7 Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies for 2023
This article is part of a larger series on General Liability Insurance.
The leading affordable general liability insurance companies offer appropriate limits for your business, custom options to tailor it to your industry, and claims and customer service. We evaluated more than 20 insurance providers on financial stability, policies offered, convenience, and customer satisfaction to find the seven best companies offering the cheapest general liability insurance for your small business:
- The Hartford: Best overall for cheapest general liability
- Simply Business: Best for comparing quotes
- Thimble: Best for contractors or businesses needing a certificate of insurance (COI)
- FLIP: Best for food trucks and food vendors
- CoverWallet: Best for policy financing
- Progressive: Best for businesses with vehicles
- biBERK: Best for bundling
Cheapest General Liability Insurers Compared
Best For | Quote Process | Accessibility | Instant COI | Financial Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall cheapest general liability | Online | 24/7 call center | ✓ | A+ (Superior) | |
Comparing quotes | Online | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time | ✓ | A++ (Superior) | |
Contractors or businesses needing a COI | Online | Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET | ✓ | A- to A (Excellent) | |
Food trucks and food vendors | Online | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mountain time | ✓ | A+ (Superior) | |
Policy financing | Online | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET | ✓ | A (Excellent) | |
Businesses with vehicles | Online | 24/7 call center | ✕ | A+ (Superior) | |
Bundling | Online | Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET | ✓ | A++ (Superior) | |
The Hartford: Best Overall for Cheapest General Liability
What We Like
- Claims services 24/7
- Online quoting and binding
- Years of experience
- Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
What We Didn’t Like
- May decline coverage without providing a reason
- No mobile app for commercial policies
Deciding Factors
- Online portal: Manage your policy instantly
- Customize coverage: Gives you the ability to control costs
- Independent agents: Available to advise you on your policy
- Reach: More than a million small businesses insured
The Hartford is not only our top-recommended general liability insurance provider but it is also an excellent choice in terms of affordability. When getting a quote, it has a customizable quoting system that lets you adjust liability limits to match your business needs and gives you some control over the price you pay. It also offers in-house claims adjusters who provide a quality experience.
In our evaluation, this provider scored 4.75 out of 5 because of its financial strength, convenience, and the policies it offers. If it were a bit more convenient, with the ability to purchase a policy online without speaking to anyone or a mobile app for commercial lines to manage your policy, create a COI, or file a claim, it would have scored even higher.
We received a quote from The Hartford for a $1 million general liability policy with $2 million in aggregate limits, which costs $29.25 a month or $351 annually.
The Hartford offers a wide range of policies you can bundle with its standalone general liability policy, including professional liability and limited liability coverage. If your small business is a tax or accounting firm or if you have formed a limited liability company (LLC), then The Hartford is the right choice for you.
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 one of the best insurance companies to work with in J.D. Power’s Independent Agent Satisfaction survey.
Customers are also happy with The Hartford. It has lower-than-average complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It encourages and publishes customer reviews and has 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 800 user reviews specifically about general liability claims. You can learn more in our in-depth review of The Hartford.
As one of the oldest insurance companies in America, The Hartford has the experience and financial stability you want. It has an A+ (Superior) rating from the insurance rating agency AM Best.
Simply Business: Best for Comparing Quotes
What We Like
- Industries covered
- Comparison shopping
- Carrier information
- Purchase policy online
What We Didn’t Like
- No mobile app for commercial lines
- Cannot get commercial property quote online
Deciding Factors
- Tailored coverage: Available for multiple different industries
- Online quote: Quick and simple process
- Intuitive interface: Allows you to get quotes, purchase, and manage your policy
- COI: Available instantly after purchasing a policy
Digital insurance brokerage Simply Business scored 4.25 out of 5 because of its financial stability, nationwide availability, convenience, and available policies. As a brokerage, Simply Business works with approximately 13 different carriers and specializes in drawing on those relationships to bring you multiple quotes. The quotes provide information on the coverage, the provider, and multiple payment plan options. Simply Business is very convenient and affordable when getting a quote and purchasing a policy. However, it does lack any sort of 24/7 call center support.
