Cheap General Liability Insurance (From $11 Monthly)

Updated: September 11, 2025

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Key Takeaways

The Hartford offers the lowest rates at $83 monthly ($1,001 annually) for general liability insurance (also known as public liability insurance) across 79 industries.

Compare quotes from different insurers, since factors like industry type, location, business size and claims history affect your rates.

Your business structure impacts general liability costs. LLCs often get better rates than sole proprietorships, and home-based setups reduce premiums.

Preventing public liability claims saves money through industry-specific strategies like slip prevention for restaurants and damage documentation for contractors.

Cheap General Liability Insurance Companies

The Hartford offers the cheapest general liability insurance at $83 monthly ($1,001 annual), saving businesses $21 monthly compared to the average cost of general liability coverage, which is $104, based on MoneyGeek's analysis. Our analysis also shows that Simply Business, Nationwide and Progressive Commercial also offer competitive rates of $100 and below.


The Hartford	$83	$1,001
Simply Business	$95	$1,139
Nationwide	$97	$1,165
Progressive Commercial	$100	$1,203
NEXT Insurance	$102	$1,223
Coverdash	$104	$1,242
Thimble	$107	$1,286
biBERK	$114	$1,369
Hiscox	$114	$1,371
Chubb	$119	$1,423

How Did We Determine These Rates?

These rates represent general liability coverage for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Your actual rates will vary depending on factors like your industry risk level, business location, annual revenue and claims history. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes for your specific business profile.

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The Hartford

Cheapest Overall

MoneyGeek Rating

4.6/ 5

4.6/5Affordability

4.6/5Customer Experience

4.7/5Coverage Options

Average Cost of General Liability
$83/month
Savings Compared to Industry Average
$21/month
Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5
Our Survey: Likely to be Recommended to Others
4.5/5

Cheap General Liability Insurance by Industry

NEXT Insurance offers the cheapest general liability rates across 19 industries, more than any other provider in our study. DJ services get the lowest rates at $11 monthly through NEXT Insurance, 58% below the $26 industry average. Pressure washing, the industry with the most expensive rates, faces the highest costs at $429 monthly from Thimble, still 53% below the $918 average.


Accountants	Simply Business	$14
Ad Agency	Simply Business	$20
Auto Repair	Nationwide	$81
Automotive	NEXT Insurance	$26
Bakery	The Hartford	$70
Barber	NEXT Insurance	$21
Beauty Salon	Coverdash	$42
Bounce House	The Hartford	$56
Candle	NEXT Insurance	$34
Cannabis	The Hartford	$54
Catering	NEXT Insurance	$48
Cleaning	Thimble	$84
Coffee Shop	Coverdash	$57
Computer Programming	NEXT Insurance	$16
Computer Repair	NEXT Insurance	$37
Construction	Nationwide	$78
Consulting	Simply Business	$14
Contractor	biBERK	$204
Courier	The Hartford	$170
DJ	NEXT Insurance	$11
Daycare	The Hartford	$26
Dental	NEXT Insurance	$12
Dog Grooming	Thimble	$36
Drone	The Hartford	$13
Ecommerce	Thimble	$49
Electrical	Simply Business	$49
Engineering	biBERK	$17
Excavation	NEXT Insurance	$370
Florist	Simply Business	$30
Food	Coverdash	$34
Food Truck	NEXT Insurance	$73
Funeral Home	NEXT Insurance	$44
Gardening	Thimble	$49
HVAC	Thimble	$108
Handyman	biBERK	$175
Home-based	Simply Business	$17
Hospitality	Nationwide	$20
Janitorial	Thimble	$42
Jewelry	Simply Business	$17
Junk Removal	The Hartford	$129
Lawn/Landscaping	Thimble	$49
Lawyers	Simply Business	$14
Manufacturing	Nationwide	$20
Marine	The Hartford	$24
Massage	Nationwide	$47
Mortgage Broker	NEXT Insurance	$16
Moving	Nationwide	$86
Nonprofit	biBERK	$26
Painting	Thimble	$43
Party Rental	NEXT Insurance	$66
Personal Training	The Hartford	$19
Pest Control	The Hartford	$26
Pet	Thimble	$36
Pharmacy	Nationwide	$43
Photography	NEXT Insurance	$13
Physical Therapy	Nationwide	$20
Plumbing	Simply Business	$269
Pressure Washing	Thimble	$429
Real Estate	NEXT Insurance	$22
Restaurant	Nationwide	$83
Retail	Nationwide	$30
Roofing	Thimble	$207
Security	Hiscox	$29
Snack Bars	Coverdash	$78
Software	Simply Business	$14
Spa/Wellness	Simply Business	$20
Speech Therapy	Simply Business	$20
Startup	Simply Business	$14
Tech/IT	NEXT Insurance	$16
Transportation	The Hartford	$32
Travel	NEXT Insurance	$16
Tree Service	Thimble	$49
Trucking	The Hartford	$82
Tutoring	NEXT Insurance	$13
Veterinary	biBERK	$25
Wedding Planning	NEXT Insurance	$12
Welding	The Hartford	$137
Wholesale	Coverdash	$34
Window Cleaning	Thimble	$42

