Simply Business

Simply Business is an online business insurance platform that helps small business owners find the coverage they need. Learn more here.

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Simply Business 2024 Review

Kiah Treece

Licensed Attorney and Small Business Owner


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What Is Simply Business?

Simply Business is an online business insurance platform that helps small business owners find the coverage they need with the provider that’s best for them. Business owners who use Simply Business provide some basic information about themselves and their business and get matched with insurers that offer various coverage options for their industry.

Simply Business Business Insurance Products

Because Simply Business is a platform that matches business owners with insurance companies, applicants may get access to quotes from multiple providers. Simply Business provides insurance options from a wide range of top insurers, including Clear Blue Insurance Company, Hiscox, Travelers, and Markel.

This means the platform offers its customers numerous types of coverage tailored to various businesses. It also means coverage options vary considerably from provider to provider. Options also vary by user, as all small business insurers have different criteria for what types of policies they offer geographically or to companies of different sizes or in different industries.

Here are the policy types business owners can obtain through Simply Business:

  • Business insurance
  • General liability insurance
  • Workers’ compensation insurance
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Errors and omissions insurance
  • Home-based business insurance
  • Cyber insurance
  • Business personal property
  • Inland marine insurance
  • Sole proprietors’ workers’ compensation

While Simply Business works with a wide selection of providers, not all of its carriers provide all coverage types. Likewise, not all coverage types are available to businesses in every industry.

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Key Features of Simply Business

Simply Business is a free insurance brokerage platform that small business owners can use to get matched with commercial insurance carriers that offer various types of coverage to businesses in their industry and area. While Simply Business doesn’t offer business insurance policies itself, there are some key features that users should look out for when using the platform.

Policy Exclusions

Because Simply Business does not issue policies, it does not impose any of its own policy exclusions. Instead, policy exclusions vary by provider and policy type. Common exclusions include coverage for damages resulting from business owner negligence or malfeasance.

On-Demand Policy Modifications

As with policy exclusions, the ability to make on-demand policy modifications varies by provider and policy type. Simply Business does not handle policy modifications itself, so business owners must work directly with their carrier. Whether and how a business owner can make changes to their policy depends on which provider they choose to work with, which type of policy they purchase, as well as any recent changes to the insured’s business and industry.

Filing a Claim

Policyholders who need to file a claim must contact their chosen provider directly. Simply Business only helps with finding coverage and doesn’t handle claims itself. Ultimately, the process of filing a claim depends on the policy type and the chosen provider’s policies and procedures.

Simply Business Pros and Cons

There are benefits and drawbacks to working with an online insurance broker like Simply Business. While Simply Business does not provide policies, it is a free platform that helps business owners provide the best types of coverage at the best cost.

Pros

  • Quotes from multiple providers: Simply Business provides quotes from multiple providers, which allows business owners to get the best coverage for their needs at the lowest price.
  • Premiums start at $22.50 per month: Simply Business’ premiums are lower than many other online insurance brokers, with coverage starting at just $22.50 per month.
  • Offers extensive online resources: Simply Business provides online learning resources on topics such as insurance terms and business compliance.

Cons

  • Quotes may require a phone call: Simply Business makes it easy for small business owners to assess their coverage options from a range of carriers. However, some quotes from Simply Business may require the applicant to speak with the provider before getting a final quote.
  • Policies offered through third-party companies: Because Simply Business does not issue policies, business owners must work with third-party companies.
  • Does not handle claims: While Simply Business provides quotes and helps users find the best policies, it does not manage insurance claims. Instead, claims are handled directly by the carrier that issued the policy.

Who Is Simply Business Best For?

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Simply Business is best for small business owners who aren’t sure what type of coverage they need—or want to see options from multiple carriers. The platform is also a good fit for small businesses in traditional industries that want help finding the right coverage for their specific needs. As such, Simply Business is also ideal for business owners who aren’t already working with an insurance agent or those whose needs or location have recently changed.

How to Get a Simply Business Insurance Policy

Simply Business makes it easy to get a policy for your business. To get started, enter some basic information about your business, such as the type of industry and location. From there, Simply Business generates quotes from its carriers that are tailored to the specific types of coverage that best meet your needs.

Once you select a policy, you can submit any other necessary documentation and bind coverage directly with the provider or through Simply Business’ online portal. You can also make payments and manage your account online.

Finally, if you have any questions about workers’ compensation coverage—or any other type of insurance—Simply Business has an extensive library of resources available on its website. This includes helpful articles on topics such as compliance and employer regulations that can help you choose the best policy and coverage limits for your business.

Simply Business vs. Embroker

Like Simply Business, Embroker is an online platform that connects business owners with the insurance coverage they need. Embroker differs, however, in that it specializes in niche businesses and industries—particularly startups, law firms, and cannabis-related companies.

Embroker also works with different carriers than Simply Business. And, though the platforms are organized similarly (both are managing general agents), there are differences in their processes. Embroker, for example, provides a client login and helps users file and manage a claim if necessary, whereas Simply Business does not.

Best Alternatives to Simply Business Insurance

If you decide that Simply Business is not for you, here are some common alternatives for you to consider.

CommercialInsurance.net

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CommercialInsurance.net is a small business insurance marketplace with hundreds of partners that it can refer you to. They take a simple phone consultation and then refer you to the best company that will serve your needs. The process is less than 10 minutes.

Thimble

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Thimble is a small business insurance carrier specializing in micro policies for gig workers. Not only can you get a traditional 12-month policy with the company, but you can also get insurance on demand for as short of a period as an hour to meet the needs of your clients or vendors.

CoverWallet

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CoverWallet is a small business insurance broker with top-rated partners that include Chubbs, CNA, Employers, and Berkshire Hathaway. CoverWallet is known for its online platform that makes managing insurance policies and getting certificates of insurance easy.

Next Insurance

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Next Insurance is a small business insurance carrier that focuses policies on the micro-sized business. They work with many independent contractors to provide reasonably-priced policies that cover the essentials needed by the business.

Insurance321

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Insurance321 is a small business insurance marketplace. It pairs a small business owner with the right partner. They have more than 200 top-rated partners to choose from, making their ability to provide insurance for just about any business easy and accessible.

Methodology

When looking at small business insurance carriers, we want to know that our customers are working with the best. This is why we search for carriers that have high AM Best ratings or marketplaces that work with carriers that have those ratings. We review the key features of the provider and look at how costs are derived. The quote process is essential to a good customer experience, which is why we go through the process to test the efficiency of the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Simply Business legit?

Simply Business is a legitimate online business insurance marketplace. Founded in 2005, Simply Business is now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Travelers Companies, Inc., with offices in Boston and London.

How does Simply Business work?

Simply Business connects small business owners with the right insurance policy for their businesses. The platform is designed to make it easy to compare policies and quotes from leading providers, so customers can get the coverage they need without spending hours on research.

Who owns Simply Business?

Simply Business is owned by The Travelers Companies, Inc., the second-largest commercial insurance carrier in the United States and the largest provider of workers’ compensation coverage.

Who underwrites Simply Business?

Simply Business connects business owners with quotes from multiple insurance underwriters. Simply Business does not directly underwrite any policies.

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