NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead North Dakota's small business insurance providers, with NEXT ranking first for customer service and second for coverage while delivering same-day COIs for contractors. The Hartford starts at $78 monthly for cost-focused businesses and Simply Business offers specialized coverage for professional services and higher-risk operations.
Best Small Business Insurance in North Dakota
North Dakota's top business insurers are NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business, offering coverage starting at $175 annually.
Get matched to the best North Dakota commercial insurer for you below.

Updated: January 6, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
NEXT ranks first for best small business insurance in North Dakota with top customer service scores and competitive rates.
The Hartford, Thimble and Simply Business offer the cheapest small business insurance in North Dakota, starting at $78 monthly.
Compare quotes and maximize discounts to find the right small business insurance coverage for your North Dakota business.
Best Small Business Insurance Companies in North Dakota
| NEXT Insurance | 4.64 | $95 | 1 | 2 |
| The Hartford | 4.63 | $78 | 2 | 3 |
| Simply Business | 4.50 | $90 | 5 | 1 |
| Nationwide | 4.47 | $95 | 2 | 4 |
| Coverdash | 4.42 | $95 | 6 | 2 |
| biBERK | 4.39 | $99 | 2 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.32 | $95 | 7 | 5 |
| Thimble | 4.31 | $89 | 8 | 5 |
| Hiscox | 4.28 | $104 | 4 | 6 |
| Chubb | 4.28 | $111 | 3 | 4 |
Note: These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Your actual rates vary based on your industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
Discover the best or cheapest business insurer in North Dakota for your desired coverage type in our resources below:

Best North Dakota Business Insurance
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$89This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
N/AThis rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Survey: Digital Experience
4.8/5 (1st)Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.8/5 (1st)
- pros
Ranks first for customer service in North Dakota
Ranks second for coverage options statewide
Lowest professional liability rates in North Dakota
Top-ranked digital experience and policy management nationally
consBOP costs $77 more annually than state average
Claims process and overall affordability ranks lower than competitors
Financial stability rating lower than traditional insurers
At $95 monthly, NEXT earned first place among North Dakota providers by ranking first for customer service and offering the state's lowest professional liability rates at $63 monthly. The mobile platform delivers same-day certificates contractors need for client agreements. Business owner's policies cost $6 more monthly, so budget-focused businesses bundling coverages may find better value elsewhere.
Professional liability costs $63 monthly ($5 below North Dakota's average) positioning NEXT as the most affordable option for consultants needing errors and omissions protection. General liability matches the state average at $89 monthly. Business owner's policies run $134 monthly ($6 above average), so businesses prioritizing bundled savings should compare The Hartford and Thimble for lower BOP costs.
The mobile app delivers instant quotes and same-day certificates, earning NEXT first place nationally for digital experience, which is critical when contractors need proof fast. Customers rate the company highest for likelihood to recommend and policy management. Claims processing ranked fourth, and you'll handle claims by phone rather than meeting with a local agent.
Overall Customer Score 4.45 1 Claims Process 3.90 4 Customer Service 4.20 4 Digital Experience 4.80 1 Overall Satisfaction 4.40 2 Policy Management 4.30 1 Recommend to Others 4.80 1 Renewal Likelihood 4.60 1 NEXT's mobile app lets you bind coverage and generate certificates in minutes, eliminating the wait when clients need proof before you start work. General liability automatically includes hired and non-owned auto coverage when employees use personal vehicles for deliveries or job sites. Professional liability covers errors and omissions with limits up to $2 million for service-based businesses.

Cheapest North Dakota Business Insurance
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$72This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
N/AThis rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5 (1st)Our Survey: Agent Service
4.7/5 (1st)
- pros
Ranks first for affordability in North Dakota
Lowest general liability and BOP costs statewide
Ranks first nationally for claims and customer service
A++ AM Best rating with 200+ years experience
consDigital experience ranks tenth nationally among competitors
Requires agent interaction for most policy changes
Limited online self-service compared to digital-first insurers
At $78 monthly, The Hartford delivers North Dakota's lowest general liability and BOP rates with an A++ financial rating. Customers rate it first nationally for claims and service, though policy changes require agent contact rather than app-based updates. Growing businesses and cost-focused operations benefit most from proven stability combined with consistently low pricing.