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Cheap General Liability Insurance by State

The Hartford leads state-by-state pricing in our analysis, offering the lowest general liability insurance rates in 42 states.

Small businesses in Maine benefit from the cheapest coverage at $72 monthly through The Hartford, $18 below the $90 state average. General liability in Nevada averages $117 monthly, but NEXT offers the lowest rates at $100, which is $17 cheaper.


Alabama	Simply Business	$83
Alaska	The Hartford	$75
Arizona	NEXT Insurance	$83
Arkansas	The Hartford	$78
California	The Hartford	$91
Colorado	The Hartford	$81
Connecticut	The Hartford	$89
Delaware	Simply Business	$91
Florida	The Hartford	$89
Georgia	The Hartford	$83
Hawaii	The Hartford	$86
Idaho	The Hartford	$77
Illinois	The Hartford	$90
Indiana	The Hartford	$80
Iowa	The Hartford	$78
Kansas	The Hartford	$79
Kentucky	NEXT Insurance	$82
Louisiana	The Hartford	$96
Maine	The Hartford	$72
Maryland	The Hartford	$78
Massachusetts	The Hartford	$86
Michigan	The Hartford	$77
Minnesota	The Hartford	$77
Mississippi	The Hartford	$82
Missouri	Simply Business	$83
Montana	The Hartford	$81
Nebraska	The Hartford	$77
Nevada	NEXT Insurance	$100
New Hampshire	The Hartford	$81
New Jersey	The Hartford	$93
New Mexico	The Hartford	$82
New York	The Hartford	$97
North Carolina	The Hartford	$72
North Dakota	The Hartford	$72
Ohio	The Hartford	$76
Oklahoma	Simply Business	$80
Oregon	The Hartford	$76
Pennsylvania	The Hartford	$95
Rhode Island	The Hartford	$90
South Carolina	The Hartford	$84
South Dakota	The Hartford	$76
Tennessee	The Hartford	$80
Texas	The Hartford	$83
Utah	NEXT Insurance	$84
Vermont	The Hartford	$78
Virginia	The Hartford	$74
Washington	The Hartford	$93
West Virginia	The Hartford	$86
Wisconsin	The Hartford	$80
Wyoming	The Hartford	$75

How Did We Determine These Rates?

A Guide to Get the Cheapest General Liability Insurance

Finding cheap general liability insurance providers is just the first step. Your business structure, day-to-day operations and claims prevention efforts lowers your premiums considerably. We'll cover ways to position your business for the lowest possible public liability rates.

Cost Savings by Business Structure

Your business structure directly affects how much you pay for general liability coverage, but you can optimize your setup for lower rates. We looked at different business structures and identified strategies to help you find savings.

For LLCs

List your home address as your business address if you work from home because it eliminates costly premises liability risks. When renewing, emphasize that you travel to client sites rather than having clients visit your office to qualify for lower public liability rates.

For Sole Proprietorships

Double-check your business classification code with your insurer. Many service providers get stuck with "contractor" rates when they should qualify for cheaper "consultant" or "professional services" categories. That cuts general liability costs substantially.

For Corporations

Keep simple safety checklists and client communication records. Insurers often offer discounts for basic documentation showing you're managing risks, which costs nothing but can reduce your premiums at renewal.

For Home-based Businesses

Always specify "no customer visits" and "no foot traffic" on applications. Even if you occasionally meet clients elsewhere, emphasizing your home-based status eliminates premises liability exposure and keeps public liability rates low.