When looking for affordable general liability coverage, comparing quotes from multiple carriers is a smart way to save money. Another advantage of Simply Business is that you can purchase the policy entirely online without speaking to anyone.
We received five quotes for a handyperson business—general liability with $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. The prices ranged from $547 to $1,013 annually.
The quote for $547 annually was through Harborway Insurance and included $100,000 in damage to premises rented to you and $2 million in products and completed operations limit. When you purchase the policy through Simply Business, you will receive an email that contains your policy and a COI.
When purchasing, you have two options: yearly or monthly. For the monthly option, you owe $172 and then have 10 monthly payments of $51.60. You can purchase the policy online.
Simply Business is available in 50 states. Its offerings are more focused on microbusinesses than large businesses, and while not all coverages are available, you can get a quote for general liability and professional liability.
Its customers are happy with their experience. On the independent review site Trustpilot, Simply Business has 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 600 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 either contact Simply Business directly or call your carrier—it provides you with the claim contact information for every carrier it works with.
Simply Business is owned by Travelers, which has a rating of A++ (Superior).
Get a Quote from Simply Business
Thimble: Best for Contractors or Businesses That Need a COI
What We Like
- Affordable
- Unlimited and free COIs
- Online quotes
What We Didn’t Like
- Claims handled by a third party
- Not open 24/7
Deciding Factors
- Independent agents: Available to advise you on your policy
- App: Convenient for managing your policy and sharing COIs
- Short-term liability: Coverage available by the hour and month
- Fast: Get a quote and purchase a policy in less than 60 seconds
Thimble scored 4.25 out of 5 because of its convenience and policies offered. Contractors, especially those in construction, understand that having an instant COI and one you can change on the fly is an important part of keeping the project moving forward. Thimble is our best recommendation for independent contractors and businesses that need to provide a COI because you can customize and share an unlimited number of COIs, at no extra cost, through its app. One way it could have scored higher is if it offered a 24/7 call center for customer support and claims.
Thimble now offers coverage on a three-tier scale: silver, gold, and platinum. Each tier comes with additional coverage and even higher limits, giving you the freedom to pick which type of coverage works best and allowing you some control over the cost of your premium.
We received a quote for a business owner’s policy (BOP), and going with the silver level, the policy carried $1 million in total liability and $25,000 in property coverage. It cost $60.83 monthly over 10 months after a down payment of $121.66.
Whether you’re a current customer or just looking, you can download the Thimble app, through which you can get a quote, purchase and manage your policy, and file claims. Getting a quote on an app is a unique feature for small business insurance.
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.
If you are a contractor, Thimble provides a certificate manager service that helps you manage your contractor insurance and follow state-specific guidelines.
As a managing general agent, it offers policies that are through a variety of different carriers.
All of them are rated A- to A (Excellent) by AM Best.
FLIP: Best for Food Trucks & Food Vendors
What We Like
- Free and instant COI
- Ease of use
- Policy dashboard
- Same-day coverage
What We Didn’t Like
- No dedicated 24/7 customer service
Deciding Factors
- Online quotes: Available in 10 minutes or less
- Purchase policy online: Available after obtaining a quick quote
- Affordable: General liability insurance at competitive prices
- Dedicated agent: Available to help you manage your policy
FLIP, or Food Liability Insurance Program, is a specialty provider of general liability for food trucks and other small business food vendors. General liability insurance policies start at $25.92 monthly, making FLIP highly affordable. It scored 4.25 out of 5 because of its simple and quick process for quoting and building your coverage and its online offerings for managing your policy and creating COIs. It could have scored higher by offering a 24/7 call center.
FLIP provides a very simple quote system. You can have the coverage you need in minutes and purchase same-day coverage without speaking with anyone.
