Next Insurance makes money by selling small business insurance online and keeping the premiums: it profits when premiums exceed the claims it pays and its running costs. Founded in 2016 by Guy Goldstein, Alon Huri and Nissim Tapiro, it now trades as ERGO NEXT Insurance after Munich Re’s ERGO Group completed its full acquisition on 1 July 2025, at a valuation of $2.6 billion. The company says it insures more than 750,000 US small businesses across more than 1,300 professions.
ERGO NEXT sells general liability, workers' compensation, commercial property, commercial auto, professional liability and business owner's policies. Its website says general liability prices start at $19 a month.
02
Three ways to sell
Small business owners buy directly online; independent agents quote and bind policies fully online; and partner platforms embed ERGO NEXT cover in their own products.
03
Speed as the product
The company says owners can get covered in about 10 minutes with instant proof of insurance, and manage policies and certificates 24/7 online.
After the acquisition ERGO NEXT carries an A+ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best, which it attributes to joining ERGO, a Munich Re company.
What changed in 2025-26
Owned by Munich Re's ERGO
Munich Re and NEXT signed a definitive agreement on 19 March 2025, and ERGO completed the full acquisition on 1 July 2025 at a valuation of $2.6 billion. ERGO already held around 29% of NEXT before the deal. NEXT rebranded as ERGO NEXT Insurance in January 2026.
Its founder runs AI for the group
In September 2026 ERGO Group named ERGO NEXT CEO Guy Goldstein its first Chief AI Officer, effective 1 October, responsible for applying AI across the whole group while he stays CEO of ERGO NEXT.
AI property inspections
In October 2026 ERGO NEXT launched a self-guided property inspection tool that uses vision AI, letting owners complete commercial property inspections in about 15 minutes instead of waiting five to 10 days for a field inspector.
Insurance inside other platforms
In May 2026 ERGO NEXT announced an e-commerce insurance partnership with TikTok Shop, so sellers on the platform can buy business cover there.
What it isLiability, property, auto, workers' comp, BOP
Evidence (date)1,300+ professions covered (2026)
Owner
What it isERGO Group, part of Munich Re
Evidence (date)Full acquisition completed 1 July 2025
Valuation
What it isPrice agreed for 100% of shares
Evidence (date)$2.6 billion (March 2025)
Financial strength
What it isAM Best rating
Evidence (date)A+ (Superior), after the acquisition
What it means for you
If you run a small business, compare digital insurers on claims service and coverage limits, not only on the monthly price.
If you are an insurance agent, digital carriers that quote and bind online can serve small accounts that are uneconomic by hand.
If you run a platform for small businesses, embedded insurance can add revenue without becoming an insurer yourself.
If you build insurtech, note the exit path: NEXT ended inside a large insurer that already owned part of it.
Watch where AI removes waiting time, such as inspections, because speed is what small business buyers notice first.
The Business Engineer lens
ERGO NEXT shows a pattern in AI-era financial services: the software layer wins distribution, but a large balance sheet carries the risk. The Business Engineer view: in insurance, AI pays when it cuts the time and cost of each step, from quote to inspection to claim.
From premiums on small business insurance policies it sells online, through agents and through partner platforms; it profits when premiums exceed claims and costs.
Who owns Next Insurance?
ERGO Group, the primary insurance arm of Munich Re, which completed its full acquisition of NEXT on 1 July 2025. The company now trades as ERGO NEXT Insurance.
How much did Munich Re pay for Next Insurance?
The agreement valued 100% of NEXT's shares at $2.6 billion; ERGO already held around 29% before the deal.
Who founded Next Insurance?
Guy Goldstein, Alon Huri and Nissim Tapiro founded it in 2016. Goldstein remains CEO and in October 2026 also became ERGO Group's Chief AI Officer.
The complete explainer, cleaned up and reformatted for mobile.
Next Insurance is an insurance technology company founded by former co-workers Guy Goldstein, Alon Huri, and Nissim Tapiro. Drawing from the popularity of so-called insurtech companies they launched a website in 2016 with $13 million in funding. Next Insurance began by offering insurance tailor-made for photographers and personal trainers. Next Insurance makes money via the premiums it charges to customers every month.
Business Model Element · Analysis · Implications · Examples
Tailored Coverage: Offering customized insurance policies that meet the specific needs of small businesses, including general liability, professional liability, commercial auto, and more.
Digital Convenience: Providing a user-friendly online platform for quotes, policy management, and claims filing, streamlining the insurance process.
Affordable Pricing: Offering competitive and transparent pricing to make insurance more accessible to small businesses.
Fast Claims Processing: Ensuring quick and hassle-free claims processing to support businesses in times of need.
