General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (2024)

What Is Small Business Liability Insurance?

General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (1)Liability insurance for small businesses helps cover claims of:

  • Bodily injuries
  • Property damage
  • Financial loss due to an error or omission

Every small business faces unique risks. We’re here to help protect you from them withsmall business insurance coverage that can help you stay focused on running a successful operation.

To learn more about your small business insurance options, get a quote.

What Does Liability Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses Include?

Small business liability insurance includes several different types of coverage that you should think about for your risk management plan. Be aware that small business insurance requirements vary by state, such as carrying workers’ compensation insurance or commercial auto insurance. You may need acertificate of insuranceto help prove that your business has the necessary coverage.

To learn more about the different types of business insurance,get a quote today.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurancehelps cover claims that your business causedbodily injuriesor damage to another person’s property. It can also help covertortfeasorclaimssuch as libel and slander. This coverage can help pay for legal fees and claims that can come up during normal business operations.

Business Auto Insurance

Business auto insurance, or commercial auto insurance, helps protect you and your employees on the road if you drive a company-owned vehicle for business. It can help cover bodily injury and property damage claims from an accident that your business is involved in.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurancehelps protect your business from liability claims that it made a mistake in the professional services given. It’s also known as errors and omissions insurance. Thisprofessional liability for small businesses coverage can help pay your:

  • Defense costs
  • Attorney fees
  • Judgments
  • Settlements

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurancegives benefits to your employees if they get a work-related injury or illness. It can help cover their:

  • Medical expenses
  • Ongoing care costs
  • Disability benefits
  • Lost wages

Employers in most states are required by law to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance

Commercial umbrella insuranceextends the limits of some of your liability insurance policies. So, if there’s an expensive claim that exceeds your policy limit, commercial umbrella coverage can help pay the difference if it’s a covered cause of loss.

You can typically buy a $1 million or $2 million umbrella policy for a few hundred dollars. Making this investment now can be worth it if you’re faced with thousands of dollars later from a claim.

Additional Liability Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses

General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (2)To help protect your business from more of the risks you face, consider adding these types ofbusiness liability insurance coverage:

  • Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
  • Business income insurance
  • Business property insurance
  • Business flood insurance
  • Bonds for small businesses

How Much Does Liability Small Business Insurance Cost?

Insurance companies look at several factors when determining the cost of small business liability insurance. This can include your:

  • Policy details, like coverage limits and deductibles
  • Business industry
  • Location
  • Employee size

Our customers pay an average of $805 a year, or about $67 a month, for general liability insurance.1 But because every small business is unique, your actual cost may be different. The insurance cost for a startup business may be different from an LLC’s insurance cost.The best way to find out your business’ cost is to get an insurance quote.

Why Do You Need Liability Insurance for Small Businesses?

General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (3)If you don’t have liability insurance, you’ll have to pay for claims or lawsuits out of pocket. This can include:

  • Fines
  • Criminal penalties
  • Lawsuits if your business doesn’t meet state requirements

You can learn more about liability insurance for a small business by asking an insurance agent or professional these seven questions:

  1. What businesses need workers’ compensation insurance in my state?
  2. Do all employees need workers’ compensation?
  3. Does my liability insurance protect my business operations in other states?
  4. Do I needgeneral liability insurance for my small business that I run out of my home?
  5. What are the minimum limits for liability insurance I need?
  6. Can I increase or decrease my liability insurance premiums throughout the year?
  7. How much liability insurance do I need?

When you’re ready to get a liability insurance quote for your small business, you can work with an independent insurance agency or an insurance company like ours. Our specialists are here to help you. Whether you’re looking to discuss the cost ofcommercial general liability insurance or need help with a claim, we’ve got your back.

Why Choose The Hartford for Small Business Liability Insurance?

