Simply Business
Simply Business is a digital, self-serve insurance marketplace that lets U.S. and UK small business owners compare quotes from 18 top-rated carriers and purchase commercial policies online with instant proof of coverage.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Simply Business does
Simply Business operates a digital, self-serve insurance marketplace that enables small business owners to compare side-by-side quotes from multiple top-rated insurance carriers and purchase policies online, with instant proof of coverage available 24/7. Its product surface spans General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Professional Liability/E&O, Business Owner's Policy, Inland Marine, and Business Personal Property insurance, priced from roughly $20.75/month for entry-level general liability; underwriting risk is carried by a panel of 18 carriers including Liberty Mutual, Travelers, CNA, Hiscox, Markel, Arch, and a captive carrier (Harborway Insurance Agency) that places business with Spinnaker Insurance Company. The platform is organized around a public marketing site and the quote.simplybusiness.com quote-comparison engine, supported by an AI-driven Insurance Advisor chatbot that handles informational customer-service queries in natural language.
The business is monetized primarily through affiliate referral commissions paid by the carrier panel on each policy sold, supplemented by customer-paid processing, administrative, installment, and cancellation fees, plus secondary data monetization through lead-partner data sharing. It is positioned as a long-tail aggregator, serving small business owners across 400+ business types including construction, cleaning, e-commerce, restaurants, retail, professional services, sole proprietors, LLCs, and home-based businesses; the company holds insurance-producer licenses in all 50 U.S. states plus D.C. and runs associated regulatory entities (Simply Business Insurance Agency in CA/NY/PA, U.S. Simply Business, LLC in TX, Harborway Insurance Agency).
The company is a privately held, wholly-owned subsidiary of Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, headquartered at 53 State Street, 19th Floor, Boston, MA, with additional UK offices in London and Northampton. Founded in the UK in 2005, it launched U.S. operations in 2017 and reports a customer base of over 1 million businesses worldwide; U.S. operations are currently led by CEO Samantha Roady. Marketing and acquisition run through content marketing (Simply U resource center), SEO-organized product/profession/state pages, an email newsletter base of more than 200,000 subscribers, organic social, a refer-a-friend program, and the Big Dreams Project social-impact initiative (anchored by the Big Dreams Grant competition in partnership with nonprofit Sky's the Limit).
Simply Business firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simply Business
- Legal name
- Simply Business, LLC
- Website
- https://simplybusiness.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Simply Business is a digital, self-serve insurance marketplace that lets U.S. and UK small business owners compare quotes from 18 top-rated carriers and purchase commercial policies online with instant proof of coverage.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simply Business industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Business Insurance Marketplace
- NAICS
- Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)
- SIC
- Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Commercial Lines Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mid-Market Commercial Package (Package Policies) (FSAJAFAB), Workers’ Compensation for Small Business & Pay-As-You-Go Programs (FSAJAEAG)
Keywords
Where Simply Business is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Simply Business business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Insurance Carrier Commissions: Simply Business acts as a licensed insurance producer representing multiple insurance carriers (Panel Members). The company receives commissions or other compensation from Panel Members for each policy sold through its platform. This is the primary revenue driver.
- Policy and Administrative Fees: Customers may incur processing, administrative, service, installment, or cancellation fees separate from the policy premium when purchasing, renewing, or canceling insurance through the platform. These fees are distinct from commissions and are paid by the customer.
- Lead and Data Sharing with Partners: Simply Business shares customer data (including lead outcomes and policy information) with lead partners and third-party insurance providers for product improvement and fulfillment purposes, consistent with its privacy policy and CCPA disclosures.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | General Liability Insurance — from $20.75/month |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Workers' Comp Insurance — $38.91/month |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Professional Liability — $25.83/month |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Business Owner's Policy (BOP) — $33.75/month |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Simply Business product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simply Business operates a digital self-serve insurance marketplace (quote.simplybusiness.com) where small business owners answer a few questions, compare side-by-side quotes from 18 top-rated insurance carriers, purchase a policy, and receive instant proof of coverage 24/7. The company is a licensed insurance producer earning commissions from carriers and offers coverage for 400+ business types, including General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Professional Liability, Business Owner's Policy, Errors and Omissions, Inland Marine, and Business Personal Property insurance.
