Business Insurance in New Hampshire: Key Takeaways
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NEXT offers the best small business insurance in New Hampshire, ranking first for customer service and second for coverage.

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New Hampshire small business owners pay about $100 monthly ($1,199 annually) for four core coverage types that protect against common business risks.

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Get the right small business insurance coverage by assessing your risks and comparing quotes from multiple providers.

Best Small Business Insurance Companies in New Hampshire

NEXT ranks first for New Hampshire small business insurance with strong customer service, broad coverage options and affordable rates. The Hartford and Simply Business provide reliable alternatives for New Hampshire entrepreneurs. NEXT excels in providing support despite a lower stability ranking, making it the practical choice for small businesses across the state.

NEXT Insurance4.63$9912
The Hartford4.62$8323
Simply Business4.50$9651
Nationwide4.48$10124
Coverdash4.42$10062
biBERK4.40$10325
Progressive Commercial4.34$9875
Thimble4.33$9385
Hiscox4.28$10746
Chubb4.28$11734

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.

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BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE BY COVERAGE TYPE

Find the best or most affordable small business insurance provider in New Hampshire for different coverage types below:

Company Image
NEXT

Best New Hampshire Business Insurance

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $102
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $69
  • Our Survey: Digital Experience

    4.8/5 (1st)
  • Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others

    4.8/5 (1st)
Company Image
The Hartford

Cheapest New Hampshire Business Insurance

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
855-961-1962
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $81
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $69
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    4.5/5 (1st)
  • Our Survey: Agent Service

    4.7/5 (1st)
Company Image
Simply Business

Best Commercial Coverage Options in New Hampshire

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverag Options
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $95
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $71
  • Our Research: Digital Experience

    4.5/5
  • Our Survey: Service Quality

    4.0/5

How Much Does Business Insurance Cost in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire small business insurance costs $73 to $146 monthly depending on coverage type. Workers' compensation offers the lowest rates, while business owner's policies cost the most. Your specific rates depend on industry risk and coverage limits. Compare average monthly costs for four common coverage types below:

BOP$146$1,757
General Liability$103$1,235
Professional Liability (E&O)$77$924
Workers Comp$73$878

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 New Hampshire research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.

New Hampshire Business Insurance Cost by Industry and Coverage

New Hampshire small business insurance costs vary by industry and coverage type, ranging from $6 to $1,328 monthly ($71 to $15,932 annually). Compare rates below based on your business type and coverage needs.

Data filtered by:
Business Owners Policy
Accountants
AccountantsBusiness Owners Policy$32$388

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 New Hampshire research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.

What Factors Affect New Hampshire Business Insurance Costs?

Below we've summarized business insurance cost factors that affect your premium, specific to New Hampshire:

  • Workers' Compensation Rate Reductions: Workers' compensation rates in New Hampshire have dropped for 13 straight years, declining more than 65% cumulatively. The 2025 decrease of 5.6% means lower premiums when you hire your first employee. Maintaining strong workplace safety records and reducing medical claims keeps rates down. Construction businesses benefit most from these sustained reductions.
  • Payroll and Wage Growth: New Hampshire workers earned $33.08 per hour on average in June 2025. Since workers' compensation premiums tie to payroll, rising wages mean higher insurance bills even when rates drop. A construction worker at $26 hourly costs less to insure than a manager at $69 hourly. Premiums adjust annually when you give raises or add higher-paid employees.
  • Weather-Related Property Risks: Floods from heavy rains, rapid snowmelt and ice jams pose regular risks in New Hampshire, along with winter blizzards. Business owner's policies exclude flood damage, requiring separate coverage at roughly $500 per year. Landlords often require flood insurance proof for properties near rivers or in flood-prone areas.
  • Industry-Specific Risk Profiles: Insurance rates vary widely by industry. Construction and manufacturing face higher workers' comp premiums due to injury risks, while professional services and retail pay less. Healthcare became New Hampshire's largest employment sector, adding 3,039 jobs recently. Construction startups face steeper workers' comp costs than consulting firms, even with identical payrolls.
  • Market Pressures (Inflation and Litigation): Inflation, supply chain disruptions and litigation costs affect New Hampshire insurance markets. When equipment replacement costs rise, business property premiums increase to match current values. Liability claims and legal expenses push general liability rates higher statewide. These market-wide pressures affect all businesses, but comparing quotes from multiple providers helps secure competitive rates.

New Hampshire Business Insurance Quotes

Compare quotes from multiple New Hampshire small business insurance providers to find affordable rates for your coverage needs. Match coverage limits and deductibles when comparing providers to ensure accurate pricing. Use MoneyGeek's quote tool below to get matched with insurers offering general liability, workers' compensation, professional liability and business owner's policies in New Hampshire.

Get New Hampshire Business Insurance Quotes from the Best Insurers

Select your industry and state to get a customized quote for your New Hampshire business.

Industry
State

New Hampshire Business Insurance Requirements

New Hampshire takes a minimal regulatory approach to business insurance requirements. Unlike most states, New Hampshire mandates only workers' compensation insurance for employers with employees and unemployment insurance tax for businesses meeting specific payroll thresholds, with conditional requirements for certain industries.

What Business Insurance Coverage Is Recommended For New Hampshire Companies?

New Hampshire keeps business insurance regulations light, giving you flexibility to choose coverage that fits your needs. We've analyzed what works best for the major industries driving New Hampshire business to help you match coverage to your actual risks.

