Insurance
Best Business Insurance for Trades Contractors (2026)
Independent reviews of 27 business-insurance providers for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing and other trades: online insurers and marketplaces, carriers sold through independent agents, and specialty construction insurers. We do not rank insurers: nothing we could verify ranks them on quality, and all 27 providers here quote premiums business by business. Tier F marks a provider with a reputation warning that cites a documented record, such as a BBB record, a regulatory fine, a settlement or a lawsuit; every other provider is Tier A. Affiliate programs are not part of the tier rule.
The short answer
Compare quotes from more than one route. Online, ERGO NEXT (owned by Munich Re's ERGO) sells general liability, a BOP, workers' comp and professional liability, and marketplaces such as Simply Business and Insureon show quotes from several carriers from one application. Through a local independent agent you can also get quotes from carriers sold only through agents, such as Acuity (more than 30 states) and Erie (12 states and Washington, DC). Acuity and Erie have no affiliate program, and no Visit button on this page uses an affiliate link; each goes to the provider's own site. No vendor pays for placement.
The headline filter: agent vs direct
A structural choice in contractor insurance is how you buy. Online providers let you apply, get a price and buy on their site: ERGO NEXT and biBERK sell their own policies, Cerity sells workers' comp, and marketplaces such as Simply Business, Insureon and Huckleberry show quotes from several carriers. Some carriers sell both online and through agents, including The Hartford, Hiscox, Liberty Mutual and Progressive Commercial. Agent-sold carriers such as Acuity, Erie, Travelers, Nationwide and Selective are quoted through a local independent agent, and turnaround depends on the agent. An online quote plus an agent quote gives you two prices to compare.
Providers with no reputation warning. This is not a quality ranking: nothing we could verify ranks insurers on quality, so every provider without a documented warning is in Tier A. They differ in how you buy. Online insurers and marketplaces: ERGO NEXT, Simply Business, Insureon, Thimble, biBERK, Huckleberry and Cerity (workers' comp only). Online and through agents or brokers: Hiscox, The Hartford, Liberty Mutual, Chubb and Progressive Commercial. Through agents or brokers: Travelers, Acuity, Erie, Nationwide, Markel, CNA, Selective, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD, AmTrust and Zurich, and Coterie, which also sells through partner platforms. Tivly is a matching service that connects you with an agent and says its service is free. Fit depends on your trade, size, state and whether you want to work with an agent.
ERGO NEXT (formerly NEXT Insurance)
Digital small-business insurer, renamed ERGO NEXT in 2026 and owned by Munich Re's ERGO, selling general liability, BOP, workers' comp and professional liability online and through agents
direct carrier
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Online quote and purchase; ERGO NEXT says buying and servicing are available 24/7
- Lines
- 4
- Founded
- 2016
- HQ
- Palo Alto, CA
Best for: Small trade businesses that want to buy general liability, a BOP, workers' comp or professional liability online and handle certificates of insurance themselves
Hiscox
Specialty insurer with Lloyd's roots going back to 1901, selling general liability, professional liability (E&O), BOP and cyber to US small businesses online and through brokers
direct carrier
hybrid
- Quote speed
- Online quote at hiscox.com (Hiscox advertises an instant quote) or through a broker
- Lines
- 4
- Founded
- 1901
- HQ
- Pembroke, Bermuda
Best for: Contractors and trade businesses that need professional liability (E&O) alongside general liability, a BOP or cyber coverage, and want to buy online or through a broker
Simply Business
Online insurance marketplace owned by Travelers: one application, quotes from several carriers, buy online
broker
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Online; Simply Business says you can compare quotes, buy and, for many policies, get a certificate of insurance within 10 minutes
- Lines
- 5
- Founded
- 2005
- HQ
- London, UK
Best for: Small trade businesses that want to compare quotes from several carriers for general liability, BOP, workers' comp or professional liability in one online application
Insureon
Online insurance agency owned by Hub International since 2022: one application, quotes from several carriers, licensed agents on call
broker
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Free online application; Insureon says coverage can start in less than 24 hours
- Lines
- 7
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- Chicago, IL
Best for: Small trade businesses that want to compare quotes from several carriers online and buy without meeting an agent in person
Thimble
Digital MGA owned by Arch Insurance since 2023: liability coverage by the job, month or year, bought online, in its app or by phone
mga
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Online, in the app or by phone; coverage can start the same day you buy
- Lines
- 4
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- United States
Best for: Solo trades and small crews with irregular, seasonal or one-off jobs that need liability coverage or a certificate of insurance quickly
The Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut insurer dating to 1810 that sells small business policies online, by phone and through independent agents
direct carrier
hybrid
- Quote speed
- Online, by phone or through an independent agent
- Lines
- 5
- Founded
- 1810
- HQ
- Hartford, CT
Best for: Small and mid-size trade businesses that want a long-established carrier and the option to buy online, by phone or through an agent
Travelers
Publicly traded property and casualty insurer (NYSE: TRV) that sells business insurance through independent agents and brokers, and owns the online broker Simply Business