At $72 monthly, The Hartford's general liability saves North Dakota businesses $18 monthly compared to state averages. Upgrading to a business owner's policy costs just $27 more, making BOPs at $99 cost-effective for businesses with equipment or physical locations. Professional liability runs $63 monthly, matching NEXT's rates for consultants and service providers.
Customers rate The Hartford first nationally for claims and service, reflecting dedicated agents who understand your business when issues arise. Policy changes happen through calls and meetings rather than apps, earning tenth place for digital experience. Contractors and growing teams value agent guidance, but businesses preferring instant online control should explore NEXT.
Overall Customer Score 4.38 2 Claims Process 4.50 1 Customer Service 4.70 1 Digital Experience 3.80 10 Overall Satisfaction 4.50 1 Policy Management 4.20 4 Recommend to Others 4.50 2 Renewal Likelihood 4.40 2 The Hartford's contractor packages bundle tools and equipment coverage with general liability through its agent network, protecting against job site theft and transit damage. Business owner's policies include equipment breakdown automatically, critical when North Dakota furnaces or refrigeration fail during winter. The insurer customizes coverage through independent agents rather than offering instant online binding.

Best Commercial Coverage Options in North Dakota
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$83This rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance
$N/AThis rate is for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on workers' comp policies.Our Research: Digital Experience
4.5/5Our Survey: Provider Service
4.0/5
- pros
Ranks first for coverage options in North Dakota
Third-place affordability ranking statewide
Second-lowest general liability rates in North Dakota
Digital experience ranks third nationally
consClaims process ranks eighth nationally among competitors
Customer service ranks sixth nationally
Professional liability costs above The Hartford and NEXT
Earning first place for coverage in North Dakota, Simply Business connects cannabis dispensaries, tattoo parlors and entertainment venues with carriers that traditional insurers reject. At $90 monthly with third-place overall ranking, the broker marketplace provides access to multiple insurance companies. Claims processing ranks lower, but businesses needing specialized coverage accept this for access others can't provide.
General liability at $83 monthly saves contractors and service businesses $7 versus North Dakota averages for baseline coverage meeting client requirements. Business owner's policies cost $122 monthly, running $6 below typical rates for businesses with equipment or physical locations. Professional liability at $66 runs $3 above The Hartford and NEXT, so cost-focused consultants should compare those options first.
The platform earned third place nationally for digital experience by delivering instant binding without appointments, critical for contractors needing proof today to start work tomorrow. Claims processing rated eighth at 3.7 out of 5 since the broker model connects you with different carriers rather than one dedicated claims team. Hard-to-place businesses accept this because traditional insurers won't cover their operations at all.
Overall Customer Score 4.14 7 Claims Process 3.70 8 Customer Service 4.00 6 Digital Experience 4.50 3 Overall Satisfaction 4.10 7 Policy Management 4.10 7 Recommend to Others 4.20 8 Renewal Likelihood 4.10 7 General liability includes hired and non-owned auto for employees driving personal trucks between North Dakota job sites, plus contractual liability when agreements transfer risk. Add liquor liability for bars covering costs when intoxicated patrons cause injuries, which many North Dakota venues require. Professional liability covers errors and omissions up to $2 million, with pollution endorsements for contractors disturbing soil during construction work.
Get Matched to the Best Small Business Insurance Providers in North Dakota
Select your industry and state to get a customized quote for your North Dakota business.
