The average, up front
Insureon’s small business customers pay a median of $83 a month for a BOP, roughly $990 a year. 25% pay under $50 and 58% under $100, with industry, the value of the property you insure, and revenue deciding where you land. That is more than standalone general liability (a $45 median) but buys property cover and usually business interruption too.
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–$100 |
| Per year | $996 | $600–$1,200 |
| Share paying under $50 / under $100 | 25% / 58% | - |
| The Hartford customer average (cross-check) | $141 | - |
| Advertised from (Hiscox) | ~$42/mo | - |
Estimates from Insureon’s published medians for its small business customers; the range is the band its published distribution puts around the median. The Hartford figure is that insurer’s own customer average, a different book of business. Not quotes.
Is a BOP cheaper than buying the policies separately?
This is the whole reason the product exists. None of our sources publishes a price for standalone commercial property, so we cannot put an exact figure on the saving, but the comparison looks like this:
| Approach | Average monthly cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| General liability bought alone | $45 | Liability only: nothing for your own property |
| Commercial property bought alone | Not published | Property only: usually no business interruption |
| Both, bought separately | $45 plus the property premium | Two policies, two renewals, two deductibles |
| BOP Usually cheaper | $83 | Both coverages bundled, business interruption typically included |
Estimates from Insureon’s published medians for general liability ($45) and BOP ($83). Not quotes. Insurers price the bundle below the two policies bought apart, before counting the business interruption coverage most standalone property policies leave out.
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 | Median monthly BOP cost | Estimated range, monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Photographers & videographers | $47 | $28–$57 |
| IT & software developers | $46 | $28–$55 |
| Real estate agents | $58 | $35–$70 |
| Accountants & bookkeepers | $60 | $36–$72 |
| Consultants | $61 | $37–$73 |
| Beauty salons | $70 | $42–$84 |
| Cleaning services | $76 | $46–$92 |
| Landscapers & lawn care | $94 | $57–$113 |
| Retail & e-commerce | $95 | $57–$114 |
| Handyman services | $105 | $63–$127 |
| Auto repair shops | $149 | $90–$180 |
| Restaurants | $251 | $151–$302 |
Estimates from Insureon’s published BOP medians for each business type, national, business of two to five people. Not quotes.
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) |
Endorsements vary by carrier: read the declarations page before assuming a coverage is in the bundle.
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 part of the comparison: how you get a quote and who stands behind the policy matter too. The table below sets Hiscox, the insurer we have a referral partnership with, against a typical small-business insurer. A direct online insurer suits a simple, low-risk business that knows which cover it wants; a broker or local agent can compare several insurers, which suits businesses with staff, vehicles or higher-risk work.
| What to compare | Hiscox Referral partner | Typical small-business insurer |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised starting price | Shown in the averages table above | Insureon customer median is $83/mo |
| Getting a quote | Online form, price shown on screen | Online, through a broker, or through an agent |
| Certificate of insurance | Issued once the policy is in force | Issued by the insurer or agent on request |
| Financial strength | A (Excellent) from AM Best | Varies by carrier |
| Availability | 49 states + Washington DC (not Alaska) | Varies by state |
Hiscox column reflects its advertised pricing and AM Best rating, last checked August 2026; “typical insurer” column reflects the Insureon median cited on this page. Hiscox is our sponsored partner: see the disclosure at the top of this page.
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.
Where these numbers come from
The medians and ranges on this page come from Insureon’s published figures for its small business customers, most of whom have fewer than 5 employees and under $100k in revenue. The ranges start from Insureon’s published median for each business type, the same way our cost estimator works. The Hartford figure is that insurer’s own customer average, and the Hiscox price is the starting price it advertises on its own site, last checked August 2026. 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?
Insureon’s small business customers pay a median of $83 a month, or roughly $990 a year. 25% pay under $50 and 58% under $100, depending on industry, property values, and revenue.
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. Insurers price the bundle below the same two policies bought apart, and it normally adds business interruption coverage. General liability alone has a median of $45 a month and a BOP $83; our sources publish no figure for standalone commercial property, so we cannot put an exact number on the saving.
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.
Get a real price
These figures are estimates. Only an insurer can give you a real price.
Direct online insurer
Fill in a form and see a price on screen. Best for simple businesses.
Example: Hiscox. Rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. Sold in 49 states and DC.
Hiscox pays us when you get a quote. It does not change your price.
Online broker or marketplace
One form, several insurers compared. Best if you want more than one price.
Local independent agent
Talk it through by phone or in person. Best for higher-risk businesses.
Find an independent agent near you (free directory, no payment to us)
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.