Restaurant

General liability, workers' compensation, commercial property, liquor liability, business interruption, spoilage coverage

Winter flooding from ice jams can close New Hampshire restaurants for weeks, so business interruption coverage ($500–$800 annually) replaces lost income during repairs. If you serve alcohol, liquor liability becomes legally required after two underage violations under state law, costing around $1,000–$2,000 yearly for required $100,000 coverage.

Retail

General liability, commercial property, business interruption, cyber liability, crime coverage, workers' compensation

Customer slip-and-falls on icy sidewalks during New Hampshire's harsh winters create liability claims averaging $15,000–$30,000 that general liability covers. Flooding from rapid snowmelt damages retail store inventory (FEMA declared seven flood disasters here in 10 years), so property coverage protects your inventory even if you rent your space.

Construction

General liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, builders risk, umbrella liability

You're legally required to carry workers' compensation once you hire employees, but New Hampshire construction contractors benefit from rates dropping 5.6% in 2025. Commercial auto coverage (around $150–$200 monthly for one truck) protects your vehicles when blizzards cause accidents, with comprehensive covering weather damage to equipment year-round.

Manufacturing

General liability, workers' compensation, commercial property, product liability, business interruption, equipment breakdown

Product liability (starting around $500–$1,000 annually for small manufacturers) protects when defective goods injure customers or damage their property. Workers' compensation is legally mandatory once you hire employees, covering medical costs and lost wages if someone gets hurt operating your manufacturing equipment.

Consulting

Professional liability, general liability, cyber liability, business interruption, commercial property, crime coverage

Clients often won't sign contracts with consulting firms unless you carry professional liability insurance (also called errors and omissions), even though New Hampshire doesn't legally require it. Cyber liability costs around $500 yearly for small businesses and covers legal fees and client notification if hackers access the sensitive information you handle.

Lawn/Landscaping

General liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, tools and equipment, pollution liability, completed operations

When landscaping companies accidentally cut underground utility lines or damage sprinklers, general liability covers repair costs that average $5,000–$15,000 per incident. Workers' compensation becomes legally required when you hire your first employee (even part-time), protecting you from medical bills if they're injured using mowers or trimmers.

How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance in New Hampshire

Getting business insurance for your New Hampshire business doesn't require insurance expertise, just a clear understanding of your risks and smart comparison shopping. These steps help first-time business owners secure affordable coverage that protects against New Hampshire's weather risks while controlling costs in one of the nation's most expensive states.

  1. 1
    Identify the biggest risks your New Hampshire business actually faces

    Start with your two mandatory coverages: workers' compensation (once you hire employees) and unemployment insurance tax (when payroll reaches $1,500 quarterly). Then assess optional coverage based on your location and industry. If you operate near rivers or in downtown areas, budget roughly $500 annually for separate flood insurance since standard policies exclude damage from New Hampshire's ice jams and rapid snowmelt.

  2. 2
    Compare insurers and explore New Hampshire small business resources

    Request quotes from at least three insurers, asking each for identical coverage limits (the maximum they'll pay per claim) and deductibles (what you pay before coverage starts). While comparing, contact the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center for free advising on which coverages you actually need versus nice-to-have options. SBDC counselors help translate insurance jargon and identify cost-saving state programs like NHSaves energy rebates.

  3. 3
    Choose insurers with New Hampshire agents who explain your policy

    Price matters, but claims support matters more when your business floods or an employee gets injured. Select insurers with licensed agents in New Hampshire who can visit your location, explain why workers' comp dropped 5.6% in 2025, and guide you through filing requirements. Local agents understand New Hampshire's specific risks, such as blizzards, floodingand housing costs affecting employee retention, better than national call centers.

  4. 4
    Bundle coverage to lower your total insurance costs

    Combining your general liability (covers customer injuries and property damage) with property coverage (protects your building and equipment) in a business owner's policy saves roughly $1,200 to $2,400 annually compared to buying separately. For a $300,000 revenue business paying around $100 monthly for insurance, that's 10% to 20% savings. Affordable business insurance becomes realistic when you bundle policies and maintain a claims-free record.

  5. 5
    Review your coverage each year as your business grows

    Schedule an annual insurance review every January to catch savings opportunities and coverage gaps. If you added employees, you'll need workers' compensation (legally required). Relocated away from flood zones? Drop that $500 annual cost. Revenue grew from $200,000 to $400,000? Increase liability limits from $500,000 to $1 million to protect your growing assets as small changes prevent costly surprises.

Best Business Liability Insurance New Hampshire: Bottom Line

NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead New Hampshire's small business insurance market, but the right choice depends on your industry risks and whether you have employees. Compare coverage options, maximize available discounts and choose policies that protect your business without straining your budget.

Business Insurance New Hampshire: FAQ

Small business owners in New Hampshire often ask about coverage requirements and costs. We answer the most common questions below:

What business insurance is required by law in New Hampshire?

How much does business insurance cost in New Hampshire?

Which company has the cheapest business insurance in New Hampshire?

What business insurance does my small business need in New Hampshire?

How We Scored the Best Business Insurance Companies in New Hampshire

Small business owners in New Hampshire need reliable coverage that protects their operations without breaking their budgets. We designed our methodology to help New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire's frequent weather disasters.

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

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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