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Best Business Insurance in Ohio of 2024

Bryan Keith

The best business insurance company in Ohio is the one that offers the coverage you need at a price you can afford. Business insurance protects your company against loss due to lawsuits and other claims. It’s important to have the right insurance for your specific industry because there are many risks associated with running a business, and a policy can protect you from all kinds of potential liabilities. To help you get the best, We’ve evaluated the best business insurance providers based on coverage, financial stability, customer satisfaction, and overall quality.

Offers a range of insurance poilicies

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $2,000

Deductibles

Overview

Simply Business provides insurance policies for a range of professions and small businesses.

What we like

  • Various business insurance policies
  • Quotes from multiple providers
  • Fast and easy application
  • Strong customer satisfaction

What we don't

  • Policies are a through a third party
  • Claims must be filed through insurance provider

Serving 1,000,000+ Small Business Owners

hartford business insurance logo
4.9

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$1,000+

Deductibles

Overview

For more than 200 years, the Hartford Insurance helped over 1 million businesses just like yours.

What we like

  • Affordable insurance plans
  • Customized coverage to fit your business
  • Get covered within minutes
  • Near instant access to proof of insurance
  • Quick and easy to process claims

What we don't

  • NA

Covers a wide range of industries

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$1,000+

Deductibles

Overview

Coverwallet began its journey in New York City in 2015 operating under the Aon Insurance banner. At Coverwallet, you can access everything you need to keep your company well-protected at an unbeatable price.

What we like

  • A skilled advisor to assist you
  • Free quotes from multiple insurance carriers
  • Covers low risk to even some high risk industries
  • Online account management

What we don't

  • No brick-and-mortar offices
  • Deductible costs

Affordable plans and coverage provided within minutes

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $2,000

Deductibles

Overview

Next Insurance leverages AI technology to streamline the process to purchase insurance, track claims, and manage policies at no additional cost.

What we like

  • Affordable insurance plans
  • Customized coverage to fit your business
  • Get covered within minutes
  • Near instant access to proof of insurance
  • Quick and easy to process claims

What we don't

  • Not available in New York

Customized solution to fit your business needs

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $10,000

Deductibles

Overview

With a 100-year history of insuring businesses, Hiscox is well-known across America and globally. With more than 500,000 small business customers, Hiscox is fully aware and trained in the unique risks a business can face.

What we like

  • Established insurance company
  • Dual auto insurance
  • Customizable insurance for over 180 industries
  • Deductibles starting at $0
  • Affordable rates

What we don't

  • Limited US offices
  • Coverage limited to $2 million online

Flexible coverage by the year, month, day, or by the job

$2,000,000

Coverage Up To

$0 - $10,000

Deductibles

Overview

Thimble provides business insurance that can be tailored to your business by the year, month, day, or even the job. At Thimble, the process to getting the right business insurance is simple, scalable, and flexible.

What we like

  • Scheduled coverage options
  • Coverage by the job available
  • Buy a policy online within minutes
  • No hidden fees
  • Affordable plans
  • Drone insurance

What we don't

  • Not available in New York

What are the requirements for business insurance in Ohio?

The Ohio State Department of Insurance has strict workers’ compensation coverage requirements. Employers with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance unless exempted by law. In most cases, workers’ compensation is purchased on a per-employee basis, with premiums calculated based on the type of work each employee does.

Ohio requires employers to carry general liability insurance, which protects against claims by third parties alleging injury or property damage caused by your work. General liability insurance is not required for employers who are sole proprietors or partners in a business without employees.

What are the types of business insurance in Ohio?

To help you decide what you need, here are five common types of business insurance:

General liability

Most small businesses have general liability insurance. It’s an important part of business insurance, protecting you from third-party bodily injury claims, property damage, advertising injury, and personal injury. But there are still times when you might be excluded from coverage.

