On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- The Hartford vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- The Hartford legitimacy and licensing
- How much The Hartford business insurance costs
- What The Hartford covers
- Complaints and how to avoid problems
- Cancelling a policy and refunds
- Rules that protect you
- Who should look elsewhere
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
The Hartford is a sensible quote for small businesses that want a Business Owner's Policy, workers' comp and other coverage from one carrier with online quotes and agents. It is a legitimate, financially strong insurer: AM Best affirmed its A+ (Superior) financial strength rating in July 2026, and it has been in business since 1810. The tradeoff is service: The Hartford is not BBB accredited, has 645 BBB complaints in three years and a 1.2 out of 5 Trustpilot score, with complaints about claims, renewal price jumps and cancellations. Compare at least two quotes and read exclusions before you buy.
Your options
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The Hartford This review Established small businesses that want several coverages from one financially strong carrier and value agent help.
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biBerk Alternative Small, low-risk businesses such as consultants, shops and small contractors that want to buy standard coverage online from a financially strong insurer.
- Company
- The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: HIG), Hartford, Connecticut; founded May 10, 18108
- Financial strength
- A+ (Superior) from AM Best for Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its pool, stable outlook, affirmed July 22, 20267
- Small business customers
- More than 1.3 million, per The Hartford1
- Average BOP cost
- $141 a month ($1,687 a year), average paid by its customers; not a quote1
- Average general liability cost
- About $68 a month ($810 a year)3
- Average workers' comp cost
- $81 a month for most customers with under $300,000 payroll; some policies from $13 a month4
- Personal insurance
- Auto and home insurance through the AARP program, which it has run for 40+ years; auto advertised from $87 a month5
- Claims
- Report by phone or online (about 10 minutes online), with claim tracking in its app6
Pros
- A+ (Superior) AM Best rating, affirmed July 2026
- Broad small business lineup, including BOP, workers' comp, cyber and commercial auto
- Online quotes plus agents for complex risks
- Publishes average prices its customers pay
- Long-running AARP auto and home program for older drivers and homeowners
Cons
- Not BBB accredited, with 645 complaints in three years
- 1.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, mostly claims and service complaints
- Did not rank in J.D. Power's top three for small business satisfaction in 2026
- Average prices are well above the starting prices online rivals advertise
- Personal auto and home are mainly sold through the AARP program
Best for: Established small businesses that want several coverages from one financially strong carrier and value agent help.
Skip it if: You run a very small, low-risk business and mainly want the cheapest general liability policy you can buy online.
The Hartford vs. competitors
| Company | AM Best rating | General liability price | Buy online | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hartford | A+ (Superior) | About $68 a month on average | Yes, or through an agent | A+, not accredited | Visit site |
| ERGO NEXT Insurance | A+ (Superior) | From $19 a month | Yes | A+, accredited | Visit site |
| Hiscox | A (Excellent) | From $30 a month | Yes | A+, accredited | Visit site |
| biBERK | A++ for Berkshire's major insurance subsidiaries | From $27.50 a month | Yes | A+, accredited | Visit site |
Business insurance companies we reviewed
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The Hartford This review BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Established small businesses that want several coverages from one financially strong carrier and value agent help. -
biBerk BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small, low-risk businesses such as consultants, shops and small contractors that want to buy standard coverage online from a financially strong insurer. -
Next Insurance BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Freelancers and small, low-risk businesses that want to buy common business coverage and certificates online in minutes. -
Hiscox BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Consultants, IT and marketing firms and other service businesses that need E&O or general liability fast and want a financially strong carrier. -
Chubb BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Businesses that want broad coverage and risk services from a top-rated insurer, and owners of high-value homes, cars and collections.
