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.
Best Small Business Insurance in Ohio
Ohio's top business insurers NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business offer coverage starting at just $16 monthly for small businesses.
Get matched to the best Ohio commercial insurer for you below.

Updated: January 6, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
NEXT offers Ohio's best small business insurance with top customer service and comprehensive coverage options.
Ohio's cheapest small business insurance starts at $82 monthly with The Hartford, Thimble and Simply Business.
Get the right small business insurance coverage by assessing your risks, comparing quotes and using discounts.
Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Ohio
| NEXT Insurance | 4.64 | $102 | 1 | 2 |
| The Hartford | 4.63 | $82 | 2 | 3 |
| Simply Business | 4.50 | $97 | 5 | 1 |
| Nationwide | 4.48 | $101 | 2 | 4 |
| Coverdash | 4.42 | $102 | 6 | 2 |
| biBERK | 4.39 | $107 | 2 | 5 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.34 | $100 | 7 | 5 |
| Thimble | 4.31 | $94 | 8 | 5 |
| Hiscox | 4.28 | $111 | 4 | 6 |
| Chubb | 4.28 | $119 | 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 Ohio for your desired coverage type in our resources below:

Best Ohio Business Insurance
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$96This 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 Ohio
Second-highest for coverage options among all providers
Top-ranked digital experience and policy management tools
consBOP costs 6% above Ohio's average rate
Claims process ranks fourth among state providers
Financial stability ranks sixth in MoneyGeek's study
NEXT ranks first overall in MoneyGeek's Ohio study at $102 monthly, making it ideal for price-conscious beginners who need coverage without overpaying for agent overhead. Professional liability costs $67 monthly, 7% below Ohio's average, while the digital platform lets contractors and consultants get instant certificates of insurance when clients or venues demand proof today.
NEXT costs $1,227 annually ($102 monthly) in Ohio and ranks fourth for overall affordability, with professional liability priced 7% below the state average at $800 annually. General liability stays competitive at $96 monthly, though business owner's policy coverage runs $145 monthly. That's 6% higher than Ohio's $137 average, so businesses needing bundled policies should compare rates from other carriers.
NEXT ranks first nationally for digital experience, meaning Ohio business owners facing urgent certificate requests can bind coverage and download proof within minutes instead of waiting days for agent callbacks. Customer service ranks first in Ohio for quick policy questions, though the fourth-place claims ranking suggests complex damage disputes may take longer to resolve than with established carriers.
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 offers general liability, professional liability and business owner's policies with $1 million to $2 million limits across all 50 states, letting new business owners start with basic coverage and add hired auto or equipment breakdown later as operations grow. The digital platform makes adding endorsements simple without agent appointments, helping contractors meet additional insured requests and waiver requirements that clients demand.

Cheapest Ohio Business Insurance
Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance
$77This 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 across all coverage types
Top-ranked claims process and overall customer satisfaction nationally
Strongest financial stability rating (A++ from AM Best)
consDigital experience ranks 10th nationally among providers
Policy management tools lag behind online-first competitors
Agent-based model requires appointments for complex changes
The Hartford ranks second overall in MoneyGeek's Ohio study and offers the most affordable rate, averaging at $82 monthly. That makes it ideal for price-focused small business owners who prioritize savings without sacrificing claims support. The Hartford ranks first nationally for claims processing and customer satisfaction, meaning you'll get experienced help when filing claims, though the 10th-place digital ranking means online policy management lags behind competitors.
The Hartford costs $82 monthly ($990 annually) in Ohio and ranks first for affordability across business owner's policies, general liability and professional liability. The rates of these coverage types all fall below state averages, saving Ohio small business owners $106, $76 and $66 monthly respectively. These savings make The Hartford the best choice for price-conscious business owners needing comprehensive coverage at the lowest rates available.
The Hartford ranks first nationally for claims processing and customer service, meaning first-time buyers get experienced agent guidance through complex coverage decisions while claims resolve faster when property damage or customer injuries occur. The agent-based model provides personalized support that online-only platforms can't match, though you'll need to request certificates of insurance through your agent instead of downloading them instantly online.
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 offers general liability and business owner's policies with limits from $500,000 to $5 million per occurrence across 48 states (except Hawaii and Alaska), letting new business owners start with basic coverage and add commercial auto or cyber protection later as operations grow. You can bundle liquor liability for restaurants, pollution coverage for contractors and hired auto protection to meet landlord and venue certificate requirements.