Product overview
Simply Business operates as a digital insurance marketplace for small businesses, offering an online platform where users can compare quotes from multiple top-rated carriers and purchase insurance policies. The core products include General Liability Insurance (from $20.75/month), Workers' Compensation Insurance, Professional Liability Insurance, and Business Owner's Policy (BOP). Additional offerings include Errors and Omissions Insurance, Inland Marine Insurance, and Business Personal Property Insurance. The platform also features an AI-powered Insurance Advisor chatbot for customer service and an online quote tool that can provide quotes in approximately 10 minutes. The company also runs the Big Dreams Grant program as part of its social impact initiatives. Policies are underwritten by third-party insurance providers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Harborway Insurance: Insurance products underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, operated through Harborway Insurance Agency, LLC d/b/a Harborway Insurance
Products and services
- General Liability Insurance Coverage for third-party accidents, property damage, and bodily injury. The most common type of insurance for many small businesses. Offered through the Simply Business marketplace aggregating multiple top-rated carriers.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage to help take care of employees who get sick or injured on the job. Many states require this for businesses with full or part-time employees. Offered through the Simply Business marketplace.
- Professional Liability Insurance Coverage for damages and legal costs due to mistakes or negligence claims. Often recommended for businesses that provide advice and guidance to clients.
- Business Owner's Policy (BOP) Bundled policy combining general liability, property insurance, and additional coverage options into one package. Customers can add different types of coverage to meet the specific needs of their business.
- Errors and Omissions Insurance Coverage for professional negligence and errors in service delivery. Targeted at businesses whose work could give rise to client claims of mistakes or inadequate service.
- Inland Marine Insurance Coverage for goods and equipment while in transit or stored at temporary locations. Designed for businesses that move tools, products, or equipment between job sites.
- Business Personal Property Insurance Coverage for business-owned equipment, furniture, and other personal property. Protects physical assets used in the course of operating the business.
- Insurance Marketplace Platform Self-serve digital marketplace where small business owners answer questions, compare side-by-side quotes from 18 top-rated carriers, purchase a policy, and receive instant proof of coverage 24/7.
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) Service Service allowing customers to download a copy of their certificate of insurance to their computer or mobile wallet 24/7 using their Simply Business online account.
- Big Dreams Grant Small business grant competition offering capital, mentorship, and tools to help small businesses grow. Five winners each receive a $5,000 cash grant plus one year of free Sky's the Limit Launchpad access and a mentoring session; twenty runner-ups receive six months of Launchpad access. Part of Simply Business's Big Dreams Project social impact initiative.
Quantifiable outcome
- Rates as low as $20.75/month for general liability insurance
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Simply Business
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Simply Business technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature3 records
Simply Business partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Sky's the LimitminorSimply Business partnered with Sky's the Limit, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit digital business accelerator, to co-administer the Big Dreams Grant competition. Simply Business provided $25,000 in grant funding while Sky's the Limit provided mentorship and access to its Launchpad platform. The partnership targets underrepresented entrepreneurs and aligns with Simply Business's Big Dreams Project social impact initiative.
- Acuity (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- American Modern (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Arch Insurance (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- biBERK (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Cerity (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Clearblue (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- CNA (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Coterie (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Frank Winston (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Harborway Insurance (insurance carrier)coreHarborway Insurance Agency, LLC d/b/a Harborway Insurance is a subsidiary of Simply Business (Simply Business, LLC). It is a licensed insurance producer and one of the Panel Members through which Simply Business offers insurance products. Policies underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company.
