Hiscox vs Thimble
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top business insurance picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Hiscox
Ranked #6 of 15 in this directory
Specialized professional liability insurance for small businesses
Thimble
Ranked #7 of 15 in this directory
On-demand business insurance by the hour, day, or month
Our pick: Hiscox. Our editors rank Hiscox higher overall in Business Insurance — but Thimble can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Hiscox | Thimble | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Professional Liability | Professional Liability |
| Editorial rank | #6 of 15 | #7 of 15 |
Strengths
Hiscox
- ✓Deep specialization in professional liability for service businesses
- ✓Tailored policies for IT, consulting, marketing, and creative professionals
- ✓Strong financial ratings and claims-paying reputation
- ✓Online quotes available with same-day coverage binding
- ✓Flexible payment options including monthly billing
Thimble
- ✓On-demand coverage by the hour, day, week, or month — pay only when you need it
- ✓Instant certificates of insurance available via mobile app
- ✓Ideal for freelancers and gig workers with variable schedules
- ✓No long-term commitment or annual premium required
- ✓General liability and professional liability available on-demand
Watch out for
Hiscox
- !General liability and property coverage is less comprehensive than full-line carriers
- !Pricing can be higher than generalist competitors for some industries
- !Limited physical agent network for in-person consultations
Thimble
- !Per-event pricing can be more expensive than annual policies for regular work
- !Coverage options are limited to general and professional liability
- !Not suited for businesses needing continuous year-round coverage
- !Claims history may affect future on-demand pricing
Best use cases
Hiscox
- →Get E&O coverage for a technology consulting firm before signing a major client contract
- →Add cyber liability to a professional liability policy for a marketing agency handling client data
- →Secure professional indemnity coverage required by a government contract for an IT services company
Thimble
- →Freelance photographer buying liability coverage for a single weekend event
- →Contractor adding coverage for a specific project lasting two weeks
- →Gig worker purchasing hourly insurance before a client engagement
About each tool
Hiscox
Hiscox is a specialist insurer focused on professional liability (E&O) coverage for service-based businesses, consultants, and technology companies. The company has deep expertise in professional risks and offers tailored policies that address the specific exposures of knowledge workers. Online quotes and purchasing make it easy to get covered, and Hiscox's claims handling is known for being efficient and fair.
Thimble
Thimble offers flexible, short-term business insurance policies that can be purchased by the hour, day, week, or month. It is designed for freelancers, gig workers, and small businesses that need coverage for specific events or projects rather than year-round policies. Coverage includes general liability and professional liability with instant certificates available via the mobile app.
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