We received a quote for general liability and equipment on a food truck. The cost was $34.17 monthly. The policy carried $2 million aggregate in general liability, $2 million in products and for completed operations, $300,000 for damage to a rented premise, and $5,000 for tools and equipment. The entire process took less than five minutes.
FLIP is available in all 50 states. Once you purchase a policy from them, you will gain an online account with 24/7 access to your policy documents and the ability to get free and unlimited COIs for your business.
Online reviews are positive. There are 500 5-star reviews from users on its website. The policy is from The Great American Insurance Company, and it has lower-than-average complaints with the NAIC.
FLIP has partnered with The Great American Insurance Company to provide insurance to food vendors, caterers, food trucks, and more. The Great American has a financial rating of A+ (Superior).
CoverWallet: Best for Policy Financing
What We Like
- Instant COI
- Ease of use
- Policy financing
- Industries covered
What We Didn’t Like
- Not open 7 days a week
- Not always able to purchase a policy online
Deciding Factors
- Online quotes: Available in minutes
- One-stop shop: Choose insurance from different providers
- Dedicated agent: Available to help you manage your policy
- Support services: Special online tool to manage your policy and claims
CoverWallet scored 4 out of 5 in our evaluation. The score reflects the convenience in quoting and policy management and its overall availability and financial stability. It is the best provider for business owners looking for a payment plan for their policy. CoverWallet has a unique model of financing the premium for you—it pays for your policy upfront, giving you immediate coverage for a year, and then works out a payment plan with you to pay for the policy over a year. It is the best overall provider in our guide to the leading business insurance brokers.
Its general liability policy covers personal and advertising injury, medical payments, bodily injury, and property damage.
We received four quotes from CoverWallet: $411 (Liberty Mutual), $489 (Chubb), $639 (The Hartford), and $790 (Liberty Mutual), annually. All quotes were for a small clothing boutique. While all carried $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits, coverages varied from there. The Hartford provided $1 million in damage to premises rented to your business. The higher Liberty Mutual quote also included $10,000 in first-party property coverage.
While CoverWallet is not subject to complaints via the NAIC, it is well-reviewed on independent websites such as eKomi. There, it has over 700 user reviews with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. You can learn more about it in our in-depth review of CoverWallet.
You can get a quick quote on CoverWallet’s easy-to-use website. However, purchasing online is a limited feature and not readily available. In the four quotes above, only one had the option to purchase online. For the rest, you would need to call to finish the process.
Once purchased, you have access to a “self-service wallet,” where you can request a COI, pay your bill, review active policies, and file a claim. You will also be assigned a designated agent to help you with anything.
Owned by Aon, CoverWallet works with multiple top-rated carriers like Chubb and Liberty Mutual. Chubb has a rating of A++ (Superior) and Liberty Mutual has a rating of A (Excellent).
Progressive: Best for Businesses With Vehicles
What We Like
- Claims services 24/7
- Online quoting
- Available in 49 states
- A+ Superior financial rating
What We Didn’t Like
- Information about requesting a COI is difficult to find
- Higher-than-expected complaints
Deciding Factors
- In-house claims: Handled directly by Progressive
- Multiple discounts: Available for customers
- Independent agents: Available to advise you on your policy
- Policy options: Multiple types of commercial policies available
While nearly every business needs general liability insurance, those with dedicated business vehicles will find Progressive Commercial an ideal option. The largest provider of commercial auto insurance per market share, Progressive offers commercial auto insurance for every type and size of vehicle, provides nationwide roadside assistance, and has a large network of dedicated facilities.
Progressive allows you to bundle general liability with other coverage your business needs and offers multiple discounts—for example, commercial auto policyholders can get discounts on other commercial insurance.
