Compare Business Insurance

You could save thousands of dollars a year by getting multiple business insurance quotes and comparing prices.

Get up to three business insurance quotes by answering a few questions.

How to shop for your next business insurance policy on Hardbacon

Comparing the prices of several insurers before choosing a business insurance policy can generally save hundreds of dollars a year. Follow these 4 steps to do so.

Tell us where you're located

The first step is to enter your province in the box on the left, and click on the “Compare” button. Your province will enable us to determine in which Canadian province you’re located and to redirect you to the appropriate partner.

Tell us more about your business

The second step is to complete our partner’s form, which will begin by asking for your business contact information and other business information that is necessary to obtain business insurance quotes.

Tell us more about the type of coverage you're looking for

The third step is to answer questions about the type of coverage you’re looking for and the business assets you wish to insure.

Submit your request

The fourth and final step is to add any specific requests you have and to submit your request. Once your application has been submitted, all you have to do is wait to receive the quotes.

Some tips to save on your next business insurance policy in Canada

Shop around for your insurance

Insurers are very competitive with each other. It’s therefore advantageous to obtain quotes from several companies or to find an insurance broker who’ll do it for you. If you have a company vehicle, bundling your insurance could possibly save you money. While shopping, do not hesitate to ask if an insurer offers discounts to your professional association, if you belong to one.

Increase your deductible

The deductible is the amount you’ll need to pay in the event of a claim. Normally, by increasing your deductible, you’ll lower your premium. You’ll have to pay a little more when making a claim, but this strategy can pay off very well if you don’t make a lot of claims.

Reassess your needs

Having coverage tailored to the real risks facing your business will ensure that you pay an amount proportional to your actual needs. You can always modify the contract as your business evolves over time. Remember, the higher the coverage amount, the higher your premium will be.

Find the right insurer for your market

Every company has its particularities and some insurers are more comfortable with certain types of businesses. Some insurers specialize in the agricultural market while others target retail businesses. It’s simply a matter of finding which insurer specializes in your niche, so discussing it with an insurance broker could be a good way to identify the right insurers.

Frequently-asked questions about business insurance

How much does business insurance cost in Canada?

It’s impossible to provide pricing for a business insurance policy without seeking quotes first. However, here is some information that will be considered when determining the price of your business insurance policy: the type of product or service you offer; your annual business income; your location; the value of your equipment; information related to the premises where your business is located; the coverages you’ll need, etc.

What is business interruption insurance?

Business interruption insurance covers you if ever loss or damage prevents you from continuing your operations for a certain period of time. This coverage therefore enables you to maintain your income during the period that your operations are interrupted after a loss. As a general rule, you’ll be able to choose between all-risk protection or specific-risk protection. You’ll also have to choose whether you prefer to have a limited indemnity, which will cover any lost income until the damage is repaired and/or goods replaced, or an extended indemnity, which will protect your income until the business has recovered to a normal level of activity. Certain additional coverages may be offered to cover the costs of subcontractors or for a temporary relocation.

Do I need business insurance for a sole proprietorship?

No law in Canada requires all businesses to take out insurance. On the other hand, your customers may require you to have it and certain regulated industries impose it. Either way, no matter what type of business you run, it’s impossible for you to operate with no risk. If you work from home or rent premises, professional liability insurance may be in order. You will then need to consider your more specific needs in relation to the probable risks and the ability of your business to continue its operations despite a loss. If it isn’t possible to continue operations in a given situation, you can obtain an insurance policy to mitigate this risk. Whether it’s for loss of income, physical property, relocation or other, the insurer will provide you with coverage tailored to your business and your needs.

Does a small business need insurance?

You aren’t required to purchase insurance for your small business. However, there could be financial benefits to doing so. Business insurance will provide coverage for your assets. If you maintain inventory, it could be covered by your insurer if you’ve taken out a business insurance policy. This insurance can also cover your liability, cybersecurity risks and even lost income. Depending upon the needs of your business, an insurance agent or broker can direct you to the appropriate coverage.

Does my business insurance cover independent contractors?

Your liability insurance may cover your subcontractors in the context of a task that they carry out on behalf of your company. This way, in the event that your business awards a contract to a supplier and they commit a breach under said contract, your commercial general liability could respond, depending upon your insurance policy and the contract that binds you to your supplier. However, your insurance will not cover their business for operating losses or equipment failure.

Is business insurance tax deductible?

Business insurance premiums can be deducted from your business income. What isn’t deductible, however, are life insurance premiums that go beyond the basic coverage provided by the company’s group insurance plan. Discuss this with your accountant when doing your corporate taxes; they can confirm the deductions to which you’re entitled.

Why is insurance important for a business?

An incident could have a major impact on your business operations. Regardless of the size of your business, your work equipment could become lost or damaged, a situation that could prevent you from completing your current contracts. Securing a business insurance policy will help you mitigate this risk. If you have a small storefront business and the same situation arises, you’ll probably have to close for a while to do some work and replace the damaged items. Losses following an event such as water damage or a fire can be enormous, and may even lead to the closure of a business that is uninsured.

Is business insurance mandatory in Canada?

Business insurance isn’t required by law. However, if you’re considering taking out a loan, the financial institution may require proof of insurance. Business insurance demonstrates that you are serious in your approach.

Where can I buy business insurance?

Several insurers offer business insurance, including Intact, Aviva, Essor, Promutuel, Cooperators, Beneva, Desjardins and many others. You can shop around for your insurance by calling some insurers or using an insurance comparison tool. You can also contact a broker who can get quotes from different insurers to get you the best prices.

Do online businesses need insurance?

Just because a business interacts exclusively with its customers on the internet doesn’t mean that it doesn’t run any risk. If you only sell goods online, you’re not protected from a loss affecting your warehouse, nor from a lawsuit for liability related to a product sold online. Even service companies are at risk; the latter could be victims of a computer attack causing an interruption of activities or compromising their customers’ personal information. Companies can protect themselves against this risk by taking out cyber risk coverage. In both cases, whether you sell goods or services from a physical location or online, you run the risk of receiving a demand letter from a customer. To protect against this risk, it may be appropriate to take out business liability insurance.

Do home-based businesses need insurance?

In the event that you’re self-employed and work from home, your residential insurance may cover a portion of your professional property, but there’s generally a limit of around $2,000 specified in the contract. You are not required to take out insurance, but in the event of a claim affecting your equipment (such as your desk, computer, stationery, books, etc.), that limit may not be sufficient to replace the damaged goods. Don’t forget that the liability coverage provided in your residential insurance contract only covers risks related to your personal use of your residence; you’ll therefore have no protection in the event of loss of income. In short, you’re not required to have insurance, but it’s up to you to assess the potential losses that a loss could cause you and then see if the costs associated with business insurance are worth it.

Does business insurance cover employee theft?

Since business insurance is tailored to your needs, it’s not necessarily included in this type of policy. On the other hand, if you wish to have insurance against internal theft, some insurers can offer it to you. Be sure to confirm with your agent or broker whether you can benefit from this coverage, but be realistic about your expectations; every claim has a direct influence on your premiums. This coverage is attractive in the case of a major loss, but making a small claim may not be worth it. To avoid the temptation to claim for petty theft, you could opt for a higher deductible.

Compare Business Insurance

Get up to three business insurance quotes by answering a few questions.