The Hartford earned our top spot for the best small business insurer for manufacturing companies due to its affordability and coverage. However, we recommend comparing quotes from our other top picks, including NEXT, Nationwide and biBerk.
Best Manufacturing Business Insurance
Updated: July 8, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The Hartford is the best business insurance company for manufacturing firms because it offers the greatest balance of affordability and coverage.
The cheapest overall commercial insurance varies by coverage type for manufacturing businesses, with different providers offering the lowest rates for specific policy types.
To shop for business insurance for your manufacturing business, assess the risks in your industry, consult agents and other similar organizations and compare multiple options.
Best Business Insurance for Manufacturing Companies
| The Hartford | 96 | 98 | 91 |
| NEXT Insurance | 95 | 95 | 94 |
| Nationwide | 92 | 92 | 91 |
| biBERK | 92 | 94 | 91 |
| Simply Business | 90 | 90 | 83 |
| Progressive Commercial | 87 | 90 | 81 |
| Thimble | 86 | 87 | 81 |
| Hiscox | 86 | 86 | 87 |
| Chubb | 85 | 80 | 87 |
| Coverdash | 85 | 80 | 83 |
*All scores were based on a manufacturing business with two employees across professional liability, general liability, workers' comp and BOP policies.
1. The Hartford
pros
Lowest professional liability insurance rates
Extensive experience with over 200 years in the industry
Highest financial stability ratings
cons
Less affordable for workers' comp policies
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
The Hartford earned the top spot in our manufacturing business insurance rankings, thanks to its 200-year industry experience. The company offers the second most affordable rates overall while delivering the market's most competitive professional liability insurance at just $53 monthly. The Hartford's superior customer service earned the highest ratings from over 10,000 business owners across industrial sectors, while its A+ financial strength rating from AM Best ensures reliable claims processing when coverage is most needed.
2. NEXT
pros
Best customer service experience
Reasonable rates for most coverage types
Large coverage selection
cons
Slower quote times than competition
Lower financial stability ratings
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT secured the runner-up position as a business insurance provider for manufacturing companies, delivering an impressive combination of excellent customer service, competitive pricing, and comprehensive coverage tailored to industrial operations.
Although the company has less than a decade in the insurance industry, NEXT has achieved a 4.7 out of 5.0 customer rating from over 3,000 policyholders. The insurer ranks second for affordability, with competitive rates for most coverage policy types.
3. Nationwide
pros
Lowest rates for general liability insurance
Good financial stability ratings
Strong coverage options
cons
Lowest customer service rating in our study
Higher costs for workers comp insurance
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide earned a strong position in our rankings by combining affordable rates with customer-focused service. The company offers competitively priced coverage for essential protections like general liability insurance, providing manufacturers necessary protection against industrial risks without straining budgets.
Nationwide's positive service ratings reflect manufacturing clients' satisfaction with the insurer's knowledgeable support team and efficient claims process, making it a smart choice for companies seeking reliable coverage with responsive customer service.
Cheapest Business Insurance for Manufacturing Firms
Based on our study of business insurance pricing, the cheapest manufacturing business insurance varies by coverage type, with Nationwide offering the lowest general liability rates, while other providers lead in workers' comp, professional liability and BOP insurance.
However, this applies only to manufacturing 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 Manufacturing Companies
With an average monthly rate of $20, Nationwide offers the lowest-cost general liability insurance for manufacturing companies. Even so, consider getting quotes from the next-most-affordable insurers: biBerk and NEXT.
| Nationwide | $20 | $241 |
| biBERK | $21 | $257 |
| NEXT Insurance | $22 | $266 |
| The Hartford | $22 | $264 |
| Progressive Commercial | $26 | $318 |
| Simply Business | $26 | $307 |
| Thimble | $28 | $340 |
| Hiscox | $29 | $348 |
| Chubb | $30 | $364 |
| Coverdash | $34 | $406 |
Cheapest Workers' Comp Insurance for Manufacturing Companies
For manufacturing businesses shopping for workers' comp insurance, Thimble tops our list as the most affordable insurer, with average rates of $25 per month or $302 yearly.
