The right consultant insurance doesn’t just protect you — it lets you pitch to bigger clients with total confidence. But we get that your time is money (and researching insurance might not be your favorite way to invest it). That’s why we created this shortcut to finding your ideal policy.
We analyzed the best insurance for consultants and compared five top policies head-to-head. Insurance Canopy emerged as the best all-around for value and coverage that gets you protected fast, but each of the options below has its own strengths.
- Best overall: Insurance Canopy — balances comprehensive coverage and affordable pricing
- For established firms wanting major backing: Travelers
- For short-term coverage: Thimble
- For the most discounts (if you qualify): NEXT
- For multi-policy needs: Hiscox
*Note: Transparency is one of Insurance Canopy’s core brand values. This guide was created with the most recent and verifiable information available to help our readers identify which provider is best for their business (even if it’s not us).
5 Best Consultant Professional Liability Insurance Providers
To make your decision easier, here’s a side-by-side look at the five best business insurance providers for consultants.
| Provider | Starting Monthly Cost** | Base Policy Includes General + Professional Liability | Same-Day COI? | Buy 100% Online | Professional Liability Coverage Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Insurance Canopy |
$21.00 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
$2 million |
|
Travelers |
Custom quote |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
Not available |
|
Thimble |
$86.11** |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
$1 million |
|
NEXT |
$123.00** |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
$1 million |
|
Hiscox |
$96.88** |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
$1 million |
**Note: Quotes were obtained by completing an online application, if available, for each provider in August 2025. Some providers’ actual starting cost varies based on your location, annual revenue, etc. To provide an honest comparison, our buyer persona was a Washington State-based consultant with no employees and an annual revenue of $125,000.
Because our policy includes both general and professional liability, we included these coverages in the quotes from other providers for a true comparison.
Insurance Canopy: Best Overall Insurance for Consultants + Most Affordable Starting Cost
| Insurance Canopy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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Pros
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Cons
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Starting Cost From $21/month for $2,000,000 in coverage |
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Key Coverages Offered
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Types of Consultants Covered |
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Why It Stands Out
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Pros
- Lowest starting cost (explore consultant insurance costs)
- Base policy includes general and professional liability
- Same-day COI
- 100% online process
- Live agents available to help
- Highest base limit of coverage
- A-rated carrier
- Additional insureds (AIs) included at no extra cost
- Transparent pricing (base rates don’t change because of your state)
Cons
No option to get commercial property or a business owner policy (BOP)
Starting Cost
From $21/month for $2,000,000 in coverage
Key Coverages Offered
- General liability and professional liability for consultants (bundled automatically)
- Cyber liability (also known as data breach insurance)
- Tools and equipment (also known as inland marine insurance)
- Fidelity bonds
- Workers compensation
Types of Consultants Covered
- Business
- Education
- Management
- Human resources (HR)
- Marketing
- Interior designers
- Lactation
- Energy Consultant
- Lifestyle Management/Personal Concierge
- Green/LEED Consultant
- Historic Preservation Consultant
- Exhibit Design Consultant
- Interior Design Consultant
- Lighting Design Consultant
- Management Consultant
- Marketing Consultant
- Market Research Consultant
- Public Relations Consultant
- Strategy Consultant
- Training Consultant
- Urban Planning Consultant
- KonMari Organizing Consultant
- Fashion Consultant
- Image Consultant
Why It Stands Out
- Get insured in minutes
- General and professional liability bundled in one affordable plan
- Real, commission-free support agents available
- 5-star customer service and no upsells or hidden paperwork
Consultant insurance from Insurance Canopy offers general and professional liability coverage in a single affordable plan. It offers same-day COI and real humans to help when you need them. There are no upsells or paperwork games, and it’s the highest limit for the lowest price.
Travelers Insurance: Provider for Established Firms Wanting Major Backing
| Travelers Insurance | |
|---|---|
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Pros
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Cons
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Starting Cost Custom quote |
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Key Coverages Offered
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Covered Professions
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Why It Stands Out
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Pros
- Offers many commercial insurance types
- Available through agents nationwide
- Over 170+ years of experience
- Assisted by an agent throughout the process
Cons
- No instant quotes or online checkout
- No same-day COI
Starting Cost
Custom quote
Key Coverages Offered
- Professional liability (automatically included with Travelers BOP)
- General liability
- Global insurance
- Equipment breakdown coverage
- Environmental and contractors’ professional practice
- Cyber liability
- Inland marine
Covered Professions
- Architects, engineers, and surveyors
- Consultants
- Financial professionals
- Law firms
- Marketing and advertising services
Why It Stands Out
- Trusted, big-name insurer with nationwide agent network
- Personalized service from agents
Consultants with bigger contracts or long-term clients may consider Travelers. You’ll need to work through an agent, but you’ll get coverage from one of the most established insurers out there.
