Updated 15 October 2026
Business Owner's Policy (BOP) Cost 2026: Is It Worth It?
A business owner's policy costs a median of $83 per month ($990 a year) for Insureon's small business customers. It bundles general liability, commercial property, and business interruption into one policy. It suits most businesses with premises or equipment, but it has significant gaps.
Median BOP
$83/mo
Insureon customers, $990/yr
The Hartford average
$141/mo
Carrier-published, $1,687/yr
Lowest industry median
$42/mo
Insureon, consulting
Highest industry median
$148/mo
Insureon, food and beverage
What a BOP Includes
General Liability
Bodily injury to third parties, property damage you cause, advertising injury. Usually written at $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate.
Commercial Property
Your building (if owned), equipment, inventory, furniture. Replacement cost or actual cash value.
Business Interruption
Lost income and extra expenses if a covered event forces you to close temporarily.
BOP vs Buying the Policies Separately
| Policy | Insureon median monthly premium |
|---|---|
| General liability | $45 |
| Commercial property | $108 |
| Business owner's policy (GL + property + business interruption) | $83 |
Insureon's published medians (updated February 2026) put a BOP below general liability and commercial property bought on their own. The businesses buying each policy differ, so this shows the direction of the saving rather than its exact size for your business. The only way to know your own saving is to ask a carrier or broker to quote both ways.
What a BOP Does NOT Cover
This is the section most carrier pages skip. Six major gaps:
Workers Compensation: NOT covered by BOP
A BOP excludes employee injuries. If you have employees, workers comp is required in every state except Texas, regardless of your BOP. See our workers comp cost guide. See costs
Commercial Auto: NOT covered by BOP
Business vehicles are not covered by a BOP. Employees using personal cars for work are also excluded. You need hired and non-owned auto cover or a commercial auto policy. See costs
Flood and Earthquake: NOT covered by BOP
Commercial property inside a BOP typically excludes flood and earthquake. Flood cover comes from the NFIP or a private flood policy; earthquake needs its own policy or endorsement.
Cyber Liability: NOT covered by BOP
Some BOPs offer a cyber endorsement, but it is usually sublimited well below a standalone cyber policy. See costs
Professional Liability (E&O): NOT covered by BOP
A BOP does not cover professional mistakes or advice errors. Service businesses need a separate E&O policy. See costs
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI): NOT covered by BOP
A BOP does not cover wrongful termination, harassment, or discrimination claims. EPLI is a separate endorsement or policy; Insureon reports an average of $257 per month. See costs
Who Should Buy a BOP
A BOP makes sense if you:
- Have a physical office, store, or warehouse
- Own equipment you could not easily replace from cash
- Carry inventory
- Are a small or mid-sized business within the carrier's BOP eligibility limits
- Operate in a standard-risk industry (retail, restaurant, office, service, light manufacturing)
Who Should NOT Buy a BOP
A BOP is not the right fit if you:
- Work entirely from home with no client visits and few business assets (general liability alone may be enough)
- Operate a high-risk manufacturing or chemical business (carriers often will not write a BOP)
- Need custom coverage limits the BOP program cannot accommodate
- Are a purely digital business with no physical assets to protect
BOP Cost by Industry
| Industry group | Insureon median BOP/mo |
|---|---|
| Consulting | $42 |
| Insurance | $45 |
| Technology | $46 |
| Therapy / counseling | $48 |
| Healthcare | $70 |
| Cleaning | $76 |
| Landscaping | $94 |
| Construction | $98 |
| Installation | $118 |
| Food and beverage | $148 |
Source: Insureon small business insurance cost page, median cost of policies bought by its customers (updated February 2026; checked 15 October 2026).
The Hartford's published BOP averages
| Business type | The Hartford average BOP/mo |
|---|---|
| Photographers | $72 |
| Accountants | $85 |
| Business consulting | $86 |
| Engineering | $107 |
| Barbershops | $110 |
| Beauty salons | $113 |
| Manufacturers | $115 |
| Retail stores | $152 |
| Restaurants | $413 |
| All Hartford BOP customers | $141 |
Source: The Hartford BOP cost page (checked September 2026). The Hartford's averages run above Insureon's medians because they are averages (pulled up by larger policies) and reflect The Hartford's own customer mix.
Common BOP Endorsements
| Endorsement | What it adds | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber liability | Data breach response and liability, usually sublimited | Any business storing customer data |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Liability when staff drive rented or personal cars for work | Employees drive personal cars for work |
| Employment practices liability | Wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination claims | Businesses with employees |
| Equipment breakdown | Mechanical and electrical failure of equipment | HVAC, refrigeration, specialized equipment |
| Accounts receivable | Uncollectable receivables after records are destroyed | Service businesses with large receivables |
Endorsement prices are set per policy and are not published as a rate card; ask for each one to be quoted as a separate line.
Carriers That Write BOPs
| Carrier | Published BOP price | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| The Hartford | $141/mo average | Broad endorsement menu, strong claims handling |
| Progressive Commercial | Not published | Auto and BOP bundles |
| NEXT Insurance | Not published | Fast online quote, very small businesses |
| Hiscox | Not published | Professional services focus, E&O add-on |
| Coverdash | Not published | Digital-first, tech and online businesses |
Compare 2026 Business Owner Policy Quotes
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a business owner's policy cost?
Insureon's small business customers pay a median of $83 per month ($990 a year) for a BOP (cost page updated February 2026). The Hartford publishes a higher average of $141 per month ($1,687 a year) for its own customers. Industry moves the price most: Insureon's consulting customers pay a median $42 a month, while food and beverage businesses pay $148, and The Hartford's restaurant customers average $413 a month.
What does a business owner's policy not cover?
A BOP does not cover workers compensation, commercial auto, professional liability, employment practices claims, flood, or earthquake, and it usually offers only limited cyber cover. Each needs a separate policy or endorsement. Workers comp and commercial auto are the most commonly overlooked gaps.
Is a BOP worth it for a small business?
For businesses with a physical location, equipment, or inventory, usually yes. A BOP bundles general liability, commercial property, and business interruption into one policy, typically for less than buying them separately. Home-based service providers with no physical assets may only need general liability, which Insureon customers buy at a median $45 a month.
Can I add cyber coverage to a BOP?
Many carriers offer a cyber endorsement on a BOP, but it is usually sublimited well below a standalone cyber policy. If you store significant customer data, compare it with a standalone cyber policy; Insureon's customers pay a median $129 a month for one.
Is there a business size limit for a BOP?
Yes. BOP programs are built for small and mid-sized businesses, and each carrier sets eligibility limits on employees, revenue, and premises size. Businesses above those limits, or in higher-risk industries, are usually written on a commercial package policy instead.