We’re an insurance company backed by more than 200 years of experience. We’ve helped over 1 million small business owners get the protection they need and we’re here to help do the same for you. Our specialists regularly earn high customer claims ratings and reviews.* And our company was recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company® 14 times by Ethisphere.2

Our dedicated team is here to help youget small business insurance coverage you need. Our specialists can walk you through general liability insurance costs, workers’ comp benefits and any other questions you may have. Find outwhat is the best liability insurance for small business and what your insurance cost will be by getting asmall business quote today.

Last Updated: November 20, 2023

1 Premium amounts presented are based on monthly premium paid by The Hartford’s Small Business customers between 1/1/22 and 9/14/23 for 12-month policies. Premium is derived from a number of factors specific to your business and may vary.

2 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.

Additional disclosures below.

General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses (2024)

FAQs

How much is a $2 million dollar insurance policy for a business? ›

How much is a 2-million dollar insurance policy for a business? On average, an insurance policy that offers coverage for up to $2 million can cost about $30 a month in premiums.

What is the difference between general liability and business insurance? ›

General liability insurance helps protect you from claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage. It can also protect you if someone sues you for advertising injury. Commercial property insurance covers your business' physical location and equipment, whether you own or lease it.

What is general liability insurance for a business in California? ›

General Liability Insurance in California

General liability insurance, known as Commercial General Liability (CGL), protects your business from another person or business's claims of bodily injury, associated medical costs, and damage to property.

How much does a $1000000 liability insurance policy cost? ›

On average, Insureon customers pay $42 per month, or about $500 annually, for a $1 million general liability insurance policy. Additionally, 29% pay less than $30 per month, and 40% pay between $30 and $60 per month. Customers who need more coverage will likely pay a higher premium.

How much is $5 million liability insurance? ›

A $5 million umbrella policy costs around $375 to $525 per year, on average. Every policyholder's umbrella insurance premium will vary based on their personal risk factors, so individuals who own more cars or properties will be more expensive to insure, as will people who are particularly likely to be sued.

Is general liability worth it? ›

Your GLI policy can help pay for your legal fees and settlement costs. Without general liability insurance coverage, your business would have to pay out of pocket for costly claims that could come up during normal business operations.

Does a business owners policy cover general liability? ›

It helps pay for medical payments and property damage if someone other than an employee gets hurt or if your business is held responsible for damaging someone's property. A business owner's policy (or BOP insurance) includes general liability insurance.

Is general liability insurance an expense or liability? ›

General liability insurance is usually tax-deductible because the IRS considers your policy payments to be a business expense. Keep track of all the payments you make toward your policy, as that will be important when you file your taxes at the beginning of the year.

What is the limit for general liability insurance in California? ›

1.1 Contractor shall maintain general liability on an occurrence form with limits not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate for bodily injury and property damage liability.

How much does business insurance cost in California? ›

Average monthly small business insurance costs
Business insurance policyAverage monthly cost
Commercial umbrella insurance$75 / month
Cyber liability insurance$145 / month
Commercial auto insurance$147 / month
Commercial property insurance$67 / month
5 more rows
Apr 3, 2024

Does California require general liability insurance for contractors? ›

Contractor licensing requirements in California

Proof of insurance: The state requires applicants to have the necessary surety and contractor bonds, as well as general liability and workers' compensation.

How much is a monthly payment for a 2 million dollar life insurance policy? ›

A $2 million-dollar term life insurance policy costs $183 per month for a 30 year-old male in good health according to most experts on life insurance policies. Please keep in mind many variables factor in the final cost of your life insurance policy so be sure to get plenty of quotes.

How much does a $500,000 insurance policy cost? ›

The life insurance cost for a $500,000 term policy averages $29 monthly. Depending on your needs and circ*mstances, this amount can provide substantial coverage for your chosen beneficiaries.

Is insurance more expensive for business use? ›

Because business car insurance policies have different coverage than individual policies, they are often more expensive.

What is $1000000 insurance reimbursem*nt policy? ›

If you do become a victim of identity theft, the $1 Million Identity Theft Insurance policy will reimburse you for covered expenses associated with restoring your identity. We will reimburse the expenses and legal costs from the following types of identity fraud (subject to the policy limitations and exclusions):

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