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Compare in one place: general liability vs professional liability vs BOP. Or price a single coverage — general liability, professional liability (E&O), or your state. Or estimate your own premium with our cost calculator.
The average, up front
The average BOP insurance cost in 2026 is about $83 a month — roughly $996 a year — for a small business. Typical prices run $50 to $180 a month, driven mostly by industry, the value of the property you insure, and revenue. That is more than standalone general liability ($45) but less than buying liability and commercial property separately (about $110 combined). Hiscox advertises a BOP from about $42 a month, with an online quote in about five minutes.
A business owner’s policy is the small-business bundle: general liability and commercial property in one policy, usually with business interruption coverage included. It exists because insurers would rather sell one predictable package to a low-risk small business than two separate policies — and they price it accordingly. Below are the 2026 averages, what the bundle actually includes, and the test for whether a BOP or standalone liability is the cheaper answer for you.
Average BOP cost at a glance
| How you measure it | Average | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Per month | $83 | $50–$180 |
| Per year | $996 | $600–$2,160 |
| Home-based business | $55 | $42–$80 |
| Leased storefront or office | $110 | $75–$220 |
| Advertised from (Hiscox) | ~$42/mo | — |
Is a BOP cheaper than buying the policies separately?
This is the whole reason the product exists, and the math is usually favorable:
| Approach | Average monthly cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| General liability bought alone | $45 | Liability only — nothing for your own property |
| Commercial property bought alone | $65 | Property only — usually no business interruption |
| Both, bought separately | ~$110 | Two policies, two renewals, two deductibles |
| BOP Usually cheaper | $83 | Both coverages bundled, business interruption typically included |
The catch is eligibility, not price: BOPs are built for small, low-to-moderate-risk businesses, and carriers cap revenue, square footage, and location count. Outgrow those limits and you are quoted a commercial package policy instead, which is priced individually.
Average BOP cost by profession
Two things drive the spread — the liability risk of the work, and how much property the policy has to cover.
| Business type | Typical monthly BOP cost |
|---|---|
| Consultants & home-based services | $42–$70 |
| Photographers & creatives | $50–$90 |
| IT & software developers | $50–$90 |
| Real estate offices | $60–$110 |
| Cleaning services | $65–$120 |
| Retail & e-commerce with inventory | $70–$150 |
| Landscapers & lawn care | $80–$150 |
| Contractors & trades | $110–$220 |
| Restaurants & food service | $140–$300 |
What a BOP does and does not include
| Included in a standard BOP | Not included — buy separately |
|---|---|
| General liability (injury, property damage, advertising claims) | Workers’ compensation (required in most states once you hire) |
| Commercial property (building, equipment, inventory, furniture) | Professional liability / E&O (mistakes in your advice or work) |
| Business interruption / lost income after a covered event | Commercial auto (vehicles used for the business) |
| Often: equipment breakdown and limited data-loss coverage | Cyber liability (breaches and cyber incidents) |
The most common gap for service businesses: a BOP does not cover being sued over the quality of your work. If clients pay you for advice or expertise, you need professional liability (E&O) alongside it — see general liability vs professional liability vs BOP for where the line falls.
Should you buy a BOP or general liability alone?
- Buy the BOP if you lease or own a space, hold inventory, or carry tools and equipment worth more than a few thousand dollars. The property half of the bundle is doing real work, and business interruption coverage alone can justify the difference.
- Buy standalone general liability if you are home-based and service-only — a laptop and a phone are usually covered well enough by a home policy endorsement, and you would be paying for property coverage you barely use.
- Either way, add E&O if you are paid for your judgment. It is the coverage neither GL nor a BOP provides.
Hiscox vs. a typical BOP insurer
Price is only half the comparison — how fast you can get covered and who stands behind the policy matter just as much. Here is how Hiscox, our recommended option for small service-based businesses, stacks up:
| What to compare | Hiscox Our pick | Typical small-business insurer |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised starting price | BOP from ~$42/mo | Market average is $83/mo |
| Getting a quote | Online in about 5 minutes, priced on the spot | Often an agent call-back or an office visit |
| Certificate of insurance | Downloadable right after purchase | Often a next-business-day request |
| Financial strength | A (Excellent) from AM Best | Varies by carrier |
| Availability | 49 states + Washington DC (not Alaska) | Varies by state |
What moves your BOP off the average
- Property value. The single biggest lever unique to a BOP — you are insuring a stated amount of building, equipment, and inventory, and the premium tracks it directly.
- Industry. Food service and trades carry both higher liability risk and more property; consultants carry neither.
- Building and location. Construction type, age, sprinklers, and local wind, fire, flood, and crime risk all move the property half of the bill.
- Revenue and employees. More activity means more liability exposure, and employees add a separate workers’ comp requirement.
- Deductible. BOP deductibles usually start at $500 or $1,000; raising yours is the fastest way to trim the premium.
- Claims history. A clean record keeps you in the cheaper tiers; recent property claims are especially costly.
How to pay less than the average
- Insure property at accurate values. Over-stating replacement cost is the most common way small businesses overpay for a BOP.
- Raise the deductible from $500 to $1,000 or $2,500 if your cash reserves can absorb a small loss.
- Pay annually rather than in twelve installments, which usually carry a service charge.
- Document safety measures — alarms, sprinklers, and monitored security frequently earn credits.
- Re-quote every year, especially after your inventory or equipment values change.
Why Hiscox
Hiscox is built for small, service-based businesses, with an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best and online quotes in minutes. A business owner’s policy starts at about $42 a month, and coverage is available in 49 states plus Washington DC (not Alaska).
Where these numbers come from
The averages on this page are drawn from carrier-advertised pricing — including the starting prices Hiscox publishes on its own site, last checked August 2026 — and widely reported small-business insurance medians, rounded for readability. Treat them as a planning benchmark: the only number that applies to your business is the one on a real quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average BOP insurance cost?
About $83 a month, or roughly $996 a year. Typical prices run $50 to $180 a month depending on industry, property values, and revenue. Hiscox advertises a BOP from about $42 a month.
What does a BOP include?
General liability plus commercial property in one policy, and usually business interruption coverage. It does not include workers’ comp, professional liability (E&O), commercial auto, or cyber — those are separate.
Is a BOP cheaper than separate policies?
Usually. General liability ($45) plus commercial property ($65) runs about $110 a month separately, against $83 for a BOP bundling both — a 20–25% saving, plus business interruption coverage.
Who should buy a BOP instead of general liability alone?
Anyone with physical things to protect: a leased or owned space, inventory, tools, or expensive equipment. Home-based, service-only businesses usually do better with standalone general liability plus E&O.
Am I eligible for a BOP?
BOPs are designed for small, low-to-moderate-risk businesses, and carriers cap revenue, square footage, and number of locations. Businesses above those limits are quoted a commercial package policy instead.
Disclaimer: Informational only, not insurance advice or a substitute for a licensed agent. Coverage descriptions are summaries; policy terms govern. Availability and pricing vary by state and business; all averages and ranges shown are illustrative benchmarks, not quotes or offers. Hiscox is available in 49 states and DC, not Alaska.