The Hartford doesn’t offer upstream energy insurance online for small businesses, but a local agency or Tivly may be able to help you find the coverage you need. The following content includes information from various sources and can change over time. If you’re a midsize or large business, learn more about energy insurance coverages.
What Is Upstream Energy Insurance?
Upstream energy insurance is a package of business insurance coverages designed to help protect oil and gas businesses from the unique risks of the energy industry.
Business insurance may help protect you from the common risks you might face during normal operations, such as:
- Property damage
- Equipment failure or breakdown
- Employee injuries
- Liability claims
Although The Hartford doesn’t offer upstream energy insurance to small businesses, we can help connect you with Tivly, so you can get the coverage you need.
Why Might You Need Upstream Energy Insurance?
Upstream energy businesses operate in high-risk environments where accidents, property damage or equipment breakdown can happen quickly.
Business insurance can help protect your company from risks such as:
- Worksite injuries: Employees may be injured while operating heavy equipment or working at drilling sites.
- Property damage: Equipment, tools or infrastructure can be damaged due to accidents or severe conditions.
- Environmental incidents: Spills or leaks can lead to cleanup costs and liability claims.
- Vehicle accidents: Trucks or tankers transporting materials may be involved in collisions.
Who May Need Upstream Energy Insurance?
Upstream energy insurance is typically relevant for small businesses involved in oil and gas exploration, production and related services, such as:
- Ancillary oilfield services
- Geophysical engineering and consulting
- Distributors of oilfield equipment
- Instrument logging and survey work
- Oilfield tool and equipment rental
- Oil exploration and production
- Energy-related fabricated metal products
What Upstream Energy Insurance Coverages Might I Need?
When it comes to protecting your upstream energy business, you’ll likely need coverage that reflects the risks of exploration, drilling and production work. Many small oil and gas businesses combine multiple types of business insurance to help protect you from common claims, including:
General liability insurance to help protect your business from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else. For example, if you damage a client’s property, this coverage can help with related legal costs. It may also help cover certain personal injury claims, like libel, slander or defamation.
Commercial auto insurance to help cover vehicles that your business uses to transport equipment, materials or employees. For example, if a company truck is involved in an accident while traveling to a drilling site, this coverage can help pay for vehicle damage, injuries or liability claims.
Workers’ compensation insurance to help provide benefits if an employee gets injured or becomes ill due to their job. For example, if a worker is hurt while operating heavy equipment on the job, this coverage can help pay their medical expenses and rehabilitation costs. It can also help replace a portion of their lost wages.
Commercial umbrella insurance to help provide an extra layer of liability protection if a claim exceeds the limits of certain existing liability policies. For example, if a large lawsuit goes beyond your general liability or commercial auto coverage limits, umbrella insurance may help cover the remaining costs.
You might also consider other types of coverage depending on your operations, including:
It’s important to remember that coverage needs can vary based on your operations, equipment and risk profile, so you may need additional policies to have well-rounded protection.
How Much Does Upstream Energy Insurance Cost?
Although The Hartford doesn’t offer upstream energy insurance for small businesses, here are the average costs our small business customers pay for common types of insurance. You can use these amounts to help estimate your costs:**
- BOP: $1,687 a year, or about $141 a month
- Stand-alone general liability insurance: $810 a year, or about $68 a month
- Workers’ compensation insurance: $1,032 a year, or $86 a month
- Professional liability insurance: $744 a year, or $62 a month1
Keep in mind that the cost of upstream energy insurance varies because every company faces unique risks. Insurance companies consider several factors when determining your coverage cost, including:
- Number of employees
- Location of your business
- Type of coverage
- Your claims history
- The limits you select for your coverage
To find out your specific insurance costs, get a free quote online with Tivly.
General Liability Insurance
“While working at a drilling site, our crew accidentally damaged nearby property. We were responsible for the repair costs and related claims.”
General liability insurance can help cover claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else.
Commercial Auto Insurance
“One of our company trucks was involved in an accident while transporting equipment to a worksite.”
Commercial auto insurance helps protect vehicles your business uses for work-related activities, including accidents that cause damage or injuries.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
“One of my employees injured their back while operating heavy equipment and needed surgery and time off to recover.”
Workers’ compensation insurance helps cover medical expenses and partial lost wages if an employee is injured or becomes ill due to their job.
Employer’s Liability Insurance
“An employee claimed their injury was caused by unsafe working conditions and filed a lawsuit against our business.”
Employer’s liability insurance is typically included in most workers’ compensation policies. It can help cover legal defense costs, settlements or judgments if an employee sues your business over a work-related injury or illness.
Commercial Property Insurance
“A fire damaged our equipment and tools at a jobsite. We needed to repair or replace them before resuming operations.”
Commercial property insurance helps cover damage to your business’ buildings, equipment and tools caused by covered events like fire or theft.
Equipment Breakdown Coverage
“Our drilling equipment suddenly stopped working due to a mechanical failure, causing unexpected repair costs and downtime.”
Equipment breakdown coverage helps pay to repair or replace equipment that fails due to mechanical or electrical issues.
Get a Quote for Upstream Energy Insurance
Get the coverage you need from Tivly to help protect your small business today.
Are you a mid- to large-size business? Learn about our Energy Insurance coverage options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upstream Energy Insurance
What Are the Risks of Not Having Upstream Energy Insurance?
Without upstream energy insurance, your business may have to pay out of pocket for costly claims, such as property damage, employee injuries or liability lawsuits. These expenses can delay operations or put financial strain on your business, especially in high-risk environments like oil and gas work.
What Does Upstream Energy Insurance Cover?
Upstream energy insurance typically includes a combination of coverages that help protect your business from common risks, such as liability claims, employee injuries, property damage and business interruptions. The specific coverages you need will depend on your location, operations, equipment, number of employees and overall risk profile.
How Do I Get Upstream Energy Insurance?
Small businesses can explore coverage options and get a quote through Tivly. If you operate a midsize or large business, you can learn more about coverage options through The Hartford’s energy insurance solutions.
Last Updated: September 14, 2026
1 What you pay for professional liability insurance will vary by product, limits chosen and risk class or hazard group associated with your business.
2 Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Safety Hazards Associated With Oil and Gas Extraction Activities,” viewed August 2026
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Fatal Occupational Injuries in Private Sector Mining, Quarrying and Oil and Gas Extraction Industries,” viewed August 2026
4 S&P Global, “Industry Bets on AI to Unlock and Speed Up Resource Commercialization and Compete With New Energies,” viewed August 2026
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
The Hartford does not currently have a product available to provide the coverage described on this page. You are being referred to Tivly in an effort to connect you with a carrier who may provide this coverage. This link will redirect you to a third-party website, owned and operated by an independent party ("Tivly"). Any link you make to or from the Tivly website will be at your own risk. Any use of the Tivly website will be subject to and any information you provide will be governed by the terms of the Tivly website, including those relating to confidentiality, data privacy and security. The Hartford and its affiliates (collectively "The Hartford") do not endorse or approve and make no warranties, representations or undertakings relating to the content of the Tivly website. The Hartford assumes no liability for loss, damage and any other consequence resulting directly or indirectly from your access to the Tivly website or any information that you may provide on the Tivly website.
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