Thimble provides the cheapest general liability insurance at $78 monthly ($937 annually) among the 10 carriers MoneyGeek analyzed. The Hartford, Simply Business and Nationwide follow with monthly rates below $100.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance
Updated: July 18, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Thimble offers the lowest average rates for general liability insurance at $78 monthly ($937 annually) across 79 industries.
Several factors affect your rates: industry type, location, business size and claims history.
You can save money by comparing quotes, bundling policies for discounts and keeping a clean safety record.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies
| Thimble | $ 78 | $ 937 |
| The Hartford | $ 84 | $ 1,010 |
| Simply Business | $ 96 | $ 1,150 |
| Nationwide | $ 97 | $ 1,166 |
| Progressive Commercial | $ 100 | $ 1,204 |
| Coverdash | $ 104 | $ 1,242 |
| NEXT | $ 107 | $ 1,289 |
| Hiscox | $ 112 | $ 1,346 |
| biBerk | $ 114 | $ 1,369 |
| Chubb | $ 119 | $ 1,427 |
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.
LEARN MORE ABOUT GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Cheapest General Liability Insurance by Industry
biBerk offers the cheapest general liability insurance for 18 of the 79 industries MoneyGeek analyzed. Thimble and Simply Business follow, with the lowest rates in 14 and 13 industries, respectively.
| Accountants | Simply Business | $ 14 | $ 173 |
| Ad Agency | Simply Business | $ 20 | $ 240 |
| Auto Repair | Nationwide | $ 81 | $ 968 |
| Automotive | NEXT | $ 28 | $ 331 |
| Bakery | The Hartford | $ 74 | $ 888 |
| Barber | NEXT | $ 23 | $ 271 |
| Beauty Salon | Coverdash | $ 42 | $ 507 |
| Bounce House | biBerk | $ 58 | $ 698 |
| Candle | NEXT | $ 37 | $ 439 |
| Cannabis | biBerk | $ 56 | $ 669 |
| Catering | Thimble | $ 25 | $ 302 |
| Cleaning | Thimble | $ 42 | $ 503 |
| Coffee Shop | Coverdash | $ 57 | $ 685 |
| Computer Programming | biBerk | $ 17 | $ 201 |
| Computer Repair | NEXT | $ 20 | $ 238 |
| Construction | Hiscox | $ 21 | $ 247 |
| Consulting | Simply Business | $ 14 | $ 173 |
| Contractor | biBerk | $ 204 | $ 2,451 |
| Courier | The Hartford | $ 181 | $ 2,168 |
| DJ | Simply Business | $ 12 | $ 138 |
| Daycare | The Hartford | $ 28 | $ 334 |
| Dental | NEXT | $ 13 | $ 159 |
| Dog Grooming | Thimble | $ 36 | $ 431 |
| Drone | biBerk | $ 13 | $ 162 |
| Ecommerce | Thimble | $ 24 | $ 294 |
| Electrical | Simply Business | $ 49 | $ 588 |
| Engineering | biBerk | $ 17 | $ 201 |
| Excavation | biBerk | $ 371 | $ 4,453 |
| Florist | Thimble | $ 24 | $ 294 |
| Food | Coverdash | $ 34 | $ 406 |
| Food Truck | Simply Business | $ 77 | $ 926 |
| Funeral Home | NEXT | $ 47 | $ 560 |
| Gardening | NEXT | $ 23 | $ 271 |
| HVAC | Thimble | $ 108 | $ 1,293 |
| Handyman | biBerk | $ 175 | $ 2,097 |
| Home-based | Simply Business | $ 18 | $ 211 |
| Home-based | NEXT | $ 48 | $ 581 |
| Hospitality | Nationwide | $ 20 | $ 241 |
| Janitorial | Thimble | $ 42 | $ 503 |
| Jewelry | Simply Business | $ 17 | $ 208 |
| Junk Removal | The Hartford | $ 137 | $ 1,647 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | Thimble | $ 49 | $ 590 |
| Lawyers | Simply Business | $ 14 | $ 173 |
| Manufacturing | Nationwide | $ 20 | $ 241 |
| Marine | biBerk | $ 25 | $ 297 |
| Massage | Nationwide | $ 47 | $ 570 |
| Mortgage Broker | NEXT | $ 17 | $ 200 |
| Moving | Nationwide | $ 86 | $ 1,035 |
| Nonprofit | biBerk | $ 26 | $ 316 |
| Painting | Thimble | $ 43 | $ 519 |
