Thimble vs Next Insurance: 2026 Comparison
Both Thimble and Next Insurance are freelancer-focused liability insurers, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Here's which is better for your situation.
Quick Verdict
Choose Thimble for occasional gigs (less than 100 hours/year of work) — pay by the hour or job. Choose Next Insurance for full-time freelancing or if you want a single annual policy. Thimble: $5-25/hour. Next: $30-150/month.
Thimble: By-The-Job Liability
Thimble pioneered hourly liability insurance for gig workers and freelancers. You buy coverage for the specific hours you're working — perfect for weekend warriors, occasional contractors, and event vendors. Coverage starts at $5/hour for $1M in general liability. Available in all 50 states. Best for: photographers, event planners, handymen, fitness instructors, occasional freelance services.
Next Insurance: Annual Coverage
Next Insurance offers traditional annual policies but with modern online buying. General liability + commercial auto + workers' comp bundles for self-employed. Coverage from $30-150/month depending on profession and revenue. Available in all 50 states. Best for: full-time freelancers, agencies, contractors with employees, and anyone with $50K+ in annual revenue.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
Photographer doing 40 weddings/year: Thimble $1,000-2,400/year vs Next $480-720/year — Next wins. Handyman doing occasional jobs: Thimble $200-600/year vs Next $360-840/year — Thimble wins. Web designer with steady clients: Thimble not ideal vs Next $500/year — Next wins.
Customer Service & Claims
Both have 4.5+ star ratings on Trustpilot. Next Insurance has been in business longer (2016 vs Thimble's 2017) and has handled more claims. Thimble has more responsive in-app support. Both pay claims within 14-30 days.