For the best professional liability insurance in North Carolina, NEXT tops our rankings with competitive rates, excellent customer service and a very easy to manage digital experience. The Hartford places second as the cheapest professional indemnity insurer in the state with rates averaging $62 per month (saving $5 monthly on average). Simply Business, Coverdash and biBerk follow as the next in line top providers you should also consider in your search for the top errors and omissions insurance in NC.
Best Professional Liability Insurance NC
Get NC professional liability insurance quotes starting at $29/mo from MoneyGeek's top companies like NEXT, The Hartford and Simply Business.
Get matched to the best professional liability insurance in NC for you below.
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Updated: November 9, 2025
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Professional Liability Insurance NC: Key Takeaways
The best professional liability insurance in North Carolina is offered by NEXT, while the cheapest policies come from The Hartford. (Read More)
Professional liability insurance costs in North Carolina average $67 monthly ($807 annually), making it the most affordable state for this coverage. (Read More)
Professional liability insurance in North Carolina protects you from damages coming from negligence and inability to meet contractual obligations. (Read More)
In terms of state requirements, most North Carolina businesses are not required to have professional liability insurance, unless they are in the medical field. (Read More)
Comparing small business insurance quotes, companies, and coverage options specific to your needs will allow you to find the best professional liability option in NC. (Read More)
Best Professional Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| NEXT Insurance | 4.74 | $63 |
| The Hartford | 4.61 | $62 |
| Simply Business | 4.53 | $66 |
| Coverdash | 4.46 | $67 |
| biBERK | 4.45 | $68 |
| Nationwide | 4.44 | $72 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.39 | $66 |
| Hiscox | 4.37 | $67 |
| Chubb | 4.27 | $77 |
| Thimble | 4.25 | $66 |
How Did We Determine The Best Professional Liability Insurance in NC?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's proprietary analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and should not be considered quotes. Your actual rate will differ based on business-specific factors. Contact insurers directly for accurate pricing tailored to your business needs.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE IN NORTH CAROLINA
Beyond professional liability insurance in North Carolina, we've provided the following state specific resources to get the best coverage for your business:
1. NEXT Insurance: Best Professional Liability Insurance in NC
pros
Tops MoneyGeek's analysis on insurers in North Carolina for professional liability insurance
Ranks first for their customer service experience
Allows coverage in 10 minutes with instant certificates
Personalized coverage matching for both types and limit amounts
cons
Less than 10 years in business
Ranks lower on claims handling
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Small business owners in North Carolina will find NEXT to be the best overall professional liability insurer due to their low rates, highly rated digital experience (top by customers in our study), and personalized coverage matching service (types and amounts) online in under 10 minutes without needing an agent. The provider also offers 2nd lowest E&O insurance prices at an average of $63 per month ($4 below average). In addition, most customers really enjoy their easy policy management experience online with instant COIs (certificates of insurance) and mobile app (4.9 out of 5 stars on the Apple Store.
2. The Hartford: Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance in NC
pros
Lowest rates for professional liability insurance in NC
Best claims handling and agent service ratings from customers
Great personalized E&O coverage options for tech, law and medical professionals
cons
Less ideal digital experience than competitors
Not available in Alaska and Hawaii
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
As a close second place option for North Carolina professional liability insurance, The Hartford stands out as the best traditional insurer (2nd overall) in the state with the lowest rates, 2nd best rated customer experience overall, and personalized coverage packages for specialized industries. In our study of customers specific to the provider, we found they ranked first for claims handling and agent service with many praising their strong industry knowledge (supported by over 200+ years of experience) and quick reimbursements. They also offer many personalized errors and omissions coverage for high-risk industries, including Tech errors and omissions policies and malpractice insurance for lawyers and medical professionals.
3. Simply Business: Best Professional Liability Insurance Coverage Options in NC
pros
Ranks first for coverage options with access to more than 16 carriers offering specialized policies
Backed by Travelers' A++ Superior financial rating
Lets you compare multiple quotes in 10 minutes instead of calling individual insurers
Broker model finds coverage for hard-to-insure businesses that other insurers reject
cons
More expensive than other providers in MoneyGeek's study
Claims process ranks eighth nationally, indicating slower resolution times
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
You’d benefit from Simply Business's broker model in NC if you need specialized professional liability coverage or have been rejected by direct insurers. You'll pay $66 monthly versus competitors' lower premiums but gain access to specialized policies and hard-to-find coverage through their large provider network. Business owners with unique risks or complex needs will find the broker approach worth the premium.
