Updated: September 2, 2025

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Key Takeaways

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

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

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

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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. Our analysis 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?

Compare Small Business Insurance Rates

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Why do we need ZIP code?
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The Hartford

Cheapest Overall

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ of 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.

AccountantsSimply Business$14
Ad AgencySimply Business$20
Auto RepairNationwide$81
AutomotiveNEXT Insurance$26
BakeryThe Hartford$70
BarberNEXT Insurance$21
Beauty SalonCoverdash$42
Bounce HouseThe Hartford$56
CandleNEXT Insurance$34
CannabisThe Hartford$54
CateringNEXT Insurance$48
CleaningThimble$84
Coffee ShopCoverdash$57
Computer ProgrammingNEXT Insurance$16
Computer RepairNEXT Insurance$37
ConstructionNationwide$78
ConsultingSimply Business$14
ContractorbiBERK$204
CourierThe Hartford$170
DJNEXT Insurance$11
DaycareThe Hartford$26
DentalNEXT Insurance$12
Dog GroomingThimble$36
DroneThe Hartford$13
EcommerceThimble$49
ElectricalSimply Business$49
EngineeringbiBERK$17
ExcavationNEXT Insurance$370
FloristSimply Business$30
FoodCoverdash$34
Food TruckNEXT Insurance$73
Funeral HomeNEXT Insurance$44
GardeningThimble$49
HVACThimble$108
HandymanbiBERK$175
Home-basedSimply Business$17
HospitalityNationwide$20
JanitorialThimble$42
JewelrySimply Business$17
Junk RemovalThe Hartford$129
Lawn/LandscapingThimble$49
LawyersSimply Business$14
ManufacturingNationwide$20
MarineThe Hartford$24
MassageNationwide$47
Mortgage BrokerNEXT Insurance$16
MovingNationwide$86
NonprofitbiBERK$26
PaintingThimble$43
Party RentalNEXT Insurance$66
Personal TrainingThe Hartford$19
Pest ControlThe Hartford$26
PetThimble$36
PharmacyNationwide$43
PhotographyNEXT Insurance$13
Physical TherapyNationwide$20
PlumbingSimply Business$269
Pressure WashingThimble$429
Real EstateNEXT Insurance$22
RestaurantNationwide$83
RetailNationwide$30
RoofingThimble$207
SecurityHiscox$29
Snack BarsCoverdash$78
SoftwareSimply Business$14
Spa/WellnessSimply Business$20
Speech TherapySimply Business$20
StartupSimply Business$14
Tech/ITNEXT Insurance$16
TransportationThe Hartford$32
TravelNEXT Insurance$16
Tree ServiceThimble$49
TruckingThe Hartford$82
TutoringNEXT Insurance$13
VeterinarybiBERK$25
Wedding PlanningNEXT Insurance$12
WeldingThe Hartford$137
WholesaleCoverdash$34
Window CleaningThimble$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.

AlabamaSimply Business$83
AlaskaThe Hartford$75
ArizonaNEXT Insurance$83
ArkansasThe Hartford$78
CaliforniaThe Hartford$91
ColoradoThe Hartford$81
ConnecticutThe Hartford$89
DelawareSimply Business$91
FloridaThe Hartford$89
GeorgiaThe Hartford$83
HawaiiThe Hartford$86
IdahoThe Hartford$77
IllinoisThe Hartford$90
IndianaThe Hartford$80
IowaThe Hartford$78
KansasThe Hartford$79
KentuckyNEXT Insurance$82
LouisianaThe Hartford$96
MaineThe Hartford$72
MarylandThe Hartford$78
MassachusettsThe Hartford$86
MichiganThe Hartford$77
MinnesotaThe Hartford$77
MississippiThe Hartford$82
MissouriSimply Business$83
MontanaThe Hartford$81
NebraskaThe Hartford$77
NevadaNEXT Insurance$100
New HampshireThe Hartford$81
New JerseyThe Hartford$93
New MexicoThe Hartford$82
New YorkThe Hartford$97
North CarolinaThe Hartford$72
North DakotaThe Hartford$72
OhioThe Hartford$76
OklahomaSimply Business$80
OregonThe Hartford$76
PennsylvaniaThe Hartford$95
Rhode IslandThe Hartford$90
South CarolinaThe Hartford$84
South DakotaThe Hartford$76
TennesseeThe Hartford$80
TexasThe Hartford$83
UtahNEXT Insurance$84
VermontThe Hartford$78
VirginiaThe Hartford$74
WashingtonThe Hartford$93
West VirginiaThe Hartford$86
WisconsinThe Hartford$80
WyomingThe 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Cheap General Liability Insurance Chart

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?

How much does general liability insurance cost for small businesses?

What's the cheapest general liability insurance company?

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

Does my business structure affect general liability insurance rates?

Which industries pay the most for general liability insurance?

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

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 headshot

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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