The Hartford pricing at a glance
What The Hartford's small business customers pay on average, as published October 20261
| Coverage | Average monthly | Average yearly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Owner's Policy (BOP) | $141 | $1,687 | Combines general liability, commercial property and business income |
| General liability | About $68 | $810 | Most small businesses start with $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate |
| $1 million general liability policy | About $69 | $824 | Average for its small business owners |
| Workers' compensation | $81 | Not published | Customers with under $300,000 payroll; some policies from $13 a month |
These are averages The Hartford reports for its own customers, not quotes. Your premium depends on industry, location, payroll, claims history, limits and deductibles. A BOP may qualify for up to a 10% discount when bundled with other coverage.
The Hartford, step by step
Get a quote online or by phone
Enter your industry, location, employees and revenue for a BOP or other coverage, or call an agent for more complex risks.
Adjust coverage
Set limits and deductibles and add coverage such as cyber, employment practices liability or professional liability where it fits your business.
Bind and pay
Coverage starts once you accept the policy and make the first payment. Get certificates of insurance through your online account.
File claims online or by phone
Report a claim online in about 10 minutes or by phone, then track it in The Hartford's app.
Review at renewal
Check the renewal premium and coverage each year and re-quote if the price jumps, a common complaint.
The Hartford legitimacy and licensing
Yes. The Hartford has been in business since May 10, 1810, trades on the New York Stock Exchange as The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. (HIG). AM Best affirmed an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating for Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its pooled affiliates on July 22, 2026, which means it is rated highly able to pay claims.
Financial strength and customer satisfaction are different things. The BBB gives it an A+ rating but it is not accredited and has logged 645 complaints in three years, and its unclaimed Trustpilot page scores 1.2 out of 5. Older reviews that say its A+ rating was an upgrade in 2025 are not accurate; AM Best had already rated it A+ before then.
How much The Hartford business insurance costs
The Hartford publishes what its customers pay on average: $141 a month ($1,687 a year) for a Business Owner’s Policy, about $68 a month ($810 a year) for General liability. Coverage for third-party bodily injury, property damage and advertising injury claims. Compare business insurance companies and $81 a month for workers’ comp for most businesses with under $300,000 in payroll. These are averages, not quotes.
Your price depends on industry, location, payroll, number of employees, claims history, limits and deductibles. A BOP can qualify for up to a 10% discount when bundled with other policies. Online-first rivals advertise lower starting prices, so get at least two quotes for the same limits.
What The Hartford covers
For small businesses, The Hartford sells a Business Owner’s Policy (general liability, commercial property and business income in one), standalone general liability, workers’ compensation, professional liability, commercial auto, cyber insurance, employment practices liability and other coverages. It says it insures more than 1.3 million small businesses.
For individuals, it sells auto and home insurance through the AARP program it has run for more than 40 years, and it advertises auto coverage from $87 a month. It also sells group benefits through employers. In June 2026 it agreed to sell its Hartford Funds mutual fund business to Wellington Management; that deal does not change insurance policies.
What customers say about The Hartford
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Financial strength and a long track record
- Wide range of small business coverages from one carrier
- Quick online quotes for BOP and general liability
- Company-collected reviews rate its claims handling highly
Common complaints
- Claims denied or paid slowly
- Hard to reach representatives and conflicting answers
- Premiums that rise sharply at renewal
- Policies cancelled over expired payment methods or missed inspection deadlines
Complaints and how to avoid problems
Complaints on the BBB and Trustpilot center on denied or slow claims, hard-to-reach staff, steep renewal increases and policies cancelled for an expired card or a missed inspection. To lower your risk:
- Read the exclusions and endorsements on your policy before you need it.
- Keep autopay current and calendar any inspection or audit deadlines.
- Document every claim call in writing and ask for the adjuster’s name and claim number.
- If a claim stalls, file a complaint with your state insurance department.
Cancelling a policy and refunds
The Hartford does not publish a single cancellation fee or refund rule on its public pages. Cancellation terms and any unearned premium refund are set by your policy and state law, and workers’ comp policies may be subject to a premium audit after cancellation. Ask your agent or the service line for the refund method and any audit before you cancel, and have replacement coverage in force first so there is no gap.
