Key Takeaways

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The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide are Delaware's leading general liability insurance providers, offering comprehensive coverage options for local businesses.

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Your business type, size and specific coverage requirements are important in selecting the right general liability insurance provider in Delaware.

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Thorough research through quote comparisons, financial strength assessments and customer feedback reviews helps you find suitable coverage.

Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Delaware

The Hartford is the best general liability insurance provider in Delaware, delivering a balance of affordable rates and reliable service. NEXT and Nationwide also earn recognition as excellent alternatives, both excelling in customer support.

The Hartford4.61$97
NEXT4.58$111
Nationwide4.52$105
Simply Business4.47$91
Coverdash4.37$111
Thimble4.35$115
biBerk4.30$123
Chubb4.28$128
Progressive Commercial4.27$108
Hiscox4.19$123

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Compare Small Business Insurance Rates

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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE

General liability coverage represents just one layer of business protection. Delaware entrepreneurs should consider these additional insurance options:

Best Delaware Small Business Insurance Reviews

We analyzed Delaware's leading general liability insurance providers to show small business owners which companies offer the best coverage and what makes each one worth considering.

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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

    $97
  • 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

    $111
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.9/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.8/5

Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Delaware

Simply Business offers the most affordable general liability insurance in Delaware, with coverage starting at $91 per month ($1,088 annually). Small business owners seeking budget-friendly options can also consider The Hartford and Nationwide.

Simply Business$91$1,088
The Hartford$97$1,164
Nationwide$105$1,254
Progressive Commercial$108$1,295
NEXT$111$1,332
Coverdash$111$1,336
Thimble$115$1,383
Hiscox$123$1,471
biBerk$123$1,472
Chubb$128$1,535

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Delaware

General liability insurance in Delaware costs business owners an average of $111 monthly or $1,324 annually. These rates run slightly above the national average. Your actual premium depends on several factors including industry risk level, company size, and claims history. Construction companies typically face higher premiums than lower-risk businesses like consulting firms due to increased liability exposure.

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry

General liability costs vary dramatically by industry in Delaware. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $990, while drone operations pay the most affordable rates at just $18 monthly. The table below shows how premiums differ across various business types.

Accountants$24$286
Ad Agency$38$459
Automotive$57$689
Auto Repair$164$1,964
Bakery$97$1,168
Barber$48$574
Beauty Salon$72$866
Bounce House$76$908
Candle$59$703
Cannabis$72$867
Catering$95$1,135
Cleaning$143$1,716
Coffee Shop$97$1,161
Computer Programming$31$376
Computer Repair$51$616
Construction$189$2,268
Consulting$24$285
Contractor$275$3,299
Courier$211$2,529
Daycare$35$425
Dental$23$277
DJ$27$329
Dog Grooming$68$818
Drone$18$215
Ecommerce$78$942
Electrical$122$1,462
Engineering$43$513
Excavation$500$5,998
Florist$46$556
Food$116$1,396
Food Truck$154$1,842
Funeral Home$65$780
Gardening$121$1,456
Handyman$263$3,159
Home-based$26$308
Home-based$49$594
Hospitality$70$843
HVAC$265$3,175
Janitorial$148$1,775
Jewelry$44$523
Junk Removal$175$2,099
Lawn/Landscaping$130$1,560
Lawyers$25$296
Manufacturing$69$828
Marine$30$363
Massage$103$1,241
Mortgage Broker$25$296
Moving$134$1,604
Nonprofit$39$464
Painting$155$1,855
Party Rental$85$1,025
Personal Training$26$309
Pest Control$35$417
Pet$60$721
Pharmacy$67$799
Photography$26$313
Physical Therapy$119$1,428
Plumbing$391$4,687
Pressure Washing$990$11,882
Real Estate$57$688
Restaurant$156$1,874
Retail$70$843
Roofing$419$5,027
Security$148$1,781
Snack Bars$127$1,518
Software$28$341
Spa/Wellness$116$1,393
Speech Therapist$34$405
Startup$31$372
Tech/IT$28$341
Transportation$41$486
Travel$22$270
Tree Service$138$1,658
Trucking$111$1,326
Tutoring$33$392
Veterinary$48$579
Wedding Planning$30$359
Welding$178$2,130
Wholesale$48$577
Window Cleaning$172$2,063

How Did We Determine These Rates?

How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Delaware?

