Despite having low pricing, the best cheapest general liability insurance companies will still offer good customer service, adequate coverage amounts, and a good claims experience should you ever need to file a claim. These companies should also offer the right types of coverage for your specific business needs, which is typically done through customizable endorsements.
The companies I’ve considered for this list also include those that offer excellent value for the amounts and types of coverage provided. Price, while an important factor for business owners, shouldn’t be the only factor considered, as having even a single uncovered event could force a business into bankruptcy.
- The Hartford: Best overall for low prices
- Simply Business: Best for quote comparison
- Obie: Best for real estate investors
- Next Insurance: Best for customizable policies
- Thimble: Best for new businesses
- biBERK: Best for bundling coverages
Cheapest general liability insurance companies compared
Quote process | Policy purchase process | Accessibility | Average customer premium | Financial rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Online or over the phone | Over the phone | 24/7 call center | $68 monthly | A- (Excellent) | |
Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., ET | $21.25 monthly or $234.96 annually | A++ (Superior) | |
Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday-Friday, 9a.m.-8p.m., ET | $63 monthly or $756 annually | A+ (Superior) | |
Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., CT | $19 monthly or $228 annually | A- (Excellent) | |
Online or through the app | Online or through the app | Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., ET | $49 monthly or $588 annually | A- to A+ (Excellent) | |
Online or over the phone | Online or over the phone | Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., ET | $27.50 monthly or $330 annually | A++ (Superior) | |
The Hartford: Best overall for low prices
Pros
- It offers online quoting and binding.
- It has over two centuries of experience.
- It is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Cons
- It has no mobile app for commercial policies.
- It may decline coverage without providing a reason.
Standout features
- Lets you manage your policy through its online portal
- Offers customizable coverage that enables you to control the costs
- Has independent agents who are available to advise you on your coverage
- It has over a million small businesses insured through it
Financial stability: With over 200 years of experience, Hartford has proven financial stability. AM Best rated The Hartford A- (Excellent).
Why I like The Hartford
The Hartford states that the average cost its customers pay for general liability insurance is about $68 a month. That’s a lot lower than what many other companies advertise, making it my pick for the best carrier with low prices. With that being said, prices can vary greatly depending on the industry you operate in, your company’s specific characteristics and risk factors, and coverage amounts and types being selected.
One of the things I liked when I obtained a quote from The Hartford was how simple it was to adjust the liability limits to what I needed. I also had the opportunity to add more coverage as I saw fit, making it easy to exert some control over the final price I’d be paying. Additionally, The Hartford has in-house claims adjusters, something that allows it to deliver best-in-house claims experience, a major factor in why it led our roundup of the best general liability insurance companies.
I obtained a quote from The Hartford for a notary business operating in Texas. I was quoted a price of $418 per year for a general liability policy with coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate.
The Hartford offers a wide range of policies you can bundle with its standalone general liability policy, including professional liability and LLC insurance coverage. If your small business is a tax or accounting firm, or you have formed an LLC, then The Hartford is the right choice.
Policies with The Hartford are available nationwide. You can get a quote and purchase a policy online or through an independent agent. Once purchased, you can also manage your policy online. Independent agents who are small business owners voted The Hartford as one of the best companies to work with in J.D. Power’s Independent Agent Satisfaction Study.
Customers are also happy with The Hartford, which has lower-than-average complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The insurance company also encourages and publishes customer reviews on its website and has 4.8 out of 5 stars from nearly 600 user reviews, specifically about general liability claims.
Simply Business: Best for quote comparison
Pros
- You can quickly compare quotes.
- You can get same-day coverage.
- You can purchase a policy online.
Cons
- Customer service isn’t available 24/7.
- Claims-filing process can be cumbersome.
- Commercial property insurance may not be available online.
Standout features
- Lets you compare quotes for multiple lines of coverage and is a great way to find low-cost business liability insurance
- Tailors quotes in real-time to make sure the coverage is right for you
- Allows you to purchase a policy online or call to speak with an agent
- Works with top-rated carriers
Financial stability: Simply Business is owned by Travelers, which has an AM Best rating of A++ (Superior).
Why I like Simply Business
Simply Business was my pick as the best for comparing multiple quotes because it’s a broker that works with nearly a dozen different carriers, helping you get the best policy for your needs, whether it’s in the form of lower pricing or better coverage.
When you visit the Simply Business website, you can get a quote in just a matter of minutes, with customized coverage options unique to your industry. For example, when I sought a quote as a notary public, I was given the option to also purchase notary errors & omissions coverage. You can also speak with a representative over the phone, who acts as a second set of eyes to ensure you have sufficient coverage.
