The Hartford earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for bakery companies due to its affordability and coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including biBerk, Nationwide and Coverdash.
Best Bakery Business Insurance
Updated: July 17, 2025
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Key Takeaways
The Hartford is the best business insurance company for bakery firms because it offers the greatest balance of affordability and stability.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance provider for bakery businesses is The Hartford, with low monthly rates for various coverage types.
To shop for business insurance for your bakery business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Bakery Companies
| The Hartford | 96 | 98 | 91 |
| biBERK | 92 | 95 | 91 |
| Nationwide | 92 | 92 | 91 |
| Coverdash | 91 | 93 | 83 |
| Simply Business | 91 | 91 | 83 |
| Progressive Commercial | 88 | 90 | 81 |
| NEXT Insurance | 87 | 80 | 94 |
| Hiscox | 87 | 87 | 87 |
| Thimble | 86 | 88 | 81 |
| Chubb | 86 | 81 | 87 |
*All scores were based on a bakery business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. The Hartford
pros
Cheapest rates across all policy types
A+ rating from AM Best
High customer satisfaction score
cons
Fewer digital tools than newer providers
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford beats all other providers on cost for bakery insurance, offering the lowest pricing for general liability, professional liability and BOP coverage. While workers' comp rates are competitive, The Hartford's strength lies in its top-tier pricing for general liability, professional liability and BOP coverage.
Backed by an A+ rating from AM Best, it's a solid choice for owners who want long-term protection and financial stability. The quoting process is more traditional, but The Hartford's value and reliability are hard to beat.
2. biBerk
pros
Strong BOP and general liability pricing
Backed by Berkshire Hathaway
Fast online policy management
cons
Limited availability for specialty endorsements
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
biBerk offers affordable general liability and BOP coverage for bakeries, coming in second to The Hartford in both categories. It’s backed by Berkshire Hathaway, giving it strong financial credibility, and it supports online policy quoting and claims.
The digital-first setup works well for bakeries that want to handle insurance tasks quickly. But It doesn't offer as many industry-specific endorsements as more established carriers.
3. Nationwide
pros
Competitive pricing on liability and BOP
Strong customer service reputation
Offers in-person agent support
cons
Slower online experience than competitors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide is a strong option for bakery businesses that want personalized service alongside competitive pricing. It tied with biBerk in general liability rates and ranks in the top tier for BOP insurance costs. Nationwide appeals to bakery owners who prefer a traditional carrier with both digital and in-person agent support. While its online tools are less advanced, the brand’s stability and customer service track record make it a trustworthy pick.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Bakery Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, The Hartford offers the cheapest overall commercial insurance for bakery companies across most policy types. However, this applies only to bakery 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 Bakery Companies
With an average monthly rate of $74, The Hartford offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for bakery companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: biBerk and Nationwide.
| The Hartford | $74 | $888 |
| biBERK | $79 | $951 |
| Nationwide | $79 | $952 |
| Coverdash | $81 | $975 |
| Simply Business | $86 | $1,029 |
| Progressive Commercial | $89 | $1,067 |
| Thimble | $95 | $1,140 |
| Hiscox | $97 | $1,168 |
| Chubb | $110 | $1,314 |
| NEXT Insurance | $131 | $1,568 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Bakery Companies
For bakery businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $23 per month or $275 yearly.
Still, it’s worth checking quotes from other low-cost insurers like Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Coverdash and Hiscox.
| Thimble | $23 | $275 |
| Progressive Commercial | $25 | $297 |
| Coverdash | $26 | $314 |
| Hiscox | $26 | $307 |
| Simply Business | $26 | $306 |
| The Hartford | $26 | $312 |
| biBERK | $27 | $324 |
| NEXT Insurance | $27 | $320 |
| Nationwide | $29 | $345 |
| Chubb | $31 | $370 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Bakery Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for bakery companies, with low average monthly rates of $47. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT and Progressive Commercial.
| The Hartford | $47 | $566 |
| NEXT Insurance | $49 | $591 |
| Progressive Commercial | $50 | $601 |
| Hiscox | $52 | $626 |
| Simply Business | $52 | $626 |
| Thimble | $52 | $622 |
| Coverdash | $54 | $644 |
| biBERK | $55 | $655 |
| Nationwide | $57 | $682 |
| Chubb | $62 | $739 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Bakery Companies
The Hartford provides the most affordable business owner's policy (BOP) coverage for bakery companies, with an average yearly cost of $1,123 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $113 annually compared to biBerk, the second most affordable option.
