---
title: "Markel Insurance vs THREE"
description: "Markel’s U.S. distribution spans specialist insurance channels, while THREE offers an online quote for small-business coverage."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/markel-vs-three"
page-type: "provider-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/markel-vs-three)

# Markel Insurance vs THREE

Markel’s U.S. distribution spans specialist insurance channels, while THREE offers an online quote for small-business coverage.

## Before You Quote

Ask each provider about eligibility, the issuing insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and costs for your business.

## Highlights

Markel’s U.S. distribution spans specialist insurance channels, while THREE offers an online quote for small-business coverage. Markel may be a useful starting point for specialty risks or products not suited to a package; THREE provides a more direct route for eligible small businesses. [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE")

## Provider Reliability Assessments

These sourced assessments are shown for context; this comparison does not select a winner.

### Markel Insurance

Role: Insurance carrier.

Carrier & MGA Spot Score: **7.1/10** (partial score; 85% of this role's weighting included). Assessed 2026-09-29; review due 2026-10-29. Excluded factors: Carrier-Network Strength (The supplied evidence did not support a score for Carrier-Network Strength; this factor is excluded, not scored as zero. Canonical evidence gaps: Which Markel insurer issues a given product in a given state is not mapped on public pages. Use the insurer named on your quote or policy.; Only New York and California regulator records were opened for Markel Insurance Company. Authority in the other states is Markel's own statement.; The AM Best release and rating page could not be opened by automated tools this session. The rating is taken from the release read earlier and from Markel's own table.; Penalty amounts and violation details for the New York consent order and the Texas orders could not be fully read. A second Texas order (2024) and a 2011 Florida consent order were located but not read.; A five-year search across every state was not done, and California's formal enforcement search would not return results.; Nebraska's latest 2025 summary was blank, so the most recent statutory financials shown are for 2024.; No reinsurance panel, third-party claims administrator or claim-decision authority is publicly mapped.; No independent measure of commercial claim service was found.).

Read the [full reliability assessment](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel/reliability).

### THREE by Berkshire Hathaway

Role: Insurance carrier.

Carrier & MGA Spot Score: **Not Rated**. Assessed 2026-09-29; review due 2027-03-29.

Read the [full reliability assessment](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/three/reliability).

## Markel Insurance Reviews

Review Score: 7.5 / 10 from 2 rated sources, equally weighted.

There is little public customer feedback on Markel. Trustpilot shows 2.5 out of 5 from just 5 reviews, and BBB lists 12 complaints closed in the last three years.

- J.D. Power: Commercial Lines Insurers agent satisfaction score 726 (out of 1,000). 2022 commercial-lines independent-agent satisfaction study and 2025 small-commercial customer study; these use different populations and measures Period: 2022. Checked 2026-09-29. [2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2025-us-small-commercial-insurance-study); [2022 U.S. Independent Agent Satisfaction Study](https://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/file/2022-10/2022134%20U.S.%20Independent%20Agent.pdf)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 2.5 (out of 5); 5 reviews. Trustpilot brand-level page for markel.com. It mixes products and is not mapped to one legal insurer. Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/markel.com)
- BBB: BBB business grade A+. BBB business profile for Markel Insurance Company headquarters/corporate-owned locations; review and complaint submissions may include other products and affiliates Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Insurance Company Business Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547); [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints)
- BBB: Complaints 12; 12 reviews. BBB profile for Markel Insurance Company; complaints may include other Markel products and affiliates and BBB says not all submissions are displayed. Period: last 3 years, as displayed 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel/reviews).

## THREE by Berkshire Hathaway Reviews

Review Score: 7.3 / 10 from 2 rated sources, equally weighted.

The inspected sources report separate measures: NerdWallet’s 4.0/5 editorial rating is excluded from the source-rating average; Trustpilot displayed 2.5/5 from five user posts and BBB displayed 4.8/5 from 265 reviews. Trustpilot and BBB include different purchase, service and agent/intermediary interactions, not a verified common policyholder cohort. BBB separately lists complaints. Any source-rating average weights eligible platforms equally and is not a pooled, representative customer-experience estimate or a claims-quality measure.

