Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Washington

The Hartford is my pick for the best business insurance provider in Washington, with an average cost of $101 per month. It's an excellent match if you want more hands-on help with complicated claims or coverage changes. ERGO NEXT comes second and specializes in self-service. If you frequently need COIs or policy updates online, you might find its app and platform a better fit. Another option is Simply Business, which allows you to compare quotes and estimates with only a single application.

The Hartford4.64$10123
ERGO NEXT4.62$12612
Simply Business4.49$12051
Nationwide4.47$12324
Coverdash4.41$12562
biBERK4.39$12925
Progressive Commercial4.32$12475
Thimble4.30$11585
Hiscox4.27$13646
Chubb4.27$14634

Note: These Washington averages use the same sample business so the numbers are easier to compare. MoneyGeek’s methodology looks at a business with two employees across 79 major industries. Your actual quote will be different because insurers price your own business, including the work you do and the coverage you choose.

The Hartford

The Hartford

Best and Cheapest Washington Business Insurance

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

    $93
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    N/A
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

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

    4.5/5 (1st)
ERGO NEXT

ERGO NEXT

Best Washington Customer Experience

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $117
  • 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)
Simply Business

Simply Business

Best Commercial Coverage Options in Washington

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $109
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    N/A
  • Our Survey: Digital Experience

    4.5/5
  • Our Survey: Provider Service

    4.0/5

How to Get the Best Cheap Business Insurance in Washington

You'll need to navigate the state-run workers' comp monopoly while shopping competitively for other coverage. These steps help you get business insurance that fits your business and avoid overpaying while meeting legal requirements.

  1. 1

    Separate Washington’s state-run coverage from what you can shop for

    Washington changes the usual insurance-buying process because workers’ comp generally runs through the state’s Department of Labor & Industries rather than private insurers. Handle that separately, then build the rest of your package around the business itself. A Seattle storefront may have property and earthquake concerns, while an Eastern Washington operation could face more wildfire exposure. Business vehicles and client contracts can add their own requirements.

    Read More: How Much Business Insurance Do I Need?

  2. 2

    Get quotes from affordable providers with strong customer ratings

    Since workers’ comp sits outside the private market, focus your quote shopping on coverage such as general liability, property and commercial auto. When you compare business insurance quotes, keep the limits, deductible and business description the same. If one carrier comes in much cheaper, check whether it excluded something or classified your work differently before calling it the better deal.

  3. 3

    Check insurer reliability before choosing based on price

    Washington businesses may deal with private insurers and L&I at the same time, especially after an employee injury that also creates a liability issue. I’d ask who handles each part of the claim and whether the insurer regularly works with Washington’s state system. For property claims, find out how inspections and payments are handled after earthquakes, wildfires or other large events.

  4. 4

    Cut insurance costs without reducing your protection

    Cutting limits shouldn’t be your first move. Instead, work on the parts of the price you can change without leaving a major exposure open.

    • Improve risk controls: Fire suppression, security measures or documented safety practices may help with private-market pricing.
    • Test different deductibles: A higher deductible can reduce premiums if you have enough cash to absorb it.
    • Compare package pricing: Price liability and property together, then separately, to see whether bundling actually saves money.

    Use your full-year business insurance costs when deciding whether the savings are worthwhile.

  5. 5

    Secure coverage that meets contract or lease requirements

    A Washington contract can create insurance requirements that go well beyond what state law requires. Give the insurer the actual limits and endorsement language before you buy the policy. Check whether the client needs an additional insured endorsement and how quickly you can get a certificate of insurance (COI). That matters when proof of coverage controls when work can start.

  6. 6

    Update your policy when business operations change

    In Washington, growth can affect both your private insurance and what you pay through L&I. Hiring, adding vehicles or moving into a higher-value location can change costs quickly. A move from Spokane to a wildfire-prone area or into Seattle can also change property exposure. I’d review coverage when the change happens rather than waiting for the next annual renewal.

Best Business Liability Insurance in Washington: Bottom Line

Best Small Business Insurance Companies in WA Chart
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LOOKING FOR THE BEST INSURANCE FOR A SPECIFIC COVERAGE TYPE?

The insurer that works best for one policy may not be the best fit for another. Use these Washington guides to compare by coverage type:

Business Insurance in Washington: FAQ

Washington business owners juggle state-run workers' comp requirements, high minimum wages and earthquake risks. We answer common questions below:

About Connor Bolton


Connor Bolton, Senior SEO and Content Manager (Business & Pet), MoneyGeek

Connor Bolton is Senior SEO and Content Manager at MoneyGeek, where he leads the business and pet insurance editorial teams. He sets the research framework, data standards and content structure for his team. All content goes through his accuracy review before publication. Connor also writes in-depth guides and has spent more than four years covering insurance products across personal, commercial and specialty lines.

The research infrastructure Connor built covers auto, home, renters, life, health, business and pet insurance across pricing analysis, carrier research, customer experience and coverage evaluation. It includes over 6 million data points for business insurance across 408 industry areas, all 50 states and 16 vehicle types. The pet insurance side covers over 5 million profiles across 18 major providers, 100+ breeds and ages up to 20 years. Connor’s insurance research and his team's work have been cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, CBS News, Forbes and LegalZoom.

Connor also talks with underwriters and carrier liaisons at Ethos, The Hartford, ERGO NEXT, Nationwide and State Farm, and monitors business and pet owner communities on Reddit. Those sources shape how his team evaluates carriers, structures rate analysis and writes content for real pet owners.

Questions about MoneyGeek's business or pet insurance content? Reach him at connor@moneygeek.com or on LinkedIn.