We researched general liability insurance options to bring you the best business insurance guidance for Mississippi business owners. These are the answers to the most common questions based on MoneyGeek’s analysis:
Best General Liability Insurance in Mississippi
ERGO NEXT is the top general liability insurer in Mississippi, while The Hartford offers the lowest rates starting at $82 per month.
Get matched to the best and cheapest general liability insurer for you below.
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Updated: February 19, 2026
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Commercial General Liability Insurance in Mississippi: Fast Answers
Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Mississippi?
ERGO NEXT ranks as the best general liability insurance company in Mississippi with a 4.57 overall score out of 5. The company provides excellent digital experience and reliable coverage for $104 per month. The Hartford follows closely as runner-up with a 4.56 score, offering affordable rates at $82 per month and strong claims handling.
Who offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Mississippi?
The cheapest general liability insurance companies in Mississippi are:
- The Hartford: $82 per month
- Simply Business: $96 per month
- Nationwide: $97 per month
- Progressive: $101 per month
- ERGO NEXT: $104 per month
Do Mississippi businesses legally need general liability insurance?
Mississippi doesn't legally require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. However, certain licensed professionals like contractors and electricians may need coverage to maintain their licenses. Local municipalities can set their own requirements, so check with your city or county. Even without legal mandates, most landlords and clients require proof of insurance before signing contracts or leases.
How much does general liability insurance cost in Mississippi?
General liability insurance costs between $17 and $924 per month for small Mississippi businesses with two employees. The drone industry sees the lowest rates at $17 per month, while pressure washing businesses experience the highest at $924 per month. Your actual premium depends on your industry, location, coverage limits and business size.
Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Mississippi
ERGO NEXT leads our rankings for general liability insurance in Mississippi. It excels in customer service and coverage quality for small businesses. The Hartford offers affordability and stability, while Nationwide offers stability and competitive pricing options.
| ERGO NEXT | 4.57 | $104 |
| The Hartford | 4.56 | $82 |
| Nationwide | 4.53 | $97 |
| Simply Business | 4.49 | $96 |
| Coverdash | 4.38 | $104 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | $108 |
| biBERK | 4.30 | $115 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.28 | $101 |
| Chubb | 4.27 | $119 |
| Hiscox | 4.19 | $115 |
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.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE IN MISSISSIPPI
General liability insurance covers customer injuries and property damage for Mississippi businesses, but it won't protect against every risk your business may encounter. Explore these additional coverage options for comprehensive financial protection:
Best Mississippi General Liability Insurance Reviews
Finding the right general liability insurance provider in Mississippi means looking beyond just affordable rates. Coverage quality and customer service matter too. MoneyGeek's research reveals the top business insurers in the state.
ERGO NEXT
Best Mississippi General Liability Insurer
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly General Liability Premium
$104These 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
The Hartford
Best Mississippi 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
$82These 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
Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Mississippi
The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Mississippi at $82 per month, saving businesses $21 or 20% compared to the state average. Simply Business and Nationwide also provide affordable coverage options for Mississippi small businesses.
| The Hartford | $82 | $986 |
| Simply Business | $96 | $1,154 |
| Nationwide | $97 | $1,170 |
| Progressive Commercial | $101 | $1,207 |
| ERGO NEXT | $104 | $1,242 |
| Coverdash | $104 | $1,247 |
| Thimble | $108 | $1,292 |
| Hiscox | $115 | $1,375 |
| biBERK | $115 | $1,376 |
| Chubb | $119 | $1,433 |
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 Mississippi by Industry
MoneyGeek's research identifies the most affordable providers across different industries.
- The Hartford ranks as the cheapest option in 22 industries, leading in construction, electrical work, food trucks and transportation businesses.
- Thimble offers the lowest rates for 14 industries, excelling in cleaning, barbershops, HVAC and software development.
- Simply Business and biBerk each win affordability in 10 industries. Simply Business performs best for professional services like accounting, legal and consulting. biBerk leads in contracting, engineering and hospitality.
- ERGO NEXT offers affordable coverage across eight industries, and is good for dental practices, tech companies and trucking businesses.
- Nationwide has affordable rates for six industries, including manufacturing, real estate and janitorial services.
Data filtered by:
Accountants
| Accountants | Simply Business | $15 | $174 |
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Mississippi
Most small businesses in Mississippi pay around $103 monthly for general liability insurance. The average cost of general liability insurance coverage changes based on your industry, business size, location and policy limits.
Manufacturing companies often pay higher premiums due to greater risk exposure, while accounting firms tend to pay less because of lower liability concerns. Sole proprietors generally pay lower rates than businesses with employees since they have fewer liability risks.
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Mississippi by Industry
Mississippi businesses pay between $17 and $924 monthly for general liability coverage, with drone companies securing the most affordable rates and pressure washing businesses seeing the highest costs. Review this table for specific rates in your industry.
