The Hartford tops our rankings for the best general liability insurance in North Carolina, delivering an excellent balance of affordable rates and quality service. NEXT and Nationwide are solid alternatives, both offering strong customer support.
General Liability Insurance in North Carolina
The Hartford tops our rankings for general liability coverage in North Carolina, scoring 4.59 out of 5.
Explore low-cost general liability insurance in North Carolina below.
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Updated: October 30, 2025
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Key Takeaways
The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide are the leading general liability insurance providers serving North Carolina businesses.
Your business type, operational scale, desired coverage amount and available budget determine the most suitable insurance provider in North Carolina.
A thorough comparison of insurance quotes, provider financial strength ratings, customer feedback and proper licensing ensures you find the best small business insurance for your general liability needs.
Best General Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| The Hartford | 4.59 | $72 |
| NEXT | 4.58 | $89 |
| Nationwide | 4.52 | $84 |
| Simply Business | 4.49 | $82 |
| Coverdash | 4.38 | $89 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | $93 |
| biBerk | 4.31 | $99 |
| Chubb | 4.29 | $102 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.26 | $88 |
| Hiscox | 4.20 | $99 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Actual rates vary based on your specific business location, industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE
Protecting your North Carolina business requires more than just general liability coverage. Review these related insurance options:
Best North Carolina Small Business Insurance Reviews
We evaluated North Carolina's leading insurance providers to help small business owners with general liability insurance requirements identify which companies offer the strongest coverage options and competitive rates for local businesses.
The Hartford
Best Overall Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Premium
$72Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5Recommend to Others
4.5/5
NEXT
Runner-Up Best Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Premium
$89Our Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Recommend to Others
4.8/5
Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance in North Carolina, with coverage starting at $72 monthly or $861 annually. Simply Business and Nationwide also provide competitive rates.
| The Hartford | $72 | $861 |
| Simply Business | $82 | $989 |
| Nationwide | $84 | $1,014 |
| Progressive Commercial | $88 | $1,054 |
| NEXT | $89 | $1,068 |
| Coverdash | $89 | $1,069 |
| Thimble | $93 | $1,112 |
| Hiscox | $99 | $1,184 |
| biBerk | $99 | $1,185 |
| Chubb | $102 | $1,229 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies. Your actual 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.
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in North Carolina
General liability insurance in North Carolina averages $90 monthly or $1,069 annually, about $14 less per month than the national average. Your premium varies based on industry risk, business size, location and claims history.
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry
Commercial general liability insurance costs vary by industry in North Carolina. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $797, while Drone companies pay just $15 per month. The table below shows how premiums differ across various business types throughout the state.
| Accountants | $19 | $230 |
| Ad Agency | $31 | $369 |
| Automotive | $46 | $557 |
| Auto Repair | $132 | $1,587 |
| Bakery | $79 | $944 |
| Barber | $39 | $463 |
| Beauty Salon | $58 | $699 |
| Bounce House | $61 | $734 |
| Candle | $48 | $574 |
| Cannabis | $58 | $701 |
| Catering | $76 | $915 |
| Cleaning | $115 | $1,384 |
| Coffee Shop | $78 | $937 |
| Computer Programming | $25 | $303 |
| Computer Repair | $41 | $498 |
| Construction | $153 | $1,831 |
| Consulting | $19 | $229 |
| Contractor | $222 | $2,664 |
| Courier | $170 | $2,042 |
| Daycare | $29 | $344 |
| Dental | $19 | $225 |
| DJ | $22 | $264 |
| Dog Grooming | $55 | $663 |
| Drone | $15 | $174 |
| Ecommerce | $64 | $764 |
| Electrical | $98 | $1,175 |
| Engineering | $35 | $416 |
| Excavation | $405 | $4,865 |
| Florist | $37 | $448 |
| Food | $94 | $1,125 |
| Food Truck | $124 | $1,482 |
| Funeral Home | $53 | $631 |
| Gardening | $98 | $1,174 |
| Handyman | $213 | $2,550 |
| Home-based | $21 | $248 |
| Home-based | $40 | $476 |
| Hospitality | $57 | $681 |
| HVAC | $214 | $2,563 |
| Janitorial | $119 | $1,432 |
| Jewelry | $35 | $421 |
| Junk Removal | $141 | $1,698 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $105 | $1,256 |
| Lawyers | $20 | $238 |
| Manufacturing | $56 | $667 |
| Marine | $24 | $293 |
| Massage | $83 | $1,001 |
| Mortgage Broker | $20 | $239 |
| Moving | $108 | $1,296 |
| Nonprofit | $31 | $375 |
| Painting | $125 | $1,502 |
| Party Rental | $69 | $831 |
| Personal Training | $21 | $249 |
| Pest Control | $28 | $337 |
| Pet | $49 | $585 |
| Pharmacy | $54 | $646 |
| Photography | $21 | $252 |
| Physical Therapy | $96 | $1,150 |
| Plumbing | $315 | $3,777 |
| Pressure Washing | $797 | $9,568 |
| Real Estate | $46 | $556 |
| Restaurant | $126 | $1,515 |
| Retail | $57 | $683 |
| Roofing | $338 | $4,056 |
| Security | $121 | $1,453 |
| Snack Bars | $102 | $1,227 |
| Software | $23 | $275 |
| Spa/Wellness | $93 | $1,116 |
| Speech Therapist | $27 | $326 |
| Startup | $25 | $299 |
| Tech/IT | $23 | $276 |
| Transportation | $33 | $393 |
| Travel | $18 | $218 |
| Tree Service | $113 | $1,355 |
| Trucking | $89 | $1,072 |
| Tutoring | $26 | $316 |
| Veterinary | $39 | $468 |
| Wedding Planning | $24 | $289 |
| Welding | $144 | $1,723 |
| Wholesale | $39 | $467 |
| Window Cleaning | $139 | $1,664 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies. Your actual 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.