Rules that protect you
Insurers are regulated by each state’s insurance department, which licenses carriers, reviews rates in many lines and takes consumer complaints. The NAIC’s Consumer Insurance Search lets you look up complaint records for the specific Hartford company that issues your policy. Most states require workers’ comp once you have employees, and contracts or leases often require general liability limits such as $1 million per occurrence.
Who should look elsewhere
Solo contractors and consultants who only need a certificate of general liability may pay less with an online-first carrier. Businesses in very high-risk trades may need a specialty or surplus lines insurer. If fast, friendly claims service matters most to you, compare J.D. Power’s small commercial rankings, where Erie, Chubb and Allstate led in 2026.
Alternatives to The Hartford
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Lower advertised starting prices and fully online buying for small, simple businesses like contractors and consultants.
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A good fit for professional services firms that mainly need professional and general liability.
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Direct-to-business coverage backed by Berkshire Hathaway, worth quoting for workers' comp and BOPs.
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An independent insurance agent
An agent can quote The Hartford alongside other carriers at no charge to you, which is the simplest way to compare price and coverage.
Next steps
The Hartford reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used The Hartford, yours will be the first.
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Frequently asked questions
Is The Hartford a good insurance company?
It is financially strong, with an A+ (Superior) AM Best rating affirmed in July 2026, and offers a wide range of small business coverage. Customer reviews are weak, with a 1.2 out of 5 Trustpilot score and 645 BBB complaints in three years.
Is The Hartford BBB accredited?
No. The BBB rates The Hartford Insurance Company A+, but it is not accredited, and the BBB lists 645 complaints in the last three years.
How much does The Hartford business insurance cost?
The Hartford says its customers pay an average of $141 a month for a Business Owner's Policy, about $68 a month for general liability and $81 a month for workers' comp for most businesses with under $300,000 payroll. Your quote will differ.
What is The Hartford's AM Best rating?
A+ (Superior) for financial strength, with a long-term issuer credit rating of aa and a stable outlook, affirmed by AM Best on July 22, 2026.
Who owns The Hartford?
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HIG and headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut.
Is The Hartford only for AARP members?
No. Its business insurance is open to any eligible business. Its personal auto and home insurance is marketed mainly through the AARP program, so check eligibility in your state.
How do I file a claim with The Hartford?
You can report auto, home or business claims online, which The Hartford says takes about 10 minutes, or by phone, and track the claim in its mobile app.
What does a Business Owner's Policy from The Hartford include?
It combines general liability, commercial property and business income insurance. You can add coverage such as employment practices liability, and bundling a BOP with other policies may earn up to a 10% discount.
Why are The Hartford reviews so bad?
Online reviews skew toward people with problems. The recurring themes are denied or slow claims, hard-to-reach staff, renewal price jumps and cancellations for payment issues, so read your policy and keep billing current.
Is The Hartford selling its business?
No. In June 2026 it agreed to sell Hartford Funds, its mutual fund unit, to Wellington Management. Its insurance business is not part of that deal.
Sources (11)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- The Hartford: Small business insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- The Hartford: Business Owner's Policy (accessed October 12, 2026)
- The Hartford: General liability insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- The Hartford: Workers' compensation insurance (accessed October 12, 2026)
- The Hartford: Home page (personal insurance and AARP program) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- The Hartford: Claims center (accessed October 12, 2026)
- InsuranceNewsNet (AM Best release): AM Best affirms credit ratings of The Hartford Insurance Group, July 22, 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: The Hartford Insurance Company business profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: The Hartford reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- InsuranceNewsNet (J.D. Power release): 2026 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study (accessed October 12, 2026)
- SEC EDGAR: The Hartford 8-K exhibit, Wellington Management to acquire Hartford Funds, June 3, 2026 (accessed October 12, 2026)
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