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group health insurance plans for small businesses

Health insurance support for small business

We’re here for you — helping you balance quality and cost control with health insurance plans and unique funding created exclusively for small group needs.

Plan support and savings

Digital enrollment tools.

Help your clients manage enrollment and benefits administration with our flexible tools.

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Health plan savings

Learn about government credits to help you offset the cost of employee health benefits.

Self-insured funding built for small businesses

Control rising health care costs with Aetna Funding Advantage SM  health plans. You can get the benefits typical for larger groups like surplus sharing, fewer taxes and fees and high-cost claims protection. All in one offering specially designed with your small business in mind.

A monthly payment based on the health trends of your employees — for up to 25 percent savings up front.

Online benefits shopping, enrollment, administration and other simple features for you and your employees.

Stop-loss insurance to limit the risk of high-cost claims, with money back when claims are lower.

Plan designs that provide access to Aetna’s quality, value-based network plus health and wellness benefits.

  • Explore Aetna Funding Advantage benefits

group health insurance plans for small businesses

A value-added package

You’ve come to the right place to balance health plan costs and quality. Explore competitive benefits, unique funding and stable cost control – with built-in wellness programs and resources to support employee health and well-being long term.

Get lower monthly payments based on health trends, low-cost local network options and 50% of any surplus returned to you at year end when you renew your plan.

Keep your costs predictable and stable with bundled products, funding options, wellness offerings, stop-loss claims protection and more.

Make life easy with a national portfolio of health insurance plan designs, online shopping and benefits administration and one common support model.

Get the job done fast with quick, accurate quoting, auto-case installation, online self-service, fixed national plan designs and more.

We’ve got the perfect fully insured plan for you

group health insurance plans for small businesses

Our health benefits and insurance plans are as unique as your small business, with service in markets all across the country. So it’s easy to find quality plans offered in your state.

Public exchange options are also available in selected states through our Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) coverage .

Everyone saves with health expense funds

As part of a consumer-directed plan, health expense funds benefit employers and employees alike. You get tax savings from salary deductions. And employees get quality care that encourages smart spending.

You can also:

  • Cut FICA, unemployment and workers’ comp taxes by lowering payroll taxes
  • Offer innovative plans to set aside tax-free money, like for dependent care or parking expenses
  • Enhance company benefits package to attract and keep valuable employees

group health insurance plans for small businesses

Are you a broker or producer?

You can find small group solutions and sales tools on our Producer World ® website.

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Applied Behavior Analysis Medical Necessity Guide

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The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Medical Necessity Guide helps determine appropriate (medically necessary) levels and types of care for patients in need of evaluation and treatment for behavioral health conditions. The ABA Medical Necessity Guide does not constitute medical advice. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. Members should discuss any matters related to their coverage or condition with their treating provider.

Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member's benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusions or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply.

The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered (i.e., will be paid for by Aetna) for a particular member. The member's benefit plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary.

Please note also that the ABA Medical Necessity Guide may be updated and are, therefore, subject to change.

Medical necessity determinations in connection with coverage decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. In the event that a member disagrees with a coverage determination, member may be eligible for the right to an internal appeal and/or an independent external appeal in accordance with applicable federal or state law.

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Precertification lists

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  • The term precertification here means the utilization review process to determine whether the requested service, procedure, prescription drug or medical device meets the company's clinical criteria for coverage. It does not mean precertification as defined by Texas law, as a reliable representation of payment of care or services to fully insured HMO and PPO members.
  • Applies to: Aetna Choice ® POS, Aetna Choice POS II, Aetna Medicare ℠ Plan (PPO), Aetna Medicare Plan (HMO), all Aetna HealthFund ® products, Aetna Health Network Only ℠ , Aetna Health Network Option ℠ , Aetna Open Access ® Elect Choice ® , Aetna Open Access HMO, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice ® , Open Access Aetna Select ℠ , Elect Choice, HMO, Managed Choice POS, Open Choice ® , Quality Point-of-Service ® (QPOS ® ), and Aetna Select ℠ benefits plans and all products that may include the Aexcel ® , Choose and Save ℠ , Aetna Performance Network or Savings Plus networks. Not all plans are offered in all service areas.
  • All services deemed "never effective" are excluded from coverage. Aetna defines a service as "never effective" when it is not recognized according to professional standards of safety and effectiveness in the United States for diagnosis, care or treatment. Visit the secure website, available through www.aetna.com, for more information. Click on "Claims," "CPT/HCPCS Coding Tool," "Clinical Policy Code Search."
  • The five character codes included in the Aetna Precertification Code Search Tool are obtained from Current Procedural Terminology (CPT ® ), copyright 2022 by the American Medical Association (AMA). CPT is developed by the AMA as a listing of descriptive terms and five character identifying codes and modifiers for reporting medical services and procedures performed by physicians.
  • The responsibility for the content of Aetna Precertification Code Search Tool is with Aetna and no endorsement by the AMA is intended or should be implied. The AMA disclaims responsibility for any consequences or liability attributable or related to any use, nonuse or interpretation of information contained in Aetna Precertification Code Search Tool. No fee schedules, basic unit values, relative value guides, conversion factors or scales are included in any part of CPT. Any use of CPT outside of Aetna Precertification Code Search Tool should refer to the most Current Procedural Terminology which contains the complete and most current listing of CPT codes and descriptive terms. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.

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This product includes CPT which is commercial technical data and/or computer data bases and/or commercial computer software and/or commercial computer software documentation, as applicable which were developed exclusively at private expense by the American Medical Association, 515 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60610. U.S. Government rights to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose these technical data and/or computer data bases and/or computer software and/or computer software documentation are subject to the limited rights restrictions of DFARS 252.227-7015(b)(2) (June 1995) and/or subject to the restrictions of DFARS 227.7202-1(a) (June 1995) and DFARS 227.7202-3(a) (June 1995), as applicable for U.S. Department of Defense procurements and the limited rights restrictions of FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987) and/or subject to the restricted rights provisions of FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987) and FAR 52.227-19 (June 1987), as applicable, and any applicable agency FAR Supplements, for non-Department of Defense Federal procurements.

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This information is neither an offer of coverage nor medical advice. It is only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. In case of a conflict between your plan documents and this information, the plan documents will govern.