How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in North Carolina?
North Carolina does not require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. Cities and counties can have their own insurance requirements.
Check with your local government offices to understand what rules apply in your specific area. Some trades need to maintain certain coverages to keep their licenses:
Electricians
Licensed electricians in North Carolina must carry minimum limits of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. This coverage must include completed operations protection coverage.
Electrical Sign Contractors
Electrical sign contractors follow the same insurance requirements as general electricians in North Carolina. They need $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate general liability coverage with completed operations included.
HVAC Contractors
Most HVAC license classes require minimum general liability coverage of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. Specialty classifications may have higher limits depending on the scope of work authorized.
Fire Safety Companies
Fire safety companies must maintain general liability insurance with minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate to obtain and keep their North Carolina registration.
General liability coverage is an important part of your small business insurance in North Carolina, regardless of licensing mandates. Most commercial property owners demand proof of coverage before approving lease agreements. Large corporations and government contracts will want proof of insurance from any contractor they hire.
How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in North Carolina
To get business insurance in North Carolina, determine how much general liability coverage you need and what premiums fit your budget.
- 1Determine your coverage needs
Check if your industry has specific licensing requirements in North Carolina first. Many clients expect contractors to carry $1 million in coverage.
- 2Prepare your business information
Gather details like annual revenue, employee count, business type and location before requesting quotes. Insurers use this data to calculate premiums.
- 3Compare multiple insurance quotes
Always request quotes from at least three insurers because small business liability insurance cost differs between them.
- 4Review policy terms carefully
Focus on coverage exclusions and limits rather than just looking the provider with the cheapest business insurance.
- 5Verify insurer and agent credentials
Use the state insurance department website to confirm licenses and check complaint records. Review AM Best financial ratings and complaint records.
- 6Ask about available discounts
Many insurers offer reduced rates for bundling multiple types of business insurance coverage, implementing safety programs or maintaining a clean claims history.
- 7Obtain your insurance certificate
Request your certificate of insurance after purchasing coverage since clients and landlords often require proof.
How to Prevent General Liability Claims in North Carolina
Business owners dread dealing with commercial insurance claims, but North Carolina companies can prevent most general liability issues through smart preparation and proactive planning.
Watch out for property hazards
North Carolina's humid climate and severe weather create ongoing slip and fall risks for businesses. Address wet surfaces quickly during rainy seasons. Regular inspections help catch problems before they cause injuries.
Train your people well
Proper employee training reduces workplace accidents and customer injuries that lead to costly claims.
Keep good records
Detailed documentation protects your business when disputes arise or claims get filed.
Get everything in writing
Written agreements prevent misunderstandings that often lead to liability claims in the state. Clearly outline project scope, safety responsibilities and property access rules in all contracts.
Fix problems fast
Quick response to complaints and incidents can prevent small issues from becoming expensive liability claims.
General Liability Insurance in North Carolina: Bottom Line
Securing quality general liability insurance in North Carolina requires matching coverage to your specific business needs. The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide lead the market for reliable protection, but your ideal provider depends on your industry type, company size and available budget.
Commercial General Liability Insurance in North Carolina: FAQ
Our research team analyzed North Carolina's general liability insurance market to answer the questions business owners ask most often about coverage and costs.
What does general liability insurance cover for North Carolina businesses?
General liability insurance protects North Carolina businesses from third-party bodily injury claims, property damage you cause to others and associated legal costs.
How much does general liability insurance cost in North Carolina?
General liability insurance costs for small businesses in North Carolina range from $72 to $102 monthly. The Hartford provides the most affordable coverage at $72 per month, with Simply Business at $82 and Nationwide at $84 offering competitive alternatives.
Do North Carolina businesses legally need general liability insurance?
North Carolina does not legally require general liability insurance for most businesses. However, municipalities and counties can establish their own insurance mandates. Licensed professionals like contractors, electricians and plumbers must maintain specific coverage levels to preserve their licenses.
Which company offers the best general liability insurance in North Carolina?
The Hartford leads North Carolina's general liability insurance market, with good financial stability and competitive pricing at around $72 monthly.
What coverage limits should North Carolina businesses choose?
North Carolina businesses should first verify industry licensing requirements that may mandate specific coverage amounts. The standard choice for most small businesses is $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits.
How We Scored the Best General Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
North Carolina small businesses encounter specific liability challenges, from weather-related incidents to workplace injuries across diverse industries. Our evaluation process identifies general liability insurers that deliver solid coverage without breaking tight business budgets.
What We Evaluated
- Affordability (50%): Cost pressures hit North Carolina small businesses hard. We analyzed premium rates across multiple carriers because reasonable pricing determines whether businesses can actually maintain coverage.
- Customer experience (30%): Quality service becomes critical when claims arise. Our analysis included J.D. Power ratings, state complaint data, and independent agent feedback to assess how insurers treat policyholders during the claims process.
- Coverage options (15%): North Carolina businesses span many industries with different liability exposures. We examined how effectively insurers customize general liability policies for various business types, from retail stores to construction companies.
- Financial strength (5%): Low premiums mean nothing if the insurer cannot pay claims. We checked AM Best ratings and financial reports to confirm each company maintains the resources to honor policy commitments.
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
- NEXT. "NEXT: Small Business Insurance Quotes Online." Accessed November 20, 2025.
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews | NEXT." Accessed November 20, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Next Insurance Reviews." Accessed November 20, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "The Hartford Reviews." Accessed November 20, 2025.
- The Hartford. "When Is Liability Insurance Needed?." Accessed November 20, 2025.
- The Hartford. "What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?." Accessed November 20, 2025.