MoneyGeek researched best business insurance options to answer your most common questions about general liability coverage in Illinois. Our analysis offers straightforward insights for business owners.
Best General Liability Insurance in Illinois
The Hartford leads Illinois general liability insurance as both the top choice and most affordable, starting at $90 per month.
Get matched to the best and cheapest general liability insurer for you below.
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Updated: November 24, 2025
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Commercial General Liability Insurance in Illinois: Fast Answers
Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Illinois?
The Hartford ranks as the best general liability insurance company in Illinois, earning a 4.66 overall score out of 5. It combines affordable coverage at $90 per month with strong claims handling. NEXT follows in second place with a 4.57 score, offering excellent digital tools and customer support for $113 per month.
Who offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Illinois?
The cheapest general liability insurance companies in Illinois are:
- The Hartford: $90 per month
- Simply Business: $105 per month
- Nationwide: $107 per month
- Progressive: $110 per month
- NEXT: $113 per month
Do Illinois businesses legally need general liability insurance?
Illinois doesn't legally require general liability insurance for most businesses statewide. However, certain licensed professionals like contractors and electricians must carry minimum coverage to maintain their licenses. Local municipalities may impose their own insurance requirements. Even without legal mandates, most landlords and clients require proof of coverage before signing contracts or leases.
How much does general liability insurance cost in Illinois?
General liability insurance costs between $18 and $1,010 per month for small Illinois businesses with two employees. Drone businesses often have the lowest rates, while pressure washing companies land at the higher end of the range. Your actual cost depends on your industry, business location, coverage limits and company size.
Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Illinois
The Hartford is our top choice for general liability insurance in Illinois, offering excellent affordability and strong financial stability. NEXT also performs well with strong customer service and solid coverage options for small businesses. Nationwide completes the list of leading providers with reliable stability and reasonable rates for Illinois business owners.
| The Hartford | 4.66 | $90 |
| NEXT Insurance | 4.57 | $113 |
| Nationwide | 4.54 | $107 |
| Simply Business | 4.50 | $105 |
| Thimble | 4.40 | $117 |
| Coverdash | 4.39 | $114 |
| biBERK | 4.31 | $125 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.29 | $110 |
| Chubb | 4.28 | $130 |
| Hiscox | 4.20 | $125 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Actual rates vary based on your business location, industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
Get Matched to the Best Cheap Illinois General Liability Insurer
Select your industry and state to get a customized Illinois general liability insurance quote.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE IN ILLINOIS
General liability insurance covers customer injuries and property damage for Illinois businesses, but it won't protect against every risk your business may encounter. Explore these related guides for complete coverage:
Best Illinois General Liability Insurance Reviews
Finding the best general liability insurance in Illinois means looking beyond just affordable rates. Coverage quality and customer service matter too. Our research identifies the top business insurers in the state.
The Hartford
Best Illinois General Liability Insurer
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly General Liability Premium
$90These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.5/5
NEXT
Best Illinois Commercial General Liability: Runner-Up
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly General Liability Premium
$113These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.8/5
Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Illinois
The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Illinois at $90 per month, saving businesses $23 or 20% compared to the state average. Simply Business and Nationwide also provide affordable coverage options for Illinois companies.
| The Hartford | $90 | $1,079 |
| Simply Business | $105 | $1,261 |
| Nationwide | $107 | $1,280 |
| Progressive Commercial | $110 | $1,321 |
| NEXT Insurance | $113 | $1,358 |
| Coverdash | $114 | $1,362 |
| Thimble | $117 | $1,409 |
| Hiscox | $125 | $1,499 |
| biBERK | $125 | $1,500 |
| Chubb | $130 | $1,566 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and focus solely on general liability policies. Your premium depends on where your business is located, what industry you're in, how much coverage you choose and other factors insurers consider. Available options differ by state.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance in Illinois by Industry
Based on MoneyGeek's research, these five providers offer the cheapest general liability insurance across industries in Illinois:
- The Hartford dominates affordability in 18 industries, covering diverse sectors from electrical and trucking to daycare and pest control.
- Simply Business ranks as the cheapest option in 16 industries, excelling with professional services like accountants, lawyers and consultants.
- Thimble leads in 12 industries, performing strongly for service businesses including cleaning, HVAC, software and tutoring companies.
- biBerk offers the lowest rates across 10 industries, showing strength in contracting, engineering and veterinary services.
- Nationwide rounds out the top five with affordable coverage in nine industries, leading in construction, manufacturing and restaurant sectors.