General liability policies include several exclusions that might leave you exposed to claims. Here are the top three:

  • Miscellaneous errors
  • Employment practices
  • Professional services

Workers compensation

Workers help cover the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, and more if an employee gets injured or becomes ill while doing work-related tasks. Most states require employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance if they have at least one employee on the payroll. However, some states don’t require this coverage, and others have special rules for small businesses.

Workers’ compensation doesn’t cover injuries that happen outside of work. It’s only meant to cover injuries during employment or while an employee performs job-related duties.

Commercial property insurance

Commercial property insurance covers damage to buildings, the contents, equipment, and inventory. But commercial property insurance policies don’t cover every possible cause of damage. For example, commercial property insurance generally doesn’t cover flood damage or earthquake damage. You can add flood and earthquake coverage in most places with a separate rider to your policy.

Commercial property insurance also normally doesn’t cover your business’s income if you’re unable to operate for some reason — for example, if a fire destroys your factory. You’ll need a business interruption insurance rider on your commercial property policy to cover that kind of loss.

Product liability

Products liability insurance protects your company against claims of bodily injury or property damage caused by a product you manufacture, distribute or sell. It is generally included as part of a general liability insurance policy. Suppose a customer sues you for an injury or damage caused by your product. In that case, this insurance helps pay for your legal defense and any settlement or court-awarded damages up to the limits of your policy.

While most products liability insurance policies cover the same types of claims, policies vary in what’s not covered. Here are some common exclusions:

  • Design defect: A product that doesn’t work correctly because it was poorly designed.
  • Manufacturing defects: Product that fails to function as intended because it was improperly made (such as a toy with sharp edges).

Commercial Auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance is a must for businesses that use vehicles for work – regardless of the vehicle’s size, age, or type. Businesses use commercial auto policies to protect their vehicles in conducting their day-to-day operations, whether they have one vehicle or a fleet.

Common Exclusions

Personal use of your vehicle: If you use your commercial vehicle for personal use and get into an accident, there is a chance that your carrier will deny coverage if you have not disclosed this type of usage. 

Contractual liability: If you agree to be responsible for another individual’s property or injuries, this agreement is considered a contractual liability agreement. 

How much does business insurance cost in Ohio?

Factors that affect business insurance costs:

  • Company size: Businesses with more employees tend to have higher insurance costs. That’s because larger businesses generally have higher revenues and more assets, which means they face greater financial risks than smaller businesses. 
  • Your business location: The state in which your business operates can significantly affect your business insurance rates. The local economy, crime rates, and the frequency of natural disasters are all considered when calculating your premium.
  • Claims history:  Your claims history is one of the most important indicators to calculate insurance premiums. If your company has a history of frequent claims, you can expect to pay higher premiums than a company that files less frequently.
  • Coverage limits: Every policy has a maximum benefit, or “limit.” The limit is the maximum amount the insurer will pay out in case of a claim. Higher limits usually result in higher premiums.
  • Business Activities: most businesses are assigned a classification code based on their industry. Rates are determined based on the type of risk associated with that industry. Other factors include whether or not you sell goods or services or manufacture products that leave your place of business.

How to choose the best business insurance in Ohio 

Here are some tips to help in choosing the right business insurance policy for your needs:

  • Consider how much coverage you need: You want to make sure that you’re covered if something were to happen, but don’t purchase more than what you need. The best way to determine how much coverage is right for you is to inventory all of your assets and determine their value.
  • Check on your local laws: Some cities require businesses to have specific types of insurance before they can open their doors. For example, for food businesses to operate, they must have food liability insurance.
  • Shop Around: The only way to find the best deal is by shopping around with different companies. Insurance providers compete for your business and want to offer you the best deal possible.
  • Experience: Insurance companies that have been around for a long time are doing something right, catering to customers and treating them fairly when it comes time for payment. 
  • Know what’s included and excluded: Be sure to check out exactly what is covered by your policy and what isn’t. Just as important, make sure you know the details about deductibles and coverage limits.