However, note that Simply Business does not have a 24/7 call center and, from reading customer reviews online, its claims process can be quite tedious. If these are dealbreakers for you, consider The Hartford, as you would gain access to a 24/7 claims center and an easier claims process.
I obtained a quote as a notary public providing notarization services in Texas and received three quotes in under five minutes. Prices ranged from $17 to $41 per month, all with the same general liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Quotes also included information about available add-ons and came with options to purchase online or call for additional information.
Once you purchase a policy through Simply Business, you will receive an email with your policy and a certificate of insurance (COI).
Simply Business is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Its offerings are more focused on microbusinesses rather than large businesses — and while not all coverages are available in every state, you can get a quote for general liability and professional liability anywhere in the US.
Simply Business customers are happy with their experience. On the independent review site Trustpilot, Simply Business has earned 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,400 reviews.
After purchasing a policy, you can manage it online, pay bills, and request a COI when you need proof of insurance. If you need to file a claim, you can contact Simply Business directly or call your carrier — the brokerage provides the claim contact information for every carrier it works with.
Obie: Best for real estate investors
Pros
- Nationwide availability
- You can get same-day coverage
- Inflation guard coverage can ensure sufficient coverage long-term
Cons
- Does not have 24/7 customer service availability
- Claims-filing process can be difficult due to lack of in-house claims
Standout features
- Offers an easy, online process for obtaining same-day insurance coverage
- Does not require any paperwork to finalize a quote or purchase a policy online
- Provide expertise in landlord insurance coverages
- Rental insurance is available for short- and long-term rental real estate
Financial stability: Obie was founded in 2017 and works with multiple carriers, each with different financial strength ratings. One of its partners is Munich Re, rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best.
Why I like Obie
Obie specializes in covering real estate, making it my top choice for landlords and real estate investors. A standout feature of Obie is its ability to make the insurance compliance process extraordinarily simple, as its platform allows you to quickly identify properties out of compliance, whether it be expired policies, policies with insufficient coverage, or more.
Additionally, it offers an inflation guard, which automatically adjusts the coverage amount of your policies to account for increases in labor and materials. This ensures that you have sufficient coverage for the long run, all factors that landed it a spot on our list of the best landlord insurance providers.
One thing I noted about Obie was the fact that it seems to be rather sensitive to areas with hazardous weather conditions. For example, I was unable to even obtain a quote for a Texas-based policy due to severe weather conditions in the area. It’s unclear what criteria Obie uses, but the weather forecast for Dallas showed no hazardous weather conditions in the week prior to the quote, nor were there any forecasted hazardous weather conditions in the upcoming 10 days.
Although I was unable to obtain a quote for a property in Texas, I was able to get a quote for a California condominium. I was presented with the following three levels of coverage:
- Basic: With a price tag of $3,064.30 per year, this policy came with general liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. It also came with $18,000 in loss of rental income, $5,000 coverage for medical contents, a $10,000 deductible, and $662,000 in replacement cost coverage.
- Complete: Carries the same coverage as Basic, but with a reduced deductible of $5,000.
- Premium: Carries the same coverage as Complete, but with a reduced deductible of $2,500.
Obie manages to keep the vast majority of its customers happy, evidenced by the fact that it has maintained a 4.9-star rating on Google reviews with more than 1,000 ratings. Customers can view and manage policies in an online dashboard, and you can email or call if you have any questions or need to file a claim.
Next Insurance: Best for customizable policies
Pros
- It provides online quotes quickly.
- It offers instant, customizable COIs.
- It offers claims resolution within 48 hours.
Cons
- There is no 24/7 call center.
- Other insurance options are limited by state.
- Commercial property insurance may be unavailable online.
Standout features
- Sells insurance directly to consumers, enabling it to offer affordable general liability, with 66% of its customers paying less than $75 monthly
- Customizes general liability to include needed coverage depending on the industry
- Lets you decide what coverages work best for your business through its tiered quote system — helping you save money
- Lets you manage your policy 24/7 through its commercial app
Financial stability: While a relatively new insurer, Next has established financial strength to handle claims. AM Best rated Next Insurance A- (Excellent).
Why I like Next
Next Insurance is a direct-to-consumer carrier dedicated to insuring small businesses, specifically those with one to five employees, with a yearly revenue of less than $5 million. Its general liability policies are customized to fit specific industries. For instance, a contractor’s general liability policy will come with inland marine coverage, whereas a photographer’s would come with professional liability insurance.
The provider typically offers insurance in three tiers, each progressively offering more coverage. Functionally, this setup is similar to comparing quotes from different carriers and picking the best coverage and cost for your needs.