- NerdWallet: NerdWallet editorial rating 4.0 (5 stars). NerdWallet editorial evaluation of THREE commercial insurance; updated May 11, 2026. Its methodology score is an editorial rating, not an average of consumer reviews or a claims study. Period: Updated 2026-05-11. Checked 2026-09-29. [Three Insurance review | NerdWallet](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/insurance/learn/three-insurance)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 2.5 (5 stars); 5 reviews. Trustpilot page for threeinsurance.com checked 2026-09-29. Five user-posted reviews, one in prior 12 months; small self-selected population, review provenance not independently verified. Period: Displayed 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [THREE Reviews | Trustpilot](https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/threeinsurance.com)
- BBB: BBB customer review average 4.8 (5 stars); 265 reviews. BBB profile for THREE by Berkshire Hathaway, customer-review and complaints pages directly rechecked 2026-09-29. The customer-review population includes sales-agent/intermediary interactions and customer purchase/service reports; it is not a verified uniform policyholder or claims-outcome cohort. Average and complaints are distinct populations. BBB says third-party information may not be verified and complaint text may be incomplete. Period: Displayed 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [THREE by Berkshire Hathaway customer reviews | BBB](https://www.bbb.org/us/ne/omaha/profile/commercial-insurance-services/three-by-berkshire-hathaway-0714-300275558/customer-reviews?page=1); [THREE by Berkshire Hathaway complaints | BBB](https://www.bbb.org/us/ne/omaha/profile/commercial-insurance-services/three-by-berkshire-hathaway-0714-300275558/complaints)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/three/reviews).





## Coverage Comparison

| Coverage Type | Markel Insurance | THREE by Berkshire Hathaway |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Builders risk](https://spot.insure/coverage/builders-risk) | Listed: Markel builders risk [21](https://www.markel.com/us/industries/construction/large-builders-risk "Builders Risk Insurance") | Not listed |
| [Business owner’s policy](https://spot.insure/coverage/business-owners-policy) | Not listed | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |
| [Cargo and transit](https://spot.insure/coverage/cargo-transit) | Listed: Markel cargo and transit coverage [20](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/property/inland-marine "Commercial Inland Marine Insurance") | Not listed |
| [Commercial auto](https://spot.insure/coverage/commercial-auto) | Not listed | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |
| [Commercial property](https://spot.insure/coverage/commercial-property) | Listed: Markel commercial property [19](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/property/commercial-and-risk-management-property "Commercial Property Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |
| [Crime](https://spot.insure/coverage/crime) | Listed: Markel Cyber 360 eCrime component (standalone product not established) [16](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/cyber "Cyber Insurance Coverage") | Not listed |
| [Cyber liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/cyber) | Listed: Markel Cyber 360 [16](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/cyber "Cyber Insurance Coverage") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |
| [Directors and officers](https://spot.insure/coverage/directors-officers) | Listed: Markel private and nonprofit D&O [18](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") |
| [Employment practices liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/employment-practices) | Listed: Markel employment practices liability [18](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") |
| [Equipment breakdown](https://spot.insure/coverage/equipment-breakdown) | Listed: Equipment-breakdown option within property coverage; standalone product not established [14](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/small-business-casualty-and-property "Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance") | Listed: THREE lists equipment breakdown within the package; its displayed sample excludes machinery, equipment or listed vehicles that stop without an accident. Check the quoted form for the actual protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |
| [Fiduciary liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/fiduciary) | Listed: Markel fiduciary liability [18](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") |
| [General liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/general-liability) | Listed: Markel small-business casualty and property [14](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/small-business-casualty-and-property "Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |
| [Hired and non-owned auto](https://spot.insure/coverage/hired-non-owned-auto) | Listed: Hired/non-owned auto option in small-business casualty; not commercial auto [14](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/small-business-casualty-and-property "Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance") | Not listed |
| [Liquor liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/liquor-liability) | Listed: Markel liquor liability [14](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/small-business-casualty-and-property "Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy if required; the quote and issued form determine availability and protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") |
| [Management liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/management-liability) | Listed: Markel management liability [18](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit "Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance") | Not listed |
| [Media liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/media) | Listed: Markel Cyber 360 media liability component (standalone product not established) [16](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/cyber "Cyber Insurance Coverage") | Not listed |
| [Product liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/product-liability) | Listed: Markel products liability [14](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/small-business-casualty-and-property "Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance") | Not listed |
| [Professional errors and omissions (E&O)](https://spot.insure/coverage/professional-errors-omissions) | Listed: Markel ProBiz miscellaneous E&O [17](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/probiz "ProBiz | Professional Liability Coverage") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") |
| [Surety bonds](https://spot.insure/coverage/surety-bonds) | Listed: Markel Surety bonds [23](https://www.markel.com/us/surety "Markel Surety") | Not listed |
| [Technology errors and omissions (E&O)](https://spot.insure/coverage/technology-errors-omissions) | Listed: Markel Cyber 360 technology professional liability component (standalone product not established) [16](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/cyber "Cyber Insurance Coverage") | Not listed |
| [Tools, equipment and inland marine](https://spot.insure/coverage/inland-marine) | Listed: Markel commercial inland marine [20](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/property/inland-marine "Commercial Inland Marine Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") |
| [Umbrella and excess liability](https://spot.insure/coverage/umbrella-excess) | Listed: Markel excess casualty and umbrella [22](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/casualty/excess-casualty "Excess Casualty Insurance") | Not listed |
| [Workers’ compensation](https://spot.insure/coverage/workers-compensation) | Listed: Markel Workers Compensation [15](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation "Workers Compensation Insurance") | Listed: Marketed within THREE’s combined commercial policy; the quote and issued form determine the protection. [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") |

