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Did you know that over 140,000 small businesses operate in Tennessee? That’s why this region is given the title of the best state to conduct your business. The Volunteer State’s four largest counties saw the establishment of 9.5k new startups in just three months recently. These local businesses often need business coverage to stay afloat and survive. That’s why this blog post will cover Tennessee’s 9 leading small businesses that provide business insurance coverage.
A small business often suffers from several challenges along the way. However, the Volunteer State is ripe for business; it has amazing cities like Pigeon Forge, Knoxville, Gatlinburg, and Nashville, where tourism thrives. You should look for business insurance coverage options to protect your company (and also employees) from unjust lawsuits, lost wages, arson, etc.
Thimble
Let’s start with Thimble. Thimble is the perfect business insurance coverage provider for gig & part-time workers, along with freelancers. As a managing general agent (MGA), Thimble was recently bought by Arch Insurance. Based in NYC, Thimble has more than 300 branches for freelancers and small business owners in Tennessee. Commercial property insurance, general liability insurance, equipment protection coverage, cybersecurity insurance, and more. Since 75 percent of their clients are first-time buyers, Thimble deserves the #1 spot on our list.
Tivly
Next comes Tivly, which is more like a marketplace where small business owners can get in touch with over 200 insurance providers. So, Tivly is actually the best place to find business insurance companies for your Tennessee-based business. BOP costs $744/year, while workers’ compensation will set you back around 800 USD annually. Founded two decades ago, Tivly is an ideal website for small businesses looking for commercial auto, property, and umbrella insurance. Whether you need product liability or general liability, Tivly has your back.
InsuranceBee
InsuranceBee is yet another amazing firm offering ample insurance coverage. You’ll get your hands on custom insurance services from InsuranceBee, especially if you’re a freelancer or a solopreneur. Also, InsuanceBee’s services are multinational, so both UK-based businesses and companies situated in the United States can benefit from them. Based in Maynard, MA, the services of InsuranceBee are not available in all 50 US states, but Tennessee is lucky to have them!
NEXT Insurance
NEXT Insurance is yet another amazing company when it comes to general liability coverage for small businesses. Tennessee-based entrepreneurs can benefit a lot from their services, since they offer specialized insurance coverage solutions for certain niches, such as retail, therapy, entertainment, and real estate. Based in Palo Alto, California, NEXT Insurance is famous as an award-winning insurance company. You should visit their website to learn more about their service offerings.
Hiscox
The history of Hiscox began in 1901 in the UK. However, Hiscox has also been operating in the United States for the last four decades. Now, they operate in more than a dozen countries with a fleet of 3,000+ employees. You can get insurance services for health & wellness as well as tech sectors from Hiscox today. Hiscox is known for their client-centered, cutting-edge solutions and a very sophisticated approach, making it worthy of the #5 spot on this list.
Sunstar TN
At Sunstar TN, you’ll get ample business insurance features to take your business to fantastic new heights of success. If your startup is based in Jackson, TN, you’re at an advantage. This company offers unique insurance options to help you cover the cost of property loss, pay the bills caused by temporary shutdowns, surety bonds when you can’t complete a service, and workers’ comp when your employees are sick. What’s more amazing is that Sunstar’s offices are located in half a dozen Tennessee cities.
Tennessee State Insurance
Based in Knoxville, the company Tennessee State Insurance offers diverse services that are beneficial for small-sized startups in the Volunteer State. They offer property insurance, general liability coverage, business interruption insurance, commercial auto coverage, and much more. Their business model is pretty simple, and they provide exclusive services to freelancers. If you are a solopreneur, you should definitely check out Tennessee State Insurance.
Rogers Insurance
Rogers Insurance is based in Murfreesboro. They take the time to find out the challenges your industry may have for insurance concerns and tailor a package that fits your risks. They offer their services for various niches, ranging from agro-businesses and churches to restaurants and retail stores. You should visit their website to learn more since they provide very detailed pages for every industry they service.
Selective Insurance
Selective Insurance is yet another amazing provider of coverage options. You get customized commercial insurance policies from this Tennessee-based insurance option. They cover auto services, contractors, consumer assistance programs, manufacturers & wholesalers, and mercantiles based in Tennessee. Also, you can get commercial flood insurance and product recall insurance from the guys at Selective.
Brief Overview of Leading Business Insurance Providers
The table below describes how the leading insurance companies in Tennessee differ by product and unique selling features.
| Insurance Firm | Products | Unique Selling Features |
| Thimble | General Liability, Professional Liability, Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) | On-demand coverage (hourly, daily, monthly, yearly), instant Certificate of Insurance issuance |
| Tivly | General Liability, Professional Liability, Commercial Auto Insurance, Workers’ Compensation | Marketplace with access to 200+ insurance affiliates, quick coverage matching |
| InsuranceBee | General Liability, Professional Liability (E&O), Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), Cyber Liability, Workers’ Compensation | Tech-savvy, fast quotes and coverage for freelancers and small businesses |
| NEXT Insurance | General Liability, Professional Liability, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) | Digital-first insurance management, quick policy purchase within 10 minutes |
| Hiscox | General Liability, Professional Liability (E&O), Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), Cyber Security Insurance | Tailored coverage for small businesses, streamlined online policy management |
| Sunstar Insurance Tennessee | Property, General Liability, Commercial Auto, Workers’ Compensation, Cyber Liability | Independent agency serving West and Middle Tennessee, cost review services. |
| Selective | General Liability, Property, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Auto, Cyber Liability | Customized policies through independent agents, risk reduction solutions, diverse business types. |
| Rogers Insurance | Property, General Liability, Commercial Auto, Workers’ Compensation, Cyber Liability | Serving 30+ different niches, very detailed pages, focusing on clients in Murfreesboro |
| Tennessee State Insurance | General Liability, Business Property, Commercial Auto, Professional Liability, Workers’ Compensation | Wide variety of business insurance options, employee and ownership coverage. |
Top Tennessee Cities for Business Insurance
The following cities in Tennessee provide the required infrastructure support and economic environments suitable for finding business insurance solutions.
- Nashville-Davidson
- Memphis
- Knoxville
- Chattanooga
- Clarksville
- Murfreesboro
- Franklin
- Johnson City
- Jackson
- Hendersonville
- Kingsport
- Lebanon
- Oak Ridge
- Mount Juliet
- Brentwood
Tennessee Government Resources for Business Insurance
You can get additional information about business insurance requirements in Tennessee through these government resources.
- US Small Business Administration | Tennessee
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI)
- Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Conclusion
As a business owner in Tennessee, you should partner with the best business coverage services in the Volunteer State. That’s how you can protect your business from accidents and other challenges. If you need business funding in Tennessee, we have compiled a list of some of the best funding options for you. Also, you should look for business insurance coverage options in Georgia and Louisiana’s leading business insurance firms if you want to expand to your neighboring states. Visit Sophisticated Investor for the latest insights on protecting and growing your business.
Brandi is a financial writer and entrepreneur with decades of expertise covering U.S. business and financial topics. Her work has been featured on Consumer Affairs, ASBN Small Business Network, Koho and many other top financial publications.