I obtained a quote for a pressure washing business based in Texas that generates $50,000 in annual revenue and was given three options:
- Basic: At a cost of $315 per month, this came with $1 million in general liability coverage.
- Premier: At a cost of $342.34 per month, this carried the same coverage as Basic, but had an additional $5,000 for stolen or damaged tools.
- Deluxe: At a cost of $483.76 per month, this carried the same coverage as Premier, but came with a $2 million aggregate for general liability.
Convenience is one area where Next Insurance shines. Whether online or through the Next Insurance app, you can manage your policy and claims 24/7. You can change coverage or file a claim on the app, too. Next also enhanced its app to create and share a free COI within seconds.
Thimble: Best for new businesses
Pros
- You can get a quote online or in the app.
- It lets you create and share free COIs.
- It offers scalable insurance for new businesses.
Cons
- Thimble doesn’t have a 24/7 call center.
- Thimble does not handle claims.
- It can be challenging to speak with anyone over the phone.
Standout features
- Enables you to manage your policy and share COIs through its commercial app
- Provides short-term liability coverage by the hour and month
- Lets you get a quote and purchase a policy in 60 seconds
- Works with top-rated carriers
Financial stability: As a managing general agent (MGA), Thimble offers policies through various carriers. According to Thimble’s Insurance Ratings page, all are rated A- to A+ (Excellent) by AM Best.
Why I like Thimble
When Thimble Insurance shifted to only insuring small businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the types of companies it decided to target were ones just starting. This was specifically for home-based businesses in the maker space and selling things on Etsy, Amazon, or craft fairs. The number of industries insured has expanded since then, but its focus is still on new businesses. This is one of the reasons why it offers short-term liability by day, hour, week, or month.
If your business is just starting out, has no claims or revenue history, doesn’t have employees, and works out of your home, then Thimble is a great place to find cheap general liability insurance.
For a pressure washing business located in Texas, I received a quote of $1,757.69 per year, which equates to approximately $147 per month. This quote came with $1 million in general liability coverage, along with $5,000 in customer property protection. Additional add-ons for cyber insurance and business equipment were also available.
Whether you’re a current customer or just shopping for insurance, you can download the Thimble app to get a quote, purchase and manage your policy, and file claims. Thimble is the only provider on this list that allows you to get a quote directly on its app.
Once the policy is purchased, you receive an instant COI. You can request as many copies of the COI as you need, and a digital copy is available on the app.
biBERK: Best for bundling coverages
Pros
- You can get online quotes quickly.
- It has an in-house claims team.
- It offers online claims reporting.
Cons
- General liability is available only in 27 states.
- It has weekday-only services.
- Its coverage availability beyond liability depends on the state.
Standout features
- Lets you save up to 20% by bundling coverages
- Provides tiered coverage options to help you save money
- Is a dedicated insurer only for small businesses
- Offers instant access to a COI when you purchase insurance
Financial stability: In 2015, Berkshire Hathaway founded biBERK to provide insurance for small businesses. Because it is a part of Berkshire Hathaway Group, biBERK’s AM Best rating is solid at an A++ (Superior).
Why I like biBERK
For most industries — mechanical services, healthcare providers, restaurants, and retail stores — biBERK can bundle general liability with professional liability and commercial property. Bundling insurance policies is a great way to find affordable general liability insurance. Providers will often sell two policies bundled together for less than the cost of each policy.
Its policies come as standalone offerings, but you can save up to 20% if you bundle coverage. This is why it’s the best general liability insurance company for a business looking to bundle coverage.
Currently, biBERK offers coverage for over 50 different industries. The provider states that you can purchase general liability for under $30 a month, but the price will depend on the industry and specific information about your business. It has a minimum annual premium of $275. You can obtain a business owner’s policy (BOP) for this price, including general liability.
The general liability policy with biBERK excludes personal and advertising injury. If that is the coverage you seek, you will need a professional liability policy from this provider.
While biBERK is unavailable in all 50 states for general liability (see biBERK’s coverage maps), this newer company is growing. Over 50,000 small businesses have chosen biBERK, which has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 40,000 reviews on its website.
Conveniently, you can quickly obtain a quote and purchase a policy online. If something happens to your business, you can file a claim online, and a member of biBERK’s in-house claims department will be in touch shortly. However, biBERK is only open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET if you need to reach someone.
How I evaluated cheap general liability insurance companies
A proprietary scoring system, developed in-house, was utilized in order to score each of the companies considered for this list. The scoring system considered various aspects of the insurance carriers, such as their financial strength, customer service, quality of the policy, and ease of use.
