Updated: September 15, 2025

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Key Takeaways

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The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide stand as Pennsylvania's leading general liability insurance providers.

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Consider your business type, operational scale and financial parameters when choosing the best provider.

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Compare quotes from several insurers, research their financial stability, check customer reviews and verify licensing to find quality coverage.

Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania

The Hartford tops our list for general liability insurance in Pennsylvania, delivering the best combination of affordable rates and reliable service. NEXT and Nationwide also excel as alternatives, both earning high marks for customer satisfaction among small business owners across the state.

The Hartford4.64$95
NEXT4.54$119
Nationwide4.52$113
Simply Business4.48$111
Thimble4.40$122
Coverdash4.37$120
biBERK4.30$130
Progressive Commercial4.27$116
Chubb4.25$138
Hiscox4.19$130

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Compare Small Business Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE

Protecting your Pennsylvania business requires more than just general liability coverage. There are other insurance options to help you find comprehensive protection.

Best Pennsylvania Small Business Insurance Reviews

To help you decide on the right general liability insurance, we've analyzed what makes our top providers stand out for small business owners.

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The Hartford

Best Overall Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $95
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    4.5/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.5/5
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NEXT

Runner-Up Best Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $119
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.9/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.8/5

Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania

The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Pennsylvania, with coverage starting at $95 monthly or $1,140 annually. Small business owners seeking affordable protection can also consider Simply Business and Nationwide, which provide competitive rates and serve as solid alternatives for budget-conscious entrepreneurs in Pennsylvania.

The Hartford$95$1,140
Simply Business$111$1,331
Nationwide$113$1,351
Progressive Commercial$116$1,395
NEXT$119$1,433
Coverdash$120$1,438
Thimble$122$1,468
biBERK$130$1,557
Hiscox$130$1,559
Chubb$138$1,652

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Pennsylvania

General liability insurance in Pennsylvania costs an average of $119 per month ($1,423 annually), running about $15 higher than the national average. Your actual premium depends on your industry, business size, and claims history. Construction companies typically face steeper rates than lower-risk businesses like consulting firms due to increased liability exposure.

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry

General liability costs vary dramatically by industry in Pennsylvania. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $1,061, while drone companies pay just $19 per month. This significant difference shows how your business type directly impacts insurance costs. The table below details premiums across various industries.

Accountants$26$306
Ad Agency$41$491
Automotive$62$742
Auto Repair$176$2,110
Bakery$105$1,257
Barber$51$614
Beauty Salon$77$929
Bounce House$81$977
Candle$64$764
Cannabis$78$932
Catering$101$1,214
Cleaning$153$1,841
Coffee Shop$104$1,247
Computer Programming$34$403
Computer Repair$55$663
Construction$203$2,440
Consulting$25$305
Contractor$296$3,547
Courier$227$2,718
Daycare$38$457
Dental$25$299
DJ$29$351
Dog Grooming$74$883
Drone$19$232
Ecommerce$85$1,018
Electrical$130$1,562
Engineering$46$554
Excavation$540$6,479
Florist$50$595
Food$125$1,496
Food Truck$164$1,973
Funeral Home$70$839
Gardening$130$1,560
Handyman$283$3,398
Home-based$28$331
Home-based$53$639
Hospitality$75$905
HVAC$284$3,413
Janitorial$159$1,905
Jewelry$47$558
Junk Removal$188$2,259
Lawn/Landscaping$139$1,670
Lawyers$26$317
Manufacturing$74$884
Marine$32$390
Massage$111$1,331
Mortgage Broker$27$318
Moving$144$1,724
Nonprofit$42$499
Painting$167$2,001
Party Rental$92$1,106
Personal Training$28$332
Pest Control$37$448
Pet$65$780
Pharmacy$72$858
Photography$28$335
Physical Therapy$127$1,521
Plumbing$419$5,031
Pressure Washing$1,061$12,738
Real Estate$62$741
Restaurant$168$2,015
Retail$76$910
Roofing$450$5,395
Security$162$1,938
Snack Bars$136$1,633
Software$30$365
Spa/Wellness$124$1,482
Speech Therapist$36$434
Startup$33$398
Tech/IT$31$366
Transportation$44$523
Travel$24$290
Tree Service$151$1,807
Trucking$119$1,427
Tutoring$35$420
Veterinary$52$624
Wedding Planning$32$384
Welding$191$2,294
Wholesale$52$621
Window Cleaning$185$2,216

How Did We Determine These Rates?

How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania does not require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. 

Check with your local government offices to understand what rules apply in your specific area.

Certain licensed trades must maintain specific coverage to keep their professional licenses active:

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    Electricians

    Pennsylvania requires licensed electricians to carry $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate.

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    Electrical Sign Contractors

    Electrical sign contractors in Pennsylvania must maintain $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate limits.