A listing may be arranged through an insurer or partner. “Not listed” means this catalogue has no separate offering recorded; ask the provider whether it can quote the coverage and request the policy terms.



## Optional Spot Service Handoff

Spot can help prepare applications, coordinate brokers, and compare proposals. If that work is needed, collect the company's task, known deadline, current broker, and open questions for a [free consultation](https://spot.insure/pricing.md). The company decides what to buy; Spot does not automatically bind coverage.

## Key Differences Between Markel Insurance and THREE

### Business Roles and Access to Insurers

Markel Insurance’s documented role shapes who handles underwriting and how you reach a policy.

Markel describes Markel Insurance as the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., a Virginia holding company. Markel Group's FY2025 filing identifies multiple underwriting subsidiaries. The insurer for a specific policy depends on the product, state and current quote or policy disclosures; Markel Insurance is not one standalone legal insurer. [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") [2](https://www.markel.com/about-us "About us") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. commercial-insurance identity and parent/business relationship; not a product-specific issuer assignment.; verified: 2026-09-29.)

THREE documents its own insurance role and access arrangement.

THREE is the commercial brand and product form used by Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company (BHDIC), which identifies itself as doing business as THREE and names itself as issuer on the sample THREE policy. THREE’s FAQ describes THREE or THREE Insurance as the product name, not a separate insurer. The state-specific issued policy controls. [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") [27](https://threeinsurance.com/faqs "FAQs: Understanding THREE") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. THREE commercial-insurance brand and sample policy; current company identity pages checked 2026-09-28. Company-reported legal disclosure; the state-specific issued policy controls the buyer’s contract.; verified: 2026-09-28.)

### Customer Fit and Application

Compare each provider’s stated customer focus against your business activities and stage; a published target market is not a guarantee of eligibility.

Markel's U.S. small-business page lists child care and enrichment, commercial and residential services, sports and fitness, and manufacturing among the segments it describes. Separately, its FY2025 filing describes Markel Insurance's global specialty business as underwriting hard-to-place risks; that wording is not specific to U.S. Wholesale and Specialty. [8](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business "Small Business Insurance") [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-stated U.S. small-business examples and separate global business characterization; neither establishes eligibility.; verified: 2026-09-29.)

THREE describes its focus as businesses and presents industries it serves. Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 annual report says BH Direct and GUARD together primarily offer commercial insurance to small and medium-sized businesses; it separately says BH Direct underwrites through the biBERK.com and Threeinsurance.com distribution platforms. Eligibility varies by state and business. [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [31](https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2025ar/202510-k.pdf "Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 2025 Annual Report / Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: THREE’s company-described business focus and industry examples, plus the 2025 report’s joint BH Direct-and-GUARD SMB statement. The report does not attribute that customer-size focus to BHDIC alone; actual eligibility varies by state and business.; verified: 2026-09-28.)