Dental clinical policy bulletins

  • Aetna Dental Clinical Policy Bulletins (DCPBs) are developed to assist in administering plan benefits and do not constitute dental advice. Treating providers are solely responsible for dental advice and treatment of members. Members should discuss any Dental Clinical Policy Bulletin (DCPB) related to their coverage or condition with their treating provider.
  • While the Dental Clinical Policy Bulletins (DCPBs) are developed to assist in administering plan benefits, they do not constitute a description of plan benefits. The Dental Clinical Policy Bulletins (DCPBs) describe Aetna's current determinations of whether certain services or supplies are medically necessary, based upon a review of available clinical information. Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member's benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusions or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply. Aetna's conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered (i.e., will be paid for by Aetna). Your benefits plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary. If there is a discrepancy between this policy and a member's plan of benefits, the benefits plan will govern. In addition, coverage may be mandated by applicable legal requirements of a State or the Federal government.
  • Please note also that Dental Clinical Policy Bulletins (DCPBs) are regularly updated and are therefore subject to change.
  • Since Dental Clinical Policy Bulletins (DCPBs) can be highly technical and are designed to be used by our professional staff in making clinical determinations in connection with coverage decisions, members should review these Bulletins with their providers so they may fully understand our policies.
  • Under certain plans, if more than one service can be used to treat a covered person's dental condition, Aetna may decide to authorize coverage only for a less costly covered service provided that certain terms are met.

Medical clinical policy bulletins

  • Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) are developed to assist in administering plan benefits and do not constitute medical advice. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. Members should discuss any Clinical Policy Bulletin (CPB) related to their coverage or condition with their treating provider.
  • While the Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) are developed to assist in administering plan benefits, they do not constitute a description of plan benefits. The Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) express Aetna's determination of whether certain services or supplies are medically necessary, experimental and investigational, or cosmetic. Aetna has reached these conclusions based upon a review of currently available clinical information (including clinical outcome studies in the peer-reviewed published medical literature, regulatory status of the technology, evidence-based guidelines of public health and health research agencies, evidence-based guidelines and positions of leading national health professional organizations, views of physicians practicing in relevant clinical areas, and other relevant factors).
  • Aetna makes no representations and accepts no liability with respect to the content of any external information cited or relied upon in the Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs). The discussion, analysis, conclusions and positions reflected in the Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs), including any reference to a specific provider, product, process or service by name, trademark, manufacturer, constitute Aetna's opinion and are made without any intent to defame. Aetna expressly reserves the right to revise these conclusions as clinical information changes, and welcomes further relevant information including correction of any factual error.
  • CPBs include references to standard HIPAA compliant code sets to assist with search functions and to facilitate billing and payment for covered services. New and revised codes are added to the CPBs as they are updated. When billing, you must use the most appropriate code as of the effective date of the submission. Unlisted, unspecified and nonspecific codes should be avoided.
  • Each benefit plan defines which services are covered, which are excluded, and which are subject to dollar caps or other limits. Members and their providers will need to consult the member's benefit plan to determine if there are any exclusions or other benefit limitations applicable to this service or supply. The conclusion that a particular service or supply is medically necessary does not constitute a representation or warranty that this service or supply is covered (i.e., will be paid for by Aetna) for a particular member. The member's benefit plan determines coverage. Some plans exclude coverage for services or supplies that Aetna considers medically necessary. If there is a discrepancy between a Clinical Policy Bulletin (CPB) and a member's plan of benefits, the benefits plan will govern.
  • In addition, coverage may be mandated by applicable legal requirements of a State, the Federal government or CMS for Medicare and Medicaid members. 

See CMS's Medicare Coverage Center

  • Please note also that Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) are regularly updated and are therefore subject to change.
  • Since Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) can be highly technical and are designed to be used by our professional staff in making clinical determinations in connection with coverage decisions, members should review these Bulletins with their providers so they may fully understand our policies.
  • While Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) define Aetna's clinical policy, medical necessity determinations in connection with coverage decisions are made on a case by case basis. In the event that a member disagrees with a coverage determination, Aetna provides its members with the right to appeal the decision. In addition, a member may have an opportunity for an independent external review of coverage denials based on medical necessity or regarding the experimental and investigational status when the service or supply in question for which the member is financially responsible is $500 or greater. However, applicable state mandates will take precedence with respect to fully insured plans and self-funded non-ERISA (e.g., government, school boards, church) plans.

See Aetna's External Review Program

  • The five character codes included in the Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) are obtained from Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®), copyright 2015 by the American Medical Association (AMA). CPT is developed by the AMA as a listing of descriptive terms and five character identifying codes and modifiers for reporting medical services and procedures performed by physicians.
  • The responsibility for the content of Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) is with Aetna and no endorsement by the AMA is intended or should be implied. The AMA disclaims responsibility for any consequences or liability attributable or related to any use, nonuse or interpretation of information contained in Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs). No fee schedules, basic unit values, relative value guides, conversion factors or scales are included in any part of CPT. Any use of CPT outside of Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletins (CPBs) should refer to the most current Current Procedural Terminology which contains the complete and most current listing of CPT codes and descriptive terms. Applicable FARS/DFARS apply.

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CPT only copyright 2015 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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Any use not authorized herein is prohibited, including by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, making copies of CPT for resale and/or license, transferring copies of CPT to any party not bound by this agreement, creating any modified or derivative work of CPT, or making any commercial use of CPT. License to use CPT for any use not authorized herein must be obtained through the American Medical Association, CPT Intellectual Property Services, 515 N. State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610. Applications are available at the American Medical Association Web site, www.ama-assn.org/go/cpt.

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FOR 20% OFF CVS HEALTH BRAND PRODUCTS:

Excludes sale and promo items, alcohol, prescriptions and copays, pseudoephedrine/ephedrine products, pre-paid, gift cards, and items reimbursed by any health plan. Not combinable with other offers. 20% discount is not valid on other CVS brands such as CVS Pharmacy, Beauty 360®, CVS, Gold Emblem® or Gold Emblem abound®. CVS reserves the right to apply the 20% discounts to qualifying items in any order within the transaction. For in-store use only.

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Healthcare.gov

For a complete list of participating walk-in clinics, use our provider lookup. Walk in appointments are based on availability and not guaranteed. Online scheduling is recommended. Includes select MinuteClinic services. Not all MinuteClinic services are covered. Please consult benefit documents to confirm which services are included. Members enrolled in qualified high deductible health plans must meet their deductible before receiving covered non preventative MinuteClinic services at no cost share. However, such services are covered at negotiated contract rates. This benefit is not available in all states.

