Best Sole Proprietor Business Insurance

NEXT is a good choice if you don't like dealing with insurance agents and want everything handled online. You can get a quote, buy coverage and get your certificate of insurance from your phone in minutes. The catch? You'll pay around $73 monthly, which is higher than some competitors.

NEXT is also relatively new to the insurance industry and doesn't have the fastest claims process. It's best for tech-savvy sole proprietors who prioritize convenience and quality service.

NEXT falls in the middle of the pack for sole proprietor insurance costs, ranking fifth among the providers we analyzed. You'll pay $73 monthly ($875 annually) with NEXT, which matches what most sole proprietors pay across the industry. You won't save money with NEXT, but you won't overpay either. You get competitive pricing and excellent customer service when you need reliable support for your growing business.

NEXT leads the pack for customer experience, ranking first for overall satisfaction, digital tools and policy management. As a sole proprietor, you'll love their instant certificate generator and mobile app that handles policy changes on the spot. Claims processing ranks 4th, so expect longer waits when filing claims. Trustpilot reviews confirm the platform's ease of use, though some users mention slow customer service response times.

NEXT covers the essentials you need as a sole proprietor: general liability protects against customer injuries and property damage, professional liability shields you from work mistakes, and their Business Owner's Policy bundles liability and property protection. You'll get $1 million standard coverage limits, instant certificates, and industry add-ons like tools coverage for contractors or product liability for retailers.

The Hartford charges just $62 monthly for sole proprietor business insurance, the cheapest rate we found. It's been around for more than 200 years and has an A- AM Best rating. When you file a claim, The Hartford processes it quickly.

The Hartford operates through phone calls and agents, and doesn't offer coverage in Alaska or Hawaii. If saving money matters more than having the latest technology, The Hartford's traditional service gives you quality coverage at a premium that works for your budget.

The Hartford ranks first for affordability among the sole proprietor insurers we analyzed. You'll pay $62 monthly ($747 annually) compared to the $73 industry average, saving you $11 monthly. That's $132 back in your pocket annually. When cash flow stays tight in your business, these savings help you afford the coverage many clients require without stretching your budget.

The Hartford ranks first nationally for claims processing and customer service. That translates to quick claim resolutions when you need them most. As a sole proprietor managing everything yourself, you can't afford weeks of back-and-forth calls chasing down payments. Where The Hartford falls short is in digital experience, ranking 10th. You'll handle most tasks through phone calls and agents rather than convenient online portals or mobile apps.

The Hartford covers sole proprietors with general liability insurance for claims from customer injuries and property damage, plus professional liability for service mistakes. Their Business Owner's Policy combines general liability, commercial property and business income coverage. You can add commercial auto if you drive for work, business interruption coverage if you have office space and data breach protection for client information. The Hartford offers coverage in 48 states and adjusts policies based on your specific industry risks.

Simply Business excels as a digital marketplace for sole proprietors who want extensive coverage choices without agent meetings. You'll access policies from major insurers like Employers and Cerity through one platform, making it easy to compare options.

The trade-off is you'll get less hands-on service. While you'll get competitive rates and quick online transactions, you won't have a dedicated agent for complex claims or coverage questions. For sole proprietors comfortable managing insurance digitally, Simply Business delivers solid value and comprehensive options.

Simply Business ranks third for affordability in our sole proprietor business insurance study. Your coverage costs $71 monthly ($848 annually), which is $2 below the industry average of $73. That puts you ahead financially while still accessing comprehensive coverage through its network of more than 20 carriers.

Simply Business excels at the digital side. You can get quotes in minutes and handle most policy tasks online. The experience changes when you need human support, though. The company ranks seventh for policy management and eighth for claims processing. Your claims will take longer to resolve when issues come up. BBB complaints highlight long phone wait times and policy cancellation problems. Trustpilot reviews tell the same story: customers love the easy setup but struggle with ongoing support.

Simply Business operates as an insurance marketplace, connecting you to more than 20 carriers instead of selling its own policies. Comparing options from multiple insurers without contacting individual agents becomes helpful when you need coverage quickly as a sole proprietor.

The trade-off is that you'll get less hands-on service. While you'll get competitive rates and quick online transactions, you won't have a dedicated agent for complex claims or coverage questions. For sole proprietors comfortable managing insurance digitally, Simply Business delivers solid value and comprehensive options.