These entry points show how to start; they do not confirm eligibility or that coverage has been bound. [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [34](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy "Business Owners Policy | THREE")

Markel's FY2025 filing says U.S. Wholesale and Specialty distributes through wholesale and retail channels on admitted and excess-and-surplus bases, including limited small-account binding authority. In 2025, 71% of this division's gross written premium was placed through wholesale brokers, 26% through retail agents and brokers, and the remainder through alternative channels. Certain admitted products and programs are marketed directly to consumers, but that does not establish online purchase or binding for every product. [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: FY2025 Markel Insurance U.S. Wholesale and Specialty distribution; not the whole Markel Insurance business.; verified: 2026-09-29.)

THREE directs prospective customers to an online quote flow and says licensed Small Business Advisors can help them start or continue the process; the company’s FAQ also describes a phone quote and says an unfinished quote can be saved and resumed. This documents quote routes, not online purchase or binding by an individual customer. [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [27](https://threeinsurance.com/faqs "FAQs: Understanding THREE") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. business insurance quote application. Company-described online and phone process; no customer form was submitted and no binding outcome was tested.; verified: 2026-09-28.)

## What to Confirm in Quotes

Ask Markel which product and distribution channel fit your exposure and who issues it. Ask THREE whether the same risk is eligible and how its combined-policy terms compare. Ask each provider to identify the proposed insurer, exact forms and endorsements, any intermediary or account service contact, and the steps required to bind. Compare premiums only after matching limits, retentions, exclusions, policy periods, taxes and fees.

## Compare Services

What each provider documents about the services you may need.

