Updated: January 12, 2026

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Business Insurance in Wisconsin: Key Takeaways
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NEXT and The Hartford tie for best small business insurance in Wisconsin, with NEXT leading in customer service and The Hartford in affordability.

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The Hartford offers the cheapest small business insurance in Wisconsin at $83 monthly, with Thimble second at $92 monthly.

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Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the right small business insurance coverage for your Wisconsin business risks and budget.

Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Wisconsin

NEXT and The Hartford tie for best small business insurance in Wisconsin with identical MoneyGeek scores of 4.61. NEXT ranks first in customer service, which helps when you need quick certificate of insurance (COI )turnaround for contractor jobs. The Hartford leads in affordability at $83 monthly, making it the cheapest option for managing different coverage types like general liability or professional liability.

NEXT Insurance4.61$9812
The Hartford4.61$8323
Simply Business4.48$9551
Nationwide4.47$9924
Coverdash4.41$9962
biBERK4.39$10225
Progressive Commercial4.32$9775
Thimble4.30$9285
Chubb4.26$11634
Hiscox4.26$10646

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 WISCONSIN BY COVERAGE TYPE

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

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The Hartford

Best and Cheapest Wisconsin Business Insurance

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
855-961-1962
  • Average Monthly Cost of General Liability Insurance

    $80
  • 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
NEXT

Best Wisconsin 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

    $101
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $67
  • Our Survey: Digital Experience

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

    4.8/5 (1st)
Company Image
Simply Business

Best Commercial Coverage Options in Wisconsin

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

    $94
  • Average Monthly Cost of Workers' Comp Insurance

    $70
  • Our Survey: Digital Experience

    4.5/5
  • Our Survey: Service Quality

    4.0/5

Get Matched to the Best Small Business Insurance Providers in Wisconsin

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

Industry
State

How to Get the Best Cheap Small Business Insurance in Wisconsin

Wisconsin small business owners navigate three separate workers' compensation thresholds, mandatory uninsured motorist requirements and five state agencies overseeing insurance compliance. Getting business insurance that covers these risks without overpaying requires strategic planning beyond comparing premiums.

  1. 1

    Know Wisconsin's legal mandates versus business protection

    Wisconsin law requires workers' compensation at three employees OR $500 quarterly wages, plus commercial auto liability with mandatory $25,000/$50,000 uninsured motorist coverage. Milwaukee manufacturing facilities and Green Bay food processing plants need product liability and equipment breakdown coverage to cover costs from contamination claims and refrigeration failures—neither legally required but financially critical when aging machinery fails or foodborne illness lawsuits surface.

  2. 2

    Address risks specific to your Wisconsin industry

    Milwaukee makers need product liability when bad parts harm buyers. Food plants in Green Bay need coverage for equipment breakdowns when fridges fail and ruin stock during Wisconsin's factory growth. Tech firms in Madison need cyber liability after hackers steal data. Stores need business interruption coverage when floods close them during busy seasons. Contractors need umbrella policies when jobs exceed $250,000 liability limits set by state law.

  3. 3

    Compare top private insurers with Wisconsin programs

    Simply Business ranks third in Wisconsin at $95 monthly and connects businesses with 20+ carriers including CNA. The Hartford and NEXT compete strongly on price and service. When standard carriers deny workers' comp, apply through Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau's risk pool in Waukesha, where 300 carriers participate and pool rates match market pricing.

  4. 4

    Balance affordability with claims handling and coverage breadth

    Simply Business ranks third for digital experience but seventh for claims processing since you contact carriers directly. Saving $15 monthly loses value when Waukesha contractor rules require fast proof of $250,000 liability and the insurer takes weeks to respond—projects stop and contracts expire. Check AM Best ratings (A- minimum) and ask about response times for Wisconsin's 30-day insurance replacement window.

  5. 5

    Bundle policies and leverage Wisconsin safety programs

    Bundle general liability with commercial property in a business owner's policy and cut business insurance costs 20% to 30%, savings that matter when Wisconsin's five agencies (DWD, OCI, DSPS, DCF, DOR) create multiple bills. Pay yearly instead of monthly to avoid $200 to $400 in fees. This helps when Wisconsin's 10-day workers' comp window means late payments risk a $750 penalty.

  6. 6

    Review coverage when crossing Wisconsin's strict thresholds

    Wisconsin's $500 wage threshold triggers workers' comp even with one employee, stricter than most states. Adding a third employee activates the separate three-employee rule. Expanding from Milwaukee to Madison means different rates. Opening a second store in Green Bay during 2024's retail growth pushes you over seasonal limits. Review coverage every 12 months and right away when payroll, locations or staff counts change.

Best Business Liability Insurance Wisconsin: Bottom Line

NEXT and The Hartford tie for best small business insurance in Wisconsin. NEXT leads in customer service while The Hartford leads on price at $83 monthly. Thimble has the second-lowest rate at $92 monthly. Compare quotes from several insurers to match coverage with your Wisconsin business risks and budget.

Business Insurance Wisconsin: FAQ

Small business owners in Wisconsin often have questions about choosing the right business insurance. We answer the most common concerns below:

What's the best small business insurance in Wisconsin for contractors who need COIs for GCs or landlords?

How much does small business insurance cost per month in Wisconsin?

Do I need workers' comp in Wisconsin if I have one to three employees or use subcontractors?

What insurance do Wisconsin restaurants and retail stores need?

Do I need commercial auto insurance in Wisconsin if I drive to job sites or make deliveries?

Best Small Business Insurance in Wisconsin Chart

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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