Save up to 30% on business insurance
NerdWallet Small Business helps you get
realtime quotes from 30+ insurers,
and instant access to your Certificate of Insurance (COI) through our partner,
Coverdash.
ON THIS PAGE
Jump to
Best business insurance companies
How we choose the best general liability insurance companies
What does general liability insurance cover?
What claims doesn’t general liability insurance cover?
Does your business need general liability insurance?
What general liability insurance policy limits mean
How much general liability coverage should you have?
How much does general liability insurance cost?
How to get general liability insurance
Best business insurance companies
Best General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses in 2026
Updated Jan 23, 2026
Expert verified
+ 1 more
General liability insurance protects your business if a person accuses you of harming them or their property. We recommend that every business have a general liability policy. Here are some top places to start your search, plus details on common exclusions, costs and more.
Chubb
Best for Business owner’s policy
Pros
- Simple online shopping experience that most businesses can likely complete in a few minutes.
- BOP includes business interruption and extra expense coverage.
- Fewer complaints than expected about liability coverage and far fewer than expected about property coverage.
Cons
- If you have more than $2 million in annual revenue, you'll need to talk with an agent or shop elsewhere.
- Can’t get commercial auto insurance online.
Businesses with less than $2 million in revenue can get a business owner's policy online from Chubb. If you have a physical location, a BOP is the best way to get general liability insurance. That’s because these policies include not only that coverage, but also commercial property insurance. (Chubb’s has business interruption insurance too.) Chubb had fewer complaints about general liability insurance filed with state regulators than expected given its market share, according to NerdWallet's analysis.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Business property insurance.
- Business interruption insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
Businesses with less than $2 million in revenue can get a business owner's policy online from Chubb. If you have a physical location, a BOP is the best way to get general liability insurance. That’s because these policies include not only that coverage, but also commercial property insurance. (Chubb’s has business interruption insurance too.) Chubb had fewer complaints about general liability insurance filed with state regulators than expected given its market share, according to NerdWallet's analysis.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Business property insurance.
- Business interruption insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
Businesses with less than $2 million in revenue can get a business owner's policy online from Chubb. If you have a physical location, a BOP is the best way to get general liability insurance. That’s because these policies include not only that coverage, but also commercial property insurance. (Chubb’s has business interruption insurance too.) Chubb had fewer complaints about general liability insurance filed with state regulators than expected given its market share, according to NerdWallet's analysis.
Ergo Next
Best for Buying insurance online
If you need general liability insurance quickly, you can get a quote and buy a policy online in minutes from Ergo Next. The company says its general liability insurance policies start at $19 per month and include some product liability coverage.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Tools and equipment insurance.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Liquor liability insurance.
- Product liability insurance.
- Contractor license bonds.
If you need general liability insurance quickly, you can get a quote and buy a policy online in minutes from Ergo Next. The company says its general liability insurance policies start at $19 per month and include some product liability coverage.
- General liability insurance.
- BOP.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Tools and equipment insurance.
- Commercial property insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Workers’ comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Liquor liability insurance.
- Product liability insurance.
- Contractor license bonds.
If you need general liability insurance quickly, you can get a quote and buy a policy online in minutes from Ergo Next. The company says its general liability insurance policies start at $19 per month and include some product liability coverage.
Nationwide
Best for Construction businesses
In addition to general liability insurance, Nationwide offers specialty coverages like surety and fidelity bonds. Those policies may be important for construction companies, cleaning businesses and other specialty firms. You can get a quote online, but you’ll have to work with an agent to buy a policy.
- BOP.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Professional liabilty insurance.
- Workers' comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Employment practices liability insurance.
- Fidelity bonds and commercial crime insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Inland marine insurance.
- Surety bonds.
- Builder's risk insurance.
- Key person insurance.
- Group life insurance for your employees.
- Excess and surplus lines.
In addition to general liability insurance, Nationwide offers specialty coverages like surety and fidelity bonds. Those policies may be important for construction companies, cleaning businesses and other specialty firms. You can get a quote online, but you’ll have to work with an agent to buy a policy.
- BOP.
- Commercial auto insurance.
- Professional liabilty insurance.
- Workers' comp.
- Cyber insurance.
- Employment practices liability insurance.
- Fidelity bonds and commercial crime insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- Inland marine insurance.
- Surety bonds.
- Builder's risk insurance.
- Key person insurance.
- Group life insurance for your employees.
- Excess and surplus lines.
