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Review 2026
Each company is evaluated across five criteria. Scores are weighted and combined into a single BestGuide Score out of 5. See how we rate the brands.
Key Takeaway
Hiscox earns an Expert Score of 4.5/5.0 from BestGuide, scoring highest on Reputation thanks to an 'A' (Excellent) rating from AM Best and its underwriting heritage at Lloyd's of London. Basic general liability policies start at $30 a month, and Hiscox specializes in professional liability (errors and omissions) for service businesses. The main trade-off is administrative friction — most notably, cancellations can't be completed instantly online.
Best For: Service firms, consultants, and knowledge-based businesses that need specialized errors-and-omissions coverage backed by a financially strong insurer.
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Hiscox is a specialty commercial insurer founded in London in 1901 and now headquartered in Bermuda, with more than 3,000 staff across 13 countries. In the U.S., it is licensed to write policies in 49 states plus the District of Columbia (Alaska is the exception), and its U.S. operations run through Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. Hiscox specializes in professional liability (errors and omissions) and small business coverage for hundreds of professions, backed by an 'A' (Excellent) AM Best rating and its long heritage as an underwriter at Lloyd's of London.
Founded
1901
Headquarters
Bermuda
AM Best rating
A (Excellent)
See If You Qualify
Visit the site to get started in less than a minute.
For standard small business needs, you can buy online in under 10 minutes: enter your ZIP code, industry, and annual revenue to generate general liability or professional liability quotes. Hiscox applies a 5% discount automatically when you buy two or more products.
Businesses with more complex risk structures can work with licensed independent brokers instead of the online-only path. A broker helps match coverage limits to your risk and avoid misclassification, so you get appropriate coverage rather than a mismatched online package.
Claims run through an online portal or a dedicated phone line, drawing on Hiscox's Lloyd's of London underwriting heritage. Note that cancellations require phone coordination — you can't cancel coverage instantly online, and the process can take multiple business days.
Hiscox fits service firms, consultants, and knowledge-based businesses that need specialized professional liability coverage.
Not ideal for businesses in Alaska (no coverage there) or owners who require immediate, fully automated online policy cancellation.
Specialized Professional Liability (E&O)
Hiscox tailors errors-and-omissions coverage for hundreds of professions, with policy forms built to protect service businesses against claims tied to their work or advice.
'A' Financial Strength & Lloyd's Heritage
Hiscox holds an 'A' (Excellent) AM Best rating and underwrites at Lloyd's of London, signaling a strong ability to meet obligations on high-value contracts.
Multi-Policy Discount
A 5% discount applies automatically when you combine two or more commercial policies, such as a business owner's policy and professional liability.
Online or Broker Purchase
Buy standard coverage online in minutes, or work with a licensed independent broker for complex risks that need careful coverage-limit matching.
Published Starting Rates
Hiscox publishes transparent entry-level pricing — general liability from $30/month, professional liability from $22.50/month, and a business owner's policy from $42/month.
Favorable Regulatory Record
Hiscox's NAIC complaint index sits below the national median, indicating fewer official state regulatory complaints than expected for its size.
Pros
Cons
Yes, Hiscox is a highly legitimate commercial insurer, founded in London in 1901 and now headquartered in Bermuda. It employs more than 3,000 staff across 13 countries and is licensed to write policies in 49 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, with U.S. operations backed by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. Its 'A' (Excellent) AM Best rating and underwriting heritage at Lloyd's of London reflect strong financial reserves to settle claims.
Regulatory standing. National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data shows Hiscox's complaint index sits below the 1.0 national median — meaning fewer official state regulatory complaints than expected for a company of its size. That solid regulatory record contrasts with public criticism of its administrative and cancellation processes, suggesting friction occurs but systemic violations are rare.
Hiscox earns an Expert Score of 4.5/5.0 — a financially strong, specialty-focused insurer with some customer-facing administrative friction. Its strengths are clear: deep expertise in errors-and-omissions coverage, an 'A' (Excellent) AM Best rating backed by 125 years of Lloyd's of London heritage, published starting rates (general liability from $30/month, professional liability from $22.50/month), and a favorable regulatory complaint record. The trade-offs are real too: cancellations require phone coordination rather than instant online self-service, some buyers report delayed responses during claims, and coverage isn't available in Alaska. If you prioritize financial backing and specialized policy terms over a purely digital, self-service experience, Hiscox is a strong option for professional-services businesses.
BestGuide gives Hiscox an Expert Score of 4.5/5.0, crediting its 'A' AM Best financial strength, Lloyd's heritage, and specialized E&O coverage, while noting administrative friction — especially on cancellations.
Yes for service firms and consultants who want specialized professional liability from a financially strong insurer. It's less ideal if you need instant online cancellation or coverage in Alaska.
Published starting rates are $30/month for general liability, $22.50/month for professional liability, and $42/month for a business owner's policy. Final pricing depends on your industry, location, and revenue.
Yes. Hiscox has operated since 1901, is headquartered in Bermuda, holds an 'A' (Excellent) AM Best rating, and is licensed in 49 states plus DC. Its NAIC complaint index is below the national median.
Professional liability (errors and omissions) for hundreds of professions — consultants, agencies, and service firms — with limits up to $5 million, alongside general liability and business owner's policies.
Not instantly. Cancellations require phone coordination with support and can take several business days, rather than a fully automated online process.
Hiscox is licensed in 49 states plus the District of Columbia. Coverage is not available in Alaska.
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