| Party Rental | biBerk | $ 70 | $ 834 |
| Personal Training | biBerk | $ 20 | $ 236 |
| Pest Control | The Hartford | $ 27 | $ 328 |
| Pet | Thimble | $ 36 | $ 431 |
| Pharmacy | Nationwide | $ 43 | $ 514 |
| Photography | NEXT | $ 14 | $ 169 |
| Physical Therapy | Nationwide | $ 20 | $ 240 |
| Plumbing | Simply Business | $ 271 | $ 3,257 |
| Pressure Washing | Thimble | $ 429 | $ 5,144 |
| Real Estate | biBerk | $ 23 | $ 280 |
| Restaurant | Nationwide | $ 83 | $ 996 |
| Retail | Nationwide | $ 30 | $ 359 |
| Roofing | Thimble | $ 207 | $ 2,487 |
| Security | Hiscox | $ 29 | $ 353 |
| Snack Bars | Coverdash | $ 78 | $ 942 |
| Software | Simply Business | $ 14 | $ 173 |
| Spa/Wellness | Simply Business | $ 20 | $ 240 |
| Speech Therapist | Nationwide | $ 20 | $ 240 |
| Startup | Simply Business | $ 14 | $ 173 |
| Tech/IT | NEXT | $ 17 | $ 200 |
| Transportation | biBerk | $ 33 | $ 396 |
| Travel | biBerk | $ 16 | $ 190 |
| Tree Service | Thimble | $ 49 | $ 590 |
| Trucking | biBerk | $ 85 | $ 1,022 |
| Tutoring | NEXT | $ 14 | $ 163 |
| Veterinary | biBerk | $ 25 | $ 298 |
| Wedding Planning | NEXT | $ 13 | $ 152 |
| Welding | biBerk | $ 142 | $ 1,699 |
| Wholesale | Coverdash | $ 34 | $ 406 |
| Window Cleaning | Thimble | $ 42 | $ 503 |
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.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance by State
Thimble offers the cheapest general liability insurance across all 50 states MoneyGeek analyzed. See which rates apply in your state below.
| Alabama | Thimble | $ 77 | $ 921 |
| Alaska | Thimble | $ 72 | $ 860 |
| Arizona | Thimble | $ 74 | $ 893 |
| Arkansas | Thimble | $ 75 | $ 899 |
| California | Thimble | $ 87 | $ 1,042 |
| Colorado | Thimble | $ 77 | $ 929 |
| Connecticut | Thimble | $ 85 | $ 1,017 |
| Delaware | Thimble | $ 84 | $ 1,007 |
| Florida | Thimble | $ 84 | $ 1,013 |
| Georgia | Thimble | $ 79 | $ 952 |
| Hawaii | Thimble | $ 82 | $ 987 |
| Idaho | Thimble | $ 74 | $ 889 |
| Illinois | Thimble | $ 86 | $ 1,027 |
| Indiana | Thimble | $ 76 | $ 914 |
| Iowa | Thimble | $ 74 | $ 893 |
| Kansas | Thimble | $ 76 | $ 911 |
| Kentucky | Thimble | $ 73 | $ 875 |
| Louisiana | Thimble | $ 89 | $ 1,070 |
| Maine | Thimble | $ 68 | $ 810 |
| Maryland | Thimble | $ 75 | $ 895 |
| Massachusetts | Thimble | $ 82 | $ 982 |
| Michigan | Thimble | $ 74 | $ 888 |
| Minnesota | Thimble | $ 73 | $ 880 |
| Mississippi | Thimble | $ 78 | $ 941 |
| Missouri | Thimble | $ 77 | $ 928 |
| Montana | Thimble | $ 78 | $ 933 |
| Nebraska | Thimble | $ 74 | $ 887 |
| Nevada | Thimble | $ 89 | $ 1,065 |
| New Hampshire | Thimble | $ 78 | $ 932 |
| New Jersey | Thimble | $ 88 | $ 1,059 |
| New Mexico | Thimble | $ 79 | $ 942 |
| New York | Thimble | $ 89 | $ 1,070 |
| North Carolina | Thimble | $ 68 | $ 810 |
| North Dakota | Thimble | $ 68 | $ 814 |
| Ohio | Thimble | $ 73 | $ 871 |
| Oklahoma | Thimble | $ 74 | $ 886 |
| Oregon | Thimble | $ 73 | $ 871 |
| Pennsylvania | Thimble | $ 89 | $ 1,070 |
| Rhode Island | Thimble | $ 86 | $ 1,028 |
| South Carolina | Thimble | $ 80 | $ 965 |
| South Dakota | Thimble | $ 73 | $ 877 |
| Tennessee | Thimble | $ 76 | $ 914 |
| Texas | Thimble | $ 79 | $ 945 |
| Utah | Thimble | $ 75 | $ 897 |
| Vermont | Thimble | $ 75 | $ 900 |
| Virginia | Thimble | $ 71 | $ 855 |
| Washington | Thimble | $ 89 | $ 1,063 |
| West Virginia | Thimble | $ 82 | $ 982 |
| Wisconsin | Thimble | $ 77 | $ 920 |
| Wyoming | Thimble | $ 72 | $ 868 |
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.