In addition to general liability insurance, Nationwide offers specialty coverages like surety and fidelity bonds. Those policies may be important for construction companies, cleaning businesses and other specialty firms. You can get a quote online, but you’ll have to work with an agent to buy a policy.
Thimble
Best for Fast or short-term coverage
Pros
- Can get a quote and buy coverage online in minutes.
- Coverage available by the job or the month.
- Contractors and the people managing them can use the Certificate Manager to verify that insurance is contractually compliant, or to purchase coverage that is contractually compliant.
Cons
- Customer support is only available online.
- May charge extra fees when you buy coverage.
- Thimble does not sell commercial auto insurance.
Thimble offers general liability insurance by the month or for individual events. That makes it a good option for businesses that need coverage fast to comply with contractual requirements. The company says it sells policies starting at $17 per month.
Note: Thimble is an insurance agent. Since it doesn't underwrite insurance policies, we don't give it a star rating.
- Business owner’s policy.
- General liability insurance.
- Business property insurance.
- Workers’ compensation.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Inland marine insurance.
- Cyber insurance (not available in California, Florida or New York).
- Event insurance (not available in New York, North Carolina or Texas). This includes event liability or liquor liability coverage.
Thimble offers general liability insurance by the month or for individual events. That makes it a good option for businesses that need coverage fast to comply with contractual requirements. The company says it sells policies starting at $17 per month.
Note: Thimble is an insurance agent. Since it doesn't underwrite insurance policies, we don't give it a star rating.
- Business owner’s policy.
- General liability insurance.
- Business property insurance.
- Workers’ compensation.
- Professional liability insurance.
- Inland marine insurance.
- Cyber insurance (not available in California, Florida or New York).
- Event insurance (not available in New York, North Carolina or Texas). This includes event liability or liquor liability coverage.
Thimble offers general liability insurance by the month or for individual events. That makes it a good option for businesses that need coverage fast to comply with contractual requirements. The company says it sells policies starting at $17 per month.
Note: Thimble is an insurance agent. Since it doesn't underwrite insurance policies, we don't give it a star rating.
Hiscox
Best for Professional services
Pros
- Can get a quote and purchase some policies online.
- Discounts of up to 5% available when you buy two or more Hiscox products, plus a 14-day money-back refund policy.
- Professional liability policies cover work done anywhere in the world.
Cons
- Far more complaints than expected filed with state regulators about both liability and property coverage.
- No coverage available in Alaska; business owner's policies are unavailable in several states.
Hiscox lets you buy both general liability insurance and professional liability insurance online. You should have the latter if you give advice to clients for a fee. Hiscox can tailor its professional liability policies to the specific risks of different industries, like general contractors and artisan subcontractors.
- General liability.
- Professional liability.
- Business owner's policy.
- Cyber insurance.
Hiscox lets you buy both general liability insurance and professional liability insurance online. You should have the latter if you give advice to clients for a fee. Hiscox can tailor its professional liability policies to the specific risks of different industries, like general contractors and artisan subcontractors.
- General liability.
- Professional liability.
- Business owner's policy.
- Cyber insurance.
Hiscox lets you buy both general liability insurance and professional liability insurance online. You should have the latter if you give advice to clients for a fee. Hiscox can tailor its professional liability policies to the specific risks of different industries, like general contractors and artisan subcontractors.
How we choose the best general liability insurance companies
Nearly all of the best business insurance companies sell general liability policies. The NerdWallet editorial team’s top choices are companies that:
- 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.
NerdWallet recommends getting multiple quotes so you can find the best coverage at the best price.
What does general liability insurance cover?
Commercial general liability insurance policies can pay out in cases of:
Bodily injuries that occur on your property or as a result of an interaction with your business or employees.
Third-party property damage, or damage to someone else’s property (not yours) caused by your business or its employees.
Personal and advertising injury, which can include claims of copyright infringement, libel or slander.
It can also cover medical payments for injuries that happen on your property, regardless of whose fault the injury was or whether a legal claim is filed.
What are the most common general liability insurance claims?
Claims covered by general liability insurance policies include:
- 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
- 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?
You may need the following types of insurance to supplement your general liability insurance:
- 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.
» COMPARE: General liability vs. professional liability insurance | General liability vs. workers’ comp
Does your business need general liability insurance?
NerdWallet recommends that all businesses carry general liability insurance, even though it’s usually not required by law. It provides a baseline level of protection that can keep your business afloat if you’re sued.
