Berkshire Hathaway Commercial Insurance (GUARD) Insurance: Average Premiums & Pricing Factors
Quick Answer
How much does Berkshire Hathaway Commercial Insurance (GUARD) cost? Average premiums by business size, industry, and state — plus the key factors that drive yo…
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies offer commercial insurance programs across general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, and umbrella — known for competitive pricing in low-to-mid hazard accounts and broad underwriting appetite.
What You Need to Know
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies (formerly Zenith National's GUARD Division) are a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary writing commercial property, general liability, workers' compensation, business auto, and umbrella for small to mid-size businesses. GUARD is an admitted carrier in most states with A+ AM Best rating (inherited from Berkshire Hathaway). Their Business Owners Policy (BOP) program targets lower-hazard occupancies; their GL and workers' comp programs have broad underwriting appetite across many commercial classes.
Berkshire Hathaway Commercial Insurance (GUARD) Cost by Business Size
| Business Size | Annual Revenue | Typical Premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Office / Retail (under $500K revenue) | Under $500K | $600–$2,500/yr (BOP) | GUARD's core BOP market. Competitive pricing for standard classes. |
| Service Business ($500K–$2M revenue) | $500K–$2M | $1,500–$5,000/yr | GL + property + workers' comp package. Competitive across most service classes. |
| Contractor / Moderate Hazard ($2M–$10M revenue) | $2M–$10M | $5,000–$25,000+/yr | GUARD writes contractors on a selective basis. Lighter trades preferred. |
| Mid-Market ($10M+ revenue) | $10M+ | $15,000–$75,000+/yr | Larger accounts underwritten on individual merit. Direct broker relationship helpful. |
What Determines Your Premium?
- Business Class and Hazard Level (Very High impact) — GUARD's pricing varies dramatically by SIC/NAICS class. Office/service businesses receive the best rates. Construction, restaurants, and higher-hazard operations pay more or may be referred to other markets.
- Revenue / Payroll Size (High impact) — GL and BOP premiums scale with revenue. Workers' comp scales with payroll. Accurate reporting is required at audit.
- Claims History (High impact) — GUARD requests 3–5 years of loss runs for underwriting. Multiple claims or a single large claim can affect GUARD's appetite or result in declination.
- State of Operations (Medium impact) — GUARD rates vary by state. California requires CDI-approved rates. Nevada uses NCCI loss costs with carrier deviations.
- Coverage Package (Medium impact) — BOP bundling typically provides a discount vs. separate GL and property policies. Umbrella added to a BOP program is the most cost-effective umbrella option.