Average Cost of Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina
Professional liability rates in North Carolina range widely depending on industry with home-based businesses paying the lowest price at around $32 monthly, while mortgage brokers pay the highest average rates of $143. Below you can find out how much NC professional liability insurance costs for your business by filtering for your industry.
Data filtered by:
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| Accountants | $125 | $1,504 |
| Ad Agency | $86 | $1,029 |
| Auto Repair | $71 | $851 |
| Automotive | $64 | $770 |
| Bakery | $46 | $547 |
| Barber | $37 | $449 |
| Beauty Salon | $42 | $505 |
| Bounce House | $51 | $617 |
| Candle | $36 | $434 |
| Cannabis | $104 | $1,251 |
| Catering | $68 | $818 |
| Cleaning | $47 | $566 |
| Coffee Shop | $53 | $638 |
| Computer Programming | $89 | $1,065 |
| Computer Repair | $54 | $647 |
| Construction | $67 | $807 |
| Consulting | $96 | $1,146 |
| Contractor | $55 | $655 |
| Courier | $44 | $523 |
| DJ | $39 | $474 |
| Daycare | $94 | $1,123 |
| Dental | $72 | $864 |
| Dog Grooming | $47 | $570 |
| Drone | $93 | $1,110 |
| Ecommerce | $52 | $627 |
| Electrical | $56 | $674 |
| Engineering | $90 | $1,083 |
| Excavation | $59 | $709 |
| Florist | $32 | $389 |
| Food | $97 | $1,164 |
| Food Truck | $52 | $625 |
| Funeral Home | $70 | $835 |
| Gardening | $35 | $416 |
| HVAC | $71 | $854 |
| Handyman | $46 | $555 |
| Home-based business | $32 | $387 |
| Hospitality | $62 | $747 |
| Janitorial | $42 | $505 |
| Jewelry | $53 | $637 |
| Junk Removal | $58 | $698 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $45 | $536 |
| Lawyers | $126 | $1,506 |
| Manufacturing | $52 | $627 |
| Marine | $77 | $928 |
| Massage | $92 | $1,106 |
| Mortgage Broker | $143 | $1,721 |
| Moving | $70 | $843 |
| Nonprofit | $44 | $531 |
| Painting | $56 | $667 |
| Party Rental | $48 | $582 |
| Personal Training | $61 | $735 |
| Pest Control | $82 | $988 |
| Pet | $40 | $475 |
| Pharmacy | $50 | $600 |
| Photography | $56 | $667 |
| Physical Therapy | $82 | $986 |
| Plumbing | $79 | $954 |
| Pressure Washing | $50 | $600 |
| Real Estate | $109 | $1,309 |
| Restaurant | $71 | $848 |
| Retail | $47 | $568 |
| Roofing | $85 | $1,018 |
| Security | $85 | $1,022 |
| Snack Bars | $41 | $489 |
| Software | $82 | $988 |
| Spa/Wellness | $93 | $1,122 |
| Speech Therapist | $88 | $1,054 |
| Startup | $63 | $754 |
| Tech/IT | $85 | $1,020 |
| Transportation | $82 | $988 |
| Travel | $83 | $1,000 |
| Tree Service | $65 | $784 |
| Trucking | $97 | $1,158 |
| Tutoring | $52 | $626 |
| Veterinary | $100 | $1,201 |
| Wedding Planning | $65 | $780 |
| Welding | $67 | $807 |
| Wholesale | $54 | $647 |
| Window Cleaning | $55 | $654 |
How Did We Determine These NC Professional Liability Insurance Rates?
These rates are estimates based on MoneyGeek's proprietary analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and should not be considered quotes. Your actual rate will differ based on business-specific factors. Contact insurers directly for accurate pricing tailored to your business needs.
What Does North Carolina Professional Liability Insurance Cover?
Like any other state, North Carolina professional liability insurance covers you for any liability damages that may arise from negligence and inability to fulfill contractual obligations. This also includes financial protection for any legal fees in relation to these items. You'll also hear it referred to as these terms as synonyms:
- Errors and omissions insurance (E&O)
- Malpractice insurance (specialized type, typically in legal and medical fields)
- Professional indemnity insurance
How Much Professional Liability Insurance Do I Need in NC?