How to Get the Cheapest General Liability Insurance
Finding cheap general liability insurance comes down to making smart choices about coverage and shopping strategies. Consider these practical steps that can help lower your costs:
- 1
Don't buy more coverage than you need
$1 million per incident and $2 million total coverage limits are usually plenty unless you're in a high-risk industry. A freelance graphic designer working from home doesn't need the same $5 million limits as a construction contractor.
- 2
Know what's covered and what's not
Add only the extras you actually need. A photographer might need equipment coverage, but if you're a consultant with just a laptop, you don't need expensive property add-ons.
- 3
Make sure your business type is correct
If you're listed as a higher-risk business than you are, you'll end up overpaying. For example, a marketing consultant mistakenly classified as a general contractor pays three times more for coverage.
- 4
Shop around with multiple companies
Get quotes from at least three insurers since prices vary dramatically. A cleaning business gets a $42 monthly quote from Thimble versus a $144 quote elsewhere.
- 5
Try online tools and work with brokers
Use platforms that compare multiple carriers instantly, or call an independent agent representing several companies rather than just one.
- 6
Bundle your business insurance
Combining general liability with professional liability insurance usually costs less than buying them separately. Companies like NEXT offer 10% discounts when you bundle, saving a retail store owner around $200 annually.
- 7
Consider a higher deductible
A higher deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance coverage begins) lowers monthly payments if you can afford more. Raising it to $500 might save $20 monthly.
- 8
Keep a clean safety record
Companies like biBerk offer safety training resources, and having no claims helps you get better renewal rates. A restaurant with documented safety training qualifies for better rates than one with multiple claims.
- 9
Check your policy every year
Your business changes, and so do rates. The cheapest carrier for your startup may not offer the best rates once you have employees and higher revenue.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance: Bottom Line
While Thimble leads with the lowest rates at $78 monthly, the cheapest provider for your business depends on your situation. Finding the most affordable business insurance rates includes getting quotes from multiple insurers, exploring bundle discounts and keeping your claims record clean to unlock better rates over time.
Cheap General Liability Insurance: FAQ
Get answers to common questions about finding affordable general liability insurance for your small business. This section covers pricing factors, coverage needs and money-saving strategies.
Which provider offers the cheapest general liability insurance?
Thimble offers the cheapest general liability insurance at $78 monthly ($937 annually). The Hartford follows at $84 monthly, Simply Business at $96 monthly and Nationwide at $97 monthly. Rates vary by business type and location, so compare quotes from multiple carriers.
What are general liability insurance premiums based on?
Your rates depend on where your business is located, your industry, your revenue, how many employees you have, your claims history and what coverage limits you choose.
What factors affect general liability insurance costs for small businesses?
Industry risk level, location, employee count, revenue and claims history determine general liability costs. High-risk industries like construction pay much more than consulting. Your state's regulations and litigation trends also impact pricing.
What coverage limits do most small businesses need?
Most small businesses need $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate (total annual limit) coverage. Low-risk businesses can start with $500,000, while contractors need $2 million per occurrence. Many client contracts require at least $1 million minimum coverage.
How do I compare general liability insurance quotes effectively?
Compare quotes for identical coverage limits and deductibles from at least three providers. Look beyond price. Check AM Best's financial ratings and customer satisfaction for the best general liability insurance.
Which states have the cheapest general liability insurance rates?
Alaska has the cheapest rates at $72 monthly from Thimble. Alabama, Colorado and Georgia follow at $77 to $79 monthly from the same provider.
How long does it take to get general liability insurance coverage?
Most insurers can get you covered within 24 hours, with some offering same-day coverage. Online providers like NEXT and Thimble offer quotes within minutes and immediate coverage after payment. Traditional insurers may take two to three business days.
What's not covered by cheap general liability insurance?
General liability insurance policies exclude professional errors, cyber-attacks, employment issues, auto accidents and employee injuries. You’ll need other types of business insurance for these. Bundling multiple policies often costs less than buying separately.
Do I need general liability insurance if I work from home?
As a sole proprietor, you still need coverage if clients visit, you work at client locations, or your products can cause injury. Costs vary by business type, so compare quotes from multiple providers.
How do I know if I'm getting a good deal on general liability insurance?
Research the average cost of general liability insurance in your state as a benchmark, but your rate varies by industry, business size and claims history. Compare at least three quotes with identical coverage limits.
Can I cancel my general liability insurance anytime?
You can cancel most policies with 30 days' notice for a prorated refund, but this leaves you vulnerable to lawsuits and may violate client contracts. Instead of canceling altogether, consider raising deductibles or lowering limits.
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.