Simply Business vs 
The Hartford: How Do They Compare for General Liability Insurance?
Simply Business: Online Small-Business Insurance Marketplace
Simply Business describes a digital marketplace and licensed-producer service for small businesses. The policy and selected insurer determine coverage, fees, servicing and claims responsibilities. 1,2
What Is The Hartford?
The Hartford suits SaaS and software small businesses seeking a BOP and an online quote; buyers needing commercial auto through self-service or built-in California EPL coverage should use another route. Eligible small-business quotes can start online in minutes. 4,5,6
What Is General Liability Insurance?
General liability can protect your business when a customer or visitor claims you caused injury or damaged their property. It suits businesses serving customers or working on their premises; your own building, tools and stock need property coverage. 9,10,11
Key Differences in General Liability Insurance
Included coverage detail
The Hartford lists bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury, legal costs, products-completed operations and medical payments among its general liability features; product recall is an endorsement. Simply Business describes potential third-party injury, property damage and defense costs but its reviewed record does not give this level of feature detail. If a finished job or product claim is central to your risk, compare the policy form and recall endorsement separately. 7 3
Claims access and binding
The Hartford provides a 24/7 claims phone line and online form. Simply Business offers online quoting, but says binding depends on approval from a panel member. Buyers should record the Hartford claim contact and ask Simply Business who receives a claim notice after the policy is issued. 8 2
What to Confirm in General Liability Insurance Quotes
Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
Simply Business
Review Score
4 rated sources
Customers disagree about Simply Business. Trustpilot shows 4.3 out of 5 from 1,901 reviews, but BBB customers give it 1.95 from 20 reviews and ConsumerAffairs shows 1.0.[6][10][7]
Read Simply Business reviewsThe Hartford
Review Score
5 rated sources
The Hartford’s service record is mixed: NerdWallet rates it 4.5/5 but reports below-average small-business satisfaction. Low Trustpilot ratings add a service concern, although they mix policy types.[1][2][4][5][6][7]
Read The Hartford reviewsOffering Details
Simply Business vs The Hartford: General Liability Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | General liability insurance through Simply Business | The Hartford General Liability Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Role in This Line | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford's general liability insurance (GLI), also called commercial general liability (CGL), helps protect small businesses from third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage. It can be bought as a stand-alone policy or bundled into a Business Owner's Policy. 7Company-reported. General liability product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| Who It’s For | The page discusses sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, home-based businesses, independent contractors and freelancers as examples of small-business buyers. Examples do not guarantee a carrier quote or eligibility. 3Company-reported. Company-published general-liability information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer. | The Hartford markets GL coverage to businesses that meet clients face-to-face, work on or with client property, use third-party locations, or advertise, and names specific professions it targets, including architects, engineers, photographers, hair salons, gym owners, interior designers, technology companies, landscapers and real estate agents. 7Company-reported. General liability product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| Coverage Features | The company describes general liability as potentially addressing third-party accidents, bodily injury, third-party property damage and legal-defense costs. Its page says employee injuries are not covered by this line. This is educational material, not a policy form. 3Company-reported. Company-published general-liability information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer. | The Hartford lists key coverages under its GL policy: bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury (like libel or false advertising claims), legal fees/judgments/settlements, copyright infringement in advertising, products-completed operations (claims after a job is finished), and medical payments for minor injuries regardless of fault. Product liability coverage is included as part of the GL policy, while product recall is available only as an endorsement. 7Company-reported. General liability product page as read 2026-09-23. Coverage descriptions are general; the issued policy controls. |
| Limits and Retentions | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford reports average GL premiums of about $810 a year ($67 a month) for its customers, and says cost varies by business type, revenue, employee count, location, coverage limits/deductibles and claims history; the page does not publish standard limit or deductible amounts. 7Company-reported. Company-reported average as of 2026-09-23; not a specific quote. |
| How to Apply | Simply Business directs buyers to an online quote flow; its Terms say a quote is not guaranteed and the producer cannot bind a risk without panel-member approval. 3,2Company-reported. Company-published general-liability information for U.S. small businesses; availability and actual policy terms depend on the insurer, state and buyer. | Confirm in your quote. |
| Claims Support | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford provides a 24/7 general liability claims phone line (800-327-3636) and an online claim form, with a policy-type selector that also covers cyber, employee benefits, property and workers' compensation claims. 8Company-reported. GL claims page as read 2026-09-23. Describes intake channels, not claim outcomes. |
Full Comparison
More Simply Business vs The Hartford Comparisons
Other General Liability Insurance Comparisons
Sources
Simply Business
- Our Small Business Insurance Story. Simply Business; Opening description and audience; digital marketplace, business types and U.S. service. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Terms of Service. Simply Business; Dated June 30, 2026; §1 lines 22–28; §8 lines 87–113; §10 lines 143–149; §19 line 211. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- General Liability Insurance for a Small Business. Simply Business; Coverage lines 51–75; audience lines 61–65, 153–155; application and examples elsewhere on page. Accessed 2026-09-29.
The Hartford
- Legal Notice. The Hartford; The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. holding-company description; no representation that all products are available in all locations; P&C writing-company table as of December 31, 2025 including Hartford Fire (NAIC 19682) and Hartford Underwriters (NAIC 30104); life writing companies including Hartford Life and Accident (NAIC 70815). Accessed 2026-09-16.
- SaaS Insurance for Your Business. The Hartford; Audience list (software startups, SaaS, IT consulting); Get a Business Owner’s Policy; What Is Business Owner’s Policy Insurance?; general liability introduction and Get a Quote; Get Commercial Property Insurance; Commercial Property Insurance for Your Business; Benefits of The Hartford’s WC Insurance for Employers and Employees; cyber insurance and data breach descriptions; Get a quote for cyber insurance; EPLI introduction and Private Choice Premier; add-ons (workers’ compensation, data breach, commercial auto); technology professional liability mention; small-business availability banner; industry-average premium footnote; footnote 2 state restrictions; footer product-availability disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Find a Local Insurance Agent. The Hartford; Small-business and midsize agent locators; FAQ that buyers can purchase without an agent by calling or quoting online; statement that agents may charge fees. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- General Liability Insurance. The Hartford; What Is General Liability Insurance?; How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?; Key Coverages; Examples of General Liability Coverage; Bundle It All With a BOP; Who Needs General Liability Insurance? Accessed 2026-09-23.
- General Liability Claims | File A Claim. The Hartford; 24/7 phone 800-327-3636; online general-liability claim form. Accessed 2026-09-23.
General Liability Insurance Guide
- Commercial general liability insurance. Insurance Information Institute; Coverage A; Coverage B; Coverage C; Purchasing commercial general liability insurance. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Commercial General Liability; Commercial Automobile; What Should I Expect from a Broker-Agent?; How Are Commercial Policies Rated? Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Commercial General Liability Coverage Form. ISO; specimen hosted by Hiscox; I.A pp.1–5; I.B pp.6–7; I.C pp.7–8; Supplementary Payments p.8; II pp.9–10; III p.10; IV pp.10–12. Accessed 2026-09-16.
