Either should be able to provide you with a business insurance quote in a matter of minutes. However, the best option for you will most likely be determined by your business needs and where you are in the purchasing process.

Here's what you need to know about purchasing business insurance online.

How to get a business insurance quote online

Obtaining a business insurance quote online is generally faster and easier than applying in person or over the phone with an insurance broker. Although the procedure varies depending on the insurer, the following are the steps you should typically take.

1. Determine where you want to get a quote.

Insurance marketplaces like Insureon collaborate with insurers to provide you with multiple quotes at the same time. You are limited to the companies that have partnered with the marketplace, but if you are new to shopping for business insurance and want to compare options, marketplaces can save you the time and effort of contacting individual providers. In general, you provide some basic information about your company and the coverage you seek, and the marketplace generates multiple quotes from partners.

If you have simple insurance needs or have specific insurance carriers in mind, you may want to get a quote directly from them. However, contacting different insurance companies, discussing your business needs with each one, and entering data over and over again to obtain quotes takes more time. However, if you already know you want to work with a specific company or have a specific policy in mind, it may be easier to contact them directly.

2. Provide the required information

To obtain a business insurance quote online, you will almost certainly need to:

• Give basic information about your company, yourself, and any other business owners.
• Personal identification, such as a driver's license, tax ID number, or Social Security number, should be included.
• Provide critical information about your company, such as financials, headcount, and industry.

3. Determine your next steps.

When you receive the quote, some providers may allow you to pay right away and complete the process entirely online. Other online quote processes may not provide this; if you like what you see, you'll need to follow their more analogue process. Before selecting a policy, InsuredCircle recommends comparing multiple quotes.

Best websites to buy business insurance online

You won't be able to get business insurance online from some well-known insurers. State Farm and Liberty Mutual, for example, require you to contact an agent for a quote. However, here are some companies to think about when comparing business insurance options online.

Progressive

Progressive is the largest seller of commercial auto insurance in the United States, making it a must-consider when shopping for commercial auto insurance. The company offers online quizzes and FAQs to help you assess your risk and determine what types of insurance you may require.

Progressive, on the other hand, acts as a middleman for other types of business insurance, such as general liability. For those other types of coverage, Progressive will connect you with its underwriting partners, much like an insurance marketplace. However, if you are not going to bundle your business insurance with a Progressive car insurance policy, you may be better off going directly to a specific insurance provider.

Progressive sells liquor liability insurance, rideshare insurance, and inland marine insurance, among other options, in addition to core business insurance products such as general liability, professional liability, and business owners policies. Progressive provides commercial insurance in all 50 states but does not provide coverage in Washington, D.C.

Hiscox USA

Hiscox is a Bermuda-based international insurer that is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. It sells various business insurance policies in the United States through its Hiscox Retail division. If you want comprehensive coverage that is tailored to your industry, Hiscox may be a good fit for your small business.

You can complete the entire purchasing process online, and your proof of insurance will be emailed to you as soon as you're finished. Some insurers do not provide this option and may direct you to an agent. In addition, the company provides explanation videos and FAQs to assist you in determining what coverage you may require.

Among other things, Hiscox provides commercial auto insurance, directors and officers insurance, umbrella insurance, and employment practices liability insurance. The company sells insurance to people in over 180 industries. Except for Alaska, it does business in every state, though the availability of specific types of policies varies by state.

Next Insurance

Next Insurance is a relatively newcomer to the insurance market, having been founded in 2016. It offers general liability, professional liability, commercial property, and a variety of other small-business insurance policies. You can request an instant quote directly from the Next website's homepage by clicking the application button. You can purchase coverage by uploading digital copies of some business documents and receiving a certificate of insurance in minutes.

You can buy policies separately, but if you bundle them, Next will give you a 10% discount.

Next Insurance is a good fit for businesses that prefer an all-digital approach. It offers online service and support, and claims can be submitted via an online portal or over the phone.

Selecting the Best Business Insurance

Business insurance comes in a variety of forms. Whether you obtain coverage online or in person, you can speed up the process by preparing documentation ahead of time and carefully following all instructions. Before applying, compare your options and consider factors such as deductibles, coverage limits, access to customer support, and additional insurance tools to find the best policy for your company's needs.