Cheapest Small Business Insurance Providers in North Dakota
The Hartford offers the most affordable small business insurance in North Dakota at $78 monthly, saving you about $17 monthly. That's over $200 annually to put toward equipment upgrades or managing seasonal cash flow. Thimble and Simply Business offer budget-friendly alternatives at $89 and $90 monthly.
| The Hartford | $73 | $881 |
| Thimble | $81 | $972 |
| Simply Business | $83 | $994 |
| NEXT Insurance | $86 | $1,036 |
| Progressive Commercial | $87 | $1,040 |
| Coverdash | $87 | $1,042 |
| Nationwide | $88 | $1,061 |
| biBERK | $90 | $1,076 |
| Hiscox | $94 | $1,123 |
| Chubb | $102 | $1,222 |
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 North Dakota research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.
Cheapest North Dakota Business Insurance by Coverage Type
The cheapest provider varies by coverage type in North Dakota. The Hartford offers the lowest general liability and business owner's policy rates, while NEXT Insurance leads for professional liability. Review rates by coverage type to identify the most affordable combination for your needed policies:
| Workers' Comp | NEXT Insurance | $59 |
| Professional Liability (E&O) | The Hartford | $62 |
| General Liability | The Hartford | $72 |
| Business Owner's Policy | The Hartford | $99 |
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 North Dakota research covers the companies we surveyed and won't include every rate available to your specific business.
Cheapest North Dakota Small Business Insurance by Industry
Your industry determines which provider saves you the most across North Dakota's sectors. Rates range from $34 monthly for dental practices to $273 for excavation contractors because each industry faces different liability risks and coverage requirements:
- Agriculture: Food processors, bakeries and food trucks extend North Dakota's $41 billion agriculture industry through value-added production, turning commodities into consumer products. The Hartford and Coverdash offer the lowest rates at $60 monthly, protecting operations from customer illness claims that threaten tight margins.
- Oil & Gas: Trucking, excavation and welding serve as essential support services for Bakken Formation oil extraction, transporting equipment and building infrastructure. The Hartford offers the cheapest trucking coverage at $82 monthly, protecting transport operators from equipment damage and route accidents during material hauls across oil fields.
- Construction: HVAC contractors save with Thimble's lowest rates at $105 monthly, protecting heating installers and repair technicians from job-site injuries during North Dakota's harsh winter projects.
- Healthcare: Dental practices get the lowest rates at $34 monthly through Thimble while physical therapists pay $41, protecting healthcare providers from patient injury claims on lean budgets.
- Hospitality: Catering businesses pay just $57 monthly through The Hartford's affordable coverage, protecting food service operators from customer injuries and equipment damage on narrow seasonal margins.
- Professional Services: The Hartford saves software developers money at $35 monthly with the most affordable coverage, protecting tech firms and consultants from client lawsuits over errors on tight budgets.
How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance in North Dakota
Getting business insurance covers repair costs from winter equipment damage and medical bills from employee injuries while navigating WSI's mandatory workers' compensation. These steps help you control costs where possible and meet non-negotiable requirements.
- 1
Figure out what happens to your assets if something goes wrong
Your house and personal savings face exposure when customers slip on ice at your shop or workers get injured on-site. North Dakota requires WSI coverage before hiring anyone ($10,000 penalty plus $100 daily until you comply), $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 commerial auto minimums when using vehicles for deliveries and general liability covering customer injury lawsuits. Contractors also need certificates before clients approve you to start work.
- 2
Get at least three quotes to see how costs vary for identical coverage
Request quotes from NEXT (fast online service), The Hartford (agricultural expertise), and Simply Business (hard-to-place risks) since comparing three insurers reveals 20% to 40% rate differences for identical coverage. Your landscaping operation might see quotes ranging from $1,200 to $1,800 annually for the same financial protection. North Dakota Commerce programs offer financing that helps offset insurance expenses when starting or expanding.
- 3
Don't sacrifice claims speed to save $20 monthly
Your equipment sitting idle for 90 days waiting on a slow-paying insurer to approve winter damage repairs costs you the entire season, while responsive carriers settle in two weeks. Read reviews from North Dakota businesses describing claim timelines for equipment and injury coverage. Saving $20 monthly disappears when one delayed claim during peak agricultural or construction season costs $50,000 in lost revenue.
