The Hartford Insurance Reviews: Small Business Coverage and Costs

Who It's Best For / Not For

Who The Hartford Is Best For:

• Small business owners seeking multiple insurance protections under a single policy or provider

• Those looking for transparent pricing and straightforward online quotes and purchasing

• Owners who value the security of their insurer's financial strength and long-term history

Who Should Consider Other Options

• Online policy shoppers who own businesses with complex coverage needs, or are located in Alaska or Hawaii

• Owners who demand consistently positive customer review scores. 

Key Facts

The Hartford Insurance Reviews: Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for The Hartford: 8.8

The Hartford earns an 8.8 rating based on our strict small business insurance company evaluation criteria, which places it among our top-rated providers in our overview of the best small business insurance companies. 

Its strongest scores come from coverage options, pricing, reputation and financial strength, and ease of use. However, its relatively low customer satisfaction score reflects its large percentage of negative feedback on independent review platforms, particularly about claims, billing, and customer service.

Key scoring drivers:

• The Hartford earns a perfect 10 in Coverage Options & Policy Features, as its extensive selection of insurance products, specialized protections, and available endorsements set it apart.

• Scores of 9 in Pricing & Value, Reputation & Financial Strength, and Accessibility & Ease of Use support its overall rating, reflecting competitive pricing, strong financial stability, and convenient online services.

• Customer Satisfaction & Claims Experience receives a 6, due to generally low independent customer review ratings and recurring complaints about claims handling, billing, and communication.

How The Hartford scored on each weighted attribute:

What Makes The Hartford Different?

The Hartford is a large, established insurance company with a strong financial and business history. The company has a unique focus on serving small businesses, with options designed specifically for the demographic. Unlike traditional large insurers that rely heavily on agent sales, The Hartford lets most businesses get quotes, buy coverage, and manage their policies online. 

Additionally, The Hartford lists prices for many standard business insurance policies directly on its website. While these numbers are more like guidelines or averages, publishing them provides a level of transparency not often seen from commercial insurance providers. 

Features and Benefits

The Hartford combines digital convenience with traditional insurance support, customizable policies, and claims assistance.

The Hartford's key features include:

• Online quotes and purchasing: Get quotes and buy general liability, business owner's policies (BOP), workers' compensation, and professional liability insurance online, where available. 

• 24/7 account management: Access billing information, make payments, and view policy documents through The Hartford's online customer service center.

• Online certificates of insurance: Request and instantly access (in most cases) certificates of insurance through the customer portal.

• Flexible payment options: Schedule payments, make one-time payments, or enroll in automatic payments.

• Claims reporting: Report business insurance claims online or through an agent.

• Industry-specific coverage: Choose policies and endorsements designed specifically for numerous individual industry types. 

• Commercial package options: Combine multiple protections through a BOP or other available coverage arrangements.

• Online purchasing limitations: The Hartford doesn't offer direct online policy purchasing in Alaska or Hawaii. Businesses in high-risk industries or those with specialized insurance needs will most likely also need to work with an agent to obtain coverage. However, these restrictions don't necessarily mean a business is ineligible for coverage from The Hartford.

The Hartford Insurance Reviews: Available Coverages

The Hartford offers a large selection of commercial insurance products for businesses of almost any size. 

The Hartford's primary business insurance options include:

• General liability insurance: Covers third-party bodily injuries, property damage, personal injury, advertising injury, and related legal expenses.

• BOP: Combines general liability, commercial property, and business income protection under one policy. The Hartford's flagship BOP is called the Spectrum® Business Owner's Policy.

• Workers' compensation insurance: Covers employee injuries and occupational illnesses, subject to state requirements.

• Commercial property insurance: Protects business buildings, equipment, inventory, and other covered property against loss.

• Professional liability insurance: Offers protection against professional mistakes, negligence, or errors and omissions.

• Commercial auto insurance: Provides liability and physical damage coverage for vehicles used in business operations.

