Nationwide emerged as the top contender for Ohio's best general liability insurance in MoneyGeek’s analysis with a score of 95 out of 100. However, NEXT, The Hartford, Thimble, and Hiscox are also great options for general liability policies.
Best General Liability Insurance in Ohio
Updated: June 20, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Overall, the best general liability insurance company in Ohio is Nationwide, which has a great balance of affordable rates for LLCs and good customer service.
The cheapest general liability insurance for sole proprietors in Ohio is offered by Thimble at $24 per month. For LLCs, NEXT is the most affordable option at $3 a month.
General liability insurance costs in Ohio depend on your industry, and we found they can range from $29 to $1,710 per month on average.
Best Cheap General Liability Insurance in Ohio
| Nationwide | 95 | $35 | $36 |
| NEXT | 90 | $27 | $3 |
| The Hartford | 87 | $34 | $66 |
| Thimble | 86 | $24 | $58 |
| Hiscox | 83 | $32 | $86 |
*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
We selected Nationwide as Ohio's top general liability insurer thanks to its winning blend of competitive costs and reliable service delivery. Tied for first place with minimal claims ratios per NAIC records and ranking second for LLC affordability, annual premiums average $432 for quality protection.
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 Ohio's most budget-friendly general liability insurance choice. Sole proprietors can access coverage for just $27 monthly, the second-lowest in the state. It also offers the lowest rates for LLCs. Despite posting higher claims ratios than other Ohio insurers we've evaluated, the company excels through its hassle-free purchasing process and offers same-day proof of insurance.
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in Ohio?
An average general liability insurance policy in Ohio typically costs around $29 per month for sole proprietors and $55 per month for LLCs. However, this only represents software development companies and the costs can vary widely by industry.
| Cleaning | $775 | $52 |
| General Contractor | $1,710 | $162 |
| Software Development | $55 | $29 |
*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 Ohio
General liability insurance costs can fluctuate based on a number of different factors in Ohio. In the list below, you can see these factors and their impacts on your coverage costs:
Policy limits
Coverage limits have a major impact on insurance premiums. Higher coverage limits lead to increased costs, while lower limits generally result in more affordable premiums.
Number of employees and payroll costs
Businesses with a large number of employees and high payroll expenses often see an increase in general liability insurance costs. This trend is evident in our analysis of LLCs and sole proprietorships.
Business location
Your business location can significantly affect your insurance costs. Keep in mind that state averages may differ from city to city, so consider these variations when assessing your coverage needs.
Claims history
A history of multiple claims can make a business seem riskier to insurers, leading to higher premiums.
Industry
Industries with higher risks, like construction, usually face higher general liability insurance costs. Consider Ohio's programs for business insurance for more insights.
Ohio General Liability Insurance: Buyer's Guide
Business insurance is a complicated industry and can be difficult to navigate. So, 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 Ohio, 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
Find out your liability risk by considering your industry, products or services, customer types, business size and market impact. To evaluate coverage options better, measure the frequency and costs of common claims in your industry.
- 2
Research average costs for your business
To understand how good of a deal you're getting from business insurance companies, you need to research average costs for your particular business.
- 3
Consult similar businesses
Your business community can help you get recommendations that are better for your specific needs and an understanding of what claims are common within your industry. They may also provide ways to mitigate risks associated with general liability insurance.
- 4
Compare multiple options through different means
Comparing multiple companies allows you to judge which option is best for your business. Choosing multiple means of comparison, such as online comparison sites and brokers, will also give you a more comprehensive view of pricing.
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 Ohio?
General liability insurance isn't expressly required by state law and instead varies by your industry. But general liability insurance may be required if you are looking to apply for a professional license, sign a contract with a larger company, or sign an office lease. 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 face more risks than others. This includes those in health care, building, serving food, or selling items. These businesses often see bigger bills for insurance claims. If you run a business like this, you might need to think about getting more insurance than the basic amount. Bigger businesses with lots of workers or those that sell a lot of products should also check to see if they need extra coverage to stay safe.
Best General Liability Insurance in Ohio: Bottom Line
Overall the best general liability insurance companies in Ohio are Nationwide, NEXT, and The Hartford. However, we recommend comparing around yourself and getting plenty of quotes to ensure you get the best deal possible.
General Liability Insurance in Ohio: FAQ
Below, we address frequently asked questions regarding general liability insurance in Ohio:
Which company has the best general liability insurance in Ohio?
MoneyGeek's choice for general liability insurance in Ohio is Nationwide, which earned an overall score of 95 out of 100. However, the ideal insurance for you depends on various details, including your business size, number of employees, and specific coverage requirements.
Which company has the cheapest general liability insurance in Ohio?
NEXT offers the most affordable general liability insurance for LLCs in Ohio, with average rates of $36 per year. For sole proprietors, Thimble is the cheapest option, with an average annual rate of $288.
Does Ohio require businesses to have general liability insurance?
Ohio does not require businesses to carry general liability insurance. In Ohio, it's wise to secure general liability insurance to protect your business against financial risks from third-party claims.
How We Chose the Best General Liability Insurance Providers in Ohio
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.