Next Insurance appeals to small business owners seeking convenient, affordable, and tailored insurance solutions.
Implications. Attracts small businesses looking for insurance coverage that fits their unique requirements. Enhances user satisfaction through a seamless online experience. Makes insurance more accessible to small businesses with competitive pricing. Builds trust by offering fast and efficient claims processing. Provides a valuable value proposition in the digital insurance sector.
Examples.
Small business owners seeking tailored insurance coverage.
Users looking for an easy-to-use online insurance platform.
Businesses searching for cost-effective insurance options.
Those valuing fast and efficient claims processing.
Customer Segments
Analysis. Next Insurance primarily serves the following customer segments:
1. Small Businesses: Targeting a wide range of small businesses, including contractors, fitness professionals, beauty salons, and more.
2. Independent Professionals: Catering to freelancers and independent contractors in various industries.
3. Insurance Agents: Partnering with insurance agents who use Next Insurance’s platform to provide coverage to their clients. Next Insurance focuses on meeting the insurance needs of small businesses and independent professionals.
Implications. Targets a diverse range of small businesses across industries. Offers solutions to freelancers and independent contractors. Collaborates with insurance agents to extend its reach and services. Diversifies its customer base within the small business insurance sector.
Examples.
Small business owners seeking customized insurance coverage.
Independent professionals looking for coverage tailored to their work.
Insurance agents using Next Insurance’s platform for client coverage.
Online Platform: Operating a user-friendly online platform where small businesses and independent professionals can obtain quotes, purchase policies, and manage their coverage.
Direct Marketing: Engaging in digital marketing efforts to reach and attract potential customers through online advertising and search engine optimization (SEO).
Partnering with Agents: Collaborating with insurance agents who use Next Insurance’s platform to offer coverage to their clients.
Mobile App: Providing a mobile app for users to access their policies and manage their insurance on the go.
Next Insurance combines its online platform, direct marketing, agent partnerships, and mobile app to distribute its insurance offerings.
Implications. Provides users with a convenient online platform for insurance transactions. Utilizes digital marketing to reach and engage potential customers. Collaborates with insurance agents for broader market penetration. Offers a mobile app for on-the-go policy management. Implements a multi-faceted distributionstrategy in the digital insurance sector.
Examples.
Using the online platform for insurance quotes and purchases.
Discovering Next Insurance through digital marketing efforts.
Partnering with insurance agents using the platform for coverage.
Managing insurance policies on the mobile app while on the move.
Revenue Streams
Analysis. Next Insurance generates revenue through the following channels:
1. Premiums: Collecting premiums from policyholders for insurance coverage.
2. Service Fees: Charging service fees for policy changes, endorsements, and other administrative tasks.
3. Agent Commissions: Paying commissions to insurance agents who sell policies through Next Insurance’s platform.
4. Partnerships: Earning fees from partnerships with other businesses and platforms. Next Insurance diversifies its revenue streams through premiums, service fees, agent commissions, and partnerships.
Implications. Collects revenue through premium payments from policyholders. Charges fees for policy changes and administrative tasks. Pays commissions to insurance agents for policy sales. Earns fees from partnerships with other businesses. Diversifies income sources within the digital insurance industry.
Examples.
Paying insurance premiums for coverage.
Incurring service fees for policy changes and endorsements.
Earning commissions as insurance agents using the platform.
Partnering with Next Insurance for business purposes.
Digital Advertising: Engaging in online advertising campaigns to increase brand visibility and attract potential customers.
Content Marketing: Creating informative blog posts, articles, and educational resources to inform and engage users.
Social Media Presence: Maintaining an active presence on social media platforms to connect with the audience.
Industry Partnerships: Collaborating with industry-specific partners to reach businesses in need of insurance.
Next Insurance utilizes digital advertising, content marketing, social media, and industry partnerships to effectively market its insurance solutions.
Implications. Increases brand visibility through online advertising efforts. Provides valuable content to educate and engage users. Connects with the audience through social media interactions. Collaborates with industry partners for targeted marketing. Implements a comprehensive marketingstrategy in the digital insurance sector.
Examples.
Encountering Next Insurance through online ads.
Reading informative blog posts and articles on the platform.
Engaging with Next Insurance on social media.
Discovering coverage options through industry partnerships.
Executive Leadership: Comprising executives responsible for strategic direction, decision-making, and overall company management.
Technology and Development Teams: Managing the platform’s technology, user experience, and digital infrastructure.
Sales and Customer Support Teams: Engaging with customers, providing support, and assisting with policy inquiries.
Marketing and Content Teams: Handling marketing campaigns, content creation, and user engagement efforts.
Next Insurance maintains an organized structure to support technology development, sales, marketing, and user experience.