Thimble Insurance: Provider for Short-Term Coverage
| Thimble Insurance | |
|---|---|
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Pros
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Cons
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Starting Cost $86.11 per month for $1,000,000 in coverage |
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Key Coverages Offered
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Types of Consultants Covered
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Why It Stands Out
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Pros
- Buy coverage by the hour, day, or week
- Fast, mobile-friendly checkout
- COI available instantly
Cons
- Higher cost for monthly coverage
- Rates vary by state
Starting Cost
$86.11 per month for $1,000,000 in coverage
Key Coverages Offered
- Professional liability
- General liability
- Commercial property insurance
- Business interruption insurance
Types of Consultants Covered
- Marketing and advertising consultants
- Business consultants
- Insurance consultants
- Brand consultant
- Computer consultant
- IT (information technology) consultant
- Marketing research consultant
- Network consultant
- Social media consultant
- Technology consultant
Why It Stands Out
- Pay only for coverage when you need it
- Options for part-time, freelance, or gig consultants
Do you need insurance for a project, not the whole year? Thimble lets you buy by the day, week, or month, and everything’s online and fast.
NEXT: Provider Offering the Most Discounts (If You Qualify)
| NEXT Insurance | |
|---|---|
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Pros
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Cons
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Starting Cost $123 per month for $1,000,000 in coverage |
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Key Coverages Offered
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Types of Consultants Covered
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Why It Stands Out
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Pros
- Offers up to 25% in discounts when bundling multiple coverages
- Fully online with instant COI
- Made for small businesses
- 24/7 instant support with AI assistants
Cons
- Higher starting price than others
- Some users report limited customer support and difficulty talking to a human
Starting Cost
$123 per month for $1,000,000 in coverage
Key Coverages Offered
- General and professional liability
- Commercial property
- Workers compensation
Types of Consultants Covered
- Art consultant
- Business consultant
- Education consultant
- IT consultant
- Marketing consultant
- Product designer
- Safety consultant
- Translator and interpreter
Why It Stands Out
- Designed for small businesses and solo consultants
- Discounts, if you qualify
- Scalable, digital coverage
NEXT makes their insurance attractive to small businesses and solo consultants with convenient, bundled coverage. The savings can add up if you qualify for their discounts, but the base price starts higher than others.
Hiscox: All-in-One Provider for Multi-Policy Needs
| Hiscox | |
|---|---|
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Pros
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Cons
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Starting Cost $96.88 per month for $1,000,000 in coverage |
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Key Coverages Offered
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Types of Consultants Covered
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Why It Stands Out
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Pros
- Well-known small business carrier
- Covers a wide range of services
- Online checkout
- Plenty of coverage options
- Many policy types
Cons
Higher price for base coverage
Starting Cost
$96.88 per month for $1,000,000 in coverage
Key Coverages Offered
- Professional liability
- General liability
- Business owner’s policy
- Cyber security
- Workers compensation
- Short-term liability
- Medical malpractice
- Commercial auto
- Directors and officers insurance
- Umbrella insurance
- Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Types of Consultants Covered
- Architects and engineers
- Beauty professionals
- Contractors
- Consultants / freelancers
- Fitness professionals
- IT / technology professionals
- Landscapers
- Marketing professionals
- Estheticians
- Life coaches
- Personal trainers
- Photographers / videographers
- Handymen
- Home healthcare professionals
- Travel agents
- Tutors
Why It Stands Out
- Caters to consultants with multiple insurance needs (e.g., cyber, auto, EPLI)
- Custom coverage packages
- Allows for scaling a business into many service areas
Hiscox offers a huge range of insurance options in one spot online, which makes it easy to get and manage all the coverages larger businesses might need with one provider. However, they aren’t as affordable as other options on our list.
Pro tip: Not sure what protection you need? Easily understand and line up the right coverage for your consultant business with our complete guide to consultant insurance.
Consultant Insurance Isn’t Just More Paperwork…It’s Peace of Mind
The right insurance gives you the confidence to take on bigger clients and unexpected challenges. All of these providers are reputable, and each has their strengths. But for balanced coverage that will meet most consultants’ needs without breaking the bank, Insurance Canopy is our top pick.
Questions About the Best Professional Liability Insurance for Consultants
Why is Insurance Canopy the best choice for consultants?
You get affordable, tailored coverage with fast online access and same-day proof of insurance. Additional insureds are included, and licensed, non-commissioned agents are here when you need help. It’s coverage built to grow with you, and priced to keep you protected every step of the way.
Pro tip: Browse our FAQs for consultant insurance. We cover everything you need to know.
What kind of insurance do consultants need?
Consultants typically need professional liability insurance and general liability insurance. These protect you from claims related to your advice and general business activities, like property damage or injuries.
Not sure what coverage fits your business? This comprehensive guide to the insurance consultants actually need can help you feel confident you’re protected from every angle.
What does professional liability insurance cover for consultants?
Professional liability covers claims that your service, advice, or recommendation caused a client to lose money. Even if their lawsuit isn’t successful, preparing a defense is still expensive. Consultant insurance helps cover those legal costs to keep your business running smoothly.
Do I need both general and professional liability?
Yes, most consultants require both general liability and professional liability insurance because they cover different risks. General liability covers third-party physical risks (like property damage), while professional liability covers risks related to your advice or services.
How much does professional liability insurance cost for a consultant?
Insurance Canopy offers consultant insurance with professional liability starting at $21 per month. Since consultants need more or less protection depending on revenue, location, and the type of business you operate, we created this consultant insurance cost guide to break down how those factors affect your price.
