Running a small business comes with many responsibilities, including preparing for the unexpected. From property damage to data breaches to legal trouble, the right business insurance coverage could protect your livelihood and provide you with a little peace of mind.
Of course, every company is different. Depending on your risks, your business might need liability insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, property insurance, business interruption insurance, or a mixture of coverages.
The following guide will help you compare business insurance companies, understand your coverage options, and confidently purchase the right policy for your situation.
5 best business insurance companies of 2025
We compared insurers to help small-business owners shop for the best business insurance. We evaluated insurance companies based on affordability, industry ratings and rankings, customer reviews, ease of purchase, and available coverage options. Here’s what we found.
State Farm: Best for general liability insurance
State Farm stands out for its general liability insurance and customizable small-business policies, as well as its AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior). It also has the second-highest overall customer satisfaction rating in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study.
Plus, its large agent network provides easy access to personal guidance when you need it.
Allstate: Best for customer service
Allstate scored well above the industry average in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study, indicating a high level of customer satisfaction. It also has fewer complaints on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) complaint index.
With a wide range of coverage options and a mobile app to simplify policy management and claims processing, Allstate provides both convenience and reliability.
Next Insurance: Best for digital-savvy small-business owners
Next provides a fully digital business insurance experience. You can get instant online quotes and instant certificates of insurance after setting up coverage if you need proof of insurance in a hurry. And you can file most claims online.
American Family: Best for robust coverages
American Family stands out as a top choice for business insurance thanks to its extensive coverage options and outstanding customer service score. The insurer offers a wide range of insurance coverages, including cyber liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, product liability insurance, plus add-ons and customizable business insurance solutions.
If you’re looking for multiple business insurance policies from a single trusted source, American Family may be worth considering.
Thimble: Best for freelancers and sole proprietors
Thimble allows freelancers and sole proprietors to buy policies by job, month, or year. It also offers numerous coverage options, including general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, business owners policies, and more.
The insurers’ affordable premiums, instant COIs, and simple liability options can help small-business owners operating on a tight budget protect themselves without overcommitting financially.
To identify the best insurance companies for small businesses, Insurify’s editorial team evaluated insurers based on trusted third-party industry ratings. We considered AM Best ratings for financial strength, customer satisfaction scores from the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study, and the NAIC complaint index.
We also weighed offered coverage types, coverage limits (where publicly available), availability by state, how easy it is to get a quote, ease of claims filing, and overall digital experience.
What types of business insurance do you need?
The types of insurance coverages you need for your business will depend on a variety of factors. Details like your operations, industry, employees, and liability risks all play a role when you’re choosing the right coverage.
Here are some types of business insurance you may want to consider for your company:
General liability: If your small business faces a claim for property damage, bodily injury, medical expenses, wrongful termination, or lawsuits, this insurance covers your financial losses.1
Commercial auto insurance: This insurance covers vehicles that your business owns or uses for work. It can help pay for repairs, injuries, and liability claims that result from covered accidents.
Commercial property insurance: This coverage protects your building and equipment if your business experiences covered losses like fire, theft, or vandalism.
Business interruption insurance: This business insurance helps replace lost revenue and cover some expenses if your business has to close temporarily due to a covered event, like fire or theft.
Workers’ compensation insurance: If an employee gets injured or becomes sick due to their job, this coverage can pay for their medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation and retraining. It can even provide permanent or temporary disability benefits.
Professional liability insurance: Sometimes called errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, this coverage can protect you from losses if a customer files a legal claim that you or an employee was negligent or made a mistake.
Product liability insurance: This protection is sometimes included with general liability business insurance coverage. It can help you with claims related to injuries or damages caused by products your business makes or sells.
Business owners policy (BOP): A BOP bundles commercial property and general liability insurance into a single business insurance policy. In general, you pay a single premium for a BOP policy (often at a discount).
What business insurance covers
Business insurance protects your business from financial losses due to unexpected events like lawsuits, accidents, or property damage, but every policy is different. You may also need multiple policies to fully cover your business, equipment, vehicles, and employees.
Common business insurance coverage includes:
Bodily injury or property damage you or an employee cause
Lost income during business closure
Legal defense costs
Repair or replacement of your business’ damaged property
Keep in mind that business insurance won’t cover every type of loss. Intentional acts, fraud, wear and tear, or damages that result from unreported risks are a few examples of losses your business insurance policy probably won’t cover.
Other types of business insurance to consider
Depending on your type of business, you may need specialized protection beyond standard small-business insurance.
Here are several options to consider:
Cyber liability insurance: This coverage protects against data breaches and cyberattacks against your business. It should also pay to defend you in lawsuits or regulatory investigations related to a cyberattack.2
Employment practices liability insurance: This business insurance provides financial protection if an employee claims your company violated their legal rights. Claims may be for discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and more.3
Home-based business insurance: This coverage can help you with unexpected claims that may arise from running a business out of your home.
How to buy business insurance
Finding commercial auto insurance can be easy. Quote comparison websites can help. But filling all your business insurance needs will take careful planning and research.
Follow these steps to buy a business insurance policy:
Best business insurance FAQs
Business insurance provides critical financial protection for you, your employees, and your business. Here are answers to commonly asked questions about finding the best business insurance.
What does business insurance cover?
Depending on the terms of your policy, business insurance can cover financial losses resulting from accidents, lawsuits, property damage, and more.
Why do I need business insurance?
Business insurance can protect your company from financial losses. If you have employees, the federal government requires you to carry certain types of business insurance as well.
How much business insurance do I need?
Ideal business insurance coverage amounts can vary based on factors like your industry, assets, liability exposures, and risk tolerance. Higher-risk businesses usually need more coverage.
What’s the best business insurance for retail businesses?
Business owners policies (BOPs) with a property insurance and general liability insurance bundle can be a good place to start. It’s probably a good idea to consider product liability insurance as well, along with other potential business insurance options (including any government-mandated insurance coverages).