Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Pie Insurance: How Do They Compare for Business Insurance?

Pie centers its small-business offer on workers’ compensation, with direct online and agency quote routes. Its quote materials ask for location, payroll and class-code information, and Pie advertises a short quote time that does not predict underwriting or binding. Its own public pages conflict on the number of states served, so confirm all work locations and class eligibility. BHSI’s U.S. guide lists products by specialty segment and is not a complete eligibility or coverage schedule; its website terms say online submissions do not bind. An employer seeking a workers’ compensation quote can start with Pie if its state and class fit, while using BHSI materials only to identify a specific proposed specialty product—not to infer a workers’ compensation offering.

An Overview of Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance

Pie is a focused starting point for a small employer shopping for workers’ compensation: it accepts direct online quote requests and also works through insurance agencies. Its quote guidance calls for location, payroll and class-code details because the employee work performed and payroll affect pricing. Pie advertises a roughly three-minute quote, but that is not a promise of underwriting or binding time. The company’s public pages conflict on the count of states where workers’ compensation is available, so check every work location and class before relying on that route. BHSI’s U.S. guide lists products across specialty segments but does not establish a workers’ compensation alternative; its website terms say online submissions are nonbinding. Compare a concrete Pie quote with a specific BHSI proposal only where that proposal actually addresses the employer’s need.

Small businesses can buy Pie’s workers’ compensation directly or through agents; affiliated insurers underwrite workers’ comp, while outside insurers provide some other Pie products. 26,29,27,31,32,33,34Company-reportedCurrent public Pie brand and US small-business insurance services; this describes group roles, not a promise that every product is available to every applicant.

Small businesses looking for workers’ compensation can approach Pie directly or through local, regional and national agencies. 26,27Company-reportedUS small-business workers’ compensation distribution described on Pie’s current About and product pages.

Small businesses can start a workers’ compensation quote online or through an insurance agent; agencies use a separate partner portal. 26,25,27Company-reportedWorkers’ compensation access for small businesses and agencies; other product pages direct buyers to quote or contact flows but do not document the same process.

Have your ZIP, payroll and class-code details ready for a Pie workers’ compensation quote; its online intake begins with ZIP code. 30,27Company-reportedUnauthenticated first step and Pie’s description of workers’ compensation quote inputs; no data was entered and the flow was not advanced.

Pie advertises a workers’ compensation quote in about three minutes, but this company estimate does not predict underwriting or binding time. 27,25Company-reportedWorkers’ compensation quote marketing; no timed independent quote test was performed.

Confirm all work locations and class codes before relying on Pie workers’ comp: sources conflict between availability in 40 states plus DC and 39 states plus DC. 35,36,25,37,46Conflicting sourcesPublic workers’ compensation footprint as of 15 September 2026; the state-page selector, document library and other marketing surfaces were not internally consistent.

Pie workers’ compensation is written by The Pie Insurance Company and affiliates; AM Best says all business moved to The Pie Insurance Company and Pie Casualty Insurance Company as of January 1, 2024. 29,46,47,48VerifiedPie’s workers’ compensation program; the actual declarations page controls the issuing insurer for a specific policy and state.

Use your policy and endorsements to decide what is covered; Pie says website descriptions do not change policy terms and eligibility varies by applicant and location. 28Company-reportedWebsite descriptions and US products generally; the buyer’s issued policy and endorsements control.

BHSI’s U.S. At A Glance section (version 2026-8-03 A) lists commercial property, casualty, healthcare professional liability, executive and professional lines, surety, travel, programs, employer stop loss, and homeowners insurance. The guide is informational, not policy coverage, and its brand-level list does not identify the insurer on a particular policy. 1,2,5Company-reportedA description of BHSI's U.S. line list in its U.S. At A Glance section (version 2026-8-03 A) only. The guide says its descriptions are informational and are not coverage; its brand-level list does not assign an issuing insurer to a particular product or policy. This is not a claim that one legal insurer issues every BHSI product.

BHSI's website terms say online application or quote submissions are informational and nonbinding; only contracted agents of the National Indemnity group may bind coverage, issue policies or certificates, or change coverage. Group companies' authority also varies by state, so the terms do not show that every application must begin through an agent. 5Company-reportedThe website's own online submissions and binding authority described by BHSI's terms; not a statement about every product's intake process or a claim that purchase can be completed online.

26 27 40 1 5

What Stands Out About Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance?

