Nationwide is the top contender for Vermont’s best general liability insurance in MoneyGeek’s analysis, scoring 98 out of 100. However, The Hartford, Thimble, NEXT, and Hiscox are also great options for general liability policies.
Best General Liability Insurance in Vermont
Updated: June 20, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Overall, the best general liability insurance company in Vermont 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 Vermont is offered by Thimble at $24 per month. For LLCs, Nationwide is the most affordable option at $37 a month.
General liability insurance costs in Vermont depend on your industry, and we found they can range from $30 to $2,158 per month on average.
Best Cheap General Liability Insurance in Vermont
| Nationwide | 98 | $35 | $37 |
| The Hartford | 93 | $34 | $68 |
| Thimble | 91 | $24 | $58 |
| NEXT | 90 | $27 | $38 |
| Hiscox | 83 | $32 | $148 |
*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 recommend Nationwide as Vermont's leading general liability insurer due to its blend of competitive costs and reliable service delivery. The company matches the lowest NAIC claims ratio available and earns 2nd place for LLC affordability with standard rates averaging $420 per year.
Thimble: 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
Thimble earns our recommendation for the lowest-cost general liability coverage in Vermont. The insurer charges $24 per month for sole proprietors and $58 monthly for LLCs. Though their claims ratio exceeds that of other reviewed companies in Vermont, customers benefit from an efficient application process and can obtain insurance verification immediately.
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in Vermont?
An average general liability insurance policy in Vermont typically costs around $30 per month for sole proprietors and $69 per month for LLCs. However, this only represents software development companies and the costs can vary widely by industry.
| Cleaning | $1,613 | $64 |
| General Contractor | $2,158 | $133 |
| Software Development | $69 | $30 |
*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 Vermont
The cost of general liability insurance for businesses in Vermont can fluctuate based on a few crucial factors. We have compiled a list of these elements and their impact on coverage expenses below:
Policy limits
Coverage limits have a substantial effect on insurance premiums. Opting for higher limits can lead to increased costs, whereas choosing lower limits generally results in more affordable premiums.
Number of employees and payroll costs
Businesses with a large workforce and high payroll expenses are likely to see a rise in their general liability insurance costs. This trend is evident from our study of LLCs and sole proprietorships.
Business location
The cost of insurance can be greatly influenced by where your business is located. State-level average rates can differ from one city to another, so it's important to consider these variations when assessing your coverage needs.
Claims history
A record of multiple claims can make a business seem riskier to insurance companies, leading to higher premiums.
Industry
Industries with elevated risks, such as construction, typically encounter higher general liability insurance costs.
Vermont General Liability Insurance: Buyer's Guide
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 Vermont requirements, 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
Determine your liability risk by taking into account your industry, products or services, customer types, business size and market impact. Measure the frequency and costs of common claims in your industry to evaluate coverage options better.
- 2
Research average costs for your business
Research average costs for your particular business to understand how good of a deal you're getting from business insurance companies. Knowing average expenses will give you a measuring stick to judge whether a company is saving you money or not.
- 3
Consult similar businesses
Your business community is your greatest resource, and personal experience is often more valuable than resources online. You'll likely be able to get recommendations that are better for your specific needs and an understanding of what claims are common within your industry.
- 4
Compare multiple options through different Means
Comparing multiple companies and choosing multiple means of comparison, like online comparison sites and brokers, will give you a better view of pricing and provide more opportunities to get advice.
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 Vermont?
Like in most states, general liability insurance isn't expressly required by state law and instead varies by your industry. If you want to apply for a professional license, sign a contract with a larger company, or sign an office lease, general liability insurance may be required. 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 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, like those in health care, building, or stores, often face bigger risks. This means they might need to pay more for insurance that protects them if something goes wrong. If you own a business like this, or if your company is growing and reaching more people, it's smart to consider getting more insurance.
Best General Liability Insurance in Vermont: Bottom Line
Overall the best general liability insurance companies in Vermont are Nationwide, The Hartford, and Thimble. However, we recommend comparing around yourself and getting plenty of quotes to ensure you get the best deal possible.
General Liability Insurance in Vermont: FAQ
Below, we address frequently asked questions regarding general liability insurance in Vermont:
Which company has the best general liability insurance in Vermont?
MoneyGeek's leading choice for general liability insurance in Vermont is Nationwide, which earned an overall score of 98 out of 100. However, your ideal insurance depends on various details, including your business size, number of employees, and specific coverage requirements.
Which company has the cheapest general liability insurance in Vermont?
Thimble offers sole proprietors the cheapest coverage at $288 per year. For LLCs, Nationwide provides the most affordable option at $444 annually.
Does Vermont require businesses to have general liability insurance?
It's wise for businesses in Vermont to secure general liability insurance to protect against potential financial losses from third-party claims.
How We Chose the Best General Liability Insurance Providers in Vermont
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.