| Criteria | Markel Insurance | THREE by Berkshire Hathaway |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Business role | Markel describes Markel Insurance as the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., a Virginia holding company. Markel Group's FY2025 filing identifies multiple underwriting subsidiaries. The insurer for a specific policy depends on the product, state and current quote or policy disclosures; Markel Insurance is not one standalone legal insurer. [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") [2](https://www.markel.com/about-us "About us") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. commercial-insurance identity and parent/business relationship; not a product-specific issuer assignment.; verified: 2026-09-29.) | THREE is the commercial brand and product form used by Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company (BHDIC), which identifies itself as doing business as THREE and names itself as issuer on the sample THREE policy. THREE’s FAQ describes THREE or THREE Insurance as the product name, not a separate insurer. The state-specific issued policy controls. [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [26](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy "The Policy") [27](https://threeinsurance.com/faqs "FAQs: Understanding THREE") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. THREE commercial-insurance brand and sample policy; current company identity pages checked 2026-09-28. Company-reported legal disclosure; the state-specific issued policy controls the buyer’s contract.; verified: 2026-09-28.)<br><br>Berkshire Hathaway’s published company list identifies Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company (THREE) and lists Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) and biBERK separately. Its 2025 annual report says BH Direct and GUARD together primarily offer commercial products to small and medium-sized businesses; it separately describes BH Direct’s admitted commercial underwriting and use of the biBERK.com and Threeinsurance.com distribution platforms. The reviewed list and report do not establish the exact direct-versus-indirect ownership chain. [32](https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/subs/sublinks.html "Links to Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiary Companies") [31](https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2025ar/202510-k.pdf "Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 2025 Annual Report / Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Berkshire Hathaway company list checked 2026-09-28 and 2025 annual-report discussion of BH Direct and GUARD; group relationship and commercial operating scope only, not a precise ownership-chain finding.; verified: 2026-09-28.) |
| Customer focus | Markel's U.S. small-business page lists child care and enrichment, commercial and residential services, sports and fitness, and manufacturing among the segments it describes. Separately, its FY2025 filing describes Markel Insurance's global specialty business as underwriting hard-to-place risks; that wording is not specific to U.S. Wholesale and Specialty. [8](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business "Small Business Insurance") [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Company-stated U.S. small-business examples and separate global business characterization; neither establishes eligibility.; verified: 2026-09-29.) | THREE describes its focus as businesses and presents industries it serves. Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 annual report says BH Direct and GUARD together primarily offer commercial insurance to small and medium-sized businesses; it separately says BH Direct underwrites through the biBERK.com and Threeinsurance.com distribution platforms. Eligibility varies by state and business. [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [31](https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2025ar/202510-k.pdf "Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 2025 Annual Report / Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: THREE’s company-described business focus and industry examples, plus the 2025 report’s joint BH Direct-and-GUARD SMB statement. The report does not attribute that customer-size focus to BHDIC alone; actual eligibility varies by state and business.; verified: 2026-09-28.) |
| Application process | Markel's FY2025 filing says U.S. Wholesale and Specialty distributes through wholesale and retail channels on admitted and excess-and-surplus bases, including limited small-account binding authority. In 2025, 71% of this division's gross written premium was placed through wholesale brokers, 26% through retail agents and brokers, and the remainder through alternative channels. Certain admitted products and programs are marketed directly to consumers, but that does not establish online purchase or binding for every product. [1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm "Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: FY2025 Markel Insurance U.S. Wholesale and Specialty distribution; not the whole Markel Insurance business.; verified: 2026-09-29.)<br><br>For workers' compensation, Markel directs applicants to submit an online application or contact an appointed agent to request a quote; the reviewed page does not establish that purchase and binding are completed online. [9](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation "Workers Compensation Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Markel U.S. workers' compensation page only; route to request a quote.; verified: 2026-09-29.)<br><br>Agencies can request a Markel appointment; Markel says appointments are made by affiliated insurer and product, and producers must hold the required state license. This is a producer onboarding route, not an insured's application path. [12](https://www.markel.com/us/for-agents-and-brokers/request-appointment-with-markel "Request appointment with Markel") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Commercial agency appointment information; not retail purchase process.; verified: 2026-09-29.) | THREE directs prospective customers to an online quote flow and says licensed Small Business Advisors can help them start or continue the process; the company’s FAQ also describes a phone quote and says an unfinished quote can be saved and resumed. This documents quote routes, not online purchase or binding by an individual customer. [25](https://threeinsurance.com/ "THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance") [27](https://threeinsurance.com/faqs "FAQs: Understanding THREE") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: U.S. business insurance quote application. Company-described online and phone process; no customer form was submitted and no binding outcome was tested.; verified: 2026-09-28.)<br><br>THREE describes a partner-agency channel. Its partner page says the Agency Service Team assists policyholders and agents and that agency partners can use the THREE platform to quote, bind, and issue policies online. This describes the partner channel, not the direct public quote flow. [30](https://threeinsurance.com/become-a-three-partner "Become a THREE Partner") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: THREE partner agency program and platform capabilities as described by the company; these capabilities apply to partner agencies and do not establish direct-customer self-binding.; verified: 2026-09-28.) |

## Related Reading

- [Markel Insurance: Specialty Business and Products](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/markel)
- [THREE small business insurance: coverage, issuer and buying routes](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/three)