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Best Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses for 2024

Blue Cross Blue Shield is our top pick for its availability and wellness programs

group health insurance plans for small businesses

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Blue Cross Blue Shield stands out as the best health insurance company for small businesses because of its range of coverage options. The company offers a nationwide preferred provider organization (PPO) network and extra benefits for employees, including an extensive discount program. 

Depending on your state, you may have a few options for finding health coverage for your employees, including through the Small Business Health Insurance Options Program (SHOP)—a government marketplace for small business health plans—and by purchasing a traditional group health plan from a broker or directly from an insurer. 

To choose the best health insurance companies for small businesses, we evaluated major health insurance carriers based on financial strength, customer satisfaction, coverage options, telehealth and wellness benefits, digital tools, and more. These are our top picks. 

  • Best Overall: Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Best for Customer Satisfaction: Kaiser Permanente
  • Best for Part-Time and Seasonal Workers: UnitedHealthcare
  • Best for Self-Funded Plans: Aetna
  • Our Top Picks

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Kaiser Permanente

UnitedHealthcare

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The Bottom Line

Small business insurance options.

  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Methodology

Best Overall : Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) offers flexible options to small business owners, including the option to access the nation’s leading PPO network. In many states, BCBS employee plans come packed with extra benefits, and most plans include an extensive discount program.

Nationwide availability

Health and wellness discounts

Workplace wellness programs in many states

Poor J.D. Power ranking in some regions

Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is also our pick for the best health insurance company overall, offers employers many options. Among them are plans that include access to the BlueCard PPO network, which gives employees coverage when traveling nationwide. In some states, BCBS offers fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a group of companies, so benefits and plans vary by region, but many member companies offer extra benefits. 

For example, the member company Anthem provides an employee assistance program at no extra cost to help members manage stressful events, from legal issues to the search for care. In many states, BCBS plans also come with 24/7 telehealth and access to mobile app plan management. Most members also get access to Blue365, an extensive discount program that also offers a $25 gym membership in some states. 

BCBS and Anthem companies had a combined average of 3.5 stars out of 5 stars from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent body that judges insurance plans on the quality of their providers, as well as customer satisfaction. But customer satisfaction ratings vary by region. Check the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Commercial Member Health Plan Study to see how BCBS fared in your region. While rankings are poor in many regions, BCBS was top-ranked in Florida. 

BCBS companies also have an A or A- financial strength rating from AM Best . 

Best for Customer Satisfaction : Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente has top customer satisfaction ratings from the NCQA and J.D. Power, along with an award-winning app and a suite of virtual care options.

4.2-star average NCQA rating

Top-ranked by J.D. Power in most regions where available

Administers HRAs, HSAs, and FSAs

Robust support for chronic conditions

Only available in eight states and D.C.

Kaiser Permanente has better customer satisfaction ratings than any of the major health insurance providers we reviewed, with a 4.2-star average NCQA rating and top J.D. Power rankings in four regions. The company offers employers many options. While Kaiser is known for its health maintenance organization (HMO) plans , it also offers preferred provider organization (PPO) plans . Employees can pair some plans with a Kaiser-administered health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) , health savings account (HSA) , or flexible spending account (FSA) . Members can even submit HRA and FSA claims using their mobile phone cameras. 

Free wellness coaching is included at no cost. Members who are at risk for chronic conditions are automatically enrolled in a disease management program with comprehensive support and remote patient monitoring. And Kaiser offers several additional employee benefits, including dental, vision, acupuncture, and chiropractic. Kaiser is also our top pick for the best digital tools, with an award-winning app, 24/7 virtual care, mental health apps, and online physical therapy. 

The main drawback is that Kaiser Permanente isn’t available everywhere. The company only offers plans in eight states and the District of Columbia. Kaiser does offer a SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program) plan in Georgia and Virginia.

Best for Part-Time and Seasonal Workers : UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare offers small business plans nationwide, including a unique coverage solution for contractors, part-time workers, and seasonal employees.

Offers a unique program for non-benefit-eligible workers

Offers wellness resources and incentives

A+ financial strength rating from AM Best

J.D. Power ratings vary by region

UnitedHealthcare is our top pick for small businesses with several types of employees and contractors, including part-time and seasonal workers. Its FlexWork program offers coverage for non-benefit-eligible employees nationwide. The program provides group-premium-equivalent rates for three plan types designed for different types of workers, and you can add extra benefits like $0 telehealth, dental, and vision. 

UnitedHealthcare also offers members access to Self Care (a wellness app), fitness incentives, an online weight loss program, a smoking cessation program, and more. Plus, UnitedHealthcare offers a large provider network of more than 1.3 million healthcare providers. 

UnitedHealthcare also boasts an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and a 3.5-star average NCQA rating. Though J.D. Power ratings vary by region, UnitedHealthcare was the top-scoring company in Texas and Virginia. The company also offers SHOP plans in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and D.C.

Best for Self-Funded Plans : Aetna

Aetna is one of the few health insurance companies to offer self-insured plans tailored to small businesses. We also like that it offers virtual primary care and a CVS allowance.

Offers self-funded plans for up to 25% upfront savings

Offers a variety of health expense funds

Optional robust behavioral health benefits

Members of some plans can access affordable care at MinuteClinic locations

Fully insured group plans in some states don’t include MinuteClinic benefits

Self-funded plans from Aetna offer up to 25% savings upfront, plus stop-loss insurance if your claims for a particular month go over your maximum claims amount. When you renew your plan, Aetna will refund 50% of any surplus funding to you. 

Members get access to CVS Health virtual primary care plus up to a $100 allowance for health and wellness products at CVS. The company also offers HRAs, HSAs, FSAs, and retirement reimbursement arrangements (RRAs) in most states. In addition, you have the option of adding behavioral health benefits that include virtual counseling, mental health tools, and an employee assistance program. Many plans offer MinuteClinic benefits as well, but fully insured plans in some states are excluded. 

Aetna has a 3.5-star average NCQA rating and a financial strength rating of A with AM Best. The company also came out on top in the East South Central, Northwest, and Southwest regions in the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Commercial Health Plan Study, but ratings vary by region. Aetna offers SHOP plans in Maryland and D.C.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the most options for employers, with many plans providing access to the BlueCard PPO network and 24/7 telehealth, along with a variety of funding options in some states. If you’re looking for a self-funded plan, Aetna offers the best option tailored to small businesses in many states, as well as CVS benefits and optional robust behavioral health benefits. Kaiser Permanente takes the cake for customer satisfaction, with high third-party ratings and great digital tools, while UnitedHealthcare’s unique FlexWork program makes it our top pick for nontraditional employees. 

