Simply Business Review

Simply Business Visit Site

Overview 

Licensed in all 50 states, Simply Business is an insurance broker with offices in Boston and London. Allowing customers to buy policies online and over the phone, it provides access to a wide variety of policy types via its partner insurance companies. 

These include:

• American Builders Insurance Company

• Arch Insurance

• BiBERK

• Clear Blue Insurance Company

• CNA

• Harborway Insurance

• Hiscox

• Markel

• SolePro

Why Simply Business Is Good For Your Business

Simply Business could be an attractive option if you’re keen to see a selection of insurance quotes quickly and with minimal hassle. 

With an easy-to-navigate quote tool, you can view offers from a range of providers and buy your policy online in as little as 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can speak to a licensed agent over the phone if you need additional support.

Simply Business might also appeal if you need to buy several different types of insurance for your business. As detailed below, the company offers access to an extremely wide selection of policy types across a range of industries.

Insurance Coverage

Simply Business allows you to compare coverage across a wide range of categories. The main coverage types are:

• General liability: Protects your business’s assets against claims from third parties, such as lawsuits.

• Workers' compensation: Covers associated costs if one of your employees becomes ill or is injured as a result of carrying out their duties.

• Professional liability insurance: Protects your company’s assets against losses that arise from professional negligence.

• Errors and omissions: Covers your business against any claims that result from unintentional mistakes or oversights. 

• Home-based business insurance: Reimburses you for any damages to your home that occur as a result of business activities.

• Cyber insurance: Protects your business against any claims from customers or third parties who experience a data breach as a consequence of your company’s negligence.

• Inland marine insurance: Covers your business's products, equipment, and inventory during on-land transportation and storage in a third party’s warehouse.

As well as breaking policies down by insurance type, Simply Business allows you to search for coverage based on the industry in which you operate.

Categories in which you can search include:

• Building/construction 

• Carpentry

• Ecommerce

• Home repair

• Janitorial

• Landscaping

• Law

• Painting and decorating

• Photography

Likewise, you can compare policies based on the legal status of your business. You can, for instance, search for the following types of insurance:

• Contractors

• Subcontractors

• Freelancers

• Self-employed

• Sole proprietors

Application Process

You can apply for a policy online or by contacting the company’s agents over the phone. Before you begin your online application process, you’ll need to enter your trade or profession.

You’ll then need to provide the following information:

• The state in which your business is located

• Whether you work on-site in your customers’ homes

• Information on any employees, contractors, or subcontractors 

• Whether you collect or store customers’ personal data

• Whether you own, rent, or lease your business premises

Note that I was asked to submit these pieces of information when I stated that I worked in the construction industry. The details you will need to provide may vary, depending on the type of services you offer and the size of your business.

Once you’ve provided your details, the quote tool will suggest the types of coverage you may need. At this stage, you may need to provide further information, such as:

• Your name and contact details

• The type of work you perform

• Your business revenue

• The length of time you’ve been in business

• The length of time you’ve been in your industry

• Whether your business operates from home/the number of premises you have

• Your estimated payroll for the next 12 months

• Your previous claims history

At this stage, you’ll see any quotes that match your requirements. If you find a suitable policy, you can then make your payment online.

Once you’ve purchased a policy, you can manage your policy documents and access your certificate of insurance by creating an online account.

Overall, I found the application process extremely straightforward and didn’t encounter any problems in receiving a quote. Although I needed to provide a fairly significant amount of detail about the business, this allowed me to receive quotes that were tailored to my details. In fact, I was able to complete the process in well under 10 minutes.

How Much Does It Cost? 

As a broker, Simply Business doesn’t set its own prices but relies on those offered by its partners. It does, however, state that available coverage options begin at $22.50 per month, with workers' compensation policies starting at $49 per month.

The amount you pay for your insurance will ultimately depend on your circumstances and the amount of coverage you need.

Other factors that may affect the cost of your insurance include:

• The state your business operates in

• The number of employees you have

• The type of policy you choose

• The nature of your business

• Your estimated revenue

During the application process, you can select whether you’d like to pay in a single lump sum or through interest-free monthly billing.

One point to bear in mind: Simply Business operates automatic renewals if you buy a policy via its services. You’ll therefore need to cancel your coverage if you do not wish to renew your policy after the 1st year.

How Safe Is It? 

When you complete your online application, Simply Business will encrypt your information via an SSL certification, which ensures a safe connection between your device and the company’s servers.

In terms of customer satisfaction, the company has a rating of 4.7/5 on Trustpilot, which is classified as excellent. Likewise, I was reassured to see that the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with a rating of B+.

Many of those who rated the company highly spoke enthusiastically about its ease of use and helpful staff. However, while reviews are largely positive, several dissatisfied users claimed to have had difficulty communicating with Simply Business agents. One user felt that the agent had struggled to understand their business model, while another claimed a representative had hung up on them.

If you have any questions relating to the use of your personal information, you can find a copy of the company’s privacy policy on its website.

Help and Support

You can contact Simply Business over the phone, through online chat, email, or social media. Customer support hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm (ET).

When I contacted the company over live chat, I received an immediate response from a helpful agent who provided all the information I needed.

If your query is more general, you may be able to find an answer through the extensive selection of FAQs on the company’s website. Likewise, you may also be interested in the guides and articles on its blog. Updated regularly, these posts cover a wide range of topics relevant to small business owners. 

In addition, you can subscribe to the company’s email newsletter, which offers “tips and tools to grow your business.”

Note that Simply Business doesn’t handle insurance claims directly. When making a claim, you’ll need to contact the insurance company from which you bought your policy. However, Simply Business does provide instructions and relevant contact details for its partner companies on its website.

Summary

Simply Business could be a good place to start if you’d like to compare a range of business insurance quotes. As well as offering a straightforward and intuitive online quote process, the company provides access to licensed insurance agents if you need further support. Licensed in all 50 states, the broker is also accredited by the Better Business Bureau and has an excellent rating on Trustpilot.

Physical Address

Simply Business

1 Beacon Street, 15th Floor

Boston, MA

02108

Methodology

We compiled this review by visiting the company’s website, using its online quote tool, and contacting its agents via live chat