## Related Comparisons

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## Sources

### [Markel Insurance Official Website](https://www.markel.com/us)

1. [Markel Group Inc. 2025 Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1096343/000109634326000020/mkl-20251231.htm). U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; filed by Markel Group Inc.; Cover page; Part I, Item 1 Business—Markel Insurance, U.S. Wholesale and Specialty, Programs and Solutions; Part II, Item 7/8 for group and segment risks. Accessed 2026-09-28.
2. [About us](https://www.markel.com/about-us). Markel; Markel at a glance; description of Markel Insurance within Markel Group Inc. Accessed 2026-09-28.
3. [US Product Disclaimer](https://www.markel.com/us-product-disclaimer). Markel; U.S. underwriting/entity and state-availability disclaimer; identifies Markel West Insurance Services, California license #2E11302, for certain non-admitted coverage. It does not state Markel Service national producer license #27585 or California DBA license #0645481. Accessed 2026-09-29.
4. [Insurance Programs](https://www.markel.com/us/insurance-programs). Markel; FAQ and legal disclaimer at page end; coverage by Markel insurers, Markel Service, Incorporated national producer license #27585 and California DBA license #0645481, and Markel West Insurance Services California license #2E11302 for certain non-admitted products. Accessed 2026-09-29.
5. [AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Markel Group Inc. and Its Subsidiaries](https://news.ambest.com/pr/PressContent.aspx?altsrc=2&refnum=36790). AM Best; Press release dated November 21, 2025; paragraphs naming ratings, rating rationale, and Markel North America Insurance Group members. Accessed 2026-09-28.
6. [North America Producer Compensation Disclosure](https://www.markel.com/north-america-producer-compensation-disclosure). Markel; Base commissions, contingent compensation, business production/additional incentives, and Markel Specialty/Markel Service/insurer role statement. Accessed 2026-09-28.
7. [U.S. and Bermuda Claims Contacts](https://content.markel.com/api/public/content/f52fc789f11245b5b8acd14aa45e1847). Markel; April 2026 claims-contact PDF footer: Markel West, Inc. d/b/a Markel West Insurance Services, California license #0D95581; coverage by one or more Markel insurers and non-admitted routes. Accessed 2026-09-29.
8. [Small Business Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business). Markel; Small business products; Types of companies—Child care and enrichment, Commercial and residential services, Sports and fitness, Manufacturing. Accessed 2026-09-28.
9. [Workers Compensation Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation). Markel; Introductory quote/application route; claims question and report-a-claim contact. Accessed 2026-09-28.
10. [Commercial Lines Agents & Broker Support](https://www.markel.com/us/for-agents-and-brokers/commercial-lines). Markel; mPortal and Markel Online access; resources; digital distribution. Accessed 2026-09-28.
11. [My Account](https://www.markel.com/us/my-account). Markel US; Online account portal capabilities; Business insurance; unlisted-product direction. Accessed 2026-09-28.
12. [Request appointment with Markel](https://www.markel.com/us/for-agents-and-brokers/request-appointment-with-markel). Markel; Commercial and personal lines agency partner criteria; product-specific affiliate appointments; producer-license requirement. Accessed 2026-09-28.
13. [Markel Insurance Companies](https://www.markel.com/our-insurance-companies). Markel; Notice to California and Massachusetts Applicants and Insureds; U.S.-domiciled property and casualty insurer subsidiaries and affiliates; table of company names and market status (page states current as of 2024-04-01). Accessed 2026-09-28.
14. [Small Business Casualty and Property Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/small-business-casualty-and-property). Markel; What we offer; product/liability, property, general casualty, inland marine, excess umbrella, liquor liability, hired/non-owned auto, employee benefits liability, E&O and equipment breakdown references. Accessed 2026-09-29.
15. [Workers Compensation Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation). Markel; Product overview and quote route; workers compensation/employers liability, eligible industries, claim and loss-control descriptions. Accessed 2026-09-29.
16. [Cyber Insurance Coverage](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/cyber). Markel; Markel Cyber 360; coverages available, cyber incident response, business interruption, privacy/security liability, media liability and technology professional liability. Accessed 2026-09-29.
17. [ProBiz | Professional Liability Coverage](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/probiz). Markel; What is Markel ProBiz; separate management liability and miscellaneous E&O; listed limits and qualifying business size. Accessed 2026-09-29.
18. [Private and Nonprofit Management Liability Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/professional-and-management-liability/management-liability/private-and-nonprofit). Markel; What we offer; private/nonprofit segment; D&O, EPL, fiduciary and optional coverage sections. Accessed 2026-09-29.
19. [Commercial Property Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/property/commercial-and-risk-management-property). Markel; Commercial property product summary and eligible risks. Accessed 2026-09-29.
20. [Commercial Inland Marine Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/property/inland-marine). Markel; What we offer; inland marine classes, cargo, contractors equipment, transportation and coverage structure. Accessed 2026-09-29.
21. [Builders Risk Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/industries/construction/large-builders-risk). Markel; Coverage features; construction projects and builders-risk scope. Accessed 2026-09-29.
22. [Excess Casualty Insurance](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/casualty/excess-casualty). Markel; Excess and umbrella liability and admitted/non-admitted capabilities. Accessed 2026-09-29.
23. [Markel Surety](https://www.markel.com/us/surety). Markel; Products; contract bonds, commercial bonds, court and probate bonds. Accessed 2026-09-29.
24. [Markel Insurance Company Complaints](https://www.bbb.org/us/va/glen-allen/profile/insurance-companies/markel-insurance-company-0603-4017547/complaints). Better Business Bureau; Company complaints summary: 12 in last three years, 3 closed in last 12 months; complaint-category counts and displayed case examples; headquarters and corporate-owned locations. Accessed 2026-09-29.