When choosing small business health insurance, you have a few options, according to Robert Slayton, an employee benefits consultant. 

Small Group Health Insurance

One option is to purchase a small group plan directly from a commercial health insurance company that serves small businesses or through a broker. “It gives the employer control over which plans to offer and [assurance] that people will remain covered while employed,” said Slayton. However, you may also need to offer COBRA or mini-COBRA plans. Mini-COBRA plans are required by some states for companies with fewer than 20 employees.

Self-Funded Plan

You may be able to save money by taking on the responsibility of paying out employee health claims yourself. This is known as a self-funded or self-insured plan, which typically relies on a commercial health insurer to administer the provider network and provide assistance with enrollment and claims processing. 

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) 

Another option is for the employer to offer a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), which is an employer-funded group plan that pays employees back for qualified health expenses up to a certain dollar amount each year. Expenses may include premiums for an employer-sponsored plan, as well as copays and coinsurance. There are several types of HRAs, including a qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA) for companies with fewer than 50 full-time employees. Another type is an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA), which lets employees use the funds to buy their own health insurance with pretax dollars. Funds can also be used for copays and deductibles. “[Employers] choose an amount to give each employee so that the employee can purchase coverage on their own,” said Slayton. “Employees who claim this reimbursement must have an underlying individual plan or Medicare.” 

SHOP Plan 

The Small Business Health Insurance Options Program allows you to compare small business plans offered on the ACA Marketplace and offer one or multiple options to your employees. These plans are typically the only route to the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. However, they’re only offered on the federal marketplace in eight states and on state-run exchanges in 13 states. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do small businesses have to provide health insurance.

If you employ fewer than 50 people full-time, you are not required to offer health insurance to your employees. But more than half of firms that size do offer it, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. A 2022 U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found that 88% of employees rank health insurance as the most important employer-provided benefit. If you have 50 or more employees and choose not to offer coverage that meets federal standards, you’ll be required to pay a penalty called a Shared Responsibility Payment instead.

How Much Does Small Business Health Insurance Cost?

Costs vary by location and the network and coverage you choose, but on average, small businesses contributed $7,349 per single covered employee in 2023. Experts recommend keeping your total employee benefit costs between 10% to 20% of your overall revenue.

What Is a Self-Insured Health Plan?

A self-insured health plan is a type of group health insurance in which the employer collects premiums and is responsible for paying claims when employees need care. These plans can be self-administered, or the business may work with an insurance provider to get stop-loss coverage (which puts a ceiling on your risk) and administrative support. 

There are several benefits to self-funded plans. Employers can keep surplus premiums (or receive a portion returned by the stop-loss carrier), plans can be customized to a greater degree, and certain ACA provisions that lead to high costs can be avoided. Increasingly, small businesses are opting for self-funded coverage. But self-insured plans aren’t right for every business.

Can an S Corp Pay for Health Insurance?

Yes. An S corp can provide health insurance for its employees. However, most health insurance companies require you to have at least two employees to get a group plan, so if you are an S corp owner and don’t have employees, you’ll need to get individual health insurance from the ACA Marketplace. Additionally, you can’t provide an HRA to anyone with a greater than 2% stake in your company.

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance Companies for Small Businesses

We chose the best health insurance companies for small businesses by looking at our research for our list of the overall best health insurance companies and then investigating what options these insurers offer for small businesses looking to buy plans for their employees. 

To identify which health insurance companies to review for our overall winners list, we analyzed business and market insight databases, considered health insurance company market share, and researched user-generated data from Google to determine public interest and trends in health insurance companies and plans. 

We collected data from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent organization that rates healthcare plans on quality and patient satisfaction. We also gathered data from state and federal government insurance marketplace websites and databases, and directly from companies via websites, media contacts, and existing partnerships. The data collection process took place between Sept. 29 and Oct. 23, 2023.

We then developed a quantitative model that scores each health insurance provider based on 27 criteria that fall into four major categories and are crucial in evaluating the company’s offerings and benefits. We weighted the four categories as follows for this article:

  • Plan Quality & Customer Satisfaction : 20%
  • Plan Features : 40%
  • Availability : 15%

Read our full methodology for reviewing health insurance companies.

J.D. Power. “ Commercial Health Plan Member Satisfaction Declines in Key Areas, J.D. Power Finds. ”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. " MiniCobra Continuation of Coverage Benefits Guide ."

Healthcare.gov. " What's An Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)? "

Healthcare.gov. “ SHOP Marketplace Basics for Employers .”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “ As a Small Business Owner, Am I Required to Offer Health Insurance to My Employees? ”

KFF. " 2023 Employer Health Benefits Survey (Section 6) ."

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Sana Benefits - 5 types of group health insurance plans for small businesses 

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5 types of group health insurance plans for small businesses 

5 types of group health insurance plans for small businesses 

Group health insurance plans for small businesses: An overview in America

In general, any health coverage option an employer offers to its employees and their families falls within the “group health plans” definition. You’ll see that term quite a bit when researching group health insurance plans for small businesses.

The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) performs systematic studies to generate trusted information on national health issues, including group employee health benefits . In 2020, KFF released its Employer Health Benefits Survey revealing health benefit trends. Here are a few pointers to show how small businesses (3-199 employees, per the study’s sample) are doing.

The majority of small businesses are offering health coverage

In the past, group health insurance plans for small businesses were more of a bonus than a staple benefit. Today, more companies of all sizes offer their employees health insurance plans, whether they cover the entire premium or not.

  • Health plan offer: 55% of small firms offer health benefits to at least some of their staff.
  • Premium payments: 27% of covered employees in small firms are in a plan where the employer pays the entire premium for single coverage, while 28% are in a plan where they must contribute more than 50% of the premium for family coverage.

Innovative insurance options

Even while most people are familiar with conventional, fully-funded healthcare coverage from traditional carriers, a significant portion of small companies choose alternative insurance options.

  • Self-funded insurance modality: 67% percent of covered employees, including 23% of them who work in small firms, have self-funded plans.
  • Level-funded insurance modality: Among covered employees in small firms, 31% are in a plan that is either self-funded or level-funded.

