Business Insurance in Ohio: Key Takeaways
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NEXT offers Ohio's best small business insurance with top customer service and comprehensive coverage options.

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Ohio's cheapest small business insurance starts at $82 monthly with The Hartford, Thimble and Simply Business.

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Get the right small business insurance coverage by assessing your risks, comparing quotes and using discounts.

Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Ohio

NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business lead Ohio for small business insurance, with NEXT ranking first for customer service and second for coverage. First-time buyers get clear guidance from NEXT's support team, price-focused shoppers save with The Hartford's rates and small businesses with complex coverage needs benefit from Simply Business's broad policy options.

NEXT Insurance4.64$10212
The Hartford4.63$8223
Simply Business4.50$9751
Nationwide4.48$10124
Coverdash4.42$10262
biBERK4.39$10725
Progressive Commercial4.34$10075
Thimble4.31$9485
Hiscox4.28$11146
Chubb4.28$11934

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.

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RESEARCH THE BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE IN OHIO BY COVERAGE TYPE

Discover the best or cheapest business insurer in Ohio for your desired coverage type in our resources below:

Company Image
NEXT

Best Ohio Business Insurance

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

    $96
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    N/A
  • 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 Ohio Business Insurance

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

    $77
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    N/A
  • 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 Ohio

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

    $89
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    N/A
  • Our Research: Digital Experience

    4.5/5
  • Our Survey: Service Quality

    4.0/5

Get Matched to the Best Small Business Insurance Providers in Ohio

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

Industry
State

Cheapest Small Business Insurance Providers in Ohio

The Hartford offers the most affordable small business insurance in Ohio at $82 monthly, saving new business owners about $20 compared to the state average of $102 per month. Thimble and Simply Business provide budget-friendly alternatives at $94 and $97 monthly, letting you compare multiple low-cost options and choose coverage that meets landlord and client requirements without overpaying.

The Hartford$82$990
Thimble$94$1,127
Simply Business$97$1,170
Progressive Commercial$100$1,203
Nationwide$101$1,209
NEXT Insurance$102$1,227
Coverdash$102$1,228
biBERK$107$1,280
Hiscox$111$1,336
Chubb$119$1,432

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

Cheapest Ohio Business Insurance by Coverage Type

The Hartford offers Ohio's lowest-cost coverage across general liability, professional liability and business owner's policies, though rates vary depending on which coverage type your business needs. Compare how monthly costs differ by policy type to find the most affordable option for your situation:

Professional Liability (E&O)The Hartford$66
General LiabilityThe Hartford$76
Business Owner's PolicyThe Hartford$106

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

Cheapest Ohio Small Business Insurance by Industry

The cheapest business insurance provider in Ohio depends on your industry type, with dental practices paying as little as $36 monthly while plumbing contractors pay $233 monthly because each sector faces different risk profiles. Your specific business determines which provider offers the best rates across Ohio's sectors:

  • Professional Services: The Hartford offers the lowest rates for tech firms at $39 monthly and accountants at $51 monthly, while NEXT Insurance saves consultants $42 monthly, covering client lawsuits over missed deadlines that could exceed your project fees.
  • Construction & Contractors: Simply Business provides the cheapest coverage for electrical contractors at $49 monthly, Thimble covers HVAC technicians at $112 monthly and The Hartford insures plumbers at $233 monthly, guarding against job-site injuries that drain project margins.
  • Transportation & Warehousing: Trucking companies pay just $90 monthly with The Hartford and courier services pay $150 monthly, while Nationwide covers moving businesses at $94 monthly when route accidents threaten to exceed delivery revenues.
  • Retail Trade: Nationwide saves retail storefronts $41 monthly, Thimble covers ecommerce sellers at $44 monthly and Coverdash insures coffee shops at $62 monthly, handling customer slip-and-fall lawsuits that could shut down operations.
  • Healthcare & Medical Services: Dental practices get the cheapest coverage from biBERK at $36 monthly and veterinary clinics at $57 monthly, while The Hartford covers physical therapists at $42 monthly against patient injury claims exceeding months of revenue.
  • Food Service & Hospitality: NEXT Insurance charges catering businesses just $60 monthly and food trucks $75 monthly, while Nationwide covers restaurants at $90 monthly for customer injuries or equipment damage affecting tight margins.

