Key Takeaways
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The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide lead Arkansas's general liability insurance market with strong coverage options.

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Your business type, size and coverage requirements guide the selection of the right insurance provider in Arkansas.

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Research provider ratings, compare multiple quotes and verify licensing status before selecting your general liability coverage.

Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Arkansas

The Hartford tops our rankings for the best general liability insurance providers in Arkansas, delivering an outstanding balance of competitive rates and reliable service. NEXT and Nationwide round out the top three, both offering excellent customer support.

The Hartford4.63$78
NEXT4.57$99
Nationwide4.52$93
Simply Business4.48$92
Coverdash4.37$99
Thimble4.35$103
biBerk4.28$110
Progressive Commercial4.27$96
Chubb4.25$114
Hiscox4.18$109

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Compare Small Business Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE

Protecting your Arkansas business requires more than just general liability coverage. These additional insurance guides can help you build comprehensive protection:

Best Arkansas Small Business Insurance Reviews

We analyzed the leading general liability insurance providers for small businesses in Arkansas and identified the unique advantages that make each one worth considering for your general liability insurance needs.

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The Hartford

Best Overall Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $78
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    4.5/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.5/5
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NEXT

Runner-Up Best Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $99
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.9/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.8/5

Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Arkansas

The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Arkansas at $78 per month ($940 annually). Simply Business and Nationwide also provide affordable rates, making them solid alternatives.

The Hartford$78$940
Simply Business$92$1,102
Nationwide$93$1,116
Progressive Commercial$96$1,151
NEXT$99$1,186
Coverdash$99$1,190
Thimble$103$1,235
Hiscox$109$1,314
biBerk$110$1,315
Chubb$114$1,368

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Arkansas

General liability insurance in Arkansas costs an average of $99 per month or $1,183 annually, which aligns closely with national rates. Your premium depends on industry risk, business size and claims history. Construction companies pay more due to increased liability exposure, while consulting firms pay less because of reduced risk.

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry

General liability insurance costs vary by industry in Arkansas. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $882, while drone companies pay just $16 per month for coverage. This wide range shows how business risk levels directly impact insurance costs. The table below details premiums across different industries.

Accountants$21$255
Ad Agency$34$409
Automotive$51$617
Auto Repair$146$1,757
Bakery$87$1,045
Barber$43$513
Beauty Salon$64$773
Bounce House$68$813
Candle$53$635
Cannabis$65$775
Catering$85$1,014
Cleaning$128$1,532
Coffee Shop$86$1,038
Computer Programming$28$336
Computer Repair$46$551
Construction$169$2,028
Consulting$21$254
Contractor$246$2,948
Courier$188$2,260
Daycare$32$380
Dental$21$249
DJ$24$293
Dog Grooming$61$734
Drone$16$193
Ecommerce$71$846
Electrical$108$1,300
Engineering$38$461
Excavation$449$5,385
Florist$41$495
Food$104$1,245
Food Truck$137$1,639
Funeral Home$58$698
Gardening$108$1,300
Handyman$235$2,823
Home-based$23$275
Home-based$44$529
Hospitality$63$754
HVAC$236$2,837
Janitorial$132$1,586
Jewelry$39$466
Junk Removal$157$1,879
Lawn/Landscaping$116$1,390
Lawyers$22$264
Manufacturing$62$740
Marine$27$324
Massage$92$1,108
Mortgage Broker$22$265
Moving$120$1,435
Nonprofit$35$415
Painting$139$1,663
Party Rental$77$919
Personal Training$23$276
Pest Control$31$373
Pet$54$648
Pharmacy$60$715
Photography$23$279
Physical Therapy$106$1,275
Plumbing$348$4,181
Pressure Washing$882$10,587
Real Estate$51$615
Restaurant$140$1,677
Retail$63$756
Roofing$374$4,488
Security$134$1,609
Snack Bars$113$1,358
Software$25$304
Spa/Wellness$103$1,234
Speech Therapist$30$361
Startup$28$331
Tech/IT$25$305
Transportation$36$435
Travel$20$241
Tree Service$125$1,501
Trucking$99$1,187
Tutoring$29$350
Veterinary$43$518
Wedding Planning$27$321
Welding$159$1,907
Wholesale$43$517
Window Cleaning$153$1,842

How Did We Determine These Rates?

How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Arkansas?

Arkansas doesn't require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. Operating without coverage typically won't trigger state penalties, but you could face permit restrictions or fines from local authorities.

Individual cities and counties often set their own insurance rules. Check with your local government offices to understand specific requirements in your area.

While Arkansas keeps broad mandates minimal, certain licensed trades must maintain specific coverage to keep their professional licenses active:

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    Electricians

    Licensed electricians in Arkansas must carry general liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate. The policy must include completed operations coverage.