Data filtered by:
Select
| Accountants | $22 | $267 |
| Ad Agency | $36 | $428 |
| Automotive | $54 | $646 |
| Auto Repair | $153 | $1,841 |
| Bakery | $91 | $1,094 |
| Barber | $45 | $537 |
| Beauty Salon | $67 | $809 |
| Bounce House | $71 | $851 |
| Candle | $55 | $665 |
| Cannabis | $68 | $812 |
| Catering | $88 | $1,062 |
| Cleaning | $134 | $1,605 |
| Coffee Shop | $91 | $1,087 |
| Computer Programming | $29 | $352 |
| Computer Repair | $48 | $577 |
| Construction | $177 | $2,124 |
| Consulting | $22 | $266 |
| Contractor | $257 | $3,088 |
| Courier | $197 | $2,367 |
| Daycare | $33 | $399 |
| Dental | $22 | $260 |
| DJ | $26 | $307 |
| Dog Grooming | $64 | $768 |
| Drone | $17 | $202 |
| Ecommerce | $74 | $887 |
| Electrical | $113 | $1,362 |
| Engineering | $40 | $483 |
| Excavation | $470 | $5,641 |
| Florist | $43 | $519 |
| Food | $109 | $1,304 |
| Food Truck | $143 | $1,717 |
| Funeral Home | $61 | $731 |
| Gardening | $113 | $1,361 |
| Handyman | $246 | $2,957 |
| Home-based | $24 | $288 |
| Home-based | $46 | $554 |
| Hospitality | $66 | $790 |
| HVAC | $248 | $2,972 |
| Janitorial | $138 | $1,661 |
| Jewelry | $41 | $488 |
| Junk Removal | $164 | $1,968 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $121 | $1,456 |
| Lawyers | $23 | $276 |
| Manufacturing | $65 | $774 |
| Marine | $28 | $340 |
| Massage | $97 | $1,161 |
| Mortgage Broker | $23 | $277 |
| Moving | $125 | $1,503 |
| Nonprofit | $36 | $435 |
| Painting | $145 | $1,742 |
| Party Rental | $80 | $963 |
| Personal Training | $24 | $289 |
| Pest Control | $33 | $390 |
| Pet | $57 | $679 |
| Pharmacy | $62 | $748 |
| Photography | $24 | $292 |
| Physical Therapy | $111 | $1,335 |
| Plumbing | $365 | $4,380 |
| Pressure Washing | $924 | $11,090 |
| Real Estate | $54 | $644 |
| Restaurant | $146 | $1,757 |
| Retail | $66 | $792 |
| Roofing | $392 | $4,701 |
| Security | $140 | $1,685 |
| Snack Bars | $119 | $1,422 |
| Software | $27 | $319 |
| Spa/Wellness | $108 | $1,293 |
| Speech Therapist | $32 | $378 |
| Startup | $29 | $347 |
| Tech/IT | $27 | $320 |
| Transportation | $38 | $456 |
| Travel | $21 | $253 |
| Tree Service | $131 | $1,572 |
| Trucking | $104 | $1,243 |
| Tutoring | $31 | $366 |
| Veterinary | $45 | $543 |
| Wedding Planning | $28 | $336 |
| Welding | $166 | $1,998 |
| Wholesale | $45 | $541 |
| Window Cleaning | $161 | $1,929 |
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 Mississippi General Liability Insurance Costs?
Several factors influence what Mississippi businesses pay for general liability insurance coverage.
Mississippi Coastal Weather and Geographic Risk
Mississippi’s Gulf shore is vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can raise general liability costs because of damaged walkways, flooding and debris. Businesses in the six southern coastal counties (Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River, Stone and George) often see much higher rates.
More than 55% of Mississippi’s bridges need attention, and many roads are in poor condition, increasing the likelihood of claims when customers trip or fall on nearby public property.
Mississippi Economic and Market Conditions
Multiple major insurers filed for major rate increases in Mississippi, with State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance increasing commercial general liability rates by 28.2% effective December 2025 and other carriers implementing increases ranging from 14% to 15%.
The Mississippi Insurance Department notes that supply chain issues and increased labor costs are driving up claim settlements. Bodily injury claims involve rising healthcare costs, while property damage settlements reflect surging material and labor prices.
Mississippi Legal and Regulatory Environment
Mississippi assigns fault proportionally under Miss. Code Ann. § 85-5-7, with each party liable only for damages in direct proportion to their percentage of fault. Proportional fault reduces catastrophic loss potential compared to joint and several liability states. Tort reform enacted in 2002 limited venue options and reduced frivolous claims, stabilizing costs. However, general liability claims have no statutory damage caps unlike medical malpractice cases.
Mississippi Business-Specific Rating Factors
General liability rates are factored using gross sales, gross payroll for employees and owners, square footage of premises, and any sub-contractor exposures. Higher revenue indicates more customer transactions, increasing claim exposure. Businesses with a large number of employees and high payroll expenses can expect higher general liability insurance costs. A history of multiple claims can make a business appear riskier to insurers, which results in higher premiums.
How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Mississippi?