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance at a Glance

  • BHSI’s U.S. materials list industry focus areas including real estate, public entities, healthcare, education, manufacturing and technology. 1Company-reportedCompany-stated industry focus in the United States section of the At A Glance (U.S. section version 2026-8-03 A); industry lists are segment-specific, not a universal eligibility statement.
  • BHSI says it discusses coverage issues directly with insureds and brokers and keeps them involved in third-party settlement discussions. 8Company-reportedCompany-stated U.S. claims-service standards in version US 2024-10-07A; accessed 2026-09-28. Process commitments are not evidence of measured service or outcomes.

Pie Insurance at a Glance

  • Start a workers’ compensation quote online or through an insurance agent. 26,25,27Company-reportedWorkers’ compensation access for small businesses and agencies; other product pages direct buyers to quote or contact flows but do not document the same process.
  • Pay workers’ compensation premiums based on reported payroll, with no initial deposit. 41,42Company-reportedPie’s current workers’ compensation payment pages; actual availability and policy-specific charges need confirmation in the quote.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Pie Insurance Coverage Lines Compared

CoverageBerkshire Hathaway Specialty InsurancePie Insurance
Builders riskListed 22BHSI’s current U.S. Builder’s Risk page lists construction-project coverage, including hot testing/commissioning, delay and soft-cost features, and selectively considered Master Builder’s Risk programs. Project scope, eligibility, terms and issuer remain policy-specific.Not listed
Business owner’s policyNot listedListed 31Pie accepts business owner’s policy quote requests.
Cargo and transitListed 9,10BHSI's current Marine catalog lists Ocean Cargo, Stock Throughputs, and Project Cargo. The older US-12/22-A guide lists Project Cargo as out of appetite, so confirm its current status; BHSI lists Inland Marine separately.Not listed
Commercial propertyListed 11,12BHSI lists all-risk commercial property and selected single-peril options, including earthquake, flood, and windstorm.Not listed
CrimeListed 14BHSI lists Commercial Crime within its Executive First Private Company Portfolio’s comprehensive form, alongside D&O, employment-practices, fiduciary and employed-lawyer coverages. The page targets private companies with at least $10 million in revenue; portfolio limits up to $50 million may be shared or separate and are not a crime-specific limit. Crime coverage is distinct from fidelity bonds.Not listed
Cyber liabilityListed 23,18BHSI markets a U.S. Network Security & Privacy product with third-party breach, response-expense and network-interruption features; its Professional First overview also describes stand-alone Cyber and blended E&O/Cyber forms. Product form, eligibility, terms and issuer depend on the risk and policy.Listed 32Pie provides access to cyber insurance quotes from carrier partners.
Directors and officersListed 13,14Executive First D&O liability materials describe separate public-company and private-company products.Not listed
Employment practices liabilityListed 14BHSI lists employment-practices liability within its Executive First Private Company Portfolio’s comprehensive form, alongside D&O, fiduciary, crime and employed-lawyer coverages. The page targets private companies with at least $10 million in revenue; portfolio limits up to $50 million may be shared or separate and are not an EPL-specific limit.Not listed
Fiduciary liabilityListed 14BHSI lists fiduciary liability within its Executive First Private Company Portfolio’s comprehensive form, alongside D&O, employment-practices, crime and employed-lawyer coverages. The page targets private companies with at least $10 million in revenue; portfolio limits up to $50 million may be shared or separate and are not a fiduciary-specific limit.Not listed
General liabilityListed 15,16BHSI lists primary general liability, with contractor and pollution features described in its casualty materials.Listed 34Pie arranges general liability insurance through unaffiliated third-party insurers.
Media liabilityListed 18,19BHSI’s Professional First overview names Media Liability, and its architects/engineers product describes media liability only within a specialized combined design-industry form. The overview’s catalogue listing does not establish standalone terms or current account availability.Not listed
Product liabilityListed 15,16BHSI lists primary products and completed-operations liability as a casualty product.Not listed
Professional errors and omissions (E&O)Listed 17,18,19Professional First materials describe a professional-liability portfolio with several professions and service types.Listed 33Pie Insurance arranges professional errors and omissions insurance for small businesses through third-party insurers.
Representations and warrantiesListed 20,21BHSI lists Representations & Warranties Insurance within its Transactional Liability products.Not listed
Surety bondsListed 24BHSI’s U.S. Surety page lists performance, payment, advance-payment, maintenance, supply and warranty bonds for contractor and construction-supplier accounts. Bond obligations depend on the bond form, principal, obligee and jurisdiction; this catalogue listing does not establish bond approval or terms.Not listed
Technology errors and omissions (E&O)Listed 18,19Professional First materials identify Technology E&O as a professional-liability product.Not listed
Tools, equipment and inland marineListed 9BHSI lists inland transit, motor-truck cargo, warehouse legal liability, contractor equipment, and floaters under Inland Marine.Not listed
Umbrella and excess liabilityListed 15,16BHSI lists lead umbrella and excess casualty within its U.S. casualty products.Not listed
Workers’ compensationNot listedListed 27Pie Insurance offers workers’ compensation insurance for small businesses.