Modern benefits

Small business owners offer benefits beyond the more standard medical, dental, and visual care.

  • Health risk assessment: 42% of small firms ask their employees to complete a health risk assessment, a questionnaire evaluating a person’s medical history, health status, and lifestyle. 
  • Biometric screening: 33% of small firms provide biometric screenings to their employees. These examinations measure a person’s health risk factors with indicators such as the body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure, stress, and nutrition.
  • Wellness programs: 53% of small firms offer a program related to smoking cessation, weight management, and behavioral or lifestyle coaching. 
  • Telemedicine: A higher number of smaller firms reported covering some services through telemedicine.

The data shows that the majority of American small business owners believe there are advantages to making group health insurance plans available for their staff. If it’s your first time choosing a plan or you’re looking into new carriers or plans, keep reading to discover the five primary types of insurance your company can access.

Related: Advantages of healthcare benefits for recruiting, retention and performance

1) fully-funded plans.

Traditional, large carriers offer fully-funded plans in which they take all the insurance policy risk. Your company pays a fee for the insurance company to manage claims and benefits for your employees. 

These types of plans are becoming less common among small businesses because they are often relatively pricey, with little flexibility in plan options. Besides adding taxes and administrative costs, carriers charge small businesses more than larger companies with less risk due to the number of employees. 

On the positive side of fully-funded plans, you will pay the same premium each month during the plan period, making budgeting more predictable. But don’t get too comfortable. Carriers typically raise your rates each year based on several factors they rarely reveal.  

An individual assessment of your startup may make a fully-funded plan a more suitable option. For example, if you have a smaller number of employees, many of whom are older and file many claims, having the insurance company assume the risk could be the best choice for you.

2) Self-funded plans

In a self-insured or self-funded plan, the employer assumes the financial risk of the health policy. By choosing this among other types of group health insurance plans for small businesses, your company pays a more affordable, fixed fee to the carrier, plus employee medical claims as they come. Your and your employees’ contributions fund the plan.

However, with some self-funded plans, employers must pay for claims without a cap on how much they may have to pay. While the “pay-as-you-go” approach is advantageous when employees don’t file many claims, it could be risky in cases of catastrophic claims. Since the company assumes policy risk, fees could skyrocket in this scenario and blow your budget out of the water.

3) Level-funded

Like self-funded plans, the level-funded option allows employers to pay an affordable and predictable fixed monthly fee into its claims fund based on an estimate of eventual claims, plus a third-party administrator (TPA) fee to handle the benefits management. 

However, there’s a substantial difference between self-funded and level-funded plans : the level-funded policy also includes a monthly cash flow stabilization component. In this type of group health insurance plans for small businesses, you pay as you go, with a cap on total possible costs, making your costs “level.”

When claims surpass the cap, stop-loss insurance kicks in to cover any overages. Even if employees file more or larger claims than expected, your company never has to pay more than your predetermined cap. 

You only pay for what you use, giving you peace of mind your budget is safe. What happens when claims are lower than your payments? Your company receives a rebate check or credit after the end of the plan year for anything you overpaid. Top carriers will return 100% of the remaining funds. 

Related: The first steps to shopping for business health insurance plans

4) professional employer organizations or peos .

Small businesses without a human resources department or benefits administrator often rely on Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) to perform HR-related tasks, such as payroll, recruiting, compensation management, access to benefits, and compliance. One PEO typically works for a group of small companies, taking on the HR burden entirely.

A PEO can help your organization explore the insurance options available for your employees and obtain plan deals commonly available for large corporations. They rely on purchasing power to negotiate affordable benefits and insurance coverage. 

It’s important to understand that when you work with a PEO, they become your employer of record as they take on the HR function for your company. That means you run your payroll under their tax ID numbers, not yours. They take on some risk, but you lose control and often won’t know how much you are really paying. 

Gusto says , “To protect themselves, PEOs require you to adopt their policies, procedures, and even employee handbook wording. Because if an employee issue arises, they’ll back you up only if you’ve followed their guidance.”

With PEOs, you are stuck with whichever carriers and plans they choose. The lack of flexibility, transparency, and customer service often overshadow any benefits of a PEO. If you believe your business has less healthy than average employees, a PEO could help you mitigate that risk. However, if you are a relatively healthy company, the other businesses you are pooled with could make your insurance costs higher than they need to be.

5) Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)

Getting insurance through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP, a part of the Affordable Care Act) applies to companies with up to 50 full-time employees.

SHOP plans are relatively flexible. According to Healthcare.gov :

  • You can choose to cover medical and/or dental insurance.
  • Your company can buy the plans directly or through a broker.
  • You can offer a single plan or let your employees choose from multiple options.
  • Your business can choose how much you pay toward your employees’ premiums and whether to offer coverage to their dependents or not.
  • You can also decide how long new employees must wait before enrolling.

To see if your business qualifies for SHOP, you must complete an eligibility determination survey or explore the applicable rates and prices depending on your company’s location.

Which insurance option is the best for my business?

After exploring the primary types of group health insurance plans for small businesses, you may still wonder which option suits your company best. Offering health insurance to your employees is a commitment to them and the overall success of your company. It is a decision worth the time and resource investment. 

To make the best decision, you have to consider your business’s budget, employee profile, and company size. You also need to determine what matters most to you. Do you want more plan flexibility, lower costs, better coverage, HR relief, predictable payments, less risk, or a combination of these? Each plan type has pros and cons, so weigh your options and choose one that most closely fits your specific needs.

Sana makes choosing modern, flexible, and affordable healthcare plans a breeze. Sana’s has a 98% customer service satisfaction score, and is ready to guide you through the options and find a comprehensive benefits package for your small business. Get a quote to find your ideal plan.

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Health insurance 101: Professional employer organization (PEO)

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Smaller businesses work hard. Managing a busy company means making sure your employees stay healthy and productive. To do this, you need a health plan that takes care of not just their physical health, but also their emotional well-being.

Looking for health plans for 2-24 employees?

Through Cigna Healthcare SM * + Oscar, certain employers with 2-24 employees 2 can get affordable small group health insurance plans. Our partnership with Oscar is built around our national and local provider network and Oscar's digital member experience. Learn more about our product offerings and availability and to request a Cigna Healthcare + Oscar quote.

