Best General Liability Insurance for Small Business

A general liability insurance policy is necessary for any business owner. It’s a must-have policy extension that helps pay for things like other people’s medical bills after an accident or repair costs after damage to their property or intellectual property leads to a lawsuit. For your convenience, we have compared the general liability insurance costs of major insurers serving small and other businesses.

General Liability Insurance for Small Business

If your company harms a person or their property or is even falsely accused of doing so, general liability insurance can help cover the costs. Business general liability insurance is recommended for all businesses, from sole proprietorships to multinational conglomerates. Liability insurance for businesses is offered by every major insurer, either as a stand-alone product or bundled with the business owner’s policies.

Learn more about general liability insurance, how it functions, and what it covers in this helpful guide for business owners.

How General Liability Insurance Works

Instances in which a claim could be made under business general liability insurance include:

This policy covers injuries to third parties that take place on your property or as a result of contact with your business or its representatives. (Injuries to employees are not included.)
Damage to a third party’s property as a result of your company’s operations or the actions of its personnel
Injury to reputation and privacy. General liability insurance can cover your business’s legal fees and any damages awarded in the event of a successful lawsuit for copyright infringement, libel, or slander.

To be more specific, general liability insurance will pay for your defense if your company is sued for any of the aforementioned causes of action.

Coverage against claims that a product your company made, delivered, or sold harmed a person or their property is often included in general liability insurance policies.

What Businesses Need General Liability Insurance

All companies should have general liability insurance. This form of protection is essential for keeping a firm afloat in the event of a lawsuit.

Generally speaking, laws do not necessitate general liability insurance. However, this may be a requirement of your landlord, client, or contractor. Also, in the event of an accident or injury for which you are responsible and for which you do not have insurance, your landlord’s or client’s insurance policy may be obligated to pay, increasing their premiums in the process.

General Liability Insurance Cost

According to Insureon, the typical monthly premium for general liability insurance is $42. That’s $504 a year, although your small business’s actual expenses can be less. A large percentage (29%) of Insureon’s small business clients have monthly premiums of $30 or less. Only 41% of people pay less than $60 each month, while 30% pay more.

Several factors will affect your general liability insurance costs, including:

Identify your company’s sector. Businesses with a higher potential for loss (like construction) tend to pay more per hour than those with a lower potential for loss (like graphic design).
Numerous years in the field. How long you’ve been working as a professional might have an impact on your premium.
Location. Your business insurance premium may be lower if it’s situated in a low-crime or low-traffic region rather than, say, a high-crime or high-traffic location.
A record of all insurance claims filed by your company. You should expect to spend more on your general liability insurance if you have filed numerous claims in the past.
The extent of protection The cost of insurance will increase with higher annual limitations.

Best General Liability Insurance for Small Business

General liability insurance is a staple of any comprehensive business insurance package. The top companies will let you get a price and buy a policy online, making it easy to get the protection you need quickly. The easiest way to acquire affordable, comprehensive coverage is to compare quotes from multiple service providers.

#1. Chubb

Advantageous while looking at a business owner’s insurance.

Chubb is an insurance provider that has been around for a century and offers coverage for almost every commercial risk. Due to its solid finances and convenient online purchasing options, it is one of our top choices for the best insurance for small businesses.

Chubb’s online platform simplifies the process of acquiring insurance for companies with yearly revenue of $1 million or less and with straightforward protection requirements. A business owner’s policy, general liability, professional liability, workers’ compensation, and umbrella insurance can all be purchased through the insurer’s online automated coverage assistant.

Chubb may still make sense if you have more intricate insurance needs or an annual income beyond $1 million. However, you can’t acquire rates or purchase coverage on your own; you must engage with a local business insurance agency.

#2. Next Insurance

The best website for obtaining general liability insurance coverage online is Next Insurance.

If you need general liability insurance quickly, you can receive a price and buy a policy online in minutes from Next. Furthermore, product liability coverage is included in the company’s general liability insurance policies, which start at $11 per month.

#3. Thimble

Liability insurance for a limited time or one-time occurrence

Thimble is a virtual insurance broker that offers short-term policies by the hour, day, or month to businesses in a pinch. Also, Thimble does not act as an underwriter for its policies but rather works with other insurance providers.

Thimble is a practical solution for enterprises that want temporary or immediate protection. Thimble is helpful for business owners who engage contractors since it allows them to specify insurance criteria and have their employees buy policies directly from the platform.

However, you will need to contact a different insurer to register a claim because Thimble does not underwrite its products. Additionally, Thimble’s help desk may only be accessed online.