Mississippi doesn't mandate general liability insurance for most businesses, but licensed contractors must follow strict coverage rules. The requirements for commercial general liability insurance depend on your license type and project scope. Commercial contractors need higher limits than residential contractors, and the Mississippi State Board of Contractors must be listed on all policies to receive cancellation notices.
These are Mississippi’s specific insurance requirements for licensed contractors:
Mississippi public liability insurance requirements for commercial contractors
$300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
This coverage level applies to anyone holding a commercial contractor license for projects exceeding $50,000. The Mississippi State Board of Contractors won't issue or renew your license without proof of these minimum limits.
Mississippi public liability insurance requirements for electricians
$300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
Master electricians performing commercial work over $10,000 must carry this coverage to maintain their license. Your certificate of insurance needs to show MSBOC as the certificate holder for cancellation notifications.
Mississippi public liability insurance requirements for HVAC contractors
$300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
Mechanical classification license holders follow the same requirements as other commercial contractors. Projects under $10,000 don't require a contractor license or mandated insurance coverage.
Mississippi public liability insurance requirements for plumbers
$300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
These requirements apply to plumbers working under the mechanical classification on commercial projects. Residential plumbing work valued over $10,000 requires proof of insurance but no minimum amount.
Mississippi public liability insurance requirements for fire sprinkler contractors
$300,000 per occurrence / $600,000 aggregate
Coverage is mandatory for public projects over $5,000 and private projects exceeding $10,000. This specialized classification falls under commercial contractor requirements with identical insurance thresholds.
Mississippi public liability insurance requirements for residential contractors
Proof Required, No Minimum Amount
Residential builders, remodelers, and roofers must show they carry general liability insurance to get licensed. MSBOC doesn't specify minimum limits for residential work, though most insurers offer $1 million per occurrence as standard coverage.
All active license holders must maintain continuous general liability coverage in Mississippi. Contractors who stop building can request inactive status by paying a $25 processing fee, though annual renewal fees continue during inactive periods. Returning to active status requires proof of current insurance and another $25 fee to MSBOC.
Note: State insurance requirements change regularly. Confirm current Mississippi requirements with the Mississippi Insurance Department or a licensed insurance agent before purchasing coverage.
How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Mississippi
Choosing general liability insurance in Mississippi requires balancing coverage needs against your budget and risk exposure. Getting business insurance starts with understanding which protections your specific industry requires and how different policy limits affect your premium costs.
- 1Determine Coverage Needs
Commercial contractors in Mississippi must carry $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 aggregate as part of their licensing requirements, which is part of their business insurance coverage.
Residential contractors only need to show proof of insurance, and the state doesn’t specify minimum limits, though most Mississippi insurers commonly offer $1 million per occurrence as a standard option.
- 2Prepare Business Information
Gather your Mississippi sales tax number, business registration with the Secretary of State and any contractor license documentation before requesting quotes.
- 3Compare Multiple Quotes
General liability rates in Mississippi range from $30 monthly for sole proprietors to over $3,700 for high-risk industries. Business insurance costs vary between carriers, so comparing multiple quotes helps you find coverage that fits your needs.
- 4Look Beyond Price
Cheap business insurance in Mississippi might exclude critical coverages like hurricane-related property damage or employee injuries requiring separate policies. Read policy exclusions carefully.
- 5Verify Insurer Credentials
Check insurer licensing through the Mississippi Insurance Department's online database and confirm AM Best ratings for financial stability. Call the MID Consumer Help Line at 800-562-2957 to verify an insurer's license status and complaint history.
- 6Ask About Discounts
Mississippi insurers offer bundling discounts of 10% to 25% when you combine general liability with commercial auto or property coverage through a business owner's policy. Claims-free discounts, annual payment options and safety program certifications can help lower your premiums.
- 7Obtain Certificate of Insurance
Commercial landlords and clients in Mississippi require certificates of insurance before allowing you to operate. Most insurers provide digital certificates instantly through online portals, while smaller carriers may take 24 to 48 hours.
- 8Review Coverage Annually
Reassess your coverage 60 to 90 days before renewal. Mississippi's recent 28.2% commercial general liability rate increases from major carriers make annual shopping important.
Top General Liability Insurance in Mississippi: Bottom Line
Finding quality general liability insurance in Mississippi starts with understanding your specific business needs and researching providers thoroughly. ERGO NEXT, The Hartford and Nationwide lead the market, but your best choice depends on your industry, business size and budget. Compare multiple quotes and verify each insurer's 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. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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
- American Society of Civil Engineers. "2024 Report Card for Mississippi's Infrastructure." Accessed February 27, 2026.
- American Society of Civil Engineers. "Mississippi's Infrastructure Grade Improves to a 'C-'." Accessed February 27, 2026.
- Justia. "Mississippi Code § 85-5-7 (2024) - Limitation of Joint and Several Liability for Damages Caused by Two or More Persons." Accessed February 27, 2026.
- Mississippi Insurance Department. "Property/Casualty Rate Filing Bulletin." Accessed February 27, 2026.