Data filtered by:
Select
| Accountants | Simply Business | $16 | $190 |
| Bakery | biBERK | $87 | $1,042 |
| Ad Agency | Thimble | $109 | $1,310 |
| Automotive | Coverdash | $121 | $1,455 |
| Auto Repair | Nationwide | $89 | $1,062 |
| Barber | biBERK | $89 | $1,071 |
| Beauty Salon | biBERK | $89 | $1,071 |
| Candle | Simply Business | $106 | $1,268 |
| Bounce House | Thimble | $84 | $1,010 |
| Catering | Hiscox | $84 | $1,002 |
| Cannabis | Chubb | $84 | $1,004 |
| Computer Programming | Thimble | $108 | $1,294 |
| Cleaning | Thimble | $92 | $1,102 |
| Coffee Shop | Simply Business | $93 | $1,111 |
| Computer Repair | Nationwide | $87 | $1,046 |
| Construction | Nationwide | $85 | $1,024 |
| Contractor | biBERK | $224 | $2,686 |
| Consulting | Simply Business | $16 | $190 |
| Courier | The Hartford | $183 | $2,196 |
| Dental | NEXT Insurance | $14 | $165 |
| Daycare | The Hartford | $28 | $338 |
| Dog Grooming | Simply Business | $84 | $1,004 |
| DJ | Thimble | $92 | $1,102 |
| Ecommerce | Chubb | $86 | $1,030 |
| Drone | The Hartford | $14 | $169 |
| Excavation | biBERK | $407 | $4,880 |
| Electrical | The Hartford | $93 | $1,118 |
| Engineering | biBERK | $18 | $221 |
| Florist | Simply Business | $34 | $405 |
| Food | Simply Business | $85 | $1,016 |
| Funeral Home | biBERK | $88 | $1,061 |
| Food Truck | Simply Business | $85 | $1,016 |
| Gardening | Simply Business | $90 | $1,076 |
| Handyman | biBERK | $192 | $2,298 |
| Hospitality | Chubb | $89 | $1,072 |
| Home-based | The Hartford | $19 | $231 |
| Home-based | NEXT Insurance | $51 | $606 |
| Janitorial | Nationwide | $107 | $1,289 |
| HVAC | Thimble | $118 | $1,417 |
| Jewelry | Thimble | $180 | $2,158 |
| Lawyers | Simply Business | $16 | $190 |
| Junk Removal | The Hartford | $139 | $1,669 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | Simply Business | $90 | $1,076 |
| Manufacturing | Nationwide | $22 | $264 |
| Marine | The Hartford | $26 | $309 |
| Moving | Nationwide | $95 | $1,135 |
| Massage | Simply Business | $88 | $1,051 |
| Mortgage Broker | NEXT Insurance | $17 | $208 |
| Nonprofit | biBERK | $29 | $346 |
| Pet | Simply Business | $84 | $1,004 |
| Painting | The Hartford | $122 | $1,458 |
| Party Rental | Progressive Commercial | $85 | $1,018 |
| Personal Training | The Hartford | $20 | $246 |
| Pest Control | The Hartford | $28 | $332 |
| Physical Therapy | Thimble | $940 | $11,274 |
| Pharmacy | Chubb | $85 | $1,016 |
| Photography | NEXT Insurance | $15 | $176 |
| Pressure Washing | The Hartford | $939 | $11,270 |
| Plumbing | Simply Business | $298 | $3,572 |
| Real Estate | Nationwide | $132 | $1,586 |
| Restaurant | Nationwide | $91 | $1,092 |
| Security | The Hartford | $121 | $1,453 |
| Retail | Chubb | $86 | $1,036 |
| Roofing | Thimble | $227 | $2,725 |
| Snack Bars | Coverdash | $86 | $1,033 |
| Software | Thimble | $92 | $1,102 |
| Tech/IT | NEXT Insurance | $17 | $208 |
| Spa/Wellness | The Hartford | $90 | $1,083 |
| Speech Therapist | Simply Business | $22 | $263 |
| Startup | Simply Business | $16 | $190 |
| Tree Service | Nationwide | $95 | $1,135 |
| Transportation | The Hartford | $34 | $413 |
| Travel | The Hartford | $17 | $208 |
| Tutoring | Thimble | $108 | $1,294 |
| Trucking | The Hartford | $89 | $1,064 |
| Window Cleaning | The Hartford | $141 | $1,692 |
| Veterinary | biBERK | $27 | $327 |
| Wedding Planning | Thimble | $95 | $1,138 |
| Welding | The Hartford | $147 | $1,770 |
| Wholesale | Coverdash | $37 | $446 |
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Illinois
General liability insurance costs Illinois small businesses an average of $113 per month. The average cost of general liability coverage depends on your industry, business size, location and coverage limits.
Manufacturing companies often pay higher premiums due to increased risk exposure, while accounting firms tend to pay less because of lower liability risks. Sole proprietors generally pay lower rates than businesses with employees since they have fewer liability exposures.
