Where can you find the best business insurance online? Entrepreneurs have a lot of things to consider when starting a company - what kind of business they'd like to be in, where they will house their offices, how they'll advertise, whether they should incorporate, and if they will want to have employees or do things on their own. One thing is clear though: small business owners realize that typically they'll need help to protect what they've built, which is where business insurance comes in.
Good
The Hartford has over 200 years in business, spending the last three decades devoted to helping small businesses, with 1.3 million small business customers insured. Having provided insurance for past presidents and national landmarks, this established company can insure entrepreneurs, too.
They're well-known and considered ethical
Starting in 1810 as a fire insurance company, The Hartford has since expanded. They've stood firm through hard times in history, insuring homes and businesses during the 1835 New York City financial district fire, the 1871 Chicago fire, and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake-related fires. Their first small business service center was launched in 1983. As a result of their "unwavering commitment to business integrity," The Hartford has been named to the Ethisphere list of the World's Most Ethical Companies sixteen times. Aside from business insurance, they offer personal insurance for home and auto coverage.
Many professions can get insurance here
With 26 listed industries, The Hartford offers coverage for large and small businesses. From lawn care and snow removal to athletic trainers and swim instructors, there are hundreds of businesses they can insure. If you don't see yours, they say to call and request a quote or try their online form, though online coverage is only offered for certain types of insurance.
Limited coverage options online
Business owner's policies (property & liability) and workers' compensation are available online from The Hartford for most businesses. Others, such as professional liability, general liability, data breach (cyber liability), waiver of subrogation, hired & non-owned auto, commercial auto, and more are offered through a phone call. If you know you want those coverages, save yourself the frustrating experience of completing the online quote form only to be redirected as we were (see below). Another page on the website explains the different types of business coverages and offers a three-question quiz to determine what you might need for yourself.
Their online form is very long...
To get an online quote, The Hartford has a form which starts with basics about you and your business before offering the different types of coverage they have available. Depending on the type of insurance you see, you may need to have financial information, building information, and more to put on the application or you cannot get a quote - and the form feels like it will never end, honestly. If at any point they decide they are unable to offer you a policy, they may refer you to a partner to get a quote. Alternatively, they might say their online quoting doesn't support some aspects of your business.
...and you still may not get a quote
Though it says they are trying to make online quoting easy, we found this was not the case for us. We tried three different professions and were unable to get a quote for any of them. In their FAQs, it says that "not all of the coverages offered" are available to quote online. You may need to make a phone call to get a quote or policy. Since you may be unable to obtain an online quote, it's important to know that The Hartford boasts they have business insurance as low as $21 per month, adding that average costs for a business owner's policy could cost $41 per month, workers' compensation $86 per month, general liability $68 per month, and professional liability $62 per month.
Claims filed online or via app or phone
To report a claim with The Hartford, make a phone call or file online within 10 minutes. They say it's easy to check the status anytime from any device, and experienced claim handlers assist you through the process. Additionally, you can use their highly-rated app to submit a claim, offered for both Android and iOS devices. Insured business owners can easily use the app to submit and track claims, access their policies, pay the bill, and get assistance.
Mixed reviews make reputation hard to discern
The Hartford is not accredited by the BBB but has an excellent "A+" rating, despite 211 complaints last year. Their company website offers more than 34,000 verified reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5 stars for their claims experience. However, off their website, across online platforms, they don't fare well at all. The reviews on the BBB put them at 1.12 out of 5 and on Trustpilot they're receiving just one- and two-star reviews. When taken into consideration with the high number of complaints to the BBB, it's hard to know what to think about The Hartford's actual reputation.
Just above average
The Hartford says they focus on small businesses, but their online insurance options are limited. With mixed reviews and a lengthy quote process, they rank as just an above-average choice for those shopping online for business insurance. If longevity is your top priority when choosing an insurer, The Hartford will be at the top of your list - but if not, check out its competitors closer to the top of our list instead.
Continued from above...
Entrepreneurs have a lot of things to consider when starting a company - what kind of business they'd like to be in, where they will house their offices, how they'll advertise, whether they should incorporate, and if they will want to have employees or do things on their own. One thing is clear though: small business owners realize that typically they'll need help to protect what they've built, which is where business insurance comes in.
In today's litigious society, it's essential for companies to protect themselves from accidents, property damage, injuries, and cyber attacks. Not only is it a good idea to have insurance for your business, but in some states and industries, the law requires it.
Despite the regulations involved, business insurance is a good idea in general. Risks such as natural disasters or accidents could easily place a substantial financial burden on a small business. Without coverage, such expenses might cripple a business or even lead to a bankruptcy. If you're not covered and someone sues your company, it could spell the end of your business.
With a myriad of options to offer a shield against the risks involved in doing business, some people find themselves wondering what they actually need. Recommendations for coverage vary depending on the size of the business, the type of work done, the property owned, the technology involved, and other considerations. This can be confusing, but some insurance companies make it easier with questionnaires, checklists, and even phone consultations.
Small businesses and sole proprietors can especially be at risk since they lack the resources for a legal team and accounting division. And let's face it - insurance isn't an "exciting" expense. It's something your customers won't usually see and you will probably forget about -until you need to use it.
With specialty small business insurers and large companies competing to provide you with insurance policies, you should be able to compare quotes online to find the best price for the right protection. Use the online resources to help you understand terms and select what you need to be covered.
There are many factors to consider when determining the proper coverage. Here are some things to keep in mind as you compare your options for business insurance:
With such an important decision on the line for your business, we at Top Consumer Reviews have ranked some of the top business insurance providers online to assist you in narrowing down the options. Use our research to make it even easier to get the proper coverage you need, in order to protect your company from unexpected problems, expensive lawsuits, and liability issues.
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