#4. Nationwide

Commercial insurance is tailored to a specific field.

Customers were the most satisfied with Nationwide, according to J.D. Power’s Small Commercial Insurance Study. For businesses like construction companies, cleaning businesses, and others that may need additional coverage beyond general liability insurance, Nationwide provides options including surety and fidelity bonds. While you can acquire a quote online, purchasing a policy will require the assistance of a local agent.

The Insurance Information Institute ranks Nationwide Mutual Group as the tenth largest business insurance policy underwriter in the United States in 2021, with premiums of roughly $9.7 million. Also, standard plans and specialist coverage for businesses including construction, retail, the food and beverage industry, and more are all part of the company’s commercial insurance portfolio. If your company requires specialized commercial insurance like fidelity bonds or surety bonds, Nationwide may be an excellent option.

#5. Hartford

Ideal for coordinating with a professional insurer.

Business insurance brokers learn about your firm so they can compare policies and find the best one. Get a quote from The Hartford if you’d rather work with an expert than shop for insurance on your own. General liability insurance quotes and other forms of coverage quotes are available online; from there, you can speak with a local business insurance agent.

#6. Hiscox

Whom It Serves Best: Companies Requiring Both General and Professional Liability Coverage

Hiscox, a reputable and long-standing insurer for commercial enterprises, offers a variety of coverage options, including general liability insurance and business owner’s policies. Independent insurance brokers, Geico, and the company’s website all sell Hiscox policies.

While accountants and consultants are the primary target market for Hiscox’s small business insurance products, the company also provides options for enterprises in the beauty, fitness, and health industries. Spend a few minutes online to receive a quote from Hiscox if you require liability insurance and value working with a reputable company.

Lastly, Hiscox will send you to third-party price comparison sites for coverages, including commercial auto insurance and workers’ compensation.

Cheap General Liability Insurance for Small Business

It describes any policy or insurance item that business owners buy to lower their risk of facing legal action. Small business insurance can include protection for your fishing vessels if you run a commercial fishing operation. Your line of work will determine the insurance needs of your company. However, when discussing “small business insurance,” financial and legal professionals typically mean one of the following:

Business owners can rest easy knowing they are covered in the event of an accident by purchasing general liability insurance.
Protect yourself against accusations of professional negligence with professional liability insurance.
Commercial property insurance is necessary to protect your company’s land, buildings, possessions, and machinery.
Workers’ compensation is insurance that pays out to workers in the event of an illness or injury on the job.
Protecting the vehicles you use for business with commercial auto insurance is a must.

However, not everyone can afford the most comprehensive insurance plan. These three insurance providers are worth looking into if you want comprehensive business insurance or a business owner’s coverage without breaking the bank.

General liability insurance coverage from Hartford starts at just $400 per year for small and medium-sized businesses in most fields.
If you’re self-employed or run a small business, Hiscox is a solid choice for insurance. Their most affordable policy for general liability protection costs $22 per month.
Business owner coverage from State Farm starts at just $500 every year.

What Does General Liability Cover for a Small Business?

You can protect your company from lawsuits alleging physical harm, property damage, and personal injury by purchasing general liability (GL) insurance, also known as commercial liability insurance or insurance for small businesses.

What Is General Liability Insurance Based On?

Protecting your company from the financial burden of claims related to premises liability is a crucial function of general liability insurance. Also, the size and shape of your commercial property will have an impact on your insurance premiums.

Is Public Liability Insurance the Same as General Liability?

Businesses should get public liability insurance, which is essentially an older version of general liability insurance. When members of the general public, including customers, delivery people, or visitors, file a claim against your small business for damages, public liability insurance can help cover the costs.

What Is Not Covered Under Commercial General Liability Insurance?

Any accidental losses incurred as a result of the business’ operations or the legal fees incurred in defending an action may be covered by a commercial general liability policy. Neither collision nor comprehensive coverage for cars, planes, or boats is included in commercial general liability policies.

How Do You Calculate General Liability?

The cost of a company’s general liability insurance policy depends on a number of variables, such as the nature and size of the company, the industry in which it participates, the level of risk connected with the operations, and the amount of coverage it needs.

Does General Liability Cover Financial Loss?

In the event that your company is found legally responsible for any injuries or property damage that result from your services, operations, or personnel, Commercial General Liability (CGL) coverage will cover the costs associated with such claims. Also, it applies to instances of negligence by non-professionals.

Best General Liability Insurance for Small Business