The Hartford tops our rankings for the best general liability insurance in Washington, delivering affordable rates and reliable service. NEXT and Nationwide also excel as runner-up providers, both offering strong customer support.
General Liability Insurance in Washington
The Hartford is top-ranked for general liability insurance in Washington, with a score of 4.64 out of 5.
Explore low-cost general liability insurance in Washington below.
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Updated: October 30, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide are leading general liability insurance providers across Washington state.
Your business type, size, coverage requirements and available budget influence which insurer best fits your needs.
Thoroughly research provider ratings, compare multiple quotes and verify licensing status before selecting your general liability coverage in Washington.
Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Washington
| The Hartford | 4.64 | $93 |
| NEXT | 4.58 | $117 |
| Nationwide | 4.52 | $111 |
| Simply Business | 4.48 | $109 |
| Coverdash | 4.37 | $118 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | $122 |
| biBerk | 4.30 | $129 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.27 | $114 |
| Chubb | 4.27 | $135 |
| Hiscox | 4.19 | $129 |
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 Washington business requires more than just general liability coverage. These additional resources can help you build comprehensive protection:
Best Washington Small Business Insurance Reviews
We analyzed the leading providers in Washington and identified the specific advantages that make each one worth considering for your small business's general liability insurance needs.
The Hartford
Best Overall Provider
MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Premium
$93Our 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 Options
Average Monthly Premium
$117Our Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Recommend to Others
4.8/5
Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Washington
The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Washington, with coverage starting at $93 per month ($1,119 annually). Simply Business and Nationwide also provide affordable rates.
| The Hartford | $93 | $1,119 |
| Simply Business | $109 | $1,307 |
| Nationwide | $111 | $1,326 |
| Progressive Commercial | $114 | $1,369 |
| NEXT | $117 | $1,407 |
| Coverdash | $118 | $1,411 |
| Thimble | $122 | $1,459 |
| Hiscox | $129 | $1,552 |
| biBerk | $129 | $1,553 |
| Chubb | $135 | $1,622 |
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 Washington
General liability insurance in Washington averages $117 monthly or $1,403 annually, running about $13 more per month than the national average. Your actual premium depends on your industry, business size, and claims history. Construction companies pay more due to increased liability exposure, while consulting firms pay less because of reduced risk.
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry
The cost of general liability insurance varies by industry in Washington. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $1,046, while drone companies pay just $19 per month. The table below shows how your specific industry affects coverage costs.
| Accountants | $25 | $302 |
| Ad Agency | $40 | $485 |
| Automotive | $61 | $731 |
| Auto Repair | $174 | $2,083 |
| Bakery | $103 | $1,239 |
| Barber | $51 | $607 |
| Beauty Salon | $76 | $916 |
| Bounce House | $80 | $963 |
| Candle | $63 | $753 |
| Cannabis | $77 | $919 |
| Catering | $100 | $1,201 |
| Cleaning | $151 | $1,816 |
| Coffee Shop | $103 | $1,230 |
| Computer Programming | $33 | $398 |
| Computer Repair | $54 | $653 |
| Construction | $200 | $2,405 |
| Consulting | $25 | $301 |
| Contractor | $291 | $3,495 |
| Courier | $223 | $2,680 |
| Daycare | $38 | $451 |
| Dental | $25 | $295 |
| DJ | $29 | $347 |
| Dog Grooming | $73 | $870 |
| Drone | $19 | $228 |
| Ecommerce | $84 | $1,003 |
| Electrical | $128 | $1,541 |
| Engineering | $46 | $546 |
| Excavation | $532 | $6,385 |
| Florist | $49 | $587 |
| Food | $123 | $1,476 |
| Food Truck | $162 | $1,944 |
| Funeral Home | $69 | $828 |
| Gardening | $128 | $1,541 |
| Handyman | $279 | $3,348 |
| Home-based | $27 | $326 |
| Home-based | $52 | $628 |
| Hospitality | $74 | $894 |
| HVAC | $280 | $3,364 |
| Janitorial | $157 | $1,880 |
| Jewelry | $46 | $552 |
| Junk Removal | $186 | $2,228 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $137 | $1,648 |
| Lawyers | $26 | $313 |
| Manufacturing | $73 | $875 |
| Marine | $32 | $384 |
| Massage | $109 | $1,314 |
| Mortgage Broker | $26 | $314 |
| Moving | $142 | $1,701 |
| Nonprofit | $41 | $492 |
| Painting | $164 | $1,972 |
| Party Rental | $91 | $1,090 |
| Personal Training | $27 | $327 |
| Pest Control | $37 | $442 |
| Pet | $64 | $769 |
| Pharmacy | $71 | $847 |
| Photography | $28 | $331 |
| Physical Therapy | $126 | $1,509 |
| Plumbing | $413 | $4,957 |
| Pressure Washing | $1,046 | $12,554 |
| Real Estate | $61 | $729 |
| Restaurant | $166 | $1,988 |
| Retail | $75 | $897 |
| Roofing | $443 | $5,320 |
| Security | $159 | $1,908 |
| Snack Bars | $134 | $1,610 |
| Software | $30 | $361 |
| Spa/Wellness | $122 | $1,463 |
| Speech Therapist | $36 | $428 |
| Startup | $33 | $392 |
| Tech/IT | $30 | $362 |
| Transportation | $43 | $516 |
| Travel | $24 | $286 |
| Tree Service | $148 | $1,780 |
| Trucking | $117 | $1,407 |
| Tutoring | $35 | $415 |
| Veterinary | $51 | $615 |
| Wedding Planning | $32 | $380 |
| Welding | $188 | $2,261 |
| Wholesale | $51 | $613 |
| Window Cleaning | $182 | $2,184 |
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 Washington?
Washington state doesn't require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. Operating without coverage won't trigger statewide penalties for most companies.