Delaware does not require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. Individual cities and counties can have their own insurance rules. Check your local government offices to understand area-specific requirements. Certain licensed trades must carry specific coverage to keep their professional licenses active:

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    Electricians

    Delaware requires licensed electricians to carry general liability insurance with minimum limits of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. Completed operations coverage must be included.

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    Electrical Sign Contractors

    Electrical sign contractors need $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate with completed operations coverage.

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    HVAC Contractors

    Delaware HVAC Class A contractors needing $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate coverage. Class B contractors require lower minimums of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. Completed operations coverage applies to both license classes.

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    Fire Safety Companies

    Fire safety companies must carry general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate.

General liability insurance often becomes necessary for practical business reasons, even when licensing doesn't require it. Most commercial landlords demand proof of coverage before they'll lease space to your business. Large companies and government agencies typically won't hire contractors without a current insurance certificate. Your coverage amounts should satisfy both licensing requirements and client demands to keep your business running smoothly.

How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Delaware

Choosing general liability insurance in Delaware starts with matching the right coverage to your business needs while staying within your budget constraints.

  1. 1

    Determine your coverage needs

    Review Delaware's industry-specific licensing requirements first. Many clients expect contractors and service providers to carry $1 million.

  2. 2

    Prepare your business information

    Gather details like annual revenue, employee count, business classification and location data.

  3. 3

    Collect multiple insurance quotes

    Always compare at least three providers since pricing varies across Delaware.

  4. 4

    Examine policy terms carefully

    Focus on exclusions and coverage limits rather than just premium costs. Some policies include legal defense expenses above your coverage limit, while others subtract these costs from your total protection.

  5. 5

    Verify insurer credentials

    Check insurer and agent licenses through the state insurance department website. Review AM Best financial ratings and complaint records.

  6. 6

    Ask about available discounts

    Ask providers about savings opportunities like bundling multiple policies, implementing safety programs or maintaining clean claims histories.

  7. 7

    Obtain your insurance certificate

    Request your certificate of insurance immediately after purchasing coverage, as clients and landlords frequently require proof of protection.

How to Prevent General Liability Claims in Delaware

No business owner wants to handle liability claims, but Delaware entrepreneurs can prevent most issues through smart preparation and proactive planning.

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    Watch out for property hazards

    Delaware weather is unpredictable and can cause damage. Fix that cracked sidewalk before someone trips, and clear walkways after bad weather.

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    Train your people well

    Your team's mistakes become your problems. Spend time on training now, or spend money on lawyers later.

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    Keep good records

    Photos save lawsuits. Document your work, save your communications and keep your contracts organized. Paper trails matter in court.

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    Get everything in writing

    Confusion about where you're supposed to work leads to property damage claims.

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    Fix problems fast

    Upset customers sue; happy customers don't. When something goes wrong, address it immediately.

General Liability Insurance in Delaware: Bottom Line

Securing quality general liability insurance in Delaware requires matching coverage to your specific business needs. The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide lead our rankings for reliable coverage options.

Commercial General Liability Insurance in Delaware: FAQ

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

What does general liability insurance cover for Delaware businesses?

How much does general liability insurance cost in Delaware?

Do Delaware businesses legally need general liability insurance?

Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Delaware?

What coverage limits should Delaware businesses choose?

How can Delaware businesses prevent general liability claims?

Can Delaware businesses get discounts on general liability insurance?

How quickly can Delaware businesses get general liability coverage?

What should Delaware 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 Delaware

Delaware businesses encounter specific liability challenges, from coastal weather incidents to workplace injuries across diverse industries. Our evaluation process identifies general liability insurers that deliver solid coverage without straining small business budgets.

What We Evaluated

  • Affordability (50%): Delaware small businesses operate with limited cash flow. We analyzed premium costs across carriers because reasonable pricing determines whether businesses can maintain adequate protection.
  • Customer experience (30%): Effective claims service keeps businesses running smoothly. We examined J.D. Power ratings, state complaint statistics, and independent agency feedback to assess how insurers handle policyholder needs.
  • Coverage options (15%): Delaware businesses span multiple sectors with varying exposures. We evaluated how insurers customize general liability policies for different industries, from retail shops to construction companies.
  • Financial strength (5%): Low premiums mean nothing if the insurer cannot pay claims. We checked AM Best ratings and financial stability reports to verify each company's ability to honor coverage commitments.

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!

Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.


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