NEXT tops our rankings with competitive rates and strong customer support. The Hartford is second, and Simply Business places third.
Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina
NEXT earns the highest score of 4.74 out of 5 in our analysis of the best professional liability insurance in North Carolina.
Discover cheap professional liability insurance in North Carolina below.
Select your industry
Updated: August 15, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
NEXT is our top pick for professional liability insurance in North Carolina, followed by The Hartford and Simply Business.
Your industry risk, client contracts, potential claim costs and budget determine the best North Carolina professional liability insurance for you.
Start by assessing your needs, then work with a local agent to get quotes and find the right provider.
Best Professional Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
| NEXT | 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 These Rates and Rankings?
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, you need to understand other coverage types and how they work together to protect your business financially.
Best North Carolina Professional Liability Insurance Reviews
We've broken down what sets these top providers apart and why they made our list for North Carolina businesses.
NEXT
Best for Customer Service
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ of 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Premium
$63These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on professional liability policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended
4.8/5
Simply Business
Best for Coverage Availability
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.2/5Customer Experience
4.9/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Premium
$66These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on professional liability policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
3.7/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended
4.2/5
Cheapest Professional Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
In our research of the cheapest professional liability insurance in North Carolina, the Hartford came out cheapest at $62 monthly ($745 annually). NEXT is another low-cost option, offering financial protection for under $65 monthly.
| The Hartford | $62 | $745 |
| NEXT | $63 | $754 |
| Simply Business | $66 | $787 |
| Thimble | $66 | $787 |
| Progressive Commercial | $66 | $789 |
| Hiscox | $67 | $802 |
| Coverdash | $67 | $803 |
| biBerk | $68 | $820 |
| Nationwide | $72 | $860 |
| Chubb | $77 | $923 |
How Did We Determine These 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.
Average Cost of Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina
North Carolina professionals pay $67 monthly ($807 annually) for professional liability insurance, less than the $78 national average. What you do matters big time: home-based businesses pay around $32 monthly, while mortgage brokers pay $143. Your location, claims history and coverage limits also affect what you pay.
| 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 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.
How Much Professional Liability Insurance Do I Need in North Carolina?
While North Carolina doesn't legally require this coverage, choosing the right coverage amount comes down to understanding your risk and what your clients expect. Take Alliance Health, for example. It sets its provider requirements at $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate because behavioral health care work carries substantial financial liability.
Your coverage decision depends on three factors:
Your industry risk
Some jobs are just riskier than others, leading to costly mistakes. Tech consultants in Research Triangle Park face different liability exposure than accountants preparing basic tax returns, while architects designing major Charlotte developments carry higher stakes than small-town real estate agents.
Client requirements
Many clients won't work with you unless you carry specific coverage amounts. Large corporations in Charlotte's banking district often mandate minimum limits as part of their contracts, while government work comes with its own insurance requirements you'll need to meet before you can even bid.
Potential claim costs
Consider how much a lawsuit might cost and select coverage that protects your business accordingly. For example, a tax preparer's filing mistake can result in $5,000 in client penalties. A software consultant whose error impacts a major Research Triangle company might face hundreds of thousands in damages and attorney fees.
How to Get the Best Professional Liability Insurance in North Carolina
Finding professional liability insurance in North Carolina becomes straightforward when you take the right approach. Use this process to get coverage that fits your business needs and budget.
- 1
Assess your 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.
- 2
Work with a local agent
Look for an agent who knows North Carolina's business landscape and can guide you. Local agents understand whether your Asheville consulting practice needs different coverage than similar businesses in Charlotte's corporate environment.
- 3
Get quotes and compare coverage details
Request quotes from at least three insurers, comparing premiums 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.
- 4
Research the best providers
Look beyond price to 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.
- 5
Consider bundling discounts
Many North Carolina insurers offer better premiums when you combine professional liability with general liability or business owner policies. For example, a Wake County CPA firm saves 15% by bundling its professional and general liability coverage.
- 6
Don'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.
How to Prevent Professional Liability Claims in North Carolina
Many professional liability claims happen because of miscommunication and unclear client expectations, not actual mistakes. Even small disputes can lead to thousands in legal fees. Use these strategies to avoid problems and protect your business from expensive claims.
Document everything
Email confirmations, project scope changes and client approvals provide written proof if disputes arise in North Carolina's competitive business environment. A Charlotte marketing consultant should send written summaries after each client meeting to confirm what was discussed and agreed upon.
