MoneyGeek evaluated various factors to determine the best general liability insurance in California. Our analysis included affordability for limited liability companies (LLCs), affordability for sole proprietors, customer satisfaction, financial stability and the online quote process. Thimble is the best and cheapest general liability insurance provider in California, offering highly competitive rates. For sole proprietors with no employees, Thimble provides the cheapest monthly premiums at $22 on average, while rates for LLCs with 20 employees are approximately $45 per month.
Best Overall General Liability Insurance in California
Thimble is the best overall company for general liability insurance in California, earning a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. You can compare the MoneyGeek scores and pricing for all the companies we evaluated in the table below.
Offers fast quotes
Has the most affordable rates for sole proprietors
Has more customer complaints on average
Thimble offers the best general liability insurance in California. The company excels in providing quick quotes, with a remarkable response time of just 28 seconds. It also offers highly competitive rates, particularly for sole proprietors, with the cheapest monthly premiums at $22. For LLCs, rates are $45 per month, ranking second in this category.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance in California
Thimble is the cheapest insurance provider in California, based on our analysis. For sole proprietors, premiums cost an average of $22 per month, while the average cost for LLCs is $45 per month.
Our rankings were determined by an affordability score that combines the monthly costs for sole proprietors and LLCs, with both categories weighted equally at 50%. The company ranked as the cheapest option overall may not have the most affordable rates for sole proprietors and LLCs individually.
Has the lowest rates for sole proprietors
Has the second most affordable rates for LLCs
Strong financial strength rating according to AM Best
Customer satisfaction can be improved
Thimble stands out as the best option for businesses seeking the cheapest general liability insurance in California. It offers the lowest rates for sole proprietors at an average of $22 per month. Additionally, Thimble provides the second most affordable rates for LLCs, with premiums averaging $45 per month. These competitive rates make Thimble an attractive choice for businesses looking to minimize their insurance cost.
Supporting Thimble's position as the best company is its A+ financial strength rating. This ensures that Thimble has the necessary resources to fulfill policyholders' claims and provide reliable coverage.
Best General Liability Insurance for Employers in California
Thimble is the top-ranked company for employers, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. These rankings are based on the average monthly rate for LLCs with 20 employees.
Thimble charges an average monthly cost of $45 for LLCs. However, businesses with fewer than 20 employees can expect to pay less than the average cost mentioned, while those with more employees can anticipate higher premiums.
Offers fast online quotes
High financial strength rating
Affordable monthly rates for LLCs
Poor customer satisfaction ratings
Thimble is MoneyGeek’s top-rated provider for employers. It provides a seamless user experience by generating fast online quotes in an average of 31 seconds. It also boasts a high financial strength rating of A+, showing that it has the necessary resources to pay out claims.
This insurer offers affordable monthly rates for LLCs at $45 per month, but it received lower customer satisfaction ratings compared to other providers.
Best General Liability Insurance for Sole Proprietors in California
biBERK is our top-ranked company for sole proprietors in California, with a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100. These rankings are based on the average rates for sole proprietors with no employees. biBERK offers affordable rates for sole proprietors, with an average monthly cost of $23. Costs may increase for sole proprietors in riskier industries, including construction.
A++ AM Best rating
Second cheapest rates for sole proprietors
Fewer customer complaints than average
Slower quote process
biBERK's strong financial rating, competitive rates and positive customer feedback make it the best choice for sole proprietors in California. biBERK holds an impressive A++ AM Best rating, indicating its reliability as an insurer in handling claims. It also offers highly competitive rates for sole proprietors, with an average monthly cost of $23. biBERK also receives fewer customer complaints than the industry average, reflecting its commitment to providing satisfactory service.
Note that getting an online quote from biBERK may take some time, with an average response time of two minutes and five seconds.
Do You Need General Liability Insurance in California?
Purchasing general liability insurance in California offers protection against risks, even if it's not legally required for basic operation like other types of business insurance. In the event of a lawsuit, it protects businesses from claims related to bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and advertising injury. General liability insurance might also be required for obtaining licenses or winning contracts in certain industries.
In California, workers' compensation insurance is mandatory for businesses with any number of employees, and it provides coverage for work-related injuries or illnesses. In terms of commercial auto insurance requirements, this state mandates minimum coverage of $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage.
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in California?
In California, the average monthly cost of general liability insurance is $195 for LLCs and $30 for sole proprietors. We set policy limits of a $2 million aggregate limit and a $1 million occurrence limit with a $0 deductible.
The aggregate limit of $2 million refers to the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for all claims during the policy period. The occurrence limit of $1 million specifies the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for each individual claim. The deductible is the amount the business owner is responsible for paying out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in to pay for a claim.
Factors That Impact General Liability Insurance Costs in California
Premiums for general liability insurance vary for each business based on a few factors.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Liability Insurance in California
To help you choose the best general liability insurance for your California business, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about this type of coverage.
Thimble offers the best general liability insurance in California, with quick online quotes and competitive rates. Keep in mind that the ideal general liability insurance for your business depends on variables like your company’s size, employee count and specific coverage needs.
Thimble is the most affordable option, with the lowest rates of $22 per month for sole proprietors and $45 per month for LLCs. Thimble also holds an A+ financial strength rating. We advise that readers evaluate their company’s individual circumstances and requirements when comparing rates.
General liability insurance in California provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage and advertising injury. It does not cover professional errors or intentional acts.
General liability insurance is not legally required at the state level in California.
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