Best General Liability Insurance for Small Business

The Hartford offers outstanding value for general liability insurance with top-ranked affordability and superior claims handling, backed by over 200 years of experience. Its A+ financial strength rating and first-place claims processing mean you can trust it'll pay when you file a claim.

Although its digital platform isn't as advanced as newer competitors, The Hartford's agent-supported approach works well if you value financial strength and proven claims expertise over the latest online features.

The Hartford ranks first in our affordability study, making it the top choice for budget-conscious small business owners. At $83 monthly ($1,001 annually), you'll save $21 each month compared to the $104 industry average for general liability coverage. This provides reliable coverage without straining your business budget.

The Hartford ranks second for customer experience, excelling in claims processing and customer service quality. However, digital experience ranks 10th, meaning you'll get better support through agents than online platforms.

External reviews back this up. Better Business Bureau complaints often mention confusing online systems and billing problems, but customers consistently highlight how well representatives handle claims. Trustpilot users report similar digital issues while praising agents who help with general liability claims.

General liability from The Hartford gives you financial protection up to $1 million per claim and $2 million total. You can customize your policy with add-ons like contractual liability endorsements (protection for lease agreement requirements) and additional insured coverage (extending your policy to cover landlords or clients). Product liability and medical payments come standard with their public liability policies, so you get more protection without paying extra.

NEXT's digital-first approach makes getting general liability coverage simple for your small business. You can quote, buy and download your certificate in 10 minutes without talking to an agent, earning them top rankings for digital experience nationwide.

You'll pay more than competitors, but NEXT's A+ Superior AM Best rating with Munich Re backing provides solid financial protection. The trade-off makes sense if you prioritize convenience and responsive service over finding the lowest rates.

NEXT ranks seventh in our affordability study, meaning you'll pay above-average rates for general liability coverage. While your monthly premium costs $102 ($1,223 annually), it’s still $2 lower compared to the $104 industry average.

NEXT's digital platform ranks first nationally for customer experience, making it simple to manage your general liability policy online. You can download certificates instantly, handle renewals and access your coverage details 24/7 without calling anyone. Other small business owners consistently recommend NEXT, reflecting high satisfaction with its overall service.

When filing claims, you'll face longer wait times since NEXT ranks fourth for claims processing. It matches what Trustpilot customers report: they love how easy it is to buy coverage and manage policies, but some experience delays during the claims process.

Your NEXT general liability policy starts with $1 million per incident (per incident) and $2 million yearly limits, covering customer injuries and damage to other people's property. If you sell products, NEXT automatically includes product liability protection without charging extra fees.

When clients demand higher coverage, you can add up to $4 million commercial umbrella insurance. That works well for contractors or businesses with major contractual requirements.

Simply Business connects you with the most general liability coverage options available, letting you compare policies from multiple top-rated insurers in one place. It works well if you run an unusual business that other insurers might not cover.

Phone support can be frustrating, as wait times often exceed an hour. You'll also need to deal with the insurance company directly for any claims rather than going through Simply Business. That said, it's a decent trade-off if you prefer shopping around for coverage over having dedicated support.

Simply Business ranks 2nd nationally for affordability, making it a solid choice when you're shopping for general liability coverage. Your monthly premium runs $95 ($1,139 annually) for public liability protection, saving you $9 monthly compared to the $104 industry average. These savings add up over time, and you continue to have access to comprehensive coverage from multiple top-rated carriers through its marketplace.

Simply Business ranks 3rd for digital experience, so you can download public liability certificates instantly when clients demand proof of coverage. The downside is that claims processing ranks 8th, meaning longer waits when injured customers need medical care approvals.

Trustpilot reviews praise their quick setup and knowledgeable agents, but Better Business Bureau complaints reveal that you'll often wait over an hour on hold before the system drops the line.

Simply Business offers standard general liability policies with $1 million per-occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits (total amount your policy pays per year) through its carrier network. You can add endorsements like additional insured (covers contractors or clients under your policy), waiver of subrogation (prevents your insurer from suing your clients) and primary non-contributory wording (makes your policy pay first before other insurance) when contracts require them.

Each carrier offers different coverage through its marketplace, but you'll get public liability protection for bodily injury, advertising injury and property damage claims with any policy you choose.