Nationwide emerged as the top contender for Massachusetts’ best general liability insurance in MoneyGeek’s analysis with a score of 96 out of 100. However, The Hartford, Thimble, NEXT, and Hiscox are also great options for general liability policies.
Best General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts
The Hartford, Nationwide and Thimble are the best and cheapest general liability insurance providers in Massachusetts, with rates starting at $24 per month.
Start comparing affordable providers in Massachusetts below.
Select your industry
Updated: June 20, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Due to its balance of affordable rates and strong customer service, Nationwide is the top overall general liability insurance provider for LLCs in Massachusetts.
The cheapest general liability insurance for sole proprietors in Massachusetts is offered by Thimble at $24 per month. For LLCs, NEXT is the most affordable option at $28 a month.
General liability insurance costs in Massachusetts depend on your industry, and we found they can range from $30 to $3,009 per month on average.
Best Cheap General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts
| Nationwide | 96 | $38 | $48 |
| The Hartford | 95 | $34 | $62 |
| Thimble | 91 | $24 | $68 |
| NEXT | 90 | $27 | $28 |
| Hiscox | 83 | $32 | $220 |
*Rates were based on a $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate limit for a software development company.
Nationwide: Best Overall
pros
Low rates for LLC businesses
Large coverage selection
Low customer claims frequency
cons
Higher rates for sole proprietors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide is the top option for general liability business insurance in Massachusetts according to our study, blending competitive costs with superior service delivery. It offers the second best rates for LLCs, along with a top ranking for the lowest claims ratio from the NAIC.
NEXT: Cheapest Overall
pros
Easy fast buying process
Very cheap rates overall, regardless of business size
Business-insurance-only focus
cons
Higher customer complaint frequency
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT is the most affordable option for general liability insurance in the state, offering the second lowest cost for sole proprietors and the lowest rates for LLCs, at $324 and $336 annually. While its customer complaint rate was higher than other companies we've reviewed in the state, their overall buying process was smooth, and you can get proof of insurance within the same day.
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts?
An average general liability insurance policy in Massachusetts typically costs around $30 per month for sole proprietors and $85 per month for LLCs. However, this only represents software development companies and the costs can vary widely by industry.
| Cleaning | $2,180 | $113 |
| General Contractor | $3,009 | $205 |
| Software Development | $85 | $30 |
*Rates are based on a $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate coverage policy for general liability.
Factors That Impact General Liability Insurance Costs in Massachusetts
General liability insurance costs can fluctuate based on a number of different factors in Massachusetts. In the list below, you can see these factors and their impacts on your coverage costs:
Policy limits
Coverage limits can greatly influence insurance premiums. Opting for higher limits generally raises costs, while choosing lower limits usually results in more affordable premiums.
Number of employees and payroll costs
Businesses with a large workforce and high payroll expenses often see an increase in general liability insurance costs. This trend is evident in both LLCs and sole proprietorships.
Business location
Where your business operates can significantly affect your insurance rates. State averages may differ from city to city, so it's important to consider these variations when assessing your coverage needs.
Claims history
A record of multiple claims can lead insurers to view a business as riskier, which often results in higher premiums.
Industry
Industries with higher risk levels, like construction, typically incur greater general liability insurance costs.
Massachusetts General Liability Insurance: Buyer's Guide
To simplify your understanding of general liability insurance, we've created a short guide detailing how to get the best coverage, defining what it covers, listing requirements in Massachusetts, and explaining how much coverage you should consider getting.
How to Find the Best General Liability Insurance Company
To help ensure that you get the best small business insurance regardless of your industry, we've created a step-by-step guide to simplify your coverage search.
- 1
Define your coverage needs
Determine your liability risk by considering your industry, services, customer types, business size and market impact. Assess the frequency and costs of common claims in your industry to evaluate coverage options better.
- 2
Research average costs for your business
Research average costs for your specific business to understand how good of a deal you're receiving from insurance companies. Knowing average expenses will give you insight into if a company will save you money.
- 3
Consult similar businesses
Your business community is your greatest resource, which can give you recommendations that are better for your specific needs. They may also provide ways to mitigate risks associated with general liability insurance. This may mean you don’t need extra coverage.
- 4
Compare multiple options through different means
Comparing multiple companies apples to apples ensures that you can judge which option is best for your business. Using both online comparison sites and brokers will give you a more comprehensive view of pricing and provide more opportunities to get advice.
What Does General Liability Insurance Cover and How Does It Work?
General liability insurance coverage consists of two parts: per occurrence and aggregate limits. Per occurrence refers to the maximum a single claim can go up to, while the aggregate limit is the total coverage you can get per year. In terms of covered items, this type of policy includes the following:
Bodily injuries or property damage on business property
Legal fees for bodily injury or property damage that your company may be responsible for
Damages to leased or rented business property
Bodily injury or property damage caused by your product or service
Libel, slander, or reputational harm legal defense
Legal fees for copyright infringement accusations
Is General Liability Insurance Required in Massachusetts?
Like in most states, general liability insurance isn't expressly required by state law and instead varies by your industry. However, if you are looking to apply for a professional license, sign a contract with a larger company, or sign an office lease, some form of general liability insurance may be required. While not an exhaustive list, the following industries tend to fall into these categories:
- Medical
- Accounting
- Real estate
- Insurance
- Contracting
- Engineering
- Marketing
- Law
- Consulting
- Media/Communications
How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need?
Most small businesses will only need a standard policy with 1 million dollars of protection per occurrence and a 2 million limit per year. This will likely cover most or all damages caused over a year for most business types. Even so, your particular industry's risks and the size of your operation may require a larger coverage limit than standard.
WHO MAY NEED MORE COVERAGE
Certain businesses, like those in health services, building, and stores, face more risks. This means they often need to pay more for general liability insurance. If your company is in one of these areas, you might need more insurance to be safe. Bigger companies with lots of workers or those that sell a lot should also check how much risk they have. They might need more insurance than what's normally enough.
Best General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts: Bottom Line
Overall the best general liability insurance companies in Massachusetts are Nationwide, The Hartford, and Thimble. However, we recommend comparing around yourself and getting plenty of quotes to ensure you get the best deal possible.
General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts: FAQ
Below, we address frequently asked questions regarding general liability insurance in Massachusetts:
Which company has the best general liability insurance in Massachusetts?
MoneyGeek's top choice for general liability insurance in Massachusetts is Nationwide, which earned an overall score of 96 out of 100. However, your ideal insurance depends on various details, including your business size, number of employees, and specific coverage requirements.
Which company has the cheapest general liability insurance in Massachusetts?
For sole proprietors, Thimble offers the most affordable coverage, with an average rate of $288 per year. For LLCs, NEXT provides the cheapest option, at $336 annually.
Does Massachusetts require businesses to have general liability insurance?
Massachusetts does not mandate general liability insurance for businesses, but it's recommended to protect against potential liability claims.
How We Chose the Best General Liability Insurance Providers in Massachusetts
We broke down our scores into these categories and weights:
- LLC cost (55% of score)
- Sole proprietor cost (5% of score)
- Customer satisfaction (25% of score)
- Financial strength (10% of score)
- Quote process time (5% of score)
For all business insurance companies, we assumed software development industry LLCs with 20 employees. We based customer satisfaction and financial strength scores on NAIC and AM Best ratings. Quote process scores came from our MoneyGeek experts' personal experiences.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.