However, individual cities and counties can establish their own insurance rules. Check with your local government offices to understand specific requirements in your area.
While Washington keeps broad requirements minimal, certain licensed trades must maintain specific coverage to keep their professional licenses active:
Electricians
Washington requires licensed electricians to carry minimum limits of $50,000 per occurrence and $100,000 annual aggregate. This coverage must include completed operations protection.
Electrical Sign Contractors
Electrical sign contractors in Washington must maintain the same general liability coverage as electricians, with $50,000 per occurrence and $100,000 annual aggregate limits. Completed operations coverage is required to protect against post-installation claims.
HVAC Contractors
Most contractors need minimum coverage of $50,000 per occurrence and $100,000 annual aggregate, though higher-tier licenses may require increased limits. All classes must include completed operations coverage for ongoing protection.
Fire Safety Companies
Fire safety companies must carry general liability insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate to maintain their Washington registration.
Your business insurance in Washington state should include general liability coverage. It's not mandatory for your business license, but you'll likely need it. Most commercial property owners demand proof of coverage before they'll rent you space. Big corporations and government contracts typically won't work with uninsured contractors either. Make sure your coverage limits satisfy both your licensing standards and what your clients expect to see.
How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Washington
To get business insurance in Washington starts with identifying what protection your business actually needs and finding affordable general liability coverage that fits your budget.
- 1Figure out coverage needs
Start by checking Washington's industry licensing requirements for your business type. Many clients demand $1 million in coverage even when state minimums are lower, especially for larger contracts.
- 2Gather business information
Collect accurate details about your annual revenue, employee count, business classification and location. Insurers use this data to calculate premiums.
- 3Compare multiple quotes
Request quotes from at least three different insurers since business insurance cost varies between them.
- 4Review policy terms carefully
Focus on exclusions and coverage limits rather than cheap business insurance only. Some policies cover legal defense costs separately from your coverage limit, while others deduct these expenses from it.
- 5Verify insurer credentials
Use Washington's insurance department website to confirm company and agent licenses. Check AM Best financial ratings and complaint records to avoid insurers with poor claims handling or financial instability.
- 6Ask about available discounts
Inquire about savings opportunities like safety program participation, bundling
several types of business insurance coverage, or maintaining a clean claims history.
- 7Obtain certificate of insurance
Request your certificate immediately after purchasing coverage since clients and landlords often require proof of insurance.
How to Prevent General Liability Claims in Washington
No business owner wants to handle commercial insurance claims, but Washington companies can prevent most issues with smart planning and preparation.
Watch out for property hazards
Washington's frequent rain creates slip hazards on walkways, stairs, and parking areas that can lead to customer injuries. Check your property regularly for standing water, worn mats, and damaged surfaces, especially during wet months.
Train your people well
Proper employee training prevents accidents that could result in worker injuries or customer harm. Teach staff how to identify and address common hazards.
Keep good records
Document all incidents, maintenance activities, and safety measures with photos, written reports and timestamps.
Get everything in writing
Written contracts and agreements prevent misunderstandings that can lead to liability claims. Clearly define work scope, safety responsibilities, access areas and any restrictions for customers or contractors.
Fix problems fast
Address customer complaints and safety concerns immediately to prevent small issues from becoming major liability claims.
General Liability Insurance in Washington: Bottom Line
The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide lead the market as top providers, but your ideal choice depends on your industry type, company size and available budget. The best approach involves gathering quotes from multiple insurers.
Commercial General Liability Insurance in Washington: FAQ
Our research and analysis helped us answer the most common general liability insurance questions Washington business owners ask when shopping for coverage.
What does general liability insurance cover for Washington businesses?
General liability insurance for businesses covers third-party bodily injuries, property damage you cause to others and legal defense costs.
How much does general liability insurance cost in Washington?
Small businesses in Washington pay between $93 and $135 monthly for general liability insurance. The Hartford offers the most affordable coverage at $93 per month, while Simply Business and Nationwide provide competitive alternatives at $109 and $111 monthly, respectively.
Do Washington businesses legally need general liability insurance?
Washington state does not mandate general liability insurance for most businesses. Municipalities may impose their own requirements, and certain licensed professionals like contractors and electricians must maintain specific coverage levels.
Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Washington?
The Hartford ranks as the top general liability insurance provider in Washington, excelling in affordability with average monthly costs of $93 and earning the highest stability rating.
What coverage limits should Washington businesses choose?
Washington businesses should first verify any minimum coverage requirements for their specific industry licenses. Small businesses commonly select $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits.
How We Scored the Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Washington
Washington businesses deal with specific liability challenges, including weather-related incidents and workplace accidents across diverse industries. Our evaluation focused on insurers that provide solid coverage without breaking small business budgets.
What We Evaluated
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives coverage decisions for most small businesses in Washington. We analyzed rates across insurers because affordable premiums determine whether businesses can actually maintain protection.
- Customer experience (30%): Claims service quality separates good insurers from great ones. We examined J.D. Power ratings, Washington state complaint data, and independent agent feedback to assess real-world customer treatment.
- Coverage options (15%): Washington businesses span many industries with different risk profiles. We evaluated how effectively each insurer customizes general liability policies for local contractors, retailers, and service providers.
- Financial strength (5%): Low rates mean nothing if the company cannot pay claims. We checked AM Best ratings and financial stability reports to confirm each insurer's ability to honor coverage 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 2, 2025.
- NEXT. "Customer Reviews | NEXT." Accessed November 2, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Next Insurance Reviews." Accessed November 2, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "The Hartford Reviews." Accessed November 2, 2025.
- The Hartford. "When Is Liability Insurance Needed?." Accessed November 2, 2025.
- The Hartford. "What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?." Accessed November 2, 2025.