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Quoted through an independent agent or broker; turnaround depends on the agent and the account
- Lines
- 4
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- New York, NY
Best for: Trade businesses of any size that work with an independent agent or broker and want a large national carrier among their quotes
Liberty Mutual
Boston-based insurer founded in 1912 that sells small business coverage online and through independent agents, with a separate unit for larger commercial accounts
direct carrier
hybrid
- Quote speed
- Start online on Liberty Mutual's small business pages or get a quote through an independent agent
- Lines
- 7
- Founded
- 1912
- HQ
- Boston, MA
Best for: Small and mid-size trade businesses that want a large national carrier and are willing to compare its quote, online or through an independent agent
Acuity Insurance
Wisconsin mutual insurer in business since 1925, sold through independent agents in more than 30 states, with a long record of insuring contractors
mutual carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Quoted through an independent agent who writes Acuity; turnaround depends on the agent
- Lines
- 2
- Founded
- 1925
- HQ
- Sheboygan, WI
Best for: Trade businesses in Acuity's states that want to work with a local independent agent and a policyholder-owned mutual carrier
Erie Insurance
Policyholder-owned regional insurer founded in 1925, sold only through independent agents in 12 states and Washington, DC
mutual carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Quoted through a local independent agent that represents ERIE; timing depends on the agent and the risk
- Lines
- 6
- Founded
- 1925
- HQ
- Erie, PA
Best for: trade businesses in ERIE's 12 states or Washington, DC that are happy to work through a local independent agent and want a long-established, policyholder-owned regional carrier quoted alongside other options
biBERK
Berkshire Hathaway's direct small-business insurer: quote and buy online without a broker
direct carrier
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Instant online quote and purchase direct from biBERK, with no broker
- Lines
- 6
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- United States
Best for: straightforward trade businesses that want to quote and buy coverage directly online from a Berkshire Hathaway insurer without a broker
Huckleberry
Online small-business insurance agency, now Huckleberry by Paychex, with quotes from partner carriers in about five minutes
broker
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Online quote in about 5 minutes, according to Huckleberry; if an insurer reviews the application, usually the same business day
- Lines
- 7
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- United States
Best for: small trade and service businesses that want a fast online quote from several carriers through a Paychex-owned agency
Tivly
Free commercial-insurance matching service that connects your business with an agent from a network of 450+ providers
broker
hybrid
- Quote speed
- One intake call of about 10 minutes on average, according to Tivly, then a live handoff to a matched agent; Tivly says same-day proof of coverage is available
- Lines
- 8
- Founded
- 2009
- HQ
- Oklahoma
Best for: trade businesses that would rather make one call and be connected with an insurance agent than shop agents or insurers themselves
Chubb
Global insurer with a small-business program covering 500+ classes, including artisan contractors
direct carrier
hybrid
- Quote speed
- Quote request on Chubb's website, or through an independent agent or broker
- Lines
- 7
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- Zurich, Switzerland
Best for: established or growing trade businesses with up to $30 million in revenue that want an insurer with a broad coverage menu, quoted online or through an agent
Progressive Commercial
Progressive's business arm: commercial auto for work trucks, vans and trailers, plus a BOP and other business lines arranged through its agency
direct carrier
hybrid
- Quote speed
- Online quote, by phone, or through an independent agent
- Lines
- 6
- Founded
- 1937
- HQ
- Mayfield Village, OH
Best for: Trades businesses whose trucks, vans and trailers are central to the work and that want commercial auto quoted online, by phone or through an agent
Nationwide
Fortune 100 mutual insurer founded in 1926, selling business insurance for contractors through independent agents
mutual carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through an independent agent
- Lines
- 6
- Founded
- 1926
- HQ
- Columbus, OH
Best for: Established trades businesses that want a BOP, business auto, workers' comp and surety from one mutual group, placed through an independent agent
Markel
Specialty insurer selling admitted and E&S contractor coverage and surety bonds through agents and brokers
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through an independent agent or broker
- Lines
- 7
- Founded
- 1930
- HQ
- Glen Allen, VA
Best for: Contractors who work with an independent agent or broker and need specialty or E&S casualty, pollution, inland marine or contract surety bonds
Cerity
Online workers' comp for small businesses from Cerity, the direct-to-consumer brand of Employers Holdings
direct carrier
direct digital
- Quote speed
- Online quote and purchase; at its 2019 launch Cerity said a policy took under five minutes
- Lines
- 1
- Founded
- 2019
- HQ
- Reno, NV
Best for: Small, lower-hazard trades businesses that want to buy workers' comp online without an agent from a workers' comp specialist
CNA
Chicago-based commercial insurer, majority-owned by Loews, with a 600+ class BOP and construction programs sold through independent agents
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through an independent agent or broker; CNA says 80% of small business classes are issued in real time and most others within two hours
- Lines
- 9
- Founded
- 1897
- HQ
- Chicago, IL
Best for: Established trades and construction businesses that want a commercial insurer with a contractor-ready BOP and room to add workers' comp, auto and umbrella, placed through an independent agent