Use detailed contracts with clear scope
Be clear about what you will and won't do, including project timelines and deliverables, which helps you comply with North Carolina contract law. A Raleigh web developer's contract should specify the number of revisions included and what constitutes additional work beyond the original scope.
Communicate project changes immediately
When clients request modifications, document the impact on timeline, budget, or deliverables before proceeding. An architect in Research Triangle Park should send written change orders for any design modifications, no matter how small they may seem, to avoid disputes later.
Set realistic expectations upfront
Be honest about timelines, potential challenges and the results you can deliver to your North Carolina clients. A consultant in Asheville should explain any limitations in their expertise rather than overpromising on unfamiliar services that could lead to disappointment.
Keep detailed project records
Maintain thorough documentation of your work process, decisions made and rationale behind recommendations throughout your project. A Wake County financial advisor should document their research and reasoning for any investment recommendations to demonstrate their professional diligence if questioned.
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.
North Carolina Professional Liability Insurance: FAQ
North Carolina professionals ask us these frequently asked questions about professional liability insurance. Let's break it down:
Is professional liability insurance required in North Carolina?
North Carolina doesn't legally require professional liability insurance. However, many clients won't work with you unless you carry specific coverage amounts, and some contracts mandate minimum limits before you can bid on projects.
What does professional liability insurance cost in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, professional liability insurance costs range from $62 to $77 monthly. Your actual premium depends on your industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and business location.
Which professional liability insurance company is best in North Carolina?
We analyzed professional liability insurers across North Carolina and found that NEXT scores 4.74 out of 5. It excels in affordability and customer service, followed by The Hartford and Simply Business.
How much professional liability coverage do I need?
Your coverage needs include three key factors: your industry risk, client contract requirements and potential lawsuit costs. Higher-risk professions like architects or consultants need more coverage than lower-risk businesses. Check what your biggest clients require, then consider what a major mistake can cost your business.
Can I get professional liability insurance online in North Carolina?
Yes, and we found some insurers make it remarkably easy. NEXT offers coverage in 10 minutes with instant certificates and 24/7 policy management, eliminating paperwork delays and agent meetings that slow down traditional applications.
Should I buy general liability and professional liability insurance together?
General liability covers accidents at your business (like a client slipping in your office), while professional liability covers mistakes in your work. Most businesses need both because they financially protect against completely different risks. It’s like covering your physical space versus covering your expertise.
Do I need professional liability insurance if I work from home?
Yes. Working from home doesn't eliminate your need for financial protection from professional mistakes that can cost clients money. Whether you're a consultant in Raleigh or a freelance designer in Charlotte, you face the same liability risks as office-based businesses if you provide professional services. Location doesn't matter when clients claim you made costly errors.
What happens if I let my professional liability insurance lapse?
You're taking a huge risk. Professional liability policies cover only lawsuits filed while your coverage is active, even if the work happened years earlier.
If you switch insurers, ensure your new policy includes "prior acts" coverage (coverage for past work) or buy "tail" coverage (extended reporting coverage) from your old insurer to bridge the gap and avoid dangerous coverage holes.
How We Scored the Best Professional Liability Insurance Companies in North Carolina
A professional liability lawsuit can shut down a North Carolina small business. We studied professional liability insurers across the state to identify which ones provide the strongest financial protection for businesses ranging from Research Triangle Park startups to established Charlotte firms.
Our Scoring System
- Affordability (50%): Cost drives every small business insurance decision in North Carolina's competitive markets. We weighted affordability as the highest because finding the right balance of coverage and cost ensures you get adequate financial protection within your budget.
- Customer experience (30%): Facing a professional liability claim feels overwhelming, and you need an insurer that responds quickly and pays claims fairly. We evaluated customer service using J.D. Power ratings and North Carolina Department of Insurance complaint data.
- Coverage options (15%): We examined each company's policy flexibility and coverage exclusions for North Carolina's varied professional services landscape.
- Financial strength (5%): We checked AM Best financial ratings to verify that each recommended company can cover professional liability payouts when you need them most.
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.
sources
- Alliance Health. "Provider Insurance Requirements." Accessed August 16, 2025.
- AM Best. "AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Next Insurance US Company Under Review With Positive Implications." Accessed August 16, 2025.
- Better Business Bureau. "Next Insurance, Inc. | BBB Complaints." Accessed August 16, 2025.
- Travelers. "Financial Strength Ratings." Accessed August 16, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "nextinsurance.com Reviews." Accessed August 16, 2025.
- Trustpilot. "Simply Business US Reviews." Accessed August 16, 2025.