Insurance · Workable depending on profile
Huckleberry Review
Online insurance broker that quotes small-business coverage in about five minutes
Quick verdict
Huckleberry is best for Lower-hazard trades and small-services businesses (cleaning, landscaping, handyman, light contracting) that want a fast, modern online quote — especially Paychex payroll users. Quote speed: Online quote in as little as 5 minutes. Pricing: Varies by class and carrier matched; small-business BOP and workers' comp at competitive online rates. Trades eligibility skews to lower-hazard classes, it is unavailable in 4 states, and as a broker its financial strength depends on the matched carrier. Higher-hazard contractors should also quote a trades-specialist broker or direct carrier..
About Huckleberry
Huckleberry is an online insurance broker built around one promise: small-business coverage quoted and bought in about five minutes, entirely online. Founded in 2017 in Santa Ana and acquired by payroll giant Paychex in 2023, it is not an insurer itself — it is a digital broker that matches your business to a carrier and lets you bind a policy fast. For a small trades operator who needs a certificate of insurance or a BOP quickly without phone tag, that speed is the appeal, and Trustpilot reviews (around 4 stars) praise the efficient, knowledgeable service.
Huckleberry writes the core small-business lines — workers' compensation, general liability, business owner's policy, professional liability, and business property — across 46 states (it does not operate in North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, or Wyoming). The Paychex acquisition adds a useful angle for trades that run payroll through Paychex: insurance and payroll can sit closer together, and pay-as-you-go workers' comp tied to payroll is a natural fit.
The important honesty for a trades audience: Huckleberry's marketed sweet spot is lower-hazard small business — its own materials emphasize sectors like food and beverage, retail, professional services, and healthcare. Light trades (cleaning, landscaping, handyman work, some general contracting) are typically writable, but higher-hazard trades (roofing, structural, heavy contracting) may face limited online eligibility and get routed elsewhere. Treat Huckleberry as a fast-quote option to test for your specific class rather than assuming every trade qualifies.
For a lower-hazard trades or small-services business that values speed and a clean online experience, Huckleberry is a strong, convenient broker — especially if you already use Paychex. Higher-hazard contractors should also quote a trades-specialist broker (Simply Business, Insureon) or a direct carrier (biBERK) to ensure their class is properly covered.
How it works
You complete a short online application describing your business, and Huckleberry — acting as a digital broker — matches you to a carrier and returns a quote, often in about five minutes. You can buy the policy and download proof of insurance online. Because Huckleberry is a broker (not the underwriting carrier), the actual coverage is written by a partner insurer. Workers' comp can be set up pay-as-you-go, which pairs naturally with payroll (Huckleberry is owned by Paychex). Policy service and claims run through Huckleberry and the underlying carrier.
Pros & cons
What works
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Five-minute online quotes
Huckleberry's core strength is speed — many customers get a quote and proof of insurance in about five minutes, ideal for a contractor who needs a certificate fast without phone calls.
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Clean, modern online experience
Trustpilot reviews (~4 stars) praise efficient, knowledgeable, professional service and an easy digital process — a contrast to slow traditional agent workflows.
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Paychex-backed, payroll-friendly
Owned by Paychex since 2023, Huckleberry pairs well with payroll — useful for pay-as-you-go workers' comp tied to actual payroll, reducing audit surprises.
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Core small-business lines
Covers workers' comp, general liability, BOP, professional liability, and business property — the essentials a small trades or services business needs.
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Broker model shops for you
As a broker, Huckleberry matches you to a carrier rather than selling a single product, so you get a fitted policy without doing the carrier shopping yourself.
What doesn't
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Lower-hazard focus — trades eligibility varies
Huckleberry markets toward food/retail/professional/healthcare. Light trades usually qualify, but higher-hazard trades (roofing, heavy/structural contracting) may face limited online eligibility — confirm your class.
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Not available in 4 states
Huckleberry does not operate in North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, or Wyoming, so businesses there must look elsewhere.
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Broker, not the carrier
Huckleberry is a broker; the underwriting carrier holds the risk. Financial strength depends on whichever insurer you are matched to, not Huckleberry itself.
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Digital-only service model
The fast online model means less of a dedicated-agent relationship for complex risks; high-hazard or unusual trades may want a specialist broker's hands-on guidance.
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Limited specialty coverage
It focuses on core lines for straightforward small businesses; niche endorsements or large/complex trades programs may not be available online.
Coverage
- Insurance lines
- workers compgeneral liabilitybopprofessional liabilitybusiness property
- Geographic coverage
- Available in 46 states (not ND, OH, WA, WY)
- Typical premium range
- Varies by class and carrier matched; small-business BOP and workers' comp at competitive online rates
- Quote speed
- Online quote in as little as 5 minutes
- Affiliate program
- Unknown. No public publisher affiliate program confirmed — outreach required to determine availability..
External ratings & sentiment
Trustpilot
4.0 / 5
BBB
—
A.M. Best
N/A (broker — coverage underwritten by partner carriers)
positive on speed and ease; noted as best for lower-hazard small business rather than high-hazard trades
Frequently asked
Is Huckleberry an insurance company?
No — Huckleberry is an online insurance broker, not an underwriting carrier. It matches your business to a partner insurer and lets you quote and buy fast online. The coverage and financial strength come from whichever carrier underwrites your policy. Huckleberry has been owned by Paychex since 2023.
Does Huckleberry cover contractors and trades?
It covers lower-hazard trades well (cleaning, landscaping, handyman, light general contracting), but its marketed focus is broader small business (food, retail, professional, healthcare). Higher-hazard trades like roofing may face limited online eligibility — confirm your specific class, and compare a trades-specialist broker if needed.
How fast is a Huckleberry quote?
Often about five minutes. You complete a short online application and can get a quote and downloadable proof of insurance quickly — its core selling point for busy small-business owners who need a certificate without phone calls.
Where is Huckleberry available?
In 46 states. It does not operate in North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, or Wyoming. Businesses in those states need a different broker or carrier.
Other insurance providers
NEXT Insurance (Ergo NEXT)
Tier SDirect digital insurance built for small contractors — online quote, bind, and certificate-of-insurance in 10 minutes
Hiscox
Tier FEstablished direct carrier for SMB contractors with strong digital quoting — though 2025 reputation has deteriorated
Simply Business
Tier SOnline insurance broker (Travelers-owned) — shops multiple carriers and lets you compare quotes in one form
CoverWallet
Tier SOnline insurance broker owned by Aon — comparison quoting plus account-management dashboard for multi-policy contractors
Embroker
Tier SMid-market-focused online broker with deeper professional liability and cyber coverage capacity
Insureon
Tier AOnline broker with dominant SEO presence — solid quoting infrastructure but no clear differentiation vs Simply Business or CoverWallet