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Illinois by Industry
General liability insurance costs in Illinois range from $18 monthly for drone businesses to $1,010 for pressure washing companies. This wide cost variation depends heavily on your industry's risk level. Review this table to find typical general liability coverage rates for your specific business type.
Data filtered by:
Select
| Accountants | $24 | $292 |
| Ad Agency | $39 | $468 |
| Automotive | $59 | $706 |
| Auto Repair | $168 | $2,011 |
| Bakery | $100 | $1,196 |
| Barber | $49 | $586 |
| Beauty Salon | $74 | $884 |
| Bounce House | $77 | $930 |
| Candle | $61 | $727 |
| Cannabis | $74 | $887 |
| Catering | $97 | $1,159 |
| Cleaning | $146 | $1,753 |
| Coffee Shop | $99 | $1,187 |
| Computer Programming | $32 | $385 |
| Computer Repair | $53 | $631 |
| Construction | $193 | $2,321 |
| Consulting | $24 | $290 |
| Contractor | $281 | $3,374 |
| Courier | $216 | $2,587 |
| Daycare | $36 | $435 |
| Dental | $24 | $284 |
| DJ | $28 | $335 |
| Dog Grooming | $70 | $840 |
| Drone | $18 | $221 |
| Ecommerce | $81 | $968 |
| Electrical | $124 | $1,488 |
| Engineering | $44 | $527 |
| Excavation | $514 | $6,164 |
| Florist | $47 | $567 |
| Food | $119 | $1,425 |
| Food Truck | $156 | $1,876 |
| Funeral Home | $67 | $799 |
| Gardening | $124 | $1,487 |
| Handyman | $269 | $3,231 |
| Home-based | $26 | $315 |
| Home-based | $51 | $606 |
| Hospitality | $72 | $863 |
| HVAC | $271 | $3,247 |
| Janitorial | $151 | $1,815 |
| Jewelry | $44 | $533 |
| Junk Removal | $179 | $2,150 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $133 | $1,591 |
| Lawyers | $25 | $302 |
| Manufacturing | $70 | $845 |
| Marine | $31 | $371 |
| Massage | $106 | $1,268 |
| Mortgage Broker | $25 | $303 |
| Moving | $137 | $1,642 |
| Nonprofit | $40 | $475 |
| Painting | $159 | $1,903 |
| Party Rental | $88 | $1,052 |
| Personal Training | $26 | $316 |
| Pest Control | $36 | $427 |
| Pet | $62 | $742 |
| Pharmacy | $68 | $818 |
| Photography | $27 | $319 |
| Physical Therapy | $121 | $1,457 |
| Plumbing | $399 | $4,786 |
| Pressure Washing | $1,010 | $12,118 |
| Real Estate | $59 | $704 |
| Restaurant | $160 | $1,919 |
| Retail | $72 | $866 |
| Roofing | $428 | $5,136 |
| Security | $153 | $1,842 |
| Snack Bars | $130 | $1,554 |
| Software | $29 | $348 |
| Spa/Wellness | $118 | $1,412 |
| Speech Therapist | $34 | $413 |
| Startup | $32 | $379 |
| Tech/IT | $29 | $349 |
| Transportation | $42 | $498 |
| Travel | $23 | $276 |
| Tree Service | $143 | $1,718 |
| Trucking | $113 | $1,358 |
| Tutoring | $33 | $400 |
| Veterinary | $49 | $593 |
| Wedding Planning | $31 | $367 |
| Welding | $182 | $2,183 |
| Wholesale | $49 | $591 |
| Window Cleaning | $176 | $2,108 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and focus solely on general liability policies. Your premium depends on where your business is located, what industry you're in, how much coverage you choose and other factors insurers consider. Available options differ by state.
What Factors Affect Illinois General Liability Insurance Costs?
Several factors influence what Illinois businesses pay for general liability insurance.
Illinois Legal Environment and Litigation Climate
Illinois businesses are seeing mounting liability costs from an increasingly expensive legal environment. Social inflation has increased liability claims by 57% over the past decade, while defense costs continue to rise due to complex electronic discovery. Nuclear verdicts exceeding $10 million have pushed insurers to settle claims rather than litigate, which drives premiums higher.
Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act has also created unique exposure, with filings jumping 65% in 2023 after court rulings counted each biometric scan as a separate violation. Most insurance policies now include explicit exclusions for biometric claims, requiring businesses to purchase separate coverage or risk having gaps.
Urban Population Density and Geographic Risk
Chicago and other Illinois urban centers bring higher premises liability exposure for businesses. Increased foot traffic leads to more slip-and-fall accidents and customer injuries, with downtown locations experiencing far more claims than rural areas. Severe weather adds to this risk. Illinois recorded the most billion-dollar climate disasters in 2024 since tracking began in 1980, with nine major storms producing tornadoes, hail and high winds.