A listing may be arranged through an insurer or partner. “Not listed” means this catalogue has no separate offering recorded; ask the provider whether it can quote the coverage and request the policy terms.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance Coverage, Line by Line

Open what Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance each document for one coverage line.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance Reliability Scores

Each score uses the rubric for that provider’s documented role. Providers with more than one role may have a score for each.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Reliability Scores

Carrier

Carrier & MGA

7.0/ 10

Provider assessment

Pie Insurance Reliability Scores

Hybrid provider

Broker

5.3/ 10

Carrier & MGA

6.3/ 10

Provider assessment

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance Review Scores

These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Review Score

–/ 10

Review Score

No reviews found

The public ratings for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance are low but thin: Trustpilot shows 2.1 out of 5 from 9 reviews and BBB shows 1 out of 5 from 6. Both mix travel and commercial customers, so we don't count them in a score.

Read Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance reviews

Pie Insurance Review Score

1.7/ 10

Review Score

2 rated sources

Pie’s service record raises clear concerns: elevated regulator complaints reported by NerdWallet, 1.7/5 on Trustpilot and an F from BBB. Investigate billing, cancellation and complaint handling before buying.

Read Pie Insurance reviews

Key Differences Between Pie Insurance and Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

business-overview and customer-focus

Pie’s narrower workers’ compensation focus can make its intake more directly relevant when an employer needs to insure payroll and employee work classifications. Buyers can begin online or through an agent; the quote asks for location, payroll and class information. Pie’s published speed claim describes an estimated quote experience, not approval or a coverage start time. Its about page and workers’ compensation page do not agree on the state count, so employers with multiple locations should confirm each state and class directly. Coverage remains subject to underwriting and the issued policy’s terms.

Small businesses can buy Pie’s workers’ compensation directly or through agents; affiliated insurers underwrite workers’ comp, while outside insurers provide some other Pie products. 26,29,27,31,32,33,34Company-reportedCurrent public Pie brand and US small-business insurance services; this describes group roles, not a promise that every product is available to every applicant.

Small businesses looking for workers’ compensation can approach Pie directly or through local, regional and national agencies. 26,27Company-reportedUS small-business workers’ compensation distribution described on Pie’s current About and product pages.

26

Product fit and policy confirmation

BHSI’s U.S. guide groups specialty products by segment and says its descriptions are informational rather than coverage. The accepted guide does not establish that a listed product meets an employer’s statutory workers’ compensation need, and a missing line is not proof that BHSI never offers it. A business considering BHSI should ask for the actual product, insurer and policy wording that addresses its requirement. BHSI terms say web applications and quotes do not bind; a contracted agent with state authority must bind. For workers’ compensation, compare verified state and class eligibility, payroll basis and policy documents rather than relying on a general catalogue.

BHSI's U.S. industry focus spans real estate, public entities, financial institutions, healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, logistics, transportation, energy, and technology. The at-a-glance guide associates these industries with particular product segments; it does not say every segment serves every listed industry. 1Company-reportedCompany-stated industry focus in the United States section of the At A Glance (U.S. section version 2026-8-03 A); industry lists are segment-specific, not a universal eligibility statement.

BHSI's website terms say online application or quote submissions are informational and nonbinding; only contracted agents of the National Indemnity group may bind coverage, issue policies or certificates, or change coverage. Group companies' authority also varies by state, so the terms do not show that every application must begin through an agent. 5Company-reportedThe website's own online submissions and binding authority described by BHSI's terms; not a statement about every product's intake process or a claim that purchase can be completed online.

1 5

What Should You Confirm in Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and Pie Insurance Quotes?

  • Give Pie the correct ZIP code, work locations, payroll and class codes; ask it to resolve its conflicting published state availability before applying. 26 5
  • If considering BHSI, ask specifically whether a current product and issuing insurer can meet the workers’ compensation requirement; do not infer availability from the broad guide. 27 5
  • Compare estimated payroll, classifications, audit terms, limits and effective dates, and obtain written confirmation that coverage has been bound. 40 5

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Pie Insurance Services Compared

What each provider documents about the services you may need

CriteriaBerkshire Hathaway Specialty InsurancePie Insurance
Business role

BHSI’s U.S. At A Glance section (version 2026-8-03 A) lists commercial property, casualty, healthcare professional liability, executive and professional lines, surety, travel, programs, employer stop loss, and homeowners insurance. The guide is informational, not policy coverage, and its brand-level list does not identify the insurer on a particular policy. 1,2,5Company-reportedA description of BHSI's U.S. line list in its U.S. At A Glance section (version 2026-8-03 A) only. The guide says its descriptions are informational and are not coverage; its brand-level list does not assign an issuing insurer to a particular product or policy. This is not a claim that one legal insurer issues every BHSI product.