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Today’s health care landscape is changing fast. Keeping pace requires deep knowledge of industry challenges and strategic collaborations, which can help build a future of personalized care and more seamless digital experiences.

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When you choose UnitedHealthcare, you’ll get group benefit solutions designed to deliver more health care value for your business and your employees.

Informed by the most robust data and insights in the industry, UnitedHealthcare plans are built to lower your total cost of care, improve care quality for your employees, champion health and wellness for better outcomes, and simplify the health care experience for everyone.

Plan administration for employers

Sign in to Employer eServices® to manage your UnitedHealthcare benefits, update eligibility, pay invoices, find wellness information and more.

Explore a wide choice of medical, pharmacy, behavioral and specialty group health insurance plans for your business and employees.

From lowering costs to creating simpler experiences, find out what sets UnitedHealthcare plans apart.

Stay up to speed on current health care developments impacting your business and your employees.

Simplify plan administration with helpful tools like Employer eServices and find resources on working with a broker, COVID-19 and more.

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Health benefits for businesses of all sizes

As the carrier of choice for over 250,000 employers — from multinational Fortune 500 companies to small family-run shops — UnitedHealthcare offers the experience and depth and breadth of resources to deliver a health benefits solution built just for you.

Get a quote and receive more information from a UnitedHealthcare representative

Compare your current coverage with a plan from UnitedHealthcare and see which is the better fit for your business.

Do you have fewer than 50 employees?

Compare health plans available in your area for your small business and ask for a quote.

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Small Group Health Insurance Options

More Value. More Choice. All Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) fully-funded standard small group Qualified Health Plans (QHP) for 2-50 employees offer features and benefits designed with members’ health and wellbeing in mind.

Popular Plans for Small Businesses

Blue choice ppo sm.

Blue Choice PPO gives you flexible benefit design options at a price you can afford while giving your employees a wide range of benefits and the freedom to visit any doctor they choose, with benefits paid at a higher level when the doctor is within the network.

Blue Advantage HMO SM

This cost-effective health plan is designed to provide affordable quality health care services to the uninsured and underinsured whenever they access care through a participating Blue Advantage HMO network provider.

Ask your agent or broker to get a quote for a BCBSTX standard small group qualified health plan.

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For agents and brokers.

Bentegro for Small Business (1-50) is a comprehensive sales, enrollment and benefits management platform built for agents and brokers. Tell your agent or broker to talk to us about Bentegro.

For Employer Groups (2-10)

Groups too small for an agent, a broker or an in-house benefits manager can opt for a self-service employer enrollment and management solution when choosing a standard fully-funded plan. (Average group size is 5.)

BCBSTX Supports Your Business

Health care benefits are a crucial part of recruiting new employees and retaining your existing workforce. That’s why BCBSTX provides you with the tools, resources, and professional health care expertise you need to maintain the health, productivity, and satisfaction of the employees who help your business thrive.

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Small Group Health Insurance Options

More Value. More Choice.

All Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois fully-funded standard small group Qualified Health Plans (QHP) for 2-50 employees offer features and benefits designed with members’ health and wellbeing in mind.

The 2024 BCBSIL Small Group Portfolio  is available from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. 

Popular Plans for Small Businesses

The broad PPO network gives employers flexible benefit design options at affordable prices while giving employees the freedom to visit any doctor they choose. Benefits are paid at a higher level when the doctor is within the network.

Blue Choice Preferred PPO SM

Blue Choice Preferred PPO is a comprehensive PPO network of doctors and hospitals with higher monthly premium and often lower out-of-pocket costs.

Blue Options SM

Blue Options is a tiered design that helps employers control their care and expenses with lower out-of-pocket costs for in-network doctors and hospitals, and the choice to use providers in the larger PPO network at a higher cost.

Blue Precision HMO SM

Blue Precision HMO is a smart network that covers 100% of employee health care costs. Employees will only need to cover copays for medical services in most cases.

Complimentary Programs Help Members Take Control of Their Health

We’re empowering members to take control of their health through complimentary programs that can help them save money and prevent certain types of health conditions. Putting the power of wellness in members’ hands can also help your group clients lower costs by reducing doctor visits and hospitalizations. Here are a few of the advantages your clients have – just for being BCBSIL members:

Employees save money on health and wellness products and services from top retailers not covered by insurance. There are no claims to file and no referrals or preauthorizations. Members get featured deals emailed to them by retailers like EyeMed, TruHearing ® , Nutrisystem ® , Reebok, Fitbit ® and more.

Teladoc Health

Teladoc’s diabetes management program helps members improve glycemic control by understanding blood sugar and developing healthy habits. And the hypertension program supports members who have high blood pressure with a connected blood pressure monitor and support from expert health coaches.

Well onTarget ®

The Well onTarget program is designed to give members the tools and support they need, while rewarding them for making healthy choices.

Hinge Health

This digital musculoskeletal program is led by physical therapists and health coaches. Members can participate in the comfort of their own homes – at no extra cost.

Incentives and Blue Points SM

Members making smarter choices about their health have access to incentive programs designed to promote healthy behavior.

Fitness Program

The Fitness Program supports fitness for life by offering a flexible gym network to fit members’ lifestyles and budgets.

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Members have 24/7 access to registered nurses who can guide them to the appropriate level of care for their health issue and answer general health questions.

Wondr is an online, digital weight-management program that teaches members science-based skills that help them lose weight, sleep better, manage stress and more.

Digital Mental Health from Learn to Live

We are deeply committed to our members’ overall wellbeing, and mental health is an important part of our approach. Compassionate case managers, utilization management, specialty programs and member and provider support are all part of the mental health benefits (called behavioral health) that come standard with every small group plan.

With Digital Mental Health, members can use Blue Access for Members SM to easily engage in private, online programs to help keep their mental health on track through:

  • An online assessment to help them pinpoint helpful programs.
  • Quick, easy online lessons that let them access proven therapy-based techniques.
  • Expert coaches to guide and inspire them to reach their goals.
  • Peace of mind – personal results, programs and messages are always private. 

Full-Service Quoting, Enrolling and Management Solution

Bentegro for Small Business (1-50) is a comprehensive sales, enrollment and benefits management platform built for agents and brokers. Bentegro takes all the power and scale of enterprise technology solutions and makes it available in a user-friendly format for small businesses.​​

If you would like to learn more about Bentegro, visit their website , contact them via email  or call 1-855-294-3258 , Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT.

