Nationwide emerged as the top contender for West Virginia’s best general liability insurance in MoneyGeek’s analysis with a score of 95 out of 100. However, The Hartford, NEXT, Thimble, and Hiscox are also great options for general liability policies.
Best General Liability Insurance in West Virginia
Nationwide, NEXT and The Hartford are the best and cheapest general liability insurance providers in West Virginia, with rates starting at $24 per month.
Start comparing affordable providers in West Virginia below.
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Updated: June 20, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Overall, the best general liability insurance company in West Virginia 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 the Mountain State is offered by NEXT at $27 per month. For LLCs, NEXT is the most affordable option at $30 a month.
General liability insurance costs in West Virginia depend on your industry, and we found they can range from $31 to $3,635 per month on average.
Best Cheap General Liability Insurance in West Virginia
| Nationwide | 95 | $38 | $48 |
| The Hartford | 95 | $34 | $53 |
| NEXT | 90 | $27 | $30 |
| Thimble | 89 | $24 | $72 |
| Hiscox | 83 | $32 | $155 |
*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 West Virginia's top general liability insurer due to its impressive combination of competitive pricing and dependable service standards. Tied for first place with minimal claims ratios according to NAIC data and ranking second for LLC affordability, annual premiums average $576 for quality business coverage.
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 the most affordable general liability insurance provider in West Virginia. Sole proprietors can secure coverage for just $27 monthly while LLCs pay $30 per month for protection. Despite posting higher claims ratios than other West Virginia insurers we've evaluated, the company excels with its streamlined application process and same-day proof of insurance availability.
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in West Virginia?
An average general liability insurance policy in West Virginia typically costs around $31 per month for sole proprietors and $72 per month for LLCs. However, this only represents software development companies and the costs can vary widely by industry.
| Cleaning | $1,853 | $96 |
| General Contractor | $3,635 | $264 |
| Software Development | $72 | $31 |
*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 West Virginia
The cost of general liability insurance for businesses in West Virginia 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 play a critical role in determining insurance premiums. Opting for higher limits generally leads to increased costs, whereas choosing lower limits can result in more affordable premiums.
Number of employees and payroll costs
Businesses with a large workforce and significant payroll expenses often see a rise in general liability insurance costs. This trend is evident in both LLCs and sole proprietorships.
Business location
Where your business is located can greatly influence your insurance costs. State-level average rates may differ from one city to another, so it's essential to consider these variations when assessing your coverage needs.
Claims history
A record of multiple claims can make a business seem riskier to insurers, leading to higher premiums.
Industry
Industries associated with higher risks, like construction, typically incur higher general liability insurance costs.
West Virginia 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 West Virginia, 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
To understand how good of a deal you're getting from business insurance companies, you need to research average costs for your particular business. Knowing average expenses will give you a way to judge whether a company is saving you money or not.
- 3
Consult similar businesses
You can get recommendations from businesses that are better for your specific needs and have an understanding of what claims are common within your industry. They may also provide ways to mitigate risks associated with general liability insurance, so you don't need more coverage than necessary.
- 4
Compare multiple options through different Means
You can judge which insurance option suits you best by comparing multiple companies. You can also choose multiple ways to compare like online comparisons or using brokers. This can provide a 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 West Virginia?
Like in most states, general liability insurance isn't expressly required by state law and instead varies by your industry. However, if you are looking to apply for a professional license, sign a contract with a larger company, or sign an office lease, some form of 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 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, like those in health care, building, or selling goods, face bigger risks. These businesses often see the costliest insurance claims. When your business is part of these groups, think about getting more insurance to cover you. This is also true for businesses where you have more workers or your products and services reach more people.
Best General Liability Insurance in West Virginia: Bottom Line
Overall the best general liability insurance companies in West Virginia are Nationwide, The Hartford, and NEXT. However, we recommend comparing around yourself and getting plenty of quotes to ensure you get the best deal possible.
General Liability Insurance in West Virginia: FAQ
Below, we address frequently asked questions regarding general liability insurance in West Virginia:
Which company has the best general liability insurance in West Virginia?
MoneyGeek's leading choice for general liability insurance in West Virginia is Nationwide, which earned an overall score of 95 out of 100. However, the 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 West Virginia?
NEXT offers the most affordable general liability insurance in West Virginia for both business types. Sole proprietors pay $324 annually, while LLCs pay $360 per year on average.
Does West Virginia require businesses to have general liability insurance?
Getting general liability insurance is a prudent move to protect your West Virginia business from potential financial risks due to liability claims.
How We Chose the Best General Liability Insurance Providers in West Virginia
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.