Hiscox review
Updated June 2026 · hiscox.com
Scorecard
| NAIC complaints | ▴ 1.97 · 2023Complaint index spiked to 1.97 in 2023 (from 0.88 in 2022) |
|---|---|
| AM Best | A (Excellent) |
| Trustpilot | 1.6 / 5 (~950 reviews (June 2026 snapshot; profile mixes US/UK customers)) |
| BBB | A+ (accredited) |
| Founded | 1901 (Lloyd's of London origins); US small-business arm since 2010 |
| Ownership | Hiscox Ltd, publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (HSX); US small-business operations run from Atlanta. |
| Who holds the paper | Hiscox Insurance Company, Inc. |
| Pricing | Quote-based; MoneyGeek's 2026 sample business averaged ~$114/mo for GL and ~$169/mo for a BOP — pricier than the digital carriers. |
| Availability | All 50 states + DC; strongest fit for white-collar service businesses — consultants, IT, agencies, real estate. |
The claims verdict
Mixed-to-concerning. The coverage is well-built for professionals and many policyholders never test it — but the regulator data is the red flag: a complaint index of 1.97 in 2023 and NerdWallet's far-more-complaints-than-expected finding on GL and property (2022–2024), echoed by a 1.6/5 Trustpilot full of denial and slow-claims stories. Fine coverage on paper; claims handling and renewal behavior are the documented weak spots.
What the regulator data says
Nearly double the complaints expected for its size in 2023 (MoneyGeek's cited series: 1.59 in 2020 → 0.88 in 2022 → 1.97 in 2023). NerdWallet's 2022–2024 analysis is blunter: far more GL and commercial-property complaints than expected, with claims delays, unsatisfactory settlements and denials the top topics. Some reviews still describe Hiscox's complaint record as 'below average' — the recent dated figures don't support the friendly framing.
Source: MoneyGeek 2026; NerdWallet 2026 (NAIC data 2022–2024)
What customers report
Themes paraphrased from Trustpilot (1.6 / 5, ~950 reviews (June 2026 snapshot; profile mixes US/UK customers)) and BBB (A+ (accredited)) — not verbatim quotes. The high letter grade reflects responsiveness to BBB, not claims quality — individual complaints center on rate hikes, cancellation errors and unexpected withdrawals.
What they love
- Simple online quoting and fast purchase
- Fast certificate-of-insurance delivery
- Professional-liability coverage genuinely tailored to white-collar work
The gripes
- Claims denials — documented cases include a claim denied as 'misclassed' and a property claim denied with no reason given
- Slow claims processing and unsatisfactory settlements
- Steep renewal hikes (one BBB complaint cited a 250% increase); cancellation requires a call — you can't cancel online
What practitioners say
Recurring themes from small-business communities and forums, paraphrased:
- Respected among consultants and IT professionals for tailored E&O — many never claim and recommend it
- Price is the most common practitioner gripe, more than claim stinginess
- Renewal increases and state-by-state pricing swings come up repeatedly
Best for
Consultants, IT firms, agencies and other white-collar businesses wanting specialist E&O and professional liability online.
Look elsewhere if
Buyers prioritizing claims-payment track record, easy cancellation, or blue-collar/fleet operations.
Coverage offered
- Professional liability / E&O (its specialty)
- General liability
- Business owner's policy (BOP)
- Workers' compensation
- Commercial property
- Cyber
- Short-term / event liability
Scale & who uses them
600,000+ US small-business customers (company-stated, ~2020).
Decided Hiscox fits?
Quotes happen on the insurer's own site — we never collect your details.
Get a quote at hiscox.com ↗Disclosure: some links to insurers may be affiliate links — if you get a quote through them we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. That never changes the data: complaint figures, ratings and review themes are reported as published, sources cited and dated. We are not an insurance agent or broker, and nothing here is advice. How we score
Sources
- https://www.moneygeek.com/insurance/business/hiscox-review/
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/insurance/learn/hiscox-business-insurance
- https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.hiscox.com
- https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profile/insurance-companies/hiscox-insurance-company-inc-0654-88714362
Review figures reflect snapshots taken June 2026 and change over time. NAIC complaint data is published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Consumer Information Source; index values cited as facts with attribution. Conclusions are our editorial opinion based on the data disclosed above.