How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance in Ohio

Getting business insurance in Ohio requires balancing affordable premiums against reliable protection for tornado damage, workers' compensation claims and liability lawsuits. These six steps help you find cost-effective policies from financially stable providers without sacrificing coverage.

  1. 1

    Figure out what coverage you actually need for your business

    Assess your tornado exposure (peak season April–June), employee count and vehicle usage to determine necessary policies. Ohio requires workers' compensation when you have employees and commercial auto with 25/50/25 minimum liability for business vehicles, while clients demand general liability with additional insured status (naming them as protected). Operating without required workers' comp triggers premium penalties and personal liability.

  2. 2

    Get quotes from insurers that balance quality service with competitive rates

    Request quotes from at least three carriers for general liability, property and auto coverage because premiums vary 20% to 30% between insurers for identical coverage. For workers' compensation, Ohio operates a monopolistic state fund requiring coverage through Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. Compare premiums alongside coverage limits and endorsements since slightly higher premiums often include contract-required features that cheaper policies charge extra to add.

  3. 3

    Check that your insurer will actually pay claims when disasters strike

    Verify AM Best ratings (A- or higher) and read customer reviews for general liability, property and auto insurers because saving $15 monthly isn't worth choosing unreliable carriers when Ohio tornadoes require six-figure repairs. Unreliable insurers that delay disaster payments cost far more in uncovered expenses.

  4. 4

    Cut your insurance costs without leaving gaps in protection

    Look beyond standard discounts to reduce the cost of your coverage when cash flow is tight:

    • Bundle your policies with one carrier: Combining general liability, property and workers' comp saves 15% to 25% compared to buying separately while simplifying certificate requests (proof of coverage) when clients demand insurance verification before starting projects.
    • Raise your property deductible strategically: Increasing what you pay out-of-pocket from $500 to $2,500 cuts premiums 10% to 20% while maintaining full tornado protection since you're self-insuring minor losses but keeping coverage for severe weather requiring major repairs.
    • Take advantage of free Ohio BWC safety programs: Workplace safety consultations and drug-free workplace certifications are free to Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation policyholders and qualify you for experience modifier discounts (rate reductions based on claims history) that cut workers' comp premiums 5–15%.
    • Pay your premium annually instead of monthly: Choosing annual payment eliminates installment fees that add 5% to 10% to your total cost, making this valuable when managing cash flow alongside payroll and other expenses.
  5. 5

    Make sure your coverage satisfies client contracts without overpaying

    Request $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits with additional insured endorsements (protecting your clients) and 24 to 48 hour certificate turnaround to meet contract requirements. Compare how carriers price endorsements like waiver of subrogation (preventing insurers from suing clients) because these additions cost $50 to $200 annually but prove essential when contractors or corporations require specific protections before signing agreements.

  6. 6

    Update your policies when your business changes, not just at renewal

    Adjust coverage immediately when hiring your first employee (triggering workers' comp requirements), purchasing equipment exceeding $25,000 or expanding locations because gaps during growth leave you personally liable for uncovered claims. Review policies annually even when operations stay stable since carriers adjust rates based on statewide claims patterns, meaning competitive shopping at renewal uncovers 10% to 15% savings from insurers offering better rates.

Best Business Liability Insurance Ohio: Bottom Line

NEXT leads Ohio small business insurance for customer service and comprehensive coverage, while The Hartford, Thimble and Simply Business offer affordable options starting at $82 monthly. Your best choice depends on your risks and budget: assess tornado exposure and employee count, compare quotes from multiple carriers and apply discounts to find cost-effective coverage providing financial protection.

Business Insurance Ohio: FAQ

Small business owners across Ohio 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 in Ohio per month for my type of business?

What insurance is required in Ohio vs. what clients or landlords usually require (and what limits)?

What's the best "starter bundle" in Ohio (BOP vs. general liability), and when do I need both?

How do I get a COI fast in Ohio, and what do terms like "additional insured" mean?

Do I need workers' comp in Ohio if I have one employee, part-timers, or subcontractors?

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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