- 4
Control costs on your chosen coverage
You can't shop for workers' compensation since WSI is your only option, but managing business insurance costs on general liability, property and auto coverage frees up cash during slow winter months:
- Combining coverage types in one policy: One policy covering your building, equipment, and trucks simplifies claims when February storms damage multiple assets and costs less than buying separate policies from different insurers.
- Raising property deductibles: Your bank account covers minor equipment repairs without filing claims, reserving insurance for catastrophic losses when winter completely destroys a storage building or hail totals your vehicle fleet.
- Adjusting coverage during off-season months: If planting and harvest generate 70% of annual revenue, some insurers reduce premiums during January through March when your income drops but insurance bills don't automatically decrease.
- Installing security systems and documenting safety protocols: Insurers reward businesses preparing for icy conditions and securing equipment against theft during the six-month period when temperatures stay below freezing and property crime increases.
- 5
Make sure your coverage satisfies contracts before bidding
Oil and gas clients need certificates showing $1 million/$2 million liability with them listed as additional insured before you start tomorrow's job, not next week. Confirm your insurer delivers certificates same-day since you're competing with contractors who have documentation ready. Spending $50 annually for instant certificate service beats losing a $15,000 contract while waiting three days for paperwork from a cheaper carrier.
- 6
Update coverage when you hire, buy equipment or expand locations
Hiring your first employee requires immediate WSI coverage before they start, while buying a $60,000 excavator needs updated equipment limits the day you take delivery since waiting until renewal leaves you uninsured. Review before spring planting or winter shutdown to capture discounts when employee counts drop or after two years without claims instead of overpaying for protection levels you've outgrown.
Best Business Liability Insurance North Dakota: Bottom Line
NEXT leads for customer service and competitive rates, while The Hartford, Thimble and Simply Business start at $78 monthly. Your best choice depends on whether winter claims speed, certificate turnaround for contracts, or seasonal payment flexibility matters most to your operation. Compare three quotes and bundle the policies you can control since you can't shop workers' compensation.
Business Insurance North Dakota: FAQ
Small business owners across North Dakota face numerous questions when selecting business insurance coverage. We've compiled answers to the most common concerns below:
How much does small business insurance cost per month in North Dakota?
How much coverage costs for your North Dakota business depends on your industry, but these are the monthly and annual averages by coverage type:
- General liability insurance: $90 monthly or $1,080 annually
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance: $68 monthly or $810 annually
- Business owner's policy (BOP): $128 monthly or $1,535 annually
What insurance do I need to start a small business in North Dakota?
Start with general liability covering customer injuries. Add WSI workers' compensation when hiring anyone and commercial auto when using vehicles for work. Solo operators working from home without business vehicles don't need workers' comp or commercial auto coverage.
How do I get a COI fast in North Dakota (and what needs to be on it)?
Confirm same-day certificate delivery before buying your policy since clients won't wait when other contractors have paperwork ready. Your COI needs $1 million/$2 million liability limits, the client listed as additional insured and 30-day cancellation notice for contract compliance.
Do I need workers' comp in North Dakota if I hire my first employee?
Yes, contact WSI directly before your hire date for any employee type (full-time, part-time, seasonal or occasional) since private insurers can't sell workers' compensation in North Dakota. Operating uninsured triggers $10,000 fines plus $100 daily and risks Cease and Desist orders halting operations.
Do I need commercial auto insurance if I use my car or truck for work in North Dakota?
Yes, personal auto policies exclude business use entirely, so claims get denied even with high limits during deliveries or client visits. Commercial coverage meeting $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 minimums protects you from personal liability when accidents occur during work activities.
About Mark Fitzpatrick

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.
sources
- North Dakota Department of Commerce. "Finance and Incentives - Finance Programs." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- North Dakota Insurance Department. "Auto Insurance." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance. "Workforce Safety and Insurance FAQ." Accessed January 12, 2026.

