The Hartford 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.
The Hartford
Ranked #1 of 15 in this directory
Business insurance backed by over 200 years of experience
Thimble
Ranked #7 of 15 in this directory
On-demand business insurance by the hour, day, or month
Our pick: The Hartford. Our editors rank The Hartford 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
| The Hartford | Thimble | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | General Liability | Professional Liability |
| Editorial rank | #1 of 15 | #7 of 15 |
Strengths
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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