- Financial strength: Ratings from AM Best were used to determine how financially sound a company was. The idea here is that highly rated companies will be more likely to pay out claims.
- Customer service: Customer ratings and reviews were considered from multiple sites such as Trustpilot, Google reviews, and the Better Business Bureau.
- Policy quality: The types of coverages offered, the level of customization available, and coverage amounts are items that were considered in scoring each insurance provider.
- Ease of use: Companies that scored highly here had features that made it easy to get quotes, purchase, and manage policies online.
General liability insurance statistics
Insurance costs are rising across the board. The insurance industry has been struggling with significant losses despite the $1 trillion in annual written premiums as reported in S&P Global. As discussed in this breakdown, premiums have been rising because of natural disasters, inflation, and the cost of reinsurance.
Regarding general liability, the costs are impacted more by the loss ratios that carriers are experiencing overall. Much of these high loss ratios are directly related to the rising medical costs for injury claims and the increasing costs associated with litigation. The result is increased premiums and customers trying to find cheap business insurance.
A simple slip-and-fall claim can end up costing around $20,000. If you run an advertisement that disparages a competitor and they file a suit, claiming you’ve hurt their reputation, that claim may cost around $50,000.
Product liability is often included in general liability policies — and product liability claims are some of the costliest ones a business may face. 3M recently released a press statement indicating it would commit a total of nearly $300 million to resolve PFAS-related product liability claims with the State of New Jersey. Other high-dollar cases include Affinity Lifestyles and its Real Water brand, in which a jury awarded $3.8 billion to its victims. Even with just a handful of these cases, it’s easy to see how premiums for product liability can increase year over year.
Average cost of general liability by state
We’ve spent hours gathering hundreds of quotes from multiple providers to give you an average cost by state for general liability insurance. For context, these quotes were for businesses with fewer than five employees and less than $250,000 in annual revenue. This data is up-to-date as of December 2024.
Industry: Retail store
Average monthly cost of general liability: $45
Industry: Retail store
Average monthly cost of general liability: $42
Industry: Retail store
Average monthly cost of general liability: $48
Industry: Retail store
Average monthly cost of general liability: $67
Industry: Retail store
Average monthly cost of general liability: $81
Industry: Retail store
Average monthly cost of general liability: $84
Industry: Landscaper
Average monthly cost of general liability: $368
Industry: Landscaper
Average monthly cost of general liability: $232
Industry: Landscaper
Average monthly cost of general liability: $187
Industry: Landscaper
Average monthly cost of general liability: $70
Industry: Landscaper
Average monthly cost of general liability: $107
Industry: Landscaper
Average monthly cost of general liability: $61
Industry: Photographer
Average monthly cost of general liability: $32
Industry: Photographer
Average monthly cost of general liability: $38
Industry: Photographer
Average monthly cost of general liability: $54
Industry: Photographer
Average monthly cost of general liability: $35
Industry: Photographer
Average monthly cost of general liability: $41
Industry: Photographer
Average monthly cost of general liability: $48
Industry: Disk jockey (DJ)
Average monthly cost of general liability: $27
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $35
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $34
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $33
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $32
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $50
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $18
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $36
Industry: DJ
Average monthly cost of general liability: $30
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $234
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $248
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $429
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $148
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $85
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $68
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $95
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $77
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $91
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $104
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $129
Industry: Handyperson
Average monthly cost of general liability: $110
Industry: Food vendor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $78
Industry: Food vendor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $63
Industry: Food vendor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $128
Industry: Food vendor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $77
Industry: Food vendor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $66
Industry: Food vendor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $71
Industry: Contractor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $125
Industry: Contractor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $229
Industry: Contractor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $177
Industry: Contractor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $350
Industry: Contractor
Average monthly cost of general liability: $140
How to get cheap general liability insurance
When shopping for the cheapest general liability insurance for your small business, focus on three areas: the level and type of coverage, the carrier’s services, and the cost of the policy.
If you’re reading this article, odds are that you already know you need general liability. As a general overview, a standard general liability policy gives you protection in these areas:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Personal injury and reputational harm
Most policies also include the following:
- Damage to premises you rent
- Product liability
While those coverage areas are standard on general liability policies, only some provide the same coverage level. Sometimes, there will be one aggregate limit for multiple types of protection, and other times, there will be separate limits.
This means that if you have a significant product liability claim, it may exhaust the benefits of your policy for all types of coverage. So, it is essential that when looking for the cheapest general liability insurance, make sure you’ve got the right amount of coverage for each line of coverage within the policy.