Beyond that, your landlord, client or contractor may insist you have coverage before they’ll work with you. That’s because if you’re responsible for an accident or injury but don’t have insurance, your landlord or client’s policy may have to cover the costs — driving up their future premiums.
For example:
- 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.
In order for general liability insurance to cover a claim, you’ll need to have a policy in place at the time the accident happens.
When to buy a business owner’s policy instead
Insurers often package general liability insurance in a business owner’s policy alongside business property insurance and business income insurance. Look for a BOP instead of general liability insurance if:
- 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
General liability insurance policies typically include two numbers: the per-occurrence limit and the aggregate limit. The higher your limits, the more expensive your premiums will typically be.
- 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?
The typical general liability policy offers $1 million per claim and $2 million in total coverage. Low-risk small businesses — think home-based businesses and consultants — may be OK with less than that. Larger businesses with lots of customers or public-facing storefronts should consider more.
The most common general liability insurance claims are so-called “slip-and-fall” lawsuits, according to business insurance company The Hartford. If you have a store or office that customers can walk into, there are just more people who could file that kind of claim. If you work from your own home, it’s a lot less likely.
You’ll have the opportunity to change your limits every year. If something about your business changes midway through your policy period, contact your insurance company and see if you can adjust your coverage.
How much does general liability insurance cost?
General liability insurance has a median premium of $45 per month or $500 per year, according to insurance marketplace Insureon.
But the cost can vary widely depending on:
- What your company does.
- Where you’re located.
- How many employees you have.
- Whether you have prior claims.
Online brokerage Coverdash shared general liability cost data with NerdWallet in 2025. For businesses with less than $1 million in revenue, premiums fell into these ranges:
- 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).
Online quotes can give you a sense of how much your business’s premiums might be.
How to get general liability insurance
Follow these steps to get a general liability insurance policy:
- Find out what coverage you have to have. Is a landlord or prospective business partner asking you for proof of insurance? If so, look closely at what their requirements are.
- Decide how much coverage you need. This will affect the price of your premiums. Do you just need insurance to comply with a contract? Then a lower level of coverage might be enough. Are you in an industry prone to lawsuits? Then you may take comfort in higher limits.
- Get an agent, if you want one. If you want personalized professional help, find an agent or broker. This is a professional who will help you get quotes from multiple companies and then buy a policy. In general, working with an agent takes more time than buying coverage online, especially if your needs are pretty simple. But it can be helpful down the road if you need more specialized insurance policies.
- Get several quotes. Every insurance company has its own pricing formulas, which means each insurance company will charge you a different price.
- Compare coverage. It’s easy to see which policy charges the lowest premiums. But double-check the policy limits and deductible, along with the period of time it covers. Compare exclusions, too — one policy might cover a situation that another policy does not.
Methodology
Business insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet rewards business insurance companies for reliability and good service. We calculate star ratings based on scores in about a dozen categories. These include:
- Each company's financial strength.
- How many complaints customers made relative to its market share.
- How easy it is to get coverage.
- How accessible customer service is.
Learn more about how we rate small-business insurance companies.
Our editorial team routinely fact-checks and updates these data points. We also adjust our scoring on an ongoing basis. This helps our star ratings reflect changing industry norms. For instance, in 2026, we began evaluating how easy insurers make it to add an additional insured.
Our ratings are a guide. But insurance policy details and prices can vary widely. We encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes.NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Insurer complaints methodology
One key factor in our star ratings is how many complaints insurance companies get. Here's how we arrive at that score.
Disappointed customers can file a complaint with their state's insurance department. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) collects, analyzes and groups complaints by business line and insurance company every year. A business line is a specific type of coverage, like workers’ comp.
Then, the NAIC calculates a complaint ratio for each company. It divides the company's share of complaints by its share of total premiums for each line of business. It then adds these ratio values to their official complaint index.
- A complaint ratio of 1 means a company received about the expected number of complaints relative to its size.
- A ratio of 2 means it received twice as many complaints as expected.
- A ratio of 0 means it received half as many complaints as expected.
NerdWallet obtains the raw NAIC data every year. We aggregate results at the company level and fact-check these results. Then we calculate a three-year average of each insurer's complaint ratio and convert it to a score for our star ratings.
Business insurance star ratings consider complaints about two lines of business: commercial liability and commercial property. We analyze complaint data on commercial auto and workers' comp policies too. But we don't currently incorporate these into our ratings since they're less universal.