- Hiscox (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Liberty Mutual (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Markel (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- RLI (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- SolePro (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- Travelers (insurance carrier)coreTravelers Casualty and Surety Company is Simply Business's parent company. Travelers is also one of the 18 insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
- USG (insurance carrier)coreOne of the 18 top-rated insurance carriers providing coverage through the Simply Business digital marketplace.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Simply Business competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Next Insurance: Direct-to-SMB digital insurance platform offering General Liability, Workers' Comp, Professional Liability, and BOP online. Closely comparable to Simply Business in product breadth, target customer (US small business), and digital self-serve delivery model.
- CoverWallet: Online commercial insurance marketplace that aggregates quotes from multiple carriers for small and mid-sized businesses. Now part of Aon, but its SMB digital brokerage model and carrier aggregation approach closely mirror Simply Business.
- Insureon: Online commercial insurance marketplace dedicated to small businesses, offering quotes from multiple carriers across General Liability, Professional Liability, BOP, and Workers' Comp. Closely matches Simply Business's SMB focus and multi-carrier aggregation model.
- Thimble: Digital insurance provider offering flexible, short-term General Liability and Professional Liability policies for small businesses, freelancers, and independent contractors — a directly overlapping SMB insurtech customer segment.
- Hiscox: Specialist small commercial insurer offering General Liability, Professional Liability, and BOP direct and via partners. Hiscox is both a panel carrier for Simply Business and a direct competitor serving the same SMB market.
- CoverHound: Digital insurance comparison marketplace for small business and personal lines, aggregating multiple carrier quotes online. Operates in the same SMB digital brokerage category as Simply Business.
Broad incumbents
- The Hartford: Large incumbent commercial insurer with a dedicated small business division offering Workers' Comp, General Liability, BOP, and property coverage. Competes with Simply Business in the SMB segment while also serving mid-market and large commercial.
- Liberty Mutual Insurance: Major national P&C insurer with a small commercial / BizBuy offering for SMBs. Competes with Simply Business across multiple product lines and is also one of its 18 panel carriers, making it both partner and competitor.
Emerging players
- Bold Penguin: Small commercial insurance exchange connecting agents and brokers to multiple carriers via a digital workflow platform. Adjacent to Simply Business's aggregator model but focused on the agent/broker channel rather than direct SMB consumer.
- Vouch: Digital insurance provider focused on startups and small businesses, offering multiple commercial lines with a streamlined online experience. Targets an overlapping SMB customer segment with comparable digital-first delivery.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Simply Business social profiles
Digital presenceSimply Business financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simply Business leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Simply Business subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Simply Business funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simply Business M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Simply Business
What does Simply Business do?
Simply Business operates a digital self-serve insurance marketplace (quote.simplybusiness.com) where small business owners answer a few questions, compare side-by-side quotes from 18 top-rated insurance carriers, purchase a policy, and receive instant proof of coverage 24/7. The company is a licensed insurance producer earning commissions from carriers and offers coverage for 400+ business types, including General Liability, Workers' Compensation, Professional Liability, Business Owner's Policy, Errors and Omissions, Inland Marine, and Business Personal Property insurance.
Is Simply Business a public or private company?
Simply Business is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Simply Business founded?
Simply Business was founded in 2005.
Where is Simply Business based?
Simply Business is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Simply Business make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Insurance Carrier Commissions are the primary driver. The others are policy and Administrative Fees and lead and Data Sharing with Partners.
Who are Simply Business's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Next Insurance, CoverWallet, Insureon, Thimble, Hiscox and CoverHound. Broad incumbents are The Hartford and Liberty Mutual Insurance. Emerging players are Bold Penguin and Vouch.
Does Simply Business have an API?
No public API is recorded for Simply Business.
What industry is Simply Business in?
Simply Business's product category is Small Business Insurance Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEADAB, Commercial Lines Insurance Brokerage, with a secondary code of FSAJAFAB, Mid-Market Commercial Package (Package Policies). Its NAICS code is 524210 and its SIC code is 6411.