For most businesses in North Carolina, you won't be required to have professional liability coverage. Even so, you will need $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate per year coverage to cover you to cover contract work risk or will be required to have it the healthcare industry (malpractice insurance) by those you work for. Healthcare is the only exception and sets its provider requirements at $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate per year coverage.
Who Needs Professional Liability Insurance in NC?
If you deal with any work involving client contracts or anything that can be considered professional negligence, you need to consider professional liability insurance. North Carlina businesses in the following industries should consider getting errors and omissions insurance.
Tech Professionals
Due to the sensitive nature of tech related businesses concerning customer and commercial data, this industry needs professional liability insurance, but it is not required in NC. Often, these professionals need specialized tech E&O insurance policies to ensure they are covered for all necessary risks.
Lawyers and Law Professionals
Lawyers often need a specialized type of professional liability insurance called malpractice insurance to protect them against risks related to negligence throughout the legal process. However, it is not required to get in North Carolina according to state law.
Financial and Consulting Professionals
If you are in the financial or consulting industry, your services are often required to either protect a client's investments or provide services that grow their business. If you are unable to meet these obligations or a customer claims you are negligent towards those ends, you'll need professional liability insurance in NC to protect you.
Medical Professionals
Most medical professionals are required to have professional liability insurance in North Carolina, in the form of medical malpractice insurance. This is primarily due to the clear risks relating to illnesses, injuries, chronic conditions and death that may be caused while providing your services.
Contractor and Construction Professionals
While not explicitly required in North Carolina you may be required by clients to get professional liability insurance. It is also a good idea even if it is not required, since risks of negligence and damages done by employees is high in the contracting and construction industry.
How to Get the Best Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina
Our step-by-step guide walks you though how to get business insurance in North Carolina that matches your professional liability insurance needs and budget.
- 1Assess your professional liability insurance coverage needs
Start by understanding your business risks and any client requirements you must meet. A Charlotte architect working on commercial projects needs different coverage than a Raleigh freelance consultant serving small businesses.
- 2Work with a local agent
Look for an agent who knows North Carolina's business landscape and understands how business insurance costs vary by location and industry. Local agents can explain whether your Asheville consulting practice needs different coverage than similar businesses in Charlotte's corporate environment.
- 3Get quotes and compare coverage details
Request quotes from at least three insurers, comparing both affordable business insurance rates and policy terms like exclusions and deductibles. A Research Triangle Park IT consultant should examine coverage differences, not just premium costs, when evaluating $1 million liability policies.
- 4Research the best providers
When researching business insurance in North Carolina, look beyond price. Find insurers with strong financial ratings, good claims handling and experience in your industry. Check AM Best ratings and read reviews from other professionals in your field.
- 5Consider bundling discounts
Many North Carolina insurers offer better premiums when you combine professional liability with other types of business insurance coverage like general liability or business owner policies. For example, a Wake County CPA firm saves 15% by bundling its professional and general liability coverage.
- 6Don't let your coverage lapse
Professional liability policies protect you only from lawsuits filed while your policy is active, even if the work happened years ago. A Greensboro consultant switching carriers should ensure their new policy covers prior acts or purchase tail coverage (extended reporting coverage) from their old insurer.
Get North Carolina Professional Liability Insurance Quotes
MoneyGeek can get you professional liability insurance coverage in NC by matching you to top providers for your industry area. Use our tool below to get your top company match and get tailored quotes for your business.
Get Matched To The Best NC Professional Liability Insurer For You
Select your industry and state to get a customized NC professional liability insurer match and get tailored quotes.
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North Carolina Professional Liability: Bottom Line
Finding the right professional liability insurance in North Carolina comes down to understanding your business risks and working with the right provider. NEXT earns our top rating, but your industry, client contracts and budget should guide your final decision. Start by assessing your needs, then let a local agent help you compare options and secure coverage that financially protects your business.
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
- Alliance Health. "Provider Insurance Requirements." Accessed November 10, 2025.
- AM Best. "AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Next Insurance US Company Under Review With Positive Implications." Accessed November 10, 2025.
- Better Business Bureau. "Next Insurance, Inc. | BBB Complaints." Accessed November 10, 2025.
- Travelers. "Financial Strength Ratings." Accessed November 10, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "nextinsurance.com Reviews." Accessed November 10, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Simply Business US Reviews." Accessed November 10, 2025.