Implications. Led by executive leadership for strategic guidance and decision-making. Manages technology development and user experience for the platform. Provides customer support and assistance through dedicated teams. Focuses on marketing campaigns and content to engage users effectively. Maintains an organized structure aligned with its mission in the digital insurance industry.
Examples.
Executive leadership for strategic direction.
Technology and development teams.
Sales and customer support teams.
Marketing and content teams.
Origin Story
Next Insurance is an insurance technology company founded in California by Guy Goldstein, Alon Huri, and Nissim Tapiro.
FourWeekMBABusiness EngineerAt a glance
Premiums are separated into Basic, Pro, and Pro Plus tiers depending on the desired level of general or professional liability coverage.
Next Insurance offers specific and tailored coverage for many professions, including painters, carpenters, electricians, arborists, and childcare staff.
Layout refreshed 7 October 2026. The article text below is unchanged.
All three co-founders were former workmates at former software development company Mercury. After Mercury was acquired by Hewlett Packard in 2006, the trio created the payment app Check.
After Check was acquired by Intuit, the trio then decided to capitalize on the popularity of so-called insurtech companies. With a proven track record in the industry, a website was launched in 2016 with $13 million in funding. Next Insurance began by offering insurance tailor-made for photographers and personal trainers. Additional occupations were soon added, encompassing workers in beauty, cleaning, retail, consulting, education, restaurants, and therapy, among many others.
As a provider of insurance policies, Next Insurance makes money via the premiums it charges to customers every month. Profit is then earned when the money made from premiums exceeds the money it pays out for compensation claims.
Each premium is paid monthly as part of a subscription plan. For most professions, there is a Basic, Pro, and Pro Plus option.
Following is a look at some of the most popular policy plans by profession:
General contractors – starting at $62.50 per month for general liability insurance. Professional liability insurance is available for an additional fee.
Handymen, carpenters, and pressure washers – starting at $29 per month for general liability insurance. Again, there is the option to upgrade to include professional liability insurance.
Roofers – starting at $69 per month for general liability insurance.
Personal trainers – starting at $11 per month for general liability insurance. This encompasses bodily injury, dissatisfied clients, sexual misconduct, and harmful dietary advice.
Landscapers – starting at $29 per month for general liability insurance.
Childcare staff – starting at $33 per month. Here, general and professional liability insurance is bundled and offered in each of the three tiers.
Arborists – starting at $29 per month for a general liability insurance policy. This provides cover for bodily injury and resultant medical costs. Also covered are property damage and advertising harm, which protects against disputes arising from potential trademark or copyright infringements.
Painters and electricians – starting at $29 per month for general liability insurance. Electricians are also covered against bodily harm, property damage, and litigation that may arise after product completion.
FourWeekMBABusiness EngineerTimeline, as stated in the article
2006
After Mercury was acquired by Hewlett Packard in 2006, the trio created the payment app Check.
2016
With a proven track record in the industry, a website was launched in 2016 with $13 million in funding.
2021
Acquisition and Growth: Next Insurance acquired AP Intego, a US-based insurtech company, in 2021.
Value Proposition
Tailored Coverage: Next Insurance offers customized insurance policies designed specifically for small businesses, providing coverage that aligns with their unique risks, industry requirements, and budgetary constraints.
Simplified Process: With a user-friendly online platform and streamlined application process, Next Insurance makes it easy for small business owners to research, purchase, and manage their insurance policies entirely online, eliminating the need for lengthy paperwork and complicated procedures.
Affordable Pricing: Next Insurance aims to provide competitive and transparent pricing, offering affordable premiums and flexible payment options to accommodate the financial constraints of small businesses while ensuring adequate coverage.
Fast Claims Processing: In the event of a claim, Next Insurance facilitates a quick and efficient claims process, allowing small business owners to file claims online and receive prompt assistance from dedicated claims specialists, minimizing downtime and disruption to their operations.
Expert Support: Next Insurance provides access to knowledgeable insurance experts and customer support representatives who can offer personalized guidance, answer questions, and address concerns, ensuring that small business owners feel supported and informed throughout their insurance journey.
Marketing Strategy
Digital Advertising: Next Insurance invests in digital advertising campaigns across online platforms such as search engines, social media, and display networks to raise brand awareness, target small business owners, and drive website traffic.
Content Marketing: Next Insurance produces educational content, blog posts, articles, and guides on topics related to small business insurance, sharing insights, tips, and industry expertise to engage and educate its target audience.
Industry Partnerships: Next Insurance forms strategic partnerships with industry associations, trade organizations, and business networks to promote its insurance offerings to their members, leveraging existing relationships and networks to reach potential customers.
