MoneyGeek analyzed the top providers of general liability insurance in South Carolina by evaluating various factors, including financial stability, cost, customer satisfaction and the time needed to obtain a quote online.

The Hartford outshines other insurers as South Carolina's best option for general liability insurance. LLC owners with 20 employees pay an average of $55 per month for a policy from this insurer, while sole proprietors without employees pay only $27 monthly.

For small business owners interested in the cheapest policies, we also rated insurers based on affordability. Next stands out as the most affordable insurer, with policies for LLCs costing an average of $26 per month, while sole proprietors pay around $25 per month.

MoneyGeek Logo IconBest General LiabilitySouth Carolina
2024

Best General Liability Insurance in South Carolina

Why Trust MoneyGeek? We collected 1,229 general liability insurance quotes and analyzed cost information alongside customer satisfaction and financial stability reports to determine the best general liability insurance companies for small businesses in South Carolina.

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Coverage costs and company information for general liability insurance providers in South Carolina were last updated in 2023.

1,229Quotes Analyzed
 
6 Companies Compared
 
50 Zip Codes

Best Overall General Liability Insurance in South Carolina

The Hartford overshadows other companies as the best overall general liability insurance provider, with a MoneyGeek score of 92 out of 100. The following table demonstrates how costs stack up between the companies in our study, showing how The Hartford ranks compared to its competitors.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

The Hartford92$27$55
Nationwide90$35$36
Thimble90$22$63
Next89$25$26
biBERK89$23No Data
Hiscox84$29$94
Best OverallScore: 92
The Hartford
3/5LLC Affordability
3/5Sole Proprietor Affordability
5/5Customer Satisfaction
4/5Financial Stability
4/5Online Quote Process
PROS

Unbeatable customer service

Strong financial stability

Quick online quotes service

CONS

Not the cheapest insurer for sole proprietors or LLCs

Company Highlights

The Hartford received the lowest customer complaints of any company we analyzed, making it a quality service provider. Its high financial stability rating means it is a responsible insurer less likely to deny its financial obligations for paying claims.

The provider offers a fast online quote service relative to its competitors, making shopping for policies easier. While its monthly premiums aren’t the cheapest, its rates are relatively fair for LLCs and sole proprietors.

Cheapest General Liability Insurance in South Carolina

Next has the most affordable general liability insurance in South Carolina, with a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100. The company provides the lowest average monthly rate for LLCs, costing $26 monthly. Its average monthly premium for sole proprietors is $25.

To determine average cost estimates for these companies, Moneygeek utilized an affordability score derived from monthly costs for LLCs and sole proprietors. Each business type contributed to 50% of the total score.

Although Next has the cheapest overall cost, certain companies may feature different rates for LLCs and sole proprietors.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

CheapestScore: 96
Next
5/5LLC Affordability
4/5Sole Proprietor Affordability
0/5Customer Satisfaction
2/5Financial Stability
4/5Online Quote Process
PROS

Offers the most affordable policies for LLCs

Fast online quote process

CONS

Not the cheapest insurer for sole proprietors

Relatively weak financial stability

Company Highlights

Next provides the most cost-friendly general liability insurance coverage for LLCs. The insurer offers a fast online quote process, ensuring a good customer experience for consumers.

However, the company’s financial stability rating isn’t the best, indicating that it may deny some claims or fail to pay them entirely. As such, if your business depends on general liability insurance to protect its assets and products, Next may not offer the best claims experience. The company also doesn’t provide the cheapest rates for sole proprietors. Slowest online quotes service

Best General Liability Insurance for Employers in South Carolina

Nationwide is the top provider of general liability insurance for employers in South Carolina, with a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100. The company's average monthly rate for LLCs is $36.

Rates for this category represent LLCs with 20 employees. Individual premiums may differ depending on your number of employees. For instance, larger companies with an employee base of more than 20 may pay higher premiums than the average rates, while smaller companies may expect to pay less.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

Best for EmployersScore: 96
Nationwide
4/5LLC Affordability
5/5Customer Satisfaction
4/5Financial Stability
3/5Online Quote Process
PROS

Exceptional customer service

Strong financial stability

CONS

Slow online quote processing

Not the most affordable insurer for LLCs

Company Highlights

Nationwide is highly regarded for its low number of customer complaints, which means the insurer is more likely to offer you the best experience, products and services. By earning the highest AM Best rating (A++), this insurer demonstrates its ability to meet its financial obligations to customers once they file claims. Its general liability policies are affordable, making Nationwide an excellent option for South Carolina business owners looking for an insurer that balances cost and customer service.

Although the insurer offers competitive rates and quality service, it has the slowest online quote application process. Those looking for a quick estimate of their rates may need to compare other providers instead.

Best General Liability Insurance for Sole Proprietors in South Carolina

If you are a sole proprietor in South Carolina, biBERK may offer you the best general liability insurance coverage. The insurer earned a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100, with an average monthly premium of $23.

Rankings and the average cost for this category were derived using quotes for a sole proprietorship with no employees. However, actual rates are likely higher for companies in riskier environments, such as construction, mining or manufacturing industries. Such industries are more prone to liabilities and accidents, explaining the increase in premiums.

