Commercial Insurance Costs in 2026: Published Prices and How to Compare Quotes

Progressive Commercial publishes a median and an average monthly premium for each policy type. Its pages say most customers pay closer to the median, because a few expensive policies pull the average up.

For cyber, The Hartford publishes that its small business customers pay on average "about $320 per year, or about $27 per month, for data breach coverage" (The Hartford). The page was updated February 25, 2026 and does not state the period the average covers.

These figures come from each insurer's own customers and products. Progressive says a workers' compensation rate depends on qualities such as "your profession, state, payroll, and claims history." Another insurer may price the same business differently: TDI notes that "insurers have different underwriting criteria" (TDI).

California's insurance department explains the basic formula: "rate x exposure = premium." The exposure depends on the coverage. For property, it can be square footage, construction type, sprinklers and fire protection class. For general liability, it "can be based on square footage, payroll, or gross sales depending on the general liability classification codes used" (California Department of Insurance).

Three other things change the number:

• Deductibles. "The higher the deductible ... the lower the rate," the same guide says, while warning against deductibles too large for the business to absorb.
• Modification factors. The basic equation often includes experience modifications, schedule rating or judgment rating.
• Limits. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that "higher deductibles or lower policy limits may help reduce your premium" (TDI general liability guide).

The coverage pages explain each line's rating in more detail, starting with general liability and workers' compensation.

Quotes can differ in coverage as well as price. Build a sheet with one column per quote, and write "not provided" where information is missing.

If two quotes use different limits or deductibles, ask each insurer to price the same ones before you compare totals.

Some premiums are estimates. The Texas Department of Insurance's general liability guide explains that for policies rated on payroll, sales or units sold, the insurer can examine your records, usually after the policy ends. "If the actual payroll, sales, or units sold is greater than was estimated, you may owe additional premium," and if lower, you may get a return premium. Give accurate estimates to avoid a surprise bill.

The same TDI guide suggests starting early: provide claims history, coverage choices and risk management efforts to your agent "four months in advance," and keep shopping if one insurer declines. Our renewal cost guide covers the renewal side.

If you want PolicyBenchmark to follow up about your coverage, request coverage help.

Sources checked October 3, 2026. Insurer figures describe that insurer's customers; ask your state insurance department about rates in your state.