### [THREE by Berkshire Hathaway Official Website](https://threeinsurance.com/)

25. [THREE by Berkshire Hathaway — small business insurance](https://threeinsurance.com/). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Issuer, business focus, and industry scope, lines 70–81; quote/advisor route, lines 405–420; DBA footer, lines 432–434. Accessed 2026-09-28.
26. [The Policy](https://threeinsurance.com/the-policy). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Sample declarations, limits and three-day Business Interruption waiting period (lines 58–76); Section I: interruption follows a property loss the insurer pays and ends on resumed normal operations or an applicable limit (lines 82–86); Section III: machinery/equipment/listed vehicles stopping without an accident are excluded (lines 104–112). Accessed 2026-09-29.
27. [FAQs: Understanding THREE](https://threeinsurance.com/faqs). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Quote save/resume, lines 73–76; claim/update routes, lines 78–89; product-not-company wording, lines 98–100; one-year policy/payment terms, lines 129–130; servicing requests, lines 141–157. Accessed 2026-09-28.
28. [Terms & Conditions](https://threeinsurance.com/terms-conditions). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; BHDIC dba THREE, lines 20–23; recurring automatic bank draft qualification, lines 27–33. Accessed 2026-09-28.
29. [Filing a Claim: Call to get started](https://threeinsurance.com/claims). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Online/phone claims and account-manager assignment, lines 24–43; claim updates, lines 59–61. Accessed 2026-09-28.
30. [Become a THREE Partner](https://threeinsurance.com/become-a-three-partner). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Partner-agency program and platform permissions, lines 6–18; state availability, lines 30–35. Accessed 2026-09-28.
31. [Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 2025 Annual Report / Form 10-K](https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2025ar/202510-k.pdf). Berkshire Hathaway Inc.; 2025 annual report, PDF page 5, printed K-4, lines 303–308: BH Direct and GUARD joint SMB focus; BH Direct platforms/admitted products. Accessed 2026-09-28.
32. [Links to Berkshire Hathaway Subsidiary Companies](https://www.berkshirehathaway.com/subs/sublinks.html). Berkshire Hathaway Inc.; Published subsidiary-company list; BHDIC (THREE), BHSI, and biBERK shown separately, lines 11–16. Accessed 2026-09-28.
33. [THREE online quote application](https://quotes.threeinsurance.com/). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; THREE online quote entry point inspected; the page is a route to begin an application. No form was submitted or quote generated; this source alone does not establish customer self-binding. Accessed 2026-09-28.
34. [Business Owners Policy | THREE](https://threeinsurance.com/business-owners-policy). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Product page explicitly markets Business Liability categories (including liquor liability if required), Property (including equipment breakdown and inland marine), Business Auto (including cargo liability and hired/non-owned), Business Interruption, Cyber and Workers’ Compensation, within one combined policy description (lines 8–9, 19–21, 23–76); BHDIC dba THREE footer (lines 93–94). Accessed 2026-09-29.
35. [Benefits | THREE](https://threeinsurance.com/benefits). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Page copy: commercial coverage category descriptions for liability, cyber, property/business interruption, business auto and workers compensation; describes product benefits, not a complete policy form. Accessed 2026-09-29.
36. [THREE logo SVG](https://threeinsurance.com/three-logo.svg). Berkshire Hathaway Direct Insurance Company, dba THREE; Direct official SVG asset; viewBox 0 0 720 253; embedded title “Three by Berkshire Hathaway”; downloaded and preserved byte-for-byte as assets/three-logo.svg. Accessed 2026-09-29.

Updated 2026-09-30. Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers; it is not a recommendation for a specific policy. [Editorial policy](https://spot.insure/editorial-policy). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

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- [Markdown page](https://spot.insure/compare/markel-vs-three.md)
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