Next Insurance vs The Hartford
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top business insurance picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Next Insurance
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
Instant online business insurance built for small businesses
The Hartford
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
Business insurance backed by over 200 years of experience
Our pick: The Hartford. Our editors rank The Hartford higher overall in Business Insurance — but Next Insurance can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Next Insurance | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | General Liability | General Liability |
| Editorial rank | #2 of 15 | #1 of 15 |
Strengths
Next Insurance
- ✓Fully online process delivers quotes and coverage in under 10 minutes
- ✓Tailored policies for over 1,300 specific business types
- ✓Monthly payment options with no hidden fees or cancellation penalties
- ✓Instant certificates of insurance downloadable from the dashboard
- ✓Competitive pricing starting under $30/month for many business types
The Hartford
- ✓Over 200 years of insurance experience with strong financial ratings
- ✓AARP-endorsed small business insurance with dedicated agent support
- ✓Bundled BOP policies save money on liability and property coverage
- ✓Wide range of industry-specific coverage options
- ✓Online certificate of insurance available for instant proof
Watch out for
Next Insurance
- !Newer company with less track record than legacy insurers
- !Complex or high-risk businesses may not find adequate coverage
- !Claims process is less established than traditional carriers
- !Limited human agent support compared to traditional brokers
The Hartford
- !Quotes often require a phone call to finalize pricing
- !Not the cheapest option for very small or low-risk businesses
- !Online self-service portal could be more modern
- !Limited availability for some high-risk industries
Best use cases
Next Insurance
- →Get general liability coverage in minutes before starting a new landscaping contract
- →Download an instant certificate of insurance to satisfy a commercial lease requirement
- →Bundle general liability and professional liability for a consulting business under $75/month
The Hartford
- →Get a Business Owner's Policy that bundles general liability and property coverage for a retail store
- →Add workers' compensation coverage as you hire your first employees
- →Request a certificate of insurance online to satisfy a client's vendor requirements
About each tool
Next Insurance
Next Insurance is a technology-first insurer that provides instant online quotes and same-day coverage for small businesses and self-employed professionals. The entire process from quote to purchase to certificate of insurance happens online in minutes. Next specializes in general liability, professional liability, commercial auto, and workers' compensation with industry-tailored policies for over 1,300 business types.
The Hartford
The Hartford is one of the largest and most established business insurance providers in the United States, offering a full suite of commercial coverage including general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, and property insurance. Their small business division is endorsed by AARP and provides dedicated agents who understand the needs of growing companies. The online quote process is straightforward, and bundled Business Owner's Policies (BOPs) offer significant savings.
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