Updated: September 15, 2025

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Key Takeaways

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NEXT, Simply Business and Coverdash are the best providers for general liability insurance coverage across Hawaii.

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Your business specifics, coverage requirements and available budget determine which insurer best fits your needs in Hawaii.

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Getting comprehensive coverage requires comparing multiple quotes, checking provider credentials and reviewing customer experiences in Hawaii.

Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Hawaii

NEXT tops our rankings for general liability insurance in Hawaii, delivering the best combination of affordable rates and reliable service. Simply Business and Coverdash are alternatives, both offering quality coverage options.

NEXT4.55$109
Simply Business4.47$101
Coverdash4.36$109
Thimble4.35$113
biBerk4.29$120
Hiscox4.18$120

How Did We Determine These Rates?

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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE

General liability coverage alone won't fully protect your Hawaii business. Explore these additional insurance options to build comprehensive protection:

Best Hawaii Small Business Insurance Reviews

We analyzed Hawaii's leading general liability insurance providers to help small business owners identify which companies offer the best coverage, pricing, and service for their specific needs.

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NEXT

Best Overall Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $109
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.9/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.8/5
Company Image

Simply Business

Runner-Up Best Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $101
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.7/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.2/5

Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Hawaii

The Hartford offers the most affordable general liability insurance in Hawaii at $86 monthly ($1,036 annually). Simply Business and Nationwide also provide competitive rates, giving budget-focused small business owners solid alternatives.

The Hartford$86$1,036
Simply Business$101$1,211
Nationwide$102$1,228
Progressive Commercial$106$1,267
NEXT$109$1,304
Coverdash$109$1,308
Thimble$113$1,355
Hiscox$120$1,441
biBerk$120$1,442
Chubb$125$1,503

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Hawaii

General liability insurance in Hawaii costs an average of $112 per month ($1,334 annually), slightly above the national average. Your actual premium varies based on industry risk, business size, location, coverage limits, and claims history. Construction companies typically pay higher rates than lower-risk businesses like consulting firms due to increased liability exposure.

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry

General liability insurance costs vary dramatically by industry in Hawaii. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $945, while drone operators pay just $17 per month for coverage. The table below shows how premiums differ across various business types.

Accountants$24$287
Ad Agency$44$528
Automotive$58$691
Auto Repair$176$2,110
Bakery$99$1,185
Barber$54$653
Beauty Salon$66$796
Bounce House$74$884
Candle$58$699
Cannabis$70$841
Catering$111$1,331
Cleaning$142$1,703
Coffee Shop$99$1,187
Computer Programming$37$440
Computer Repair$46$556
Construction$213$2,561
Consulting$24$284
Contractor$263$3,157
Courier$202$2,429
Daycare$34$414
Dental$23$281
DJ$31$373
Dog Grooming$66$792
Drone$17$209
Ecommerce$80$957
Electrical$122$1,469
Engineering$48$578
Excavation$500$5,995
Florist$46$555
Food$113$1,360
Food Truck$122$1,459
Funeral Home$66$790
Gardening$121$1,455
Handyman$269$3,224
Home-based$26$307
Home-based$48$581
Hospitality$77$921
HVAC$257$3,084
Janitorial$151$1,814
Jewelry$54$643
Junk Removal$172$2,065
Lawn/Landscaping$144$1,728
Lawyers$25$296
Manufacturing$96$1,149
Marine$29$348
Massage$111$1,329
Mortgage Broker$25$300
Moving$138$1,659
Nonprofit$37$448
Painting$156$1,871
Party Rental$83$1,000
Personal Training$26$315
Pest Control$34$405
Pet$60$725
Pharmacy$69$823
Photography$28$336
Physical Therapy$176$2,116
Plumbing$401$4,813
Pressure Washing$945$11,344
Real Estate$46$548
Restaurant$165$1,978
Retail$72$860
Roofing$398$4,774
Security$142$1,703
Snack Bars$125$1,506
Software$33$390
Spa/Wellness$103$1,238
Speech Therapist$35$415
Startup$32$378
Tech/IT$32$384
Transportation$39$465
Travel$22$270
Tree Service$144$1,733
Trucking$105$1,262
Tutoring$37$446
Veterinary$46$547
Wedding Planning$34$414
Welding$173$2,073
Wholesale$47$570
Window Cleaning$172$2,067

How Did We Determine These Rates?

How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Hawaii?