Self-Funded Small Group Option

Last Updated: Dec. 04, 2023

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Affordable health care coverage for you and your team, our employer-sponsored group health insurance plans allow you to cover all your employees and their family members..

Looking for group insurance plans for your small business in Texas? BCBSTX offers flexible small-group health insurance plans to fit your budget and your employee’s needs. Our plans give members access to a large network of providers and comprehensive coverage.

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  • Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment
  • Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices
  • Laboratory services
  • Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
  • Pediatric services, including dental and vision

Learn About our Small Group Plan Options

Regarding health plans, "metal" tiers easily identify how costs are split between the insurance company and the insured. The tiers will help you find the right medical plan for you and your employees.

Platinum

Platinum plans are the most expensive plans from a premium perspective because they are also considered the richest. Insurance carriers typically cover approximately 90% of the cost of covered services.

Gold

In Gold plans, the insurance carrier typically covers about 80% of the cost of services, which results in higher premiums than the Bronze and Silver plans.

Silver

Silver plan monthly premiums are more than Bronze plans, but the out-of-pocket costs for services are lower with the insurance carrier covering around 70% of the cost of services.

Bronze

Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premiums, but highest out-of-pocket costs. Typically the insurance carrier will cover 60% of the cost of services.

Plan options within each metal tier include Participating Provider Option (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) choices. Learn more about the differences between these options:

PPO plans allow members more flexibility than an HMO to see specialists. Members can choose a primary care physician (PCP).

Members in HMO plans choose a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates the patient's care. To see specialists, members need a referral from their PCP.

Network Offerings

Our plan offerings leverage different networks of providers in order to create plan options that fit any small business budget*..

2-50 Employees

The PPO network gives you flexible benefit design options at a price you can afford while giving your employees a wide range of benefits and the freedom to visit any doctor they choose, with benefits paid at a higher level when the doctor is within the network.

Medical Group Selection Required

Referral Required

Out-of-Network Coverage

Blue Options SM

Blue Options helps you control your care and expenses with lower out-of-pocket costs for in-network doctors and hospitals, and the choice to use providers in the larger PPO network at a higher cost.

Tier 1 - Statewide Tier 2 - Statewide

Blue Choice Preferred PPO SM

Blue Choice Preferred PPO is a comprehensive PPO network of doctors and hospitals with higher monthly premium and often lower out-of-pocket costs.

Blue Precision HMO SM

BCBSTX Blue Precision HMO is a smart network that covers 100% of employee health care costs so your employees will only need to cover copays for medical services in most cases.

Chicago, Peoria, and partial Rockford rating areas

*Metallic-level availability varies by plan and network.

More Access to Health Care

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas plans give you and your employees more access to care with in-network Telehealth visits at the same cost as an in-office visit.

Health Savings Account (HSA) Plans

Select an HSA plan for you and your employees that features $0 copay for some preventive drugs. HSA plans help employees stick to their treatment regimen and better manage their health conditions.

Healthier Employees. Healthier Business.

Ready to see your options.

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How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan for Your Small Business

A s a small business owner, you're no doubt aware that it's important to not only attract solid talent, but do what you can to retain talented employees. And a good way to do that is to make sure you're offering a nice benefits package. That package might include a retirement savings plan you help contribute to, paid vacation time, and health insurance.

Now, you should know that if you run a business with fewer than 50 full-time employees, you're technically not required to provide health insurance. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't.

Healthcare can be an astronomical expense in the absence of insurance. And even if you're willing to raise salaries in lieu of providing insurance, you may find that prospective employees are turned off by the prospect of having to go out and purchase health coverage themselves.

Of course, choosing a health plan for your business isn't exactly an easy thing to do. Here are some tips for navigating the process.

1. Decide how much you're willing and able to spend

Within the realm of small business health insurance, there's a range of plans. As you might imagine, costlier plans tend to offer superior coverage, while those that are less expensive don't offer as much to participants.

It's important to be realistic about how much you can afford to spend on health insurance. As a smaller operation, you can't benefit from the bulk rates a company with 12,000 employees might snag. So you'll need to take a look at your banking records and see what's realistic, keeping in mind that you'll likely be picking up a large share of those premium costs.

2. Figure out if you want a high-deductible insurance plan

High-deductible health insurance plans can be burdensome for participants -- especially those with family members who tend to get sick often. But the costs for these plans can be more reasonable, as plans with higher deductibles tend to come with lower premiums. That's something to keep in mind if you'll be covering those premiums at 100%.

Also, if you offer a high-deductible plan, it may allow you to offer a health savings account in conjunction with that plan. That could make it easier for your employees to cover their medical costs while reaping tax savings.

3. Consider partnering up with an insurance broker

As a small business owner, you may not be all that well-versed on health insurance options. But it's the job of an insurance broker to walk you through your options and do research on your behalf, so you can focus on running your business. Not only might an insurance broker help you find the right plan, but they can generally help you get set up so you don't find yourself lost in a sea of paperwork.

Whether a health insurance plan is something you're looking to offer because it's a requirement or because it's a benefit you want to provide, it's important to find the best plan for your company. Take your time in making that decision so you and your employees wind up happy with it.

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How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan for Your Small Business

A comprehensive guide to small business insurance: Here’s how to safeguard your company

group health insurance plans for small businesses

Starting your own business requires a significant investment of both time and money. Millions of people continue to step up to the challenge with 33 million small businesses active in the U.S. as of 2023. However, without a proper business insurance plan in place, you risk losing everything you worked so hard to build. 

According to a survey released by Next Insurance , 90% of business owners weren’t sure if they had adequate coverage. Worse, 29% had no business insurance coverage at all, leaving their business and investments vulnerable to natural disasters, theft or lawsuits.

Small business insurance provides critical protection for your business, but there are several different types of coverage. Understanding the options available and what to expect in terms of cost can help you find the right coverage for your business (and your budget).  

7 common types of small business insurance

A customer visits your store and slips and breaks his arm while browsing the store aisles. 

A fire breaks out and spreads to your warehouse, destroying your inventory. 

Or a thief breaks into the office and steals your laptop. 

Whatever the case may be, there are many unexpected and horrifying scenarios that can threaten your business. 

Like your personal car or homeowners insurance policy, small business insurance acts as a safety net for your business, protecting your business property and assets against common disasters or accidents. 