Referral Program: Next Insurance incentivizes existing customers to refer other small business owners to the platform through its referral program, offering rewards or discounts for successful referrals, driving user acquisition through word-of-mouth marketing.
Email Marketing: Next Insurance utilizes email marketing campaigns to nurture leads, communicate with customers, and share relevant updates, promotions, and offers, maintaining engagement and fostering customer relationships over time.
Distribution Channels
Online Platform: Next Insurance distributes its insurance products and services primarily through its user-friendly online platform, allowing small business owners to research, purchase, and manage their policies entirely online, providing a convenient and accessible experience.
Website: Next Insurance offers its services through its website, where users can learn about its insurance offerings, access educational resources, request quotes, and initiate policy applications, providing a centralized hub for customer interaction and engagement.
Referral Program: Next Insurance leverages its referral program to encourage existing customers to refer other small business owners to the platform, expanding its customer base through incentivized referrals and word-of-mouth marketing.
Industry Partnerships: Next Insurance partners with industry associations, trade organizations, and business networks to distribute its services to their members, leveraging existing networks and affiliations to reach potential customers within specific industries and verticals.
Digital Marketing Channels: Next Insurance utilizes digital marketing channels such as social media, search engines, and display networks to promote its services, target small business owners, and drive traffic to its online platform and website, expanding its reach and visibility within the digital landscape.
Key takeaways
Next Insurance is an American online insurance platform founded by Guy Goldstein, Alon Huri, and Nissim Tapiro. The platform offers fast and accurate claim resolution using artificial intelligence and data science.
Like many traditional insurance companies, Next Insurance changes a monthly premium for insurance cover. Premiums are separated into Basic, Pro, and Pro Plus tiers depending on the desired level of general or professional liability coverage.
Next Insurance offers specific and tailored coverage for many professions, including painters, carpenters, electricians, arborists, and childcare staff.
Key Highlights
Founding and Background: Next Insurance is an insurtech company founded by former co-workers Guy Goldstein, Alon Huri, and Nissim Tapiro. They previously worked together at Mercury, which was later acquired by Hewlett Packard. After creating the payment app Check, which was acquired by Intuit, they decided to venture into the insurtech industry.
Launch and Funding: The company launched in 2016 with an initial funding of $13 million. They aimed to capitalize on the growing popularity of insurtech companies.
Target Audience: Next Insurance started by offering tailored insurance products for specific professions such as photographers and personal trainers. They later expanded to cover various other occupations including beauty, cleaning, retail, consulting, education, restaurants, and therapy.
Technology Integration: The company employs artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to efficiently process insurance claims.
Acquisition and Growth: Next Insurance acquired AP Intego, a US-based insurtech company, in 2021. This acquisition led to a doubling of their annual revenue, reaching $400 million.
Revenue Model: Next Insurance generates revenue through monthly premiums charged to customers. These premiums are paid on a subscription basis, with options for different coverage levels: Basic, Pro, and Pro Plus.
Coverage Plans: They offer tailored insurance plans for various professions, such as general contractors, handymen, carpenters, personal trainers, landscapers, childcare staff, arborists, painters, and electricians. The coverage includes general and professional liability insurance, addressing specific risks associated with each profession.
Affordable Options: Premiums for different professions vary, with affordable starting rates.
Coverage Details: Policies cover a range of risks, including bodily injury, property damage, professional liability, sexual misconduct, harmful advice, and more, depending on the profession.
Fast Claim Resolution: The company’s focus on AI and data science enables them to process claims quickly and accurately, contributing to customer satisfaction.
Expanding Professionally: Next Insurance’s portfolio of tailored insurance plans for various professions demonstrates their commitment to serving specific market needs.
Profit Model: The company’s profits come from the difference between the premiums collected and the payouts made for compensation claims.
Keep exploring
More on Next Insurance? The Next Insurance Business Model and its peers
Gennaro Cuofano is a CRO and tech executive who has worked in AI since late 2015, starting with bringing NLP, natural-language generation, voice and chatbot products to the marketing industry. His background is in law and finance: he holds a Master's degree in Law and an International MBA with an emphasis on corporate finance (LUISS Business School and the University of San Diego, 2012), and worked as a financial analyst at a real-estate investment firm in San Diego and as an assistant controller. His work focuses on business model strategy, business engineering and, more broadly, structural analysis: how companies make money, read from their own filings. He created FourWeekMBA and leads research there and at The Business Engineer, his newsletter on AI and business strategy, with over 95,000 subscribers and more than 1,000 published analyses. His writing has also appeared on Entrepreneur (for example, How to Digitize a Family Business in Europe) and HackerNoon. Find him on LinkedIn and Substack. See how we source.