These conditions create hazards such as icy sidewalks, wet floors and scattered debris that contribute to injury claims. Higher urban property values also result in larger settlement amounts when customers are injured.
Illinois Regulatory Environment and Rate Oversight
Illinois is the only state whose insurance regulators do not have authority to review and either approve, modify or reject proposed premium changes. Insurers can raise rates without regulatory scrutiny, implementing increases immediately upon filing rather than waiting for approval. Illinois has traditionally relied on market competition to keep rates affordable while regulators focus on ensuring premiums are adequate to pay claims.
When loss trends worsen from litigation and claims, insurers react quickly with rate increases. While competition helps keep pricing in check, all insurers deal with the same cost pressures, which causes rates to rise more quickly across the market than in states with regulatory oversight.
How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Illinois?
Illinois doesn't mandate general liability insurance for most small businesses. The main exception is plumbing contractors, who need minimum coverage of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate for bodily injury, plus $50,000 in property damage (or $300,000 combined single limit) to maintain their state registration. Some Illinois cities like Chicago, Aurora and Joliet require contractors to carry GL insurance for local licenses.
Most Illinois businesses buy general liability insurance to meet contract requirements rather than state laws. Clients, landlords and lenders often require proof of coverage before signing agreements. The standard coverage is $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate to satisfy most requirements for commercial general liability in Illinois.
Note: State insurance requirements in Illinois change regularly. Always verify the latest requirements with the Illinois Department of Insurance or a licensed insurance agent.
How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Illinois
Choosing general liability insurance in Illinois means finding coverage that protects your business from accidents, property damage and lawsuits without straining your budget. Getting business insurance starts with understanding what coverage limits your contracts require and what risks your specific industry faces.
- 1Determine Coverage Needs
Illinois doesn't require general liability insurance for most businesses, though plumbing contractors need minimum business insurance coverage to maintain state registration. Cities like Chicago, Aurora and Joliet also require contractors to carry GL insurance for local licenses, with minimums ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per occurrence.
- 2Prepare Business Information
Gather your EIN, business registration, revenue figures and employee count before requesting quotes from Illinois insurers. Contractors and construction businesses pay higher premiums than consultants or retail shops, so accurate business classification helps you get realistic pricing.
- 3Compare Multiple Quotes
Request quotes from at least three insurers licensed in Illinois, where small businesses pay between $40 and $104 monthly for general liability coverage. Business insurance costs vary between carriers, so compare deductibles, policy limits and whether defense costs count toward your coverage maximum.
- 4Look Beyond Price
Read policy exclusions carefully when shopping for affordable business insurance rather than choosing the cheapest option. Illinois professional services businesses need errors and omissions insurance for client mistakes, which standard general liability policies don't cover.
- 5Verify Insurer Credibility
Check the Illinois Department of Insurance's online complaint database and review AM Best ratings before buying coverage. Illinois publishes complaint ratios by company, helping you avoid insurers with poor claims-handling track records.
- 6Ask About Discounts
Bundle general liability with commercial property insurance in a business owner's policy to save 10% to 25% on premiums. Illinois insurers also offer discounts for safety programs, claims-free histories and paying annually instead of monthly.
- 7Obtain Certificate of Insurance
Request a certificate of insurance to provide proof of coverage to Illinois clients, landlords and contractors before signing agreements. Most insurers provide digital certificates instantly, though some take up to 48 hours.
- 8Review Coverage Annually
Compare quotes 60 to 90 days before renewal, especially after adding employees, expanding services or increasing revenue. Annual reviews help you maintain adequate coverage and avoid compliance gaps with local Illinois requirements.
Top General Liability Insurance in Illinois: Bottom Line
Finding the right general liability insurance in Illinois starts with understanding your specific business needs and budget. The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide lead the market, but your ideal provider depends on your industry, company size and coverage requirements. Compare quotes from multiple insurers and verify their licensing credentials before making your final decision.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
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.
sources
- Cothron v. White Castle System, Inc., 2023 IL 128004. "Illinois Supreme Court, February 17, 2023." Accessed December 7, 2025.
- Illinois Department of Insurance. "Rate, Rule & Form Filings – Public Access." Accessed December 7, 2025.
- Illinois General Assembly. "740 ILCS 14/ Biometric Information Privacy Act." Accessed December 7, 2025.
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "2024: An Active Year of U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters." Accessed December 7, 2025.
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Illinois Summary." Accessed December 7, 2025.
- Swiss Re Institute. "Litigation Costs Drive US Liability Claims by 57% Over Past Decade, Reveals Swiss Re Institute." Accessed December 7, 2025.