Additionally, this provider offers high limits for general liability. The median monthly cost for new customers is $48. Progressive is widely available and accessible 24/7; however, it does not offer general liability coverage in Hawaii. It scored 3.93 out of 5 because of its financial security, customer service, and convenience. The score was brought down by having a higher level of complaints than the national average for general liability.
Through Progressive Advantage ® Business Program, Progressive functions like a brokerage offering multiple quotes from different providers. This is available if, for whatever reason, it cannot insure your business. Through this program, you can obtain quick quotes and receive discounts for bundling, even if not all of your existing policies are with Progressive.
Through this program, we received two quotes, one from Liberty Mutual and the other from Nationwide. The Liberty Mutual quote cost $411 annually or $34.24 monthly. To purchase the policy, you have to call to buy it. Nationwide had the same type and level of coverage as Liberty Mutual but cost $667 annually.
To get general liability directly through Progressive, please be aware it usually offers it bundled into a BOP.
Offering great convenience, Progressive customer service is available for you 24/7. You can call, go online, or use the app to manage your policy and file a claim.
While there is only one registered complaint for general liability, unfortunately, its overall complaints are higher than expected per the NAIC.
Operating since 1937, Progressive has been offering commercial insurance for more than 50 years. Financially, it has remained strong over the decades, with a current AM Best rating of A+ (Superior).
biBERK: Best for Bundling
What We Like
- Quick online quotes
- In-house claims team
- Online claims reporting
What We Didn’t Like
- General liability is only available in 27 states
- Weekday-only services
Deciding Factors
- Discount for bundling: Up to 20% saved when bundling policies
- Berkshire Hathaway: Provides financial stability
- Target audience: Created to cover small businesses
- Instant COI: Gain instant access to a COI when you purchase insurance
biBERK scored 3.87 out of 5 because of its affordability, quick online quotes, and the services it offers, like an instant COI. Its policies come as a standalone offering, but if you bundle coverage, you can save up to 20%. Thus, it is the best general liability insurance company for a business looking to bundle coverage. For most industries—such as mechanical services, healthcare providers, restaurants, and retail stores—biBERK offers the ability to bundle general liability with professional liability and commercial property.
Its lower score reflects the regional availability of some of its coverage On its site you can find the coverage map for more details.
biBERK states that you can purchase general liability from it for under $30 a month, but the price will depend on the industry and specific information on your business. It has a minimum annual premium of $275. For this price, you can obtain a BOP that includes 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 it is not available in all 50 states for general liability, this newer company is growing. There are over 50,000 small businesses that have chosen biBERK. The company 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.
If you need to reach someone, it is only open during the weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
In 2015, Berkshire Hathaway founded biBERK to provide insurance for small businesses. Currently, it offers coverage for over 50 different industries. Because it is a part of Berkshire Hathaway Group, biBERK has a solid financial rating of A++ (Superior) from AM Best.
Methodology
To determine which insurance companies would be the best for general liability, we utilized a proprietary evaluation system developed in-house. This system gives special attention to the customer’s needs with particular interest in convenience, financial ratings (AM Best), customer service, types of policies offered, and the overall experience as a policyholder for a specific provider.
We reviewed over 20 insurance providers and presented the seven with the highest scores. For this guide, we only considered carriers that would provide a quote. Where possible, we tried to keep the company description similar: years in business, number of employees, payroll, and revenue. However, for some companies, we did change the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General liability insurance is a third-party insurance that every business should consider and, in many cases, is required to carry. It covers claims that through the negligence of your business operations, you caused property damage, bodily injury, or personal advertising injury. Many policies also carry additional coverage, like damage to the premises you rent.
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.
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 COI is a one-page document that summarizes your insurance and can also be used as proof of insurance. Many industries, like construction, utilize these 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 it easy to create and share a COI is important.
Bottom Line
General liability is essential to protect your business from lawsuits for negligence. But as a business owner, you have many expenses, so we researched several providers to find the cheapest general liability insurance policy for your small business. The Hartford is the best overall for cheap general liability insurance.