Whether you’re the sole employee of your own company or you have dozens of workers, your small business likely needs some form of protection. What kind of insurance your business needs depends on the type of work you do, the size of your operation and your location. These are some of the most common business insurance options:

Business owners policies (BOPs)

A BOP is actually an insurance package that combines several forms of coverage together, making it a simple option for small business owners. BOPs usually include general liability, property insurance and business interruption insurance. 

BOPs are often more cost-effective than purchasing each type of coverage separately, and you can customize your BOP with optional add-ons, such as cyber risk insurance or commercial auto coverage . 

General liability

General liability insurance protects you against financial losses that may result from bodily injuries or property damage that occur due to your business. For example, if a client is injured on your business premises, general liability coverage would help cover your legal bills, the medical bills of the affected person and any damages resulting from a lawsuit. 

Product liability

If you produce or sell products, product liability coverage protects you against losses that result from products that you make, distribute or sell. For example, if a customer needs medical attention after getting hurt by a product you manufactured, product liability insurance would help you with the legal and medical expenses. 

Professional liability 

Professional liability insurance covers your legal expenses and damages related to issues that result from your professional negligence or mistakes. 

Commercial property

If your business property, equipment or inventory is damaged by a storm, fire or theft, commercial property insurance will reimburse you for your losses. 

Home-based business

According to the Small Business Administration , more than half of all small businesses are home-based. If you run your business from your home, you’ll need separate coverage from your personal homeowners or renters insurance policy . 

Home-based business insurance provides added protection for your business equipment and supplies, as well as protection against liability issues that aren’t covered by your personal policies. 

Workers’ compensation

If you have employees, you’re usually required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Workers’ compensation pays for your employees’ medical care and a portion of their wages if they’re injured or become ill while working. 

Other types of coverage

Beyond the seven main types of small business insurance, there are many other types of coverage. If your company works in particular industries or has specialized needs, you may need additional insurance. Some common add-ons include: 

  • Business interruption: If your business were forced to close due to a covered reason, such as storm damage, business interruption coverage will help cover your lost income. 
  • Commercial auto: If you have vehicles that you use for your business, including delivery trucks, you’ll need a separate commercial auto policy. 
  • Cyber liability: For businesses that sell or store customer information online, cyber liability insurance is a must. If your information — or your customers’ details — are compromised, cyber insurance covers the costs of system recovery efforts, notification expenses, fines and identity theft protection for your affected customers. 

How to purchase small business insurance 

To purchase small business insurance, follow these steps: 

  • Think about what coverage you need: Consider what kinds of insurance you need. For example, if you have company vehicles, you’ll likely need commercial auto coverage in addition to general liability and professional liability policies. And if your business operates in areas that are prone to natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes, you may need separate commercial policies for those issues too. 
  • Shop around: Prices can vary significantly by insurer. Many insurers allow you to request quotes for small business insurance online; enter information about your company’s age, revenue, industry and employees, and the insurer will give you an estimate for your desired coverage. 
  • Contact an agent or broker: Once you know what kind of insurance you need, you can reach out to commercial insurance brokers or company agents to get exact pricing details and purchase a policy. 

According to Mark Friedlander, director of corporate communications with the Insurance Information Institute , a broker can be a valuable resource as you begin the process. 

“A qualified broker can help a business owner collect all the information they will need to apply for a policy, and help them comparison shop among several options and quotes,” he said. “Before hiring [a broker], we recommend reviewing the broker’s background and experience as well as the services provided and any fees charged.”

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a tool you can use to find insurance agents and brokers in your area. 

Small business insurance FAQs  

Do i need small business insurance if i’m just starting out.

Many people put off purchasing coverage because of the expense, but according to Chris Rhodes, chief insurance officer of NEXT Insurance, that mindset could be a costly mistake. 

“Purchasing insurance should be one of, if not the first, things on your checklist as a new business owner,” he said. “Regardless of revenue or investment level, having insurance is crucial for protecting your future livelihood.”

At a minimum, simple BOP coverage or other basic forms of coverage are a good starting point. 

“As a rule of thumb, small business owners should purchase general liability or professional liability coverage as a first line of defense,” Rhodes said. 

How much does small business insurance cost?

The cost of small business insurance depends on several factors, including your company’s location, size and industry. BOP coverage, which bundles common insurance types onto one simple policy, typically costs between $40 and $170 per month.

What factors affect small business insurance costs?

Several factors affect cost, including: 

  • Service or product provided: Certain industries or business types, such as those in construction or transportation, are more likely to be involved in accidents, so premiums tend to be more expensive to offset the higher risk. 
  • Location: If you live in an area with a high cost of living or with a higher-than-average crime rate, your premiums will typically be higher. 
  • Size: If you have employees, your premiums will be much higher than that of a business owner who is a solopreneur. The larger the company, the more expensive your premiums will be. 

Does my state require business insurance?

If you have employees, federal law requires you to have workers’ compensation, unemployment and disability insurance. But in some states, certain professions have additional insurance requirements. 

For example, in Colorado, physicians are required to have malpractice insurance. In Oregon, 

lawyers must maintain malpractice insurance with the state Professional Liability Fund. 

Visit your state professional association or regulatory commission to find out what coverage you’ll need. 

Do freelancers need business insurance?

Freelancers can benefit from business insurance, even if they don’t work in-person with customers. Basic coverage, including professional liability coverage, can protect against issues like lawsuits over mistakes or errors. 

The takeaway  

To ensure your business isn’t stalled or disrupted by weather, theft, accidents or lawsuits, small business insurance is a crucial purchase. As you begin shopping for insurance, request quotes from leading small business insurance companies . 

“As a general rule,” Friedlander said, “small business owners should get business insurance quotes from at least three different companies.”

Shopping around will help you find the best coverage at the lowest rate.

EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE : The advice, opinions, or rankings contained in this article are solely those of the Fortune Recommends ™ editorial team. This content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of our affiliate partners or other third parties.

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Exploring coverage options for small businesses

Health coverage for self-employed.

  • Find coverage for yourself and your family
  • Access premium tax credits and other savings, if you qualify

The Individual Marketplace

  • Run their own businesses
  • Are self-employed with no employees
  • Work as freelancers or consultants

A set of 10 categories of services health insurance plans must cover under the Affordable Care Act. These include doctors’ services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, prescription drug coverage, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health services, and more. Some plans cover more services.

Refer to glossary for more details.

Qualifying for Marketplace savings

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