Hawaii doesn't 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

    Licensed electricians need minimum limits of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. Completed operations coverage is required.

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    Electrical Sign Contractors

    Electrical sign contractors in Hawaii follow the same insurance requirements as electricians, requiring $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate general liability coverage.

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    HVAC Contractors

    Most HVAC contractors in Hawaii need $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate, though specific specialty classifications may have different limits.

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    Fire Safety Companies

    Fire safety companies' minimum limits needed are $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate.

General liability insurance becomes a business necessity regardless of licensing requirements. Most commercial landlords demand proof of coverage before approving lease agreements, and major clients typically require current insurance certificates before starting projects. Government contracts almost always include insurance verification as a prerequisite. Your policy limits should satisfy both state licensing standards and client specifications to avoid losing business opportunities.

How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Hawaii

Choosing general liability insurance in Hawaii starts with determining what protection your business actually needs and what premiums fit your budget.

  1. 1

    Determine your coverage needs

    Check Hawaii's industry licensing requirements for your business type. Many clients require $1 million in coverage even when state minimums are lower, especially for construction or professional services.

  2. 2

    Prepare your business information

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

  3. 3

    Compare multiple insurance quotes

    Request quotes from at least three insurers since pricing varies.

  4. 4

    Examine policy terms carefully

    Look for exclusions and coverage limits besides premiums. Some policies include legal defense costs.

  5. 5

    Verify insurer and agent credentials

    Use the state insurance department website to confirm licenses and check complaint records. Review AM Best financial ratings.

  6. 6

    Ask about available discounts

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

  7. 7

    Obtain your insurance certificate

    Request your certificate of insurance immediately after purchase since clients and landlords often require proof of coverage.

How to Prevent General Liability Claims in Hawaii

Business owners never want to handle liability claims, but Hawaii entrepreneurs can prevent most incidents through smart preparation and proactive planning.

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    Watch out for property hazards

    Hawaii's high humidity and frequent rain showers create slippery surfaces that people can fall on. Check walkways daily and install non-slip mats near entrances where moisture accumulates.

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    Train your people well

    Prepare staff to handle Hawaii's diverse customers and challenges like volcanic fog and sudden weather changes. Conduct monthly safety meetings.

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    Keep good records

    Document incidents immediately with photos and written reports. Store contracts and other records digitally.

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    Get everything in writing

    Specify work boundaries, access limitations and weather contingencies in all service agreements.

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    Fix problems fast

    Address customer complaints quickly. Contact affected parties within 24 hours, offer reasonable solutions and follow up.

General Liability Insurance in Hawaii: Bottom Line

Securing quality general liability insurance in Hawaii requires matching coverage to your specific business needs and researching reliable providers. NEXT, Simply Business, and Coverdash represent the state's top options, but your ideal choice depends on industry type, company size, and available budget. Smart business owners obtain quotes from multiple insurers and verify each provider's licensing credentials before making their final decision.

Commercial General Liability Insurance in Hawaii: FAQ

Our research and analysis helped us answer the most common general liability insurance questions that Hawaii business owners ask when shopping for coverage.

What does general liability insurance cover for Hawaii businesses?

How much does general liability insurance cost in Hawaii?

Do Hawaii businesses legally need general liability insurance?

Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Hawaii?

What coverage limits should Hawaii businesses choose?

How can Hawaii businesses prevent general liability claims?

Can Hawaii businesses get discounts on general liability insurance?

How quickly can Hawaii businesses get general liability coverage?

What should Hawaii 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 Hawaii

Hawaii business owners deal with specific liability challenges, including weather-related incidents and unique workplace hazards. Our evaluation focused on finding general liability insurers that offer solid coverage without breaking the budget for small businesses across Hawaii.

What We Evaluated

  • Affordability (50%): Hawaii's high cost of living puts extra pressure on business budgets. We prioritized pricing comparisons because affordable premiums determine whether small businesses can actually maintain coverage.
  • Customer experience (30%): Quality claims service becomes critical when accidents happen. We analyzed J.D. Power ratings, state complaint data, and independent agency feedback to assess how insurers treat policyholders during claims.
  • Coverage options (15%): Hawaii businesses span diverse industries with varying liability exposures. We examined how insurers customize general liability policies for different business types operating in Hawaii.
  • Financial strength (5%): Low premiums mean nothing if the insurer can't pay claims. We checked AM Best ratings and financial 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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