Still, it’s worth checking quotes from other low-cost insurers like Progressive Commercial, Simply Business, Hiscox, and NEXT.
| Thimble | $25 | $302 |
| Progressive Commercial | $27 | $326 |
| Hiscox | $28 | $338 |
| Simply Business | $28 | $337 |
| Coverdash | $29 | $346 |
| NEXT Insurance | $29 | $352 |
| The Hartford | $29 | $343 |
| biBERK | $30 | $356 |
| Nationwide | $32 | $380 |
| Chubb | $34 | $407 |
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance for Manufacturing Companies
The Hartford offers the most affordable professional liability insurance options for manufacturing companies, with low average monthly rates of $53. You may also want to compare prices from other low-cost providers like NEXT, Progressive Commercial and Thimble.
| The Hartford | $53 | $640 |
| NEXT Insurance | $56 | $667 |
| Progressive Commercial | $57 | $679 |
| Hiscox | $59 | $709 |
| Simply Business | $59 | $705 |
| Thimble | $59 | $709 |
| Coverdash | $60 | $722 |
| biBERK | $62 | $740 |
| Nationwide | $64 | $768 |
| Chubb | $69 | $833 |
Cheapest BOP Insurance for Manufacturing Companies
biBerk provides the most affordable BOP coverage for manufacturing companies, with an average yearly cost of $334 for bundled general liability and property protection. That's a savings of roughly $2 annually compared to The Hartford, the second most affordable option.
| biBERK | $28 | $334 |
| The Hartford | $28 | $336 |
| Nationwide | $30 | $362 |
| NEXT Insurance | $32 | $387 |
| Simply Business | $39 | $463 |
| Progressive Commercial | $40 | $474 |
| Hiscox | $44 | $523 |
| Thimble | $44 | $529 |
| Chubb | $45 | $544 |
| Coverdash | $49 | $590 |
What Type of Coverage Do You Need for a Manufacturing Business?
Most companies with employees are legally required to carry workers' comp insurance, 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 MANUFACTURING BUSINESS COVERAGE
General liability insurance is strongly recommended for manufacturing 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. It’s particularly helpful for manufacturing businesses with commercial contracts or high-risk jobs, like technical, legal, or customized services.
Coverage Recommendations by Manufacturing Company Type
We've organized manufacturing business types by risk level, starting with those most likely to face claims.
Manufacturing Company Type | Coverage Types Recommendation | Most Common Insurance Claims | Most Common Reasons For Litigation |
|---|---|---|---|
Automotive Manufacturing | General Liability, Product Liability (high limits), Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Workers' Comp (high limits), Commercial Auto, Recall Coverage, Supply Chain Interruption, Umbrella Policy ($25M+) | Workplace injuries from heavy machinery, product defect recalls, supply chain disruptions, equipment breakdown causing production delays, workers' compensation claims from repetitive stress injuries | Mass product liability lawsuits from vehicle defects, class action recall litigation, supply chain failure disputes, workplace injury and wrongful death suits, regulatory violations (NHTSA/EPA) |
Food & Beverage Manufacturing | General Liability, Product Liability, Commercial Property, Product Recall/Contamination, Business Interruption, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Foreign Object Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($10M+) | Foodborne illness outbreaks, contamination incidents requiring recalls, equipment breakdown in processing lines, workplace injuries from machinery, refrigeration system failures | Mass foodborne illness class actions, product contamination lawsuits, regulatory enforcement (FDA/USDA), supply chain contamination claims, workplace injury suits from food processing equipment |
Chemical Manufacturing | General Liability, Product Liability, Environmental Liability, Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Workers' Comp (high limits), Pollution Liability, Transportation/Cargo, Umbrella Policy ($50M+) | Chemical exposure incidents, environmental contamination, transportation accidents with hazardous materials, equipment explosions/fires, workplace chemical burns and respiratory injuries | Toxic exposure class actions, environmental contamination lawsuits, regulatory enforcement (EPA/OSHA), neighboring property damage claims, wrongful death from chemical exposure, groundwater contamination suits |
Electronics Manufacturing | General Liability, Product Liability, Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Workers' Comp, Cyber Liability, Supply Chain Interruption, Intellectual Property, Umbrella Policy ($5M+) | Product defect claims, supply chain disruptions affecting production, cyber attacks on manufacturing systems, workplace injuries from assembly line equipment, intellectual property disputes | Product liability suits from electronic failures, supply chain disruption lawsuits, cyber attack litigation, intellectual property infringement claims, workplace injury suits from repetitive motion |
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | General Liability, Product Liability (very high limits), Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Workers' Comp, Recall Coverage, Clinical Trial Liability, Regulatory Defense, Umbrella Policy ($100M+) | Adverse drug reactions, contamination in manufacturing processes, regulatory compliance violations, workplace chemical exposure, equipment failures affecting drug purity | Mass tort litigation from drug side effects, regulatory enforcement actions (FDA/DEA), contamination class actions, clinical trial injury lawsuits, workplace toxic exposure claims, international regulatory violations |
Textile/Apparel Manufacturing | General Liability, Product Liability, Commercial Property, Business Interruption, Workers' Comp, Commercial Auto, Supply Chain Interruption, Fire/Explosion Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($3M+) | Workplace injuries from industrial sewing equipment, fires from lint/fabric dust, repetitive stress injuries, supply chain disruptions, product defect claims from flammable materials | Workplace injury lawsuits from equipment accidents, fire litigation from facility incidents, supply chain labor violation claims, product liability suits from flammable clothing, repetitive stress injury class actions |
Welding/Fabrication Companies | General Liability, Product Liability, Commercial Property, Workers' Comp (high limits), Commercial Auto, Professional Liability, Completed Operations, Fire/Explosion Coverage, Umbrella Policy ($5M+) | Burns and eye injuries from welding operations, respiratory injuries from fumes/particles, fires from welding sparks, structural failures from faulty welds, equipment accidents, back injuries from heavy lifting | Structural collapse lawsuits from weld failures, fire damage claims from welding sparks, workplace injury and wrongful death suits, professional negligence claims for structural work, respiratory disease class actions from fume exposure |
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance for Your Manufacturing Company
Here's how to find the best and cheapest insurance for your manufacturing business.