| The Hartford | $94 | $1,123 |
| biBERK | $103 | $1,236 |
| Coverdash | $118 | $1,419 |
| Nationwide | $119 | $1,429 |
| Simply Business | $128 | $1,535 |
| Progressive Commercial | $133 | $1,597 |
| Hiscox | $144 | $1,729 |
| Thimble | $149 | $1,787 |
| Chubb | $163 | $1,953 |
| NEXT Insurance | $189 | $2,273 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Bakery Business?
If you have employees, you'll need workers' comp insurance by law, and any business vehicles require commercial auto coverage. If you have employees, you'll need workers' comp insurance by law, and any business vehicles require commercial auto coverage.
RECOMMENDED BAKERY BUSINESS COVERAGE
General liability insurance is strongly recommended for bakery 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. This coverage helps most when you're doing specialized work or handling big contracts where disputes are more likely.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Bakery Company
Here's a step-by-step method for finding the best and cheapest business insurance for your bakery company.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Think about what could go wrong in your bakery business, talk to other bakery owners about their experiences, consult with agents and research the types of business insurance. Understanding risks upfront helps you buy the right coverage without paying for protection you don't need.
- 2
Research costs
Know what you should expect to pay before you start shopping. Look up typical insurance costs for bakeries your size, then identify which companies offer the lowest rates. This homework gives you negotiating power and helps you spot a good deal.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Check out what real customers say about each insurer on sites like Trustpilot and Google, or browse Reddit threads where business owners share their experiences. And look into each company's coverage options because your bakery might grow or change.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
Get quotes from at least three companies. Where you get those quotes affects the price. An independent agent might find you a deal that doesn't show up on a company's website. Online comparison tools are quick, but calling insurers directly sometimes unlocks discounts.
- 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 Bakery Business's Liability Risk
Reducing your bakery's risk of claims helps keep insurance costs down. Below, we've outlined risk mitigation strategies tailored to your bakery's specific risk level.
Bakery Business Risk Type | Included Types of Bakery Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Full-service bakeries with seating, wholesale production facilities | Install and test fire suppression systems, train staff on heavy equipment and lifting, require ServSafe certification, keep detailed allergen and labeling logs, implement slip-resistant flooring |
Moderately High | Mobile bakeries, catering-focused bakers, commercial commissary users | Use vehicle restraints for equipment, check temperature logs during transport, pre-review permits and venue rules, document food prep timelines |
Moderate | Counter-service bakeries, strip-mall or plaza-based retail bakers | Display wet floor signage at all times, inspect coolers and ovens regularly, use automated timers and shut-offs, require handwashing logs for staff |
Moderately Low | Part-time home-based or licensed cottage food bakers | Use insurance-approved baking appliances, store perishable inventory separately, keep online transaction logs, clarify refund and order terms |
Lowest | Online-only bakers with third-party kitchens | Partner only with licensed commissary kitchens, avoid high-risk menu items, ensure accurate ingredient lists are displayed, use insulated packaging and tracking numbers |
Best Insurance for Bakery Business: Bottom Line
The Hartford is the best insurer for bakery business insurance, offering both top-rated coverage and the most affordable rates. We also recommend getting quotes from biBerk, Nationwide and Coverdash. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Bakery Business Insurance: FAQ
This section answers common questions about bakery business insurance.
Who offers the best bakery business insurance overall?
The Hartford leads the bakery business insurance market with solid customer service and a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for bakery companies?
Here are the cheapest business insurance companies for bakery companies by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: The Hartford at $74 per month
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $23 per month
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $47 per month
- Cheapest BOP insurance: The Hartford at $94 per month
What business insurance is required for bakery organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required for bakery 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 bakery business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for bakeries depend on staff size, equipment value and daily operations. Below we've broken down average monthly costs for commonly needed coverage:
- General liability: $92 per month
- Workers comp: $27 per month
- Professional liability: $53 per month
- BOP insurance: $134 per month
How We Chose the Best Bakery Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for bakery 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.