Best General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses in 2026

How we choose the best general liability insurance companies

• Get relatively few complaints to regulators about their general liability coverage. 
• Get high financial strength ratings from credit rating agencies, which should mean they have enough money to pay out all their claims. 
• Let you get a quote and make a purchase online so you can get the policy you need fast.

What does general liability insurance cover?

What are the most common general liability insurance claims?

• Customer injuries, or so-called “slip-and-fall” claims. These account for about 20% of all small-business insurance claims, including both liability and property insurance claims, according to a 2025 study from The Hartford

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  . The average cost of a claim is $45,000.
• Reputational harm claims, like libel and slander. These claims are relatively rare — less than 15% of all claims, per The Hartford. But they cost $35,000 on average.

What claims doesn’t general liability insurance cover?

• Product liability insurance. This provides protection against claims that a product your business manufactured, delivered or sold caused harm to a person or property. General liability insurance policies typically include some of this coverage. But if you operate a manufacturing, retail or wholesale business, shop for a separate and more robust product liability coverage.
• Professional liability insurance. Also called errors and omissions insurance, this coverage can protect a business that performs a service — think accountants, lawyers, doctors and architects — if they’re sued by a client who thinks they were negligent or made a mistake that resulted in harm. 
• Workers’ compensation insurance. The part of a general liability policy that covers bodily injury liability only applies to third parties, not to employees. Instead, workers’ comp pays for medical costs, physical therapy and lost wages while an employee recovers from a workplace injury.

Does your business need general liability insurance?

• Landlords may require general liability insurance before you sign a lease. 
• Venues might require it before you can do business there. For instance, a moving company might have to show proof of insurance before unloading at an apartment building. 
• If you’re an independent contractor, a business that hires you might require you to carry insurance. For instance, a personal trainer might have to show proof of insurance before a gym lets them see clients on site. 

When to buy a business owner’s policy instead

• You rent space or own a building.
• You’ve invested in inventory or equipment.
• A disaster or accident would force your business to close, cutting off revenue.

What general liability insurance policy limits mean

• Per-occurrence limit. The maximum amount the insurance company will pay out for a single claim. A typical general liability policy includes a per-occurrence limit of $1 million, which includes both legal and settlement costs.
• Aggregate limit. The total amount the insurer will pay out in a single policy period, which is usually a year. A typical general liability policy includes an aggregate limit of $2 million. The aggregate limit refreshes every policy period.

How much general liability coverage should you have?

How much does general liability insurance cost?

• What your company does.
• Where you’re located.
• How many employees you have.
• Whether you have prior claims.

• Retail businesses. $700-$1,500 annually ($58-$125 per month).
• Professional, scientific and technical services. $700-$1,300 annually ($58-$108 per month).
• Wholesale trade. $700-$2,500 annually ($58-$208 per month).
• Accommodation and food services. $1,000-$3,000 annually ($83-$208 per month).
• Construction businesses. Up to $5,000 annually (up to $417 per month).

How to get general liability insurance