- 1
Decide on coverage needs before buying
Consider risks specific to your business for claims, get advice from similar businesses, talk to agents and research the types of business insurance. This helps you understand what you actually need and avoid paying for coverage you don't.
- 2
Research costs
To ensure you get the best deal, research average costs for your business profile and determine which providers offer the cheapest rates overall. This helps you spot good deals and know which companies to contact first.
- 3
Look into company reputations and coverage options
Check what customers say on review sites and forums to get the real story about each company's service. Look into coverage options to make sure you're protected for what matters most to your business.
- 4
Compare multiple quotes through different means
Get quotes from multiple companies for the same coverage levels so you can compare prices fairly. 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 Manufacturing Business's Liability Risk
Reducing liability risk helps keep your insurance costs down. We've organized strategies by business type so you can find what works for your situation.
Manufacturing Business Risk Type | Included Types of Manufacturing Businesses | Risk Mitigation Tactics |
|---|---|---|
Highest | Chemical/pharmaceutical manufacturing, explosives production, nuclear materials, medical device manufacturing, aerospace components, automotive safety systems, food processing with allergens |
|
Moderately high | Heavy machinery manufacturing, electronics production, metal fabrication with welding, plastic injection molding, construction materials, industrial equipment |
|
Moderate | Textile/clothing manufacturing, furniture production, packaging materials, consumer goods assembly, light electronics, basic food processing |
|
Moderately low | Simple assembly operations, packaging services, custom fabrication, small-scale production, craft manufacturing, contract manufacturing |
|
Lowest | Manufacturing consulting, production planning, quality assurance consulting, equipment sales/service, manufacturing software services |
|
Best Insurance for Manufacturing Business: Bottom Line
The Hartford is the best insurer for manufacturing business insurance, offering the highest overall score and competitive rates across multiple coverage types. We also recommend getting quotes from NEXT, Nationwide and biBerk. For the best deal, talk to agents, research providers and pricing and compare multiple quotes side by side.
Manufacturing Business Insurance: FAQ
Below, we answer common questions about manufacturing business insurance.
Who offers the best manufacturing business insurance overall?
The Hartford offers the top business insurance for manufacturing companies, boasting excellent customer service and an overall score of 96 out of 100. NEXT Insurance closely follows.
Who has the cheapest business insurance for manufacturing companies?
Here are the most affordable business insurance companies for manufacturing companies by coverage type:
- Cheapest general liability insurance: Nationwide at $20 monthly
- Cheapest workers' comp insurance: Thimble at $25 monthly
- Cheapest professional liability insurance: The Hartford at $53 monthly
- Cheapest BOP insurance: biBerk at $28 monthly
What business insurance is required for manufacturing organizations?
Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees) and commercial auto insurance (if you own business vehicles) are legally required, with specifics varying by state. General liability insurance and surety bonds are usually needed by clients and property agreements.
How much does manufacturing business insurance cost?
Business insurance costs for manufacturing businesses vary depending on the type of coverage. Below we've broken down costs for commonly needed coverage of small businesses:
- General Liability: $28 per month
- Workers Comp: $29 per month
- Professional Liability: $60 per month
- BOP Insurance: $38 per month
How We Chose the Best Manufacturing Business Insurance
We selected the best business insurer for manufacturing 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
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews." Accessed June 16, 2025.