• Cyber insurance: Helps cover data breaches, cyberattacks, and other technology-related losses.

• Employment practices liability insurance: Helps protect businesses against employee claims involving discrimination, wrongful termination, and other employment practices.

• Commercial umbrella insurance: Provides additional liability protection beyond underlying policy limits.

• Commercial flood insurance: Offers protection against flood-related property losses through available flood insurance programs.

• Inland marine insurance: Helps protect qualifying equipment and other business property during transportation or while away from a primary business location.

• Commercial crime insurance: Protects against theft, fraud, and employee dishonesty losses.

The Hartford's Spectrum® Business Owner's Policy

The Hartford's Spectrum® Business Owner's Policy combines general liability, commercial property, and business income insurance into a single policy designed for small to mid-sized businesses.

It offers customizable coverage options beyond the provider's standard protections, including endorsements for equipment breakdown, valuable papers and records, and additional business property risks. 

Coverage options, limits, and eligibility vary by industry and state, and the Spectrum® Business Owner's Policy can be a good fit for retailers, offices, service providers, and other small businesses that need multifaceted protection without having to manage numerous separate policies. 

Pricing & Value

Unlike many large, mainstream insurers, The Hartford publishes average premium information based on its existing small business customers, right on its website. While this can simplify policy shopping, it also shows a level of pricing transparency that's rare in the industry. However, it's important to note that individual quotes depend on multiple factors and may vary significantly from published averages. 

According to The Hartford's website: 

• General liability insurance costs an average of $68 per month, or $810 annually.

• A BOP costs an average of $141 per month, or $1,687 annually.

• Workers' compensation insurance averages $86 per month, or $1,032 annually.

• Professional liability insurance averages $62 per month, or $744 annually.

• Is it worth the price? The Hartford can offer good value for businesses that want customizable coverage and online convenience, with the option of working through an agent. Its premiums are generally competitive compared to other providers. 

The Hartford Insurance Customer Reviews

The Hartford generally receives low ratings on major independent customer review platforms, often due to customer dissatisfaction with the claims process. The company holds a 1.2-star rating on Trustpilot, based on about 500 reviews, and a 1.1-star rating at the Better Business Bureau, based on about 240 reviews at the time of writing. These ratings are based on The Hartford as a whole, and not just its business insurance sector. 

Positive feedback often mentions helpful representatives and convenient purchasing, while negative reviews frequently involve claims disputes, difficulty contacting representatives, unexpected premium adjustments, and billing problems.

Common The Hartford Complaints

• Premium increases or unexpected changes at renewal

• Delays, denials, or disagreements involving insurance claims

• Billing errors, payment difficulties, or policy cancellations

• Problems with workers' compensation audits or premium adjustments

The Hartford Alternatives

While The Hartford offers customizable coverage, convenient online services, and agent support when needed, other companies in our best small business insurance companies overview may offer lower starting premiums or better customer review scores.

• ERGO NEXT: Strong option for small businesses seeking low starting premiums, fast online purchasing, and convenient digital policy management.

• Acuity Insurance: Potentially good fit for businesses seeking extensive coverage options, personalized independent-agent support, and stronger customer ratings.

• Travelers: Worth considering for businesses that need comprehensive commercial insurance, specialized risk management services, and strong financial strength.

• Chubb: Good option for businesses with complex insurance needs requiring specialized coverage, higher policy limits, or international protection.

The Hartford Information and Data

Insurance policies are issued by applicable Hartford underwriting companies. Coverage availability, underwriting requirements, policy features, and pricing vary by state, business type, and selected insurance products.

Should You Choose The Hartford?

The Hartford is worth considering if you want customizable commercial insurance with convenient online purchasing and policy management options.

• Consider The Hartford if: You need basic coverage or have more complex coverage needs, value a provider with strong financial backing, and would like access to both online services and agent assistance. 

• Probably not if: Your primary concern is consistently positive independent customer reviews.