Marianne Bonner

• Has covered small business insurance for The Balance since 2013, writing about topics from commercial insurance to policies and underwriting
• Worked 30 years in the property-casualty insurance industry, including as an analyst and underwriter 
• Holds numerous professional designations, including the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) 
• Extensive knowledge of commercial insurance coverages and policy forms

Marianne Bonner covers a variety of small business insurance topics for The Balance, from commercial insurance to policies and underwriting. Marianne began her insurance career as a casualty underwriter at the Continental Insurance Company. She went on to work for Maryland Casualty, Safeco, and Continental International. After 13 years in commercial underwriting, Marianne joined Marsh USA, a large insurance brokerage. At Marsh she served as a coverage analyst and vice president.

Since 2010, Marianne has worked as a freelance writer and insurance consultant. Along with The Balance, she has written many articles for The Risk Report, a subscription publication distributed by the International Risk Management Institute. Marianne has been the business insurance expert for The Balance (and prior to that, About.com) since 2013.

Bonner has earned a number of insurance designations, including the Charted Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM).

Marianne has a bachelor's degree in dietitics from the University of Delaware and a master's degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University.