Best general liability insurance for small businesses

Every small business is different, which is why there's no one insurance company that we recommend when buying general liability insurance.

Insureon is the #1 digital agency for small business insurance, partnering with 40+ U.S. insurance providers to find the best insurance coverage for your needs. We've helped over 450,000 small businesses get protected with more than 1.8 million policies.

When you compare quotes with our free application, we do the work for you by retrieving quotes from the companies that best match your business needs. The most important factors are:

• Best-rated general liability insurance companies, in terms of financial strength
• Best providers for your industry
• Best providers for your business's location
• Best carriers for bundling general liability insurance

Some providers offer general liability insurance for certain professions, and others operate only in limited areas. Many carriers offer a business owner's policy (BOP), which bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance at a lower cost than buying the policies separately.

All of our insurance partners are rated excellent or superior by AM Best, a global credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry.

When searching for general liability insurance for your small business, your profession is a key factor. Additionally, the best general liability for an LLC may not be the best fit for an independent contractor.

An insurance provider who understands the unique risks of your profession and business structure can help make sure you're covered for the relevant exposures.

Many carriers offer business interruption insurance, also called business income insurance, as an important add-on to a business owner's policy. This policy covers daily operating costs and other expenses when a fire or other covered property claim forces your business to close.

Here are the recommended providers of general liability insurance for our top industries:

Your state is another consideration when it comes to the best carriers for general liability insurance. Some providers have a limited area of operations, so they might not offer business insurance coverage for your area.

Your location also affects business insurance costs, including general liability premiums. Every state has different rates for litigation, healthcare, and other expenses relevant to claims.

Here are the most popular small business insurance companies in our top five states, based on the number of general liability policies sold:

Many insurance companies offer a discount when you bundle general liability with other business insurance products.

The most popular choice for small businesses is a business owner's policy, which bundles general liability coverage with commercial property insurance at a discount. Most small, low-risk businesses are eligible for a BOP.

Another common option is a commercial package policy (CPP), which is designed for small and midsized businesses with moderate risks. A CPP also bundles general liability and business property insurance, but with a broader range of coverage options and higher limits than a business owner's policy.

These insurance carriers offer some of the best options for general liability packages:

The Hartford includes business income insurance in its business owner's policy, which most other carriers don't automatically include. This coverage ensures your business can withstand the financial impact of a forced closure due to a fire or other covered property claim.

You can include additional coverages, such as:

• Data breach insurance
• Business income for off-premises utility services
• Other specialized policies

Liberty Mutual offers both a business owner's policy and a commercial package for small to midsized businesses, available to more than 300 types of businesses. You can also add other coverages, such as:

• Commercial auto insurance
• Equipment breakdown coverage
• Inland marine insurance
• Commercial umbrella insurance
• Workers' compensation insurance

Acuity's version of a business owner's policy is the "Bis-Pak," which combines property insurance, general liability, and business income coverage. This package includes a few extras, such as coverage for additional business locations or projects, and $10,000 in ordinance or law coverage.

You can customize your policy with a range of property and liability endorsements, or add on other types of coverage, such as employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) or errors and omissions insurance (E&O).

Travelers sells a business owner's policy with an option for lost income coverage, along with additional insurance options:

• Hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA)
• Cyber insurance
• Crime insurance
• Contractor’s equipment insurance

Chubb's business owner's policy is available for small business owners with up to $30 million in revenue across more than 500 different professions. The company offers a wide range of customizations, including:

• Privacy and data breach
• Employment practices liability
• Electronic data liability
• Equipment breakdown
• Professional liability insurance, for certain professions

Small business owners often buy general liability insurance coverage because they need it to sign a client contract, get a license for their profession, or rent a commercial space.

Even when it's not required, the potentially devastating cost of a lawsuit makes it a good idea to carry this coverage.

General liability insurance covers:

• Accidents that cause a customer's bodily injury
• Accidental damage to a customer's property
• Defamation claims, including slander and libel
• Advertising injuries, such as copyright infringement and false advertising
• Harm caused by products, including food contamination

Liability claims can happen to any small business—and without protection, the financial impact could shut your doors permanently. General liability helps you recover from these incidents, while reducing your risks can help you avoid claims and keep your premiums low.

Insureon helps you find the right business liability insurance for your needs from the nation's leading carriers. Get quotes for general liability, workers' comp, and other policies in one place by filling out our easy online application.

Our expert insurance agents can answer any questions you might have. They'll make sure your coverage matches your profession, your budget, and any unique risks.

Most small business owners can get insured within 24 hours of applying for quotes. Policyholders can download a certificate of insurance (COI) at any time for proof of coverage.