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    HVAC Contractors

    Pennsylvania HVAC Class A contractors need $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate coverage, while Class B contractors require $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate.

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    Fire Safety Companies

    Fire safety companies must carry $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate to maintain their Pennsylvania registration.

General liability insurance becomes a business necessity regardless of licensing requirements. Most commercial landlords demand proof of coverage before approving lease agreements, and many clients won't work with uninsured contractors. Large corporations and government agencies typically require valid insurance certificates before starting any project. Make sure your coverage amounts satisfy both your licensing standards and client expectations to keep business opportunities open.

How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Pennsylvania

Finding the right general liability insurance in Pennsylvania starts with determining what protection your business actually needs and what you can realistically afford.

  1. 1

    Determine your coverage needs

    Research Pennsylvania licensing requirements for your specific industry first. Many clients and contractors require $1 million in coverage even when state minimums are lower.

  2. 2

    Prepare business information

    Gather details like annual revenue, employee count, business type, and location before requesting quotes. Insurers use this information to calculate premiums, and providing inaccurate details can create audit problems or coverage gaps later.

  3. 3

    Collect multiple quotes

    Always compare at least three different insurers since prices vary. Our research shows monthly premiums can range from around $95 with The Hartford to $138 with Chubb, plus service and coverage quality differences matter beyond just price.

  4. 4

    Examine policy terms

    Focus on exclusions and coverage details rather than small premium differences. Some policies cover legal defense costs in addition to your coverage limit, while others subtract these expenses from your total protection.

  5. 5

    Verify insurer credentials

    Check insurer and agent licenses through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Review AM Best financial ratings and complaint records to identify companies with strong claims handling and financial stability.

  6. 6

    Request available discounts

    Ask about savings opportunities like safety program participation, policy bundling, or clean claims history credits. These discounts can reduce your premium with many insurers.

  7. 7

    Obtain coverage certificate

    Request your certificate of insurance after purchasing coverage since clients and landlords often require proof. Some insurers provide instant online access while others need several days to process certificate requests.

How to Prevent General Liability Claims in Pennsylvania

Business owners never want to handle liability claims, but Pennsylvania companies can prevent most issues through smart preparation and proactive planning.

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    Watch out for property hazards

    Pennsylvania businesses face significant slip and fall risks from ice, snow and seasonal weather. Address winter hazards promptly.

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    Train your people well

    Proper employee training reduces accidents and protects your business from liability claims.

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    Keep good records

    Detailed documentation protects Pennsylvania businesses when liability claims arise by providing clear evidence of proper procedures and maintenance.

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    Get everything in writing

    Written contracts and agreements prevent misunderstandings that often lead to liability disputes in Pennsylvania courts.

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    Fix problems fast

    Quick response to customer complaints and safety issues prevents small problems from becoming major liability claims.

General Liability Insurance in Pennsylvania: Bottom Line

Selecting quality general liability insurance in Pennsylvania requires evaluating your business needs and researching top providers. The Hartford, NEXT, and Nationwide lead the market, but your best option depends on your industry, company size, and budget. These factors influence which coverage works best for your situation. Get quotes from multiple insurers and verify their credentials before making your final decision.

Commercial General Liability Insurance in Pennsylvania: FAQ

Our research and analysis helped us answer the most common general liability insurance questions Pennsylvania business owners ask when shopping for coverage.

What does general liability insurance cover for Pennsylvania businesses?

How much does general liability insurance cost in Pennsylvania?

Do Pennsylvania businesses legally need general liability insurance?

Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Pennsylvania?

What coverage limits should Pennsylvania businesses choose?

How can Pennsylvania businesses prevent general liability claims?

Can Pennsylvania businesses get discounts on general liability insurance?

How quickly can Pennsylvania businesses get general liability coverage?

What should Pennsylvania businesses do when filing a general liability claim?

How does general liability differ from professional liability coverage?

How We Scored the Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania business owners encounter varied liability exposures, from weather-related incidents to workplace injuries across different industries. Our analysis focused on general liability insurers that deliver solid coverage without straining tight business budgets.

What We Evaluated

  • Affordability (50%): Cost pressures hit Pennsylvania small businesses hard. We analyzed premium rates across carriers because reasonable pricing determines whether businesses can actually secure needed protection.
  • Customer experience (30%): Quality claims service becomes critical when accidents happen. We examined J.D. Power ratings, Pennsylvania complaint data, and independent agent feedback to assess how insurers treat policyholders during claims.
  • Coverage options (15%): Pennsylvania businesses span many industries with different risk profiles. We evaluated how insurers customize general liability policies for local companies, from manufacturing to retail operations.
  • Financial strength (5%): Low premiums mean nothing if the insurer cannot pay claims. We checked AM Best ratings and financial stability reports to ensure recommended carriers maintain solid financial footing.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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.


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