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSIC) identifies itself in its Singapore-branch public disclosure as a Nebraska-domiciled direct property and casualty insurer, wholly owned by National Indemnity Company, which is wholly owned by Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated. The Singapore-branch disclosure states this ownership chain. A Missouri Department of Insurance record separately lists BHSIC as active, NAIC 22276, and Property and Casualty in Missouri. Neither source identifies BHSIC as the issuer of every BHSI-branded U.S. policy. 3,4,5Company-reportedCompany-reported corporate identity and ownership in BHSI's Singapore-branch public disclosure, corroborated for company identity and Missouri P&C authority by the Missouri Department of Insurance record accessed 2026-09-28. Neither source maps BHSIC as issuer for every BHSI-branded U.S. product; use policy-specific documents for that.

Small businesses can buy Pie’s workers’ compensation directly or through agents; affiliated insurers underwrite workers’ comp, while outside insurers provide some other Pie products. 26,29,27,31,32,33,34Company-reportedCurrent public Pie brand and US small-business insurance services; this describes group roles, not a promise that every product is available to every applicant.

If parent-company ownership matters, Pie Group Holdings, Inc. owns the website and is regulator-listed parent of Pie Casualty; AM Best identifies the insurer group as Pie Insurance Group. 28,48,46VerifiedWebsite ownership and the parent shown for Pie Casualty Insurance Company; no claim about voting control or every intermediate subsidiary.

Pie Insurance Services, Inc. is the producer that sells and administers policies; verify its current license in your state because Pie’s own license page is not regulator confirmation. 29,49Company-reportedProducer identity and Pie-published US license list; Wisconsin’s regulator separately identifies this entity in a 2024 administrative action.

Customer focus

BHSI's U.S. industry focus spans real estate, public entities, financial institutions, healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, logistics, transportation, energy, and technology. The at-a-glance guide associates these industries with particular product segments; it does not say every segment serves every listed industry. 1Company-reportedCompany-stated industry focus in the United States section of the At A Glance (U.S. section version 2026-8-03 A); industry lists are segment-specific, not a universal eligibility statement.

Within its U.S. executive-lines commercial and financial segment, BHSI lists publicly traded and large privately owned commercial firms; investment, money-center, national, and regional banks; asset managers; and insurance companies and brokerages. The size description applies to the commercial-firm entry, not every listed institution or all BHSI products. 1Company-reportedOnly the U.S. Executive Lines, Commercial & Financial segment, At A Glance p. 50. The “publicly traded and large privately owned” qualifier attaches to the Commercial Firms bullet only.

Small businesses looking for workers’ compensation can approach Pie directly or through local, regional and national agencies. 26,27Company-reportedUS small-business workers’ compensation distribution described on Pie’s current About and product pages.

Application process

BHSI's website terms say online application or quote submissions are informational and nonbinding; only contracted agents of the National Indemnity group may bind coverage, issue policies or certificates, or change coverage. Group companies' authority also varies by state, so the terms do not show that every application must begin through an agent. 5Company-reportedThe website's own online submissions and binding authority described by BHSI's terms; not a statement about every product's intake process or a claim that purchase can be completed online.

Small businesses can start a workers’ compensation quote online or through an insurance agent; agencies use a separate partner portal. 26,25,27Company-reportedWorkers’ compensation access for small businesses and agencies; other product pages direct buyers to quote or contact flows but do not document the same process.

Have your ZIP, payroll and class-code details ready for a Pie workers’ compensation quote; its online intake begins with ZIP code. 30,27Company-reportedUnauthenticated first step and Pie’s description of workers’ compensation quote inputs; no data was entered and the flow was not advanced.

Pie advertises a workers’ compensation quote in about three minutes, but this company estimate does not predict underwriting or binding time. 27,25Company-reportedWorkers’ compensation quote marketing; no timed independent quote test was performed.

Sources

49 documents, numbered as cited.

Updated . Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers. Editorial policy. To suggest a correction, email The General Average with the page URL and supporting source.

Comparisons Related to Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance vs Pie Insurance

All Comparisons

Want someone to handle this for you?

Spot, which publishes this research, gets quotes from 50+ providers, picks the options that fit your coverage and budget, and manages renewals after you buy. The first consultation is free. Book a free consultation