Next Insurance built its name on fast, all-in-one small-business coverage. In 2025 it was acquired by Munich Re (ERGO) for $2.6 billion — the largest recent US small-business insurtech deal — and is now rebranding as ERGO NEXT. If the change has you re-checking your options, here are five credible alternatives and who each one fits.
This is an independent guide from QuoteSweep, which maps the modern commercial insurance landscape. QuoteSweep does not compete with any of these companies.
TL;DR: The strongest Next (ERGO NEXT) alternatives are biBERK (Berkshire-backed, direct, A++ strength), Hiscox (professional lines and BOP), Coterie (API-first BOP/GL), Thimble (flexible on-demand coverage), and Pie (workers' comp specialist). Pick by what you value most — financial strength, professional lines, flexibility, or workers' comp.
Why look at alternatives now?
Next is a strong, full-stack multi-line carrier, and the Munich Re backing makes it more stable, not less. But a rebrand is a natural moment to compare — especially if you want a specific strength Next doesn't lead on (say, workers' comp or professional lines), or a different buying model. Here's the field.
1. biBERK — Berkshire-backed financial strength
biBERK sells small-business insurance direct — general liability, BOP, workers' comp, professional liability, commercial auto, umbrella — as part of the Berkshire Hathaway insurance group, and pitches savings of up to 20% by cutting out the middleman. Its anchor is financial strength: an A++ (Superior) AM Best rating.
Fits: businesses that want direct online coverage with the balance sheet of one of the strongest insurers in the world behind it.
2. Hiscox — professional lines and BOP
Hiscox is a specialty insurer especially strong in professional liability (E&O), general liability, BOP, and cyber, with century-plus underwriting depth. It was the first US insurer to sell business owner's coverage direct and online in real time. (Note one gap: Hiscox does not write commercial auto.)
Fits: professional-services firms — consultants, agencies, IT — whose main exposure is professional liability.
3. Coterie — API-first BOP and GL
Coterie is a tech-enabled MGA offering BOP, general liability, cyber, and EPL, distributed heavily through partners and embedded channels via API rather than direct-to-consumer. It surpassed $200M in direct written premium in 2025 and reports a high bindable-quote rate on BOP/GL.
Fits: businesses reaching coverage through a platform or partner, and agents wanting fast API-driven BOP/GL.
4. Thimble — flexible, on-demand coverage
Thimble (now part of Arch Insurance) offers flexible small-business liability by the job, month, or year — handy for contractors, landscapers, and creatives whose need isn't a steady annual policy. It has delivered 170,000+ policies since 2018.
Fits: short-duration or seasonal needs where you don't want a full annual policy.
5. Pie — the workers' comp specialist
If your main need is workers' comp, Pie leads. It prices WC with its own data model, underwrites it through its own carrier (AM Best A-), quotes in about three minutes, and sells direct or through agents in 39 states plus DC.
Fits: small businesses whose priority is workers' comp specifically. Compare Pie vs Next directly.
How they compare at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | Edge |
|---|---|---|
| biBERK | Direct coverage with max financial strength | Berkshire Hathaway (A++) |
| Hiscox | Professional services / E&O | Professional lines depth |
| Coterie | Embedded / API BOP & GL | Partner distribution |
| Thimble | Short-duration / seasonal | On-demand flexibility |
| Pie | Workers' comp | WC data-pricing specialist |
Which should you pick?
- Want maximum financial strength, bought direct? biBERK.
- Professional-services firm? Hiscox.
- Buying through a platform or agent via API? Coterie.
- Need coverage for a job or a season, not a year? Thimble.
- Workers' comp is the job to be done? Pie.
- Want the broadest multi-line bundle from one full-stack carrier? Next (ERGO NEXT) still does that well — the rebrand doesn't change the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Next Insurance going away?
No. Next was acquired by Munich Re (ERGO) for $2.6B in 2025 and is rebranding as ERGO NEXT. It's the same carrier with a global reinsurer's backing — arguably more stable, not less.
What's the best alternative to Next Insurance?
It depends on your need: biBERK for direct coverage with top financial strength, Hiscox for professional lines, Coterie for API/embedded BOP/GL, Thimble for on-demand flexibility, and Pie for workers' comp.
Which alternative is cheapest?
None publish universal flat pricing; premium depends on your business and lines. biBERK emphasizes direct-to-business savings; compare quotes for the same coverage.
Are these carriers or brokers?
biBERK (Berkshire) and Hiscox are carriers; Coterie is a tech-enabled MGA; Thimble is an on-demand platform now under Arch; Pie underwrites its own workers' comp.
The bottom line
The ERGO rebrand doesn't weaken Next — but it's a good prompt to check whether a specialist fits you better. Lead with what you value most: biBERK for strength, Hiscox for professional lines, Coterie for embedded distribution, Thimble for flexibility, or Pie for workers' comp. Compare the modern players on the insurtech landscape, or side by side.