Best Commercial Coverage Options in Ohio
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 Research: Digital Experience
4.5/5Our Survey: Service Quality
4.0/5
- pros
Ranks first for coverage options among all Ohio providers
General liability costs 8% below state average
Business owner's policy pricing competitive at 3% below average
Third-ranked digital experience nationally for online tools
consClaims process (eighth) and overall satisfaction (seventh) rank lower nationally
Professional liability costs slightly above Ohio's state average
Simply Business ranks third overall in MoneyGeek's Ohio study at $97 monthly and earns the state's top coverage ranking, making it ideal for contractors and consultants who need endorsements like additional insured status that client contracts require. The digital platform ranks third nationally and generates certificates of insurance instantly, though the eighth-place claims ranking suggests complex disputes may take longer to resolve.
Simply Business costs $97 monthly ($1,170 annually) in Ohio and ranks fifth for overall affordability, with general liability priced 8% below the state average ($89 monthly) and business owner's policies 3% lower ($133 monthly). Professional liability costs $71 monthly, just below Ohio's $72 average, so professional services businesses should compare rates from other providers.
Simply Business ranks third nationally for digital experience, meaning contractors can generate and download certificates of insurance within minutes to meet urgent landlord or client deadlines. Customer service ranks sixth nationally and claims processing ranks eighth, so while the platform handles certificate requests instantly, you may wait longer for claim resolutions or coverage guidance.
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 Simply Business offers general liability, professional liability and business owner's policies with limits from $1 million to $2 million per occurrence across all 50 states, plus access to over 1,000 specialty coverages. You can add pollution liability for contractors, cyber protection for IT consultants and product liability for retailers, while the platform lets you customize endorsements like hired auto coverage and additional insured certificates.
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.
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 Liability | The Hartford | $76 |
| Business Owner's Policy | The 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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
How much coverage costs for your Ohio business depends on your industry, but these are the monthly and annual averages by coverage type:
- General liability insurance: $96 monthly or $1,153 annually
- Professional liability (E&O) insurance: $72 monthly or $864 annually
- Business owner's policy (BOP): $137 monthly or $1,644 annually
What insurance is required in Ohio vs. what clients or landlords usually require (and what limits)?
Ohio requires workers' compensation with employees and commercial auto with 25/50/25 liability for business vehicles. Clients and landlords typically require $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate general liability limits, plus additional insured endorsements protecting them if someone sues over your work.
What's the best "starter bundle" in Ohio (BOP vs. general liability), and when do I need both?
Choose general liability ($96 monthly) if operating from home without property at risk. Choose a BOP ($137 monthly) when you have equipment, inventory or tornado exposure (peak April to June) because it bundles general liability with property coverage at lower cost.
How do I get a COI fast in Ohio, and what do terms like "additional insured" mean?
Request certificates from your insurer (most deliver within 24 to 48 hours), important for Ohio's 116,082 construction businesses needing contract compliance. Additional insured protects your client if sued over your work, while waiver of subrogation prevents insurers from suing clients after claims.
Do I need workers' comp in Ohio if I have one employee, part-timers, or subcontractors?
Ohio requires workers' compensation through the state Bureau of Workers' Compensation with one or more employees, including part-timers. Subcontractors with their own coverage don't need inclusion, but verify they carry insurance to avoid liability if injured working for you.
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
- National Weather Service. "Tornado Climatology." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code. "Section 4123.01." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code. "Section 4123.35." Accessed January 12, 2026.
- Ohio Revised Code. "Section 4509.51." Accessed January 12, 2026.