Coterie Insurance
Small-business insurance platform selling BOP, general liability and professional liability through agents, brokers and partner platforms
mga
agent only
- Quote speed
- Instant bindable quotes, per Coterie, through an agent, broker or partner platform
- Lines
- 5
- Founded
- 2018
- HQ
- Appleton, WI
Best for: Small trades and service businesses that want a quick BOP or general liability policy through an agent or partner platform and will buy workers' comp and auto elsewhere
Selective Insurance
New Jersey commercial carrier, founded in 1926, that insures general, heavy and trade contractors through independent agents
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through a local independent agent
- Lines
- 7
- Founded
- 1926
- HQ
- Short Hills, NJ
Best for: Contractors in Selective's 36 states and DC, from trade contractors to general and heavy contractors, who want coverage placed through an independent agent
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD
Berkshire Hathaway-owned insurer of small and mid-sized businesses, with workers' comp roots, sold through independent agents and brokers
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through an independent agent, wholesale broker or MGA that writes GUARD
- Lines
- 5
- Founded
- -
- HQ
- Wilkes-Barre, PA
Best for: Small and mid-sized trades businesses that work with an independent agent and want workers comp, a BOP, commercial auto or an umbrella from a Berkshire Hathaway-owned carrier
AmTrust Financial
Privately held New York insurer focused on small business coverage, with an emphasis on workers' compensation, sold through agents
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through an insurance agent
- Lines
- 4
- Founded
- 1998
- HQ
- New York, NY
Best for: Small trades businesses with employees whose main need is workers' compensation, plus a BOP or package policy, placed through an insurance agent
Zurich
Zurich North America's construction unit, placed through brokers, offering builders risk, casualty, professional liability and contract surety for large projects
direct carrier
agent only
- Quote speed
- Through a construction insurance broker
- Lines
- 6
- Founded
- 1872
- HQ
- Schaumburg, IL
Best for: Large contractors, general contractors and project owners on major commercial projects that need builders risk, casualty, professional liability or contract surety through a construction broker
Providers with a reputation warning based on a documented record: a BBB record and a May 2024 Florida fine for filing required data late (Pie Insurance), a class action over an agent's telemarketing calls that Farmers agreed to settle while denying the claims, and an undecided Los Angeles County lawsuit over its handling of 2025 wildfire claims (State Farm). Read the warning on each card before you buy.
Pie Insurance
Small-business workers' comp carrier with online quotes and pay-as-you-go billing
direct carrier
hybrid
⚠ Reputation warning
Pie Insurance Services' BBB profile (Washington, DC) showed no accreditation and 15 complaints closed in the last three years when checked on September 30, 2026; the page as read did not show the complaint details, so read them on the BBB website before you buy.
- Quote speed
- Online workers' comp quote in about 3 minutes, according to Pie (it says quote time may vary)
- Lines
- 5
- Founded
- 2017
- HQ
- Washington, DC
Best for: small trade businesses that want a quick online workers' comp quote or pay-as-you-go billing to compare against other carriers, after reading Pie's BBB complaint record and audit terms
Farmers Insurance
Policyholder-owned insurance group managed by Zurich-owned Farmers Group, selling small business coverage for contractors through Farmers agents
direct carrier
agent only
⚠ Reputation warning
Farmers agreed to settle a Missouri class action over telemarketing calls and texts that one of its agents sent to numbers on the National Do-Not-Call Registry.
- Quote speed
- Through a Farmers agent
- Lines
- 4
- Founded
- 1928
- HQ
- Los Angeles, CA
Best for: Small trades businesses that want business coverage through a Farmers agent, especially owners who already insure a car or home with Farmers
State Farm
Bloomington, Illinois mutual insurer whose local agents sell small business coverage, including a contractors policy for trades like electricians, plumbers and landscapers
mutual carrier
agent only
⚠ Reputation warning
Los Angeles County sued State Farm in Los Angeles Superior Court on August 31, 2026 over its handling of claims from the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades wildfires.
- Quote speed
- Through a local State Farm agent
- Lines
- 6
- Founded
- 1922
- HQ
- Bloomington, IL
Best for: Small trades businesses such as electricians, plumbers and landscapers that want a contractors policy through a local agent, especially owners who already insure a home or vehicles with State Farm
Where to start
One way to shop: get an online quote from ERGO NEXT, which sells general liability, a BOP, workers' comp and professional liability online; compare it with a marketplace such as Simply Business or Insureon, which show quotes from several carriers from one application; and, if you are in their states, ask a local independent agent for an Acuity or Erie quote. If your trucks and vans are central to the work, Progressive publishes 2025 new-customer figures for contractor commercial auto (median $203/month per vehicle for liability and physical damage). Before buying workers' comp from Pie, read its BBB record and ask how its year-end premium audit works.
Missing from this list?
We list 27 insurance providers for contractors today, and we know that is not all of them. If you build one and it is not here, you can submit it for editorial review. An evaluation can end with or without a listing.
Listings are free. We do not accept payment for inclusion, for placement, for a score, or to remove a documented con. We publish the cons next to the pros, so read an existing review before you decide you want one.