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    Electrical Sign Contractors

    Electrical sign contractors follow the same insurance requirements as electricians in Arkansas, requiring $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate with completed operations coverage.

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    HVAC Contractors

    Class I contractors must carry $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate, while Class II contractors need $50,000 per occurrence and $100,000 annual aggregate.

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    Fire Safety Companies

    Fire safety companies must maintain general liability insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate to obtain and maintain their Arkansas registration.

While business insurance in Arkansas might not be legally required for your business license, you'll likely need it anyway. Most commercial property owners won't lease space without proof of coverage, and bigger clients typically demand current insurance certificates before awarding contracts. Make sure your coverage limits satisfy both licensing standards and client requirements.

How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Arkansas

Choosing general liability insurance in Arkansas starts with evaluating what protection your business actually needs and finding affordable coverage that fits your budget.

  1. 1
    Figure out coverage requirements

    Check industry licensing requirements in Arkansas first. Many clients expect higher limits like $1 million even when state minimums are lower for contract work.

  2. 2
    Gather business information

    Insurers need details like annual revenue, employee count, business type and location to calculate premiums.

  3. 3
    Compare multiple insurance quotes

    Request quotes from at least three different insurers since business insurance costs differ between them.

  4. 4
    Review policy terms carefully

    Don't focus only on the cheapest business insurance provider when comparing options. Some policies include legal defense costs outside your coverage limit, while others count them against it.

  5. 5
    Research insurer credentials

    Use the state insurance department website to verify insurer and agent licenses. Check AM Best ratings and complaint data.

  6. 6
    Ask about available discounts

    Many insurers offer savings for safety program participation, bundling multiple types of coverage, or maintaining clean claims histories.

  7. 7
    Obtain certificate of insurance

    Clients and landlords often require proof of coverage before work begins.

How to Prevent General Liability Claims in Arkansas

Even after getting the best business insurance for their company, no business owner wants to deal with liability claims, but Arkansas entrepreneurs can prevent most issues through smart preparation and proactive planning.

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    Watch out for property hazards

    Arkansas businesses must address weather-related risks including ice formation, storm debris and humidity that creates slippery surfaces. Inspect areas regularly, especially after severe weather events common in the state. Install proper drainage systems and maintain adequate lighting to prevent incidents.

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    Train your people well

    Provide comprehensive safety training covering equipment handling, customer interaction protocols, and emergency procedures specific to Arkansas weather conditions.

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    Keep good records

    Maintain detailed documentation including incident reports, safety inspections, employee training records and photographic evidence of property conditions.

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    Get everything in writing

    Create detailed written contracts that specify work scope, safety responsibilities, access limitations and liability allocations.

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    Fix problems fast

    Respond immediately to safety concerns, customer complaints or incident reports by documenting the issue and implementing corrective measures.

General Liability Insurance in Arkansas: Bottom Line

Securing quality general liability insurance in Arkansas requires matching coverage to your specific business needs. The Hartford, NEXT, and Nationwide lead the market as top providers, but your ideal choice depends on your industry type, company size, and available budget. These factors influence which insurer offers the best value for your situation. Get quotes from multiple companies and verify each provider's licensing credentials before making your final decision.

Commercial General Liability Insurance in Arkansas: FAQ

Our research and analysis helped us answer the most common general liability insurance questions Arkansas business owners ask.

What does general liability insurance cover for Arkansas businesses?

How much does general liability insurance cost in Arkansas?

Do Arkansas businesses legally need general liability insurance?

Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Arkansas?

What coverage limits should Arkansas businesses choose?

How can Arkansas businesses prevent general liability claims?

Can Arkansas businesses get discounts on general liability insurance?

How quickly can Arkansas businesses get general liability coverage?

What should Arkansas businesses do when filing a general liability claim?

How does general liability differ from professional liability coverage?

How We Scored the Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Arkansas

Arkansas businesses encounter specific liability challenges, from weather-related incidents to workplace injuries across various industries. Our evaluation process identified general liability insurers that provide solid coverage without breaking tight business budgets.

What We Evaluated

  • Affordability (50%): Arkansas small businesses operate with limited cash flow. We prioritized pricing comparisons because reasonable rates determine whether businesses can actually maintain coverage.
  • Customer experience (30%): Quality claims service makes the difference when problems arise. Our analysis included J.D. Power ratings, state complaint data, and independent agent feedback to assess real policyholder experiences.
  • Coverage options (15%): Business risks vary by sector. We examined how insurers customize general liability policies for Arkansas companies, from retail stores to construction firms.
  • Financial strength (5%): Low premiums mean nothing if the insurer cannot pay claims. We checked AM Best ratings and financial stability reports to ensure recommended companies remain financially secure.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.


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