At first glance, this may not seem important. However, the services provided can make a critical difference for your business.
For example, if you are a contractor looking for cheap contractor’s insurance, one thing you know matters is being able to produce a COI regularly. You’ll also want to be able to modify the policy quickly to add additional insureds. So, it is important to find a carrier that understands that and has made it easy for you to produce proof of insurance quickly.
It is important to talk to someone at any time when you have a problem. So check out the contact hours for the carrier: Is it only on weekdays? What if you operate a restaurant with a bar open late on the weekends? If there is a claim late Friday night, is it important for you to file it Friday night, or are you okay with waiting until Monday to start the process?
The good news is that you can get cheap general liability insurance and still find carriers that offer excellent services. Services like the ones described above, along with the level of complaints, are some of what we factor into our evaluation of the cheapest general liability insurance companies.
The next step to finding cheap general liability insurance for your business is to work directly with a provider or carrier or find a broker to compare quotes from top providers. In some cases, you may need an insurance broker rather than a carrier. Many providers who work directly with customers will offer cheaper insurance because there is no agent or broker fee.
Typically, one of the best ways to determine the cheapest policy is by comparing quotes. We’ve compiled a guide on comparing small business insurance quotes.
Additionally, bundling is a great way to save money on business insurance. If your business needs professional liability, look for a carrier that will include that coverage with general liability insurance for a lower price. Or, if your company has property, consider a business owner’s policy, which is a combination of property and general liability coverage and is almost always cheaper than buying each policy separately.
A safe workplace is very important when trying to ensure you have low-cost business liability insurance. That’s because your claims history is a key driver in the cost of general liability insurance. The best way to prevent claims is to ensure you have a safe business proactively.
- Train your employees: Whether it is food service, customer service, or being careful of what is discussed in front of employees, properly training your employees will help prevent unnecessary claims.
- Risk assessment: Conduct assessments of your business regularly, looking for blind spots in your operations that open you to the risk of a loss. Some carriers will provide risk assessments for free, often from industry experts.
- Liability waivers: While a liability waiver isn’t a foolproof way to avoid a lawsuit if your business has known risks for customers, having them sign a waiver can help lower your premium and discourage claims from being filed.
- Visible signage: Wet floor? Make sure a sign is appropriately displayed. Your business is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Make sure that it is communicated to customers. A sign can go a long way in helping your company keep a clean claims history.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
General liability insurance is a third-party insurance that every business should consider and, in many cases, must carry. It covers claims involving property damage, bodily injury, or personal advertising injury caused by negligence during business operations. Many policies also carry additional coverage, like damage to your rental premises.
General liability does not cover intentional acts or claims when you fail to honor a contract. It also doesn’t cover your property or injuries to your employees. For more information, read our guide about standard general liability insurance exclusions.
When purchasing business insurance, it is important to understand what coverage you need so you don’t pay for unnecessary coverage. Comparing providers is a great way to get quality coverage at an affordable price. If the provider offers flexibility, you can manage your limits and deductible to help offset the premium. You can learn more in our article on ways to save money on business insurance.
The answer depends on the type of business insurance you purchase. If you are getting general liability insurance, then no. General liability insurance almost universally doesn’t carry a deductible, so raising your deductible is not an option. However, if you are purchasing professional liability or commercial property insurance, raising the deductible is a way to find low-cost business insurance.
While no insurer can claim the title of “overall most affordable liability provider,” The Hartford is the best provider for cheap general liability insurance after our evaluation. This conclusion weighs the financial stability, customer service reviews and offerings, convenience, quality of the policy (such as what endorsements it offers and limits), and, of course, the average premium for general liability insurance.
In researching this article, we received quotes ranging from $350 to over $12,000 annually. The cost of insurance varies by industry, claims history, the size of the business, revenue, and the number of employees.
A certificate of insurance, or COI, is a one-page document that summarizes your insurance and can be used as proof of insurance. Many industries, like construction, use COIs when bidding on a job. Some companies you work with will ask to be listed as an additional insured and then request a COI showing the addition. When shopping for general liability insurance, finding a provider that makes creating and sharing a COI easy is important.
Small business insurance encompasses any type of insurance policy a small business may purchase. General liability is one type of small business insurance, but it is not the only type — commercial property, commercial auto, professional liability, and workers’ compensation are all types of small business insurance policies, too.
Bottom line
General liability insurance is essential to protect your business from lawsuits for negligence. But as a business owner, you have many expenses, so I researched to find the cheapest general liability insurance companies for your small business. Given its financial strength and competitive pricing, The Hartford is my pick for the best overall company.