial auto insurance for all business-owned vehicles. Beyond these mandates, it's easier for entrepreneurs to understand what coverage they need. You'll find the specific requirements for different business types listed below.

Getting business insurance for your Delaware business requires balancing year-round premiums against seasonal revenue, understanding strict reporting deadlines and identifying exposures most insurers overlook. Follow these steps to secure appropriate coverage without overpaying for financial protection you don't need.

NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead Delaware's small business insurance market for customer service, affordability and coverage breadth. Select coverage matching your actual risks, compare quotes from multiple insurers and leverage the Delaware Workplace Safety Program discounts to reduce workers' compensation premiums without sacrificing protection quality.

Small business owners in Delaware face many questions when choosing business insurance. We answer the most common concerns below:

Small business owners in Delaware need reliable coverage that protects their operations without breaking their budgets. We designed our methodology to help Delaware entrepreneurs navigate challenges like hurricane risks and the state's optional workers' compensation laws.

We studied thousands of quotes from 79 industries across four coverage types for a two-employee firm with $300,000 annual revenue and $150,000 payroll. All policies included $1 million per occurrence and $2 million total per year, with BOPs adding $5,000 business property coverage.

• Affordability (50% of score): We compared company rates across all coverage types to identify the most cost-effective options for small businesses that need comprehensive financial protection without overpaying.
• Customer experience (30% of score): We analyzed J.D. Power satisfaction ratings, NAIC complaint data, online review sites and independent agency feedback to assess real-world service quality when you need claims handled quickly.
• Coverage options (15% of score): We evaluated the breadth of coverage types, policy limits and add-on options available to accommodate growing businesses and Delaware's diverse industry needs.
• Financial strength (5% of score): We reviewed AM Best ratings, Moody's assessments and company financial reports to ensure insurers can reliably pay claims, especially important given Delaware's frequent weather disasters.

This approach helps Delaware small business owners compare insurers on what matters most: affordable premiums, reliable service, adequate coverage and financial stability.