Preventing General Liability Claims

Different businesses face unique public liability risks, and every claim you file raises your renewal rates. Preventing claims before they happen keeps your premiums low:


Construction or Contractor	Always conduct pre-work site inspections and document existing property conditions with photos to avoid false damage claims. Maintain clear work zones with proper barriers and signage to prevent pedestrian injuries. Require clients to remove valuable items from work areas before starting any project.
Restaurant	Install and maintain non-slip mats in all high-traffic areas, especially near entrances and restrooms. Make sure employees handle spills quickly and put up warning signs while floors dry. Keep detailed food temperature logs and follow strict food safety protocols to prevent illness claims.
Retail	Conduct hourly floor inspections for spills, debris or damaged merchandise that could cause customer falls. Ensure all aisles remain clear of boxes, equipment or obstacles during business hours. Install adequate lighting in parking areas and maintain clear sight lines to reduce slip-and-fall incidents.
Moving	Conduct thorough inventory documentation with photos before loading any customer belongings to avoid false damage claims. Use proper lifting techniques and equipment dollies to prevent worker injuries that could involve customer premises liability. Maintain adequate vehicle insurance and inspect trucks regularly to prevent accidents that could damage customer property during transport.
Beauty Salon	Perform patch tests 24 to 48 hours before applying any chemical treatments to identify potential allergic reactions. Keep detailed client records, including previous treatments, allergies and any adverse reactions. Sanitize all equipment between clients and maintain current health department certifications.
Cleaning	Test cleaning products in inconspicuous areas before complete application to avoid damaging expensive surfaces or furnishings. Create and follow detailed checklists for each client location to ensure consistent service and avoid missing valuable items. Use proper warning signs and barriers when floors are wet to prevent client employees from slipping.
Plumbing or HVAC	Conduct thorough pre-work inspections and photograph existing conditions to document any pre-existing damage before starting repairs. Always shut off main water or gas lines before beginning work and test all connections thoroughly to prevent costly leaks. Use protective coverings on furniture and floors to prevent damage from tools, parts or unexpected spills during installation.

Affordable General Liability Insurance: Bottom Line

Finding cheap general liability insurance requires more than just comparing quotes. While The Hartford offers the lowest rates at $83 monthly in our study, your actual costs depend on your business structure, location and claims history. Prevention tactics can slash your renewal rates: restaurants that prevent slips with proper floor maintenance and contractors who photograph job sites before starting work often see lower premiums over time.

Cheapest General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses: FAQ

It's normal to have questions about cheap general liability insurance beyond basic rate comparisons. We've compiled these frequently asked questions to address the most common concerns about coverage costs, providers and savings strategies:

What's the difference between general liability and public liability insurance?

General liability and public liability insurance provide the same core financial protection against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims, though terminology may vary by region and specific policy features. "General liability" is the standard US term, while "public liability" is commonly used internationally for identical protection.

How much does general liability insurance cost for small businesses?

General liability insurance costs $83 to $119 monthly for small businesses, with an industry average of $104 monthly. Your actual cost depends on your industry, location, business size and claims history.

What's the cheapest general liability insurance company?

The Hartford is the cheapest general liability insurance company at $83 monthly, saving businesses $21 monthly compared to the $104 industry average across 79 industries in our analysis.

How can I prevent public liability claims from increasing my rates?

Prevent claims through industry-specific safety measures: restaurants should focus on slip prevention with non-slip mats, while contractors should document property conditions before starting work to avoid false damage claims.

Does my business structure affect general liability insurance rates?

Yes, your business structure impacts general liability rates. LLCs often get better rates than sole proprietorships, and home-based businesses typically pay less by eliminating premises liability exposure from customer foot traffic.

Which industries pay the most for general liability insurance?

Pressure washing businesses pay the highest rates at around $429 monthly, while DJ services pay the lowest at $11 monthly. Construction, plumbing and other high-risk trades typically face higher premiums.

Do I need public liability insurance if I work from home?

Yes, home-based businesses still need public liability insurance for client work and professional activities. However, you'll pay less by emphasizing no customer visits and eliminating premises liability exposure on applications.

How We Chose the Cheapest Small Business Insurance Companies

We focused our research exclusively on affordability, analyzing which providers offer the lowest general liability premiums for small businesses.

Every quote used identical parameters to ensure fair comparisons:

Two employees (three people in total, including the owner)
$150,000 annual payroll
$300,000 annual revenue
Already insured status
$1 million/$2 million aggregate coverage

This profile represents cost-conscious small businesses that need workers' comp in most states but prioritize saving money on premiums. We chose companies offering broad national coverage and online quote capabilities.

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.

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sources

AM Best. "AM Best Upgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries." Accessed September 2, 2025.
Trustpilot. "The Hartford Reviews." Accessed September 2, 2025.