Best Plumbers Liability Insurance of 2023

Best for Residential Plumbing Policies : Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

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Why We Chose It

Nationwide offers low average premiums for general liability coverage, has a low NAIC complaint index, and offers contractor-specific enhancements for its general liability policies. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

Relatively low average general liability premiums
Offers endorsements designed for contractors
Provides commercial auto insurance
Fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected

Cons

Only approves 58% of residential plumbing contractors

Overview

Nationwide offers general liability insurance for plumbers who engage in residential and light commercial work. The company offers two contractor-specific enhancement packages: one that covers blanket additional insureds and one that covers property and inland marine, along with some extra benefits. You can also add business auto, workers' compensation, and more coverages for complete protection. The company even offers group employee benefits. 

Nationwide rates well among third-party agencies. It has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best and third place in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study. The company also has fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected given its size, another positive indicator of customer satisfaction. 

Nationwide has a relatively low approval rate for plumbing contractors. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average Nationwide annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

General liability for residential plumbing: $2,380
General liability for commercial plumbing: $1,556

Best for Commercial Plumbing Policies : Rockingham Casualty Company

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Why We Chose It

Rockingham Casualty Company has the highest approval rate on Insureon for commercial plumbing businesses at 79%, making the company ideal for newer or high-risk businesses that can't get coverage elsewhere. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

Highest approval rate for commercial plumbers
Fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected

Cons

Few coverage details available
Higher than average premiums

Overview

Rockingham Casualty Company has a 79% approval rate for commercial plumbers and offers a lower average premium than some competitors. Policies vary by state, and few coverage details are available online, but the company can insure businesses that have limited options. Rockingham also has fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected given its market share, which is a positive indicator of customer satisfaction. Rockingham holds an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating with AM Best.

Rockingham's premiums are among the highest for commercial plumbing policies. So, while the insurer may be a good choice if you're starting out and need general liability coverage, you may encounter premiums that are out of your price range. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average Rockingham annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

General liability for residential plumbing: $4,177
General liability for commercial plumbing: $4,638

Best Approval Rate for Residential General Liability : CNA Insurance Companies

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Why We Chose It

CNA has an 89% approval rate for residential plumbers and offers a small business owner's policy that includes a blanket additional-insured enhancement. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

Highest approval rate for residential plumbers
Offers a comprehensive business owner's policy
Offers commercial auto insurance

Cons

Must work with an agent to get a quote
High NAIC complaint index

Overview

Of the providers we reviewed, CNA has the highest approval rate for residential plumbers seeking general liability insurance. The company offers commercial general liability and commercial auto along with a comprehensive business owner's policy that includes a blanket additional-insured endorsement. Blanket building and blanket business personal property are available at no additional premium, too. 

CNA has an A (Excellent) financial strength grade with AM Best, but the company received nearly double the expected number of complaints with the NAIC given its market share.

You'll need to work with an agent to get additional details and pricing info since CNA doesn't offer online quotes or sample policies. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average CNA annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

General liability for residential plumbing: $3,529
General liability for commercial plumbing: $4,964

Best for Low Complaint Rates : Chubb

Chubb

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Why We Chose It

Chubb is our top pick for customer satisfaction, with no NAIC complaints and a high J.D. Power ranking for commercial insurance. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

No complaints with the NAIC about commercial liability insurance
Ranked second by J.D. Power for small commercial insurance
A++ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best
Relatively low average premiums, especially for commercial plumbers
Transparent website with quotes available for some small businesses

Cons

Doesn't offer commercial auto
Very low approval rates

Overview

Chubb has an A+ (Superior) AM Best financial strength rating, won second place in the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study, and has no complaints with the NAIC, making it our top choice for customer satisfaction. We also appreciate the company's transparent coverage details online and its quote tool available to businesses with $2 million or less in annual revenue. However, the company doesn't offer commercial auto insurance. Also, its approval rates for residential and commercial plumbers are quite low at 11% and 19%, respectively. 

In addition to general liability coverage, Chubb offers additional options such as a business owner's policy, cyber insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and umbrella insurance. Depending on your state and business, you may get coverage for privacy liability and data breaches included at no additional cost. 

Plan Pricing

Below are average Chubb annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

General liability for residential plumbing: $3,077
General liability for commercial plumbing: $1,658

Lowest Average Premium for General Liability Policies : Acuity

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Why We Chose It

Acuity offers low average premiums for residential and commercial plumbing. Additionally, the company has a low NAIC complaint index.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Low average premiums for residential and commercial plumbers
Fewer complaints with the NAIC than expected
No-cost OSHA training and loss-control services
Offers commercial auto and workers' compensation

Cons

Low approval rates

Overview

Of the providers we reviewed, Acuity offered the lowest average premiums for residential plumbers and the second-lowest average premiums for commercial plumbers after Nationwide. In addition to offering affordable premiums, Acuity also offers contractor-specific enhancements such as additional insured endorsements, installation coverage, and contractors' equipment insurance. You'll also get access to free OSHA training, safety materials, and a variety of other risk management services. 

You can get commercial auto, workers' compensation, cyber coverage, and more from Acuity as well. And the company boasts several positive indicators of customer satisfaction, including a low NAIC complaint index. Acuity also has an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating with AM Best. 

Acuity only approves 35% of residential plumbing insurance applications and 36% of commercial customers, according to data from Insureon.

Plan Pricing

Below are average Acuity annual premiums, according to data from Insureon:

General liability for residential plumbing: $2,018
General liability for commercial plumbing: $1,648

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