This comparison helps you pick where to get quotes. For what each coverage type does, start with do you need insurance for a side hustle. Insurance prices are set per applicant, so the figures below are the examples each company published on October 7, 2026, not quotes.
How do APOLLO, Zensurance and a local broker compare?
APOLLO and Zensurance are both online and Canadian; the main difference is instant self-serve (APOLLO) versus a brokered, more customised policy (Zensurance). A local broker trades speed for in-person advice.
| Option | Best for | Pricing | In Canada | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APOLLO Insurance | Common professions that want a price in minutes | Quote-based; published examples include pet services $33.31/mo and individual health & fitness practitioner liability $22.64/mo (Ontario) (source) | Vancouver-based licensed brokerage, a Gallagher Canada subsidiary; availability varies by province |
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| Zensurance | Side hustlers who want a broker to tailor coverage | From $11/mo, based on a $125/yr select professional policy, excluding taxes; actual rates vary (source) | Toronto-based brokerage; its site lists provinces outside Quebec, so check yours |
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| Local broker or your home insurer | Unusual work, vehicles used for business, or bundling | See current price (quote-based) | Available everywhere; home insurers may offer home-business options |
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Prices and features from each company's own pages, checked October 7, 2026. They change often; confirm on the official site before you buy.
Which is cheapest for side hustle insurance?
There is no universal cheapest option, because every policy is priced to the applicant. Zensurance’s advertised starting price is $11 a month (based on a $125-a-year select professional policy, excluding taxes), and APOLLO’s published examples range from $22.64 to $63.99 a month for the professions it listed. Get at least two quotes with the same limits and deductible so you compare like for like.
Illustrative example
Assumed numbers, not a quote: a dog walker pays $35 a month for general liability.
- Annual premium: 12 × $35 = $420.
- If the dog walker charges $25 a walk, that premium equals 420 ÷ 25 = about 17 walks a year.
- The premium is generally a deductible business expense.
Who should pick APOLLO, Zensurance or a local broker?
| If you… | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Do a common job (trainer, photographer, pet services) and want a price now | APOLLO | Instant online quote |
| Have a mix of risks, like selling products and doing services | Zensurance | Broker tailors CGL, product and other cover |
| Use your vehicle for the work | A broker | Commercial auto needs proper advice |
| Run the business from home | Your home insurer first | The FCAC says you must tell them |
| Need a certificate for a market or client | Either online option | Both issue documents digitally |
What should you ask before buying side hustle insurance?
- What exactly is covered? CGL, E&O, product liability and property are different.
- What are the limits and deductible? Match what clients or venues require.
- Does it cover work at clients’ homes or at markets? Ask about events if you sell at craft fairs.
- Is my equipment covered away from home? Home policies often exclude it.
- How do I get a certificate of insurance? Venues and commercial clients often ask.
Which guides sit next to this comparison?
See craft market booth gear if you sell at markets, dog walking startup costs, handyman startup costs, simple freelance contracts and side hustle expense deductions.
What are the common questions?
How much does side hustle insurance cost in Canada?
It depends on your work, province, limits and claims history. Zensurance advertised coverage starting at $11 a month based on a $125-a-year select professional policy, and APOLLO published example policies from $22.64 to $63.99 a month on October 7, 2026.
Is APOLLO a real insurance company?
APOLLO Insurance Agency Ltd. is a licensed retail brokerage based in Vancouver and, according to its site, a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited. It places policies with insurers rather than being the insurer itself.
Does Zensurance cover side hustles?
Yes. Zensurance has a side hustle insurance page listing commercial general liability, professional liability, product liability, commercial property, commercial auto and cyber liability as common parts of a customised policy.
Does my home insurance cover my side hustle?
Usually not fully. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says home insurance isn't business insurance and that you must tell your insurer about a home-based business.
Is business insurance tax deductible?
Premiums for insurance on your business are generally deductible business expenses on Form T2125. This is general information, not tax advice.
Which sources support this guide?
The rules, rates, and platform requirements in this guide are checked against these primary sources. Retail price ranges are labelled as ranges to verify locally, and they are not quotes.
- Small business insurance — APOLLO Insurance
- Side hustle insurance — Zensurance
- Zensurance business liability insurance — Zensurance
- Home insurance — Financial Consumer Agency of Canada