How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?

Best for Sole ProprietorsScore: 97
biBERK
5/5Sole Proprietor Affordability
4/5Customer Satisfaction
5/5Financial Stability
4/5Online Quote Process
PROS

Robust financial stability

Received few customer complaints

Fast online quotes service

CONS

Not the cheapest provider for sole proprietors

Company Highlights

biBERK has a perfect financial stability rating due to its A++ rating from AM Best. By purchasing your general liability insurance from this insurer, you can rely on its superior ability to meet its obligations if you file a claim.

Its customer satisfaction rating indicates that your complaints and queries will be promptly responded to, as the insurer has a reputation for providing an excellent experience to policyholders. biBERK’s cost may not be the lowest in South Carolina, but its online quote system is one of the fastest, so customers can quickly estimate their premiums.

Do You Need General Liability Insurance in South Carolina?

General liability insurance safeguards your business from financial liabilities resulting from injuries, accidents and property damage caused by your services, products or business operations. By purchasing a general liability policy, you also build credibility among your clients, especially those who request this coverage as part of the contracting or licensing process. Typically, your policy covers the following:

  • Bodily injury: Pays for medical costs and other expenses for third parties hurt within the scope of your business
  • Property damage: Covers property damage costs resulting from the services offered by your company
  • Legal costs: Covers the costs associated with legal defense, judgments and settlements if a third party accuses you of negligence

In South Carolina, you must adhere to specific business insurance guidelines, such as having worker’s compensation insurance for companies with four people or more. This coverage pays for medical costs relating to the injury or illness of your employees. Additionally, commercial auto insurance is mandatory for business vehicles, with the following minimum coverage limits:

  • $25,000 per person
  • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
  • $25,000 for property damage

This insurance protects your business from the financial burden resulting from car accidents.

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SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES IN SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina's Small Business Development Center provides small business owners private entrepreneurship consulting services in all business fields. This organization offers specialized programs to help small businesses across all industries thrive. The programs address topics like selling to the government, accessing veterans' business programs and recovery assistance. Business owners can find a consultant or center near them using the SBDC locations tool.

How Much Is General Liability Insurance in South Carolina?

Purchasing general liability insurance in South Carolina is prudent for LLCs and sole proprietors who wish to safeguard their businesses from unnecessary financial burdens. The average monthly cost of coverage for a policy with a $2 million aggregate limit, $1 million occurrence limit and a $0 deductible is $55 for LLCs and $27 for sole proprietors.

General liability coverage features two policy limits. One is the aggregate limit which signifies the highest amount an insurer will disburse for all claims within the policy period. The second limit is the occurrence limit, referring to the highest sum the insurer will pay for a single claim. The deductible is what a business owner pays out of pocket before the insurer settles a claim.

Factors That Impact General Liability Insurance Costs in South Carolina

South Carolina’s general liability insurance rates differ significantly between businesses based on various factors. We’ve included a detailed list of these subjects and how they impact premiums for a business.

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    Policy limits

    The higher your policy limit, the higher the risk imposed on the insurer. This risk results in higher premiums, whereas businesses with lower limits pay lower premiums for coverage.

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    Number of employees and payroll costs

    If your business has many employees and higher payroll costs, you can expect to pay more for general liability insurance coverage. Our data analysis demonstrates this discrepancy between LLCs and sole proprietorships. A higher employee count implies a higher probability of injuries and accidents on your business property.

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    Business location

    Where your business is situated partly influences your insurance costs. Statewide average rates may differ from individual cities as businesses in densely populated areas are more likely to file claims.

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    Claims history

    Insurers check your claims history while calculating your general liability insurance rates. Businesses with previous claims are riskier to insure, resulting in higher premiums.

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    Industry

    Construction, mining and manufacturing industries are examples of high-risk industries that may pay elevated insurance rates due to an increased risk of injuries and accidents. The following table shows how average general liability insurance rates vary across different industries in South Carolina.

General Contractor$452$6,671
Cleaning$86$1,596
Software Development$27$55

Frequently Asked Questions About General Liability Insurance in South Carolina

Finding the ideal general liability insurance provider in South Carolina for your business relies on several factors, including your needs and preferences. We answered some commonly asked questions to help you with the process.

Which company has the best general liability insurance in South Carolina?
Which company has the cheapest general liability insurance in South Carolina?
What does general liability insurance cover in South Carolina?
Does South Carolina require businesses to have general liability insurance?

About Melissa Wylie


Melissa Wylie headshot

Melissa Wylie is the Content and SEO Manager at MoneyGeek, with nearly a decade of editorial experience and six years of work in financial content focused on small businesses. She previously held SEO positions at Bankrate and LendingTree, with bylines on ValuePenguin and MagnifyMoney.

Wylie has a journalism degree from the University of North Texas. Her strong foundation in journalism helps her craft content that simplifies complex financial topics to help everyone feel confident when making decisions with their money.


sources
  • South Carolina Small Business Development Centers. "Small Business Resources." Accessed June 9, 2023.
  • South Carolina Small Business Development Centers. "Locations." Accessed May 10, 2023.