How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

Or call for your free quote:

Get the best small business insurance quotes online & info on cost, coverage, minimum requirements, certificates & more.

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost? It's often hard for business owners to guess how much their business liability insurance costs. It's a good idea for most small businesses to purchase insurance that covers them against liability claims, property damage, accidents and theft.

So how much does general liability cost? The actual month-to-month cost of a commercial general liability insurance policy will vary based on the amount of coverage, the business location, payroll or gross sales, the work that a business performs and other factors. See more detailed answers below.

How much does general liability insurance cost? Costs will vary due to the business' size, location and industry - from as low as $27/mo for small businesses to thousands per month for large ones.

You can skip to the following answers to the how much does general liability insurance cost and business liability insurance cost questions - using these links:



How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

As a business owner, you may be wondering how much general liability insurance will cost you. The cost of general liability insurance can vary depending on several factors, including the type of business you have, the level of risk involved, and the amount of coverage you need.

On average, small business owners can expect to pay around $400 to $1,000 per year for general liability insurance. However, this cost can be higher or lower depending on your specific business needs.

The type of business you have can have a big impact on the cost of your insurance. Businesses that are considered high-risk, such as construction companies or those that work with hazardous materials, may pay more for insurance due to the increased likelihood of accidents or injuries. On the other hand, businesses that are considered low-risk, such as those that provide professional services, may pay less for insurance.

The level of coverage you need is another factor that can impact the cost of general liability insurance. The more coverage you need, the higher your premiums will be. Most insurance providers offer different levels of coverage, so it's important to evaluate your business's specific needs and choose a policy that provides adequate protection.

Another factor that can impact the cost of your general liability insurance is your business's location. Different states have different insurance regulations and requirements, which can impact the cost of insurance.

Finally, your business's claims history can also impact the cost of your insurance. If your business has a history of claims or lawsuits, you may be considered a higher risk and may be charged higher premiums.

It's important to shop around and compare insurance providers to find the best policy and price for your business. Be sure to read the policy carefully and understand what is and isn't covered.

In conclusion, the cost of general liability insurance can vary widely depending on several factors. As a business owner, it's important to evaluate your specific needs and shop around to find a policy that provides adequate coverage at a reasonable price. While insurance can be an additional expense, it's an important investment in protecting your business from potential financial losses.

In summary, below is a list of the main factors that determine how much does business liability insurance cost and general liability insurance cost?

  • Industry - If you own a white collar business, such as an book keeping firm, your premiums may be lower than, say, a tree trimming company, where the potential risks are higher.
  • Location - Your zip code can have a significant impact on your premium. For example, if your business is located in Fargo, North Dakota, your business insurance costs may be lower than a similar business located in New York City.
  • Gross Sales - The more revenue you have, the higher your premium will be. So if your small business earns less than $50,000 annually, your premiums may be lower than a larger business that pulls in more than $1,000,000.
  • Employees - The more people you employ, the higher your insurance costs may be.
  • Policy Limits - When you buy a policy, you can decide how much coverage you want, and you pay for what you pick. For example, a CGL policy with a $1,000,000 limit per claim will cost more than one with a $500,000 one.
  • Deductibles - Similar to medical insurance, lower deductibles for commercial insurance mean higher premiums. If you raise your deductibles (out-of-pocket costs), the policy cost will usually decrease.
  • Experience - A business with more experience can often get lower premiums that new businesses.
  • Claims History - Similar to car insurance, more claims can mean higher premiums. If you have claims on your policy, the cost will typically increase.

What Is The Average General Liability Insurance Cost?

There is data available about the average for business liability insurance cost. It varies based on the study done. How much does general liability insurance cost?:

The Small Business Association says the cost for a small business general liability policy usually ranges from $750 to $2,000 annually or approximately $60 to $170 per month.

Insureon says the average (mean) cost of their 18,000 policies is about $100 a month, while the median cost is about $50 per month. This means that there are a lot of businesses that pay $50 or less and a small number that pay quite a lot more than $100.

Hiscox says they recently surveyed 50,000 small businesses with fewer than 10 employees to determine how much they pay for general liability insurance. Based on their results, the typical general liability insurance cost was approximately $30 per month. Specifically, more than 80% of small businesses pay $30 per month or less for general liability coverage, while 95% pay $50 per month or less. Only 1% have a general liability insurance cost of over $100 per month.

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?

General liability insurance covers: Third party liability claims for bodily injury & property damage for legal obligations that arise from an accident, as well as advertising, personal injury liability, and medical payments for persons injured on your premises or due to your operations, regardless of fault.

Below is an overview of what is covered in a standard ISO commercial general liability insurance policy:

Section I - Coverages: Provides three distinct coverages:

  • Coverage A - Liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage insures your legal obligations that arise from an accident. It also includes the costs related to lawsuits and other legal proceedings. The limits of insurance should be sufficient to handle serious injuries and the injured person's loss of earnings.
  • Coverage B - Liability coverage for damages due to personal and advertising injury insures your legal obligations that arise from an offense. It also includes the costs related to lawsuits and other legal proceedings. The limits of insurance should be sufficient to handle serious injuries and the injured person's loss of earnings.
  • Coverage C - Medical Payments coverage pays the cost of medical care to persons injured on your premises or due to your operations, regardless of fault.

Each of these coverages is subject to certain policy exclusions, conditions, and definitions. It describes each of these coverages with respect to the insuring agreement, exclusions, and supplementary payments that apply to them.

Section II - Who Is an Insured: Describes eligible parties that are considered insureds.

Section III - Limits of Insurance: Explains how each limit of insurance applies as well as how they work together and relate to one another.

Section IV - Commercial General Liability Conditions Describes the specific conditions that apply to CGL coverage. Some of them involve the named insured's responsibilities after a loss. Coverage is voided if one or more of these conditions are violated.

Section V - Definitions: Describes certain words and phrases used with and related to the coverage provided. They are different than the ones found in the dictionary and are very important because coverage can be given or taken away through a definition.

How Much General Liability Insurance Cost For A Small Business?

General Liability Insurance Cost

How much does general liability insurance cost for a small business? How is general liability insurance calculated?

The type of work your business handles also affects the cost of your insurance. Some industries are inherently more risky than others. If you are business consultant, there's not a lot of damage that your business can cause, so your general liability insurance will likely inexpensive. On the other hand if you do contracting work, your risks are generally higher to cover any potential damages your business might cause.

It is logical that a roofers general liability policy will cost more than an accountants, all things being equal. The roofer has the potential to do a lot more damage and have much larger claims - that is why contractors policies are have more general liability insurance cost than office type policies. Slip and fall is usually the largest risk for most office and retail locations.

Does The Size Of My Business Affect General Liability Insurance Cost?

As your business handles more revenue, has more employees, and occupies larger buildings, the cost of your insurance will go up. If you're working alone out of your home, there's not a lot to insure. If you've got 10 employees, a retail office, and $100,000 of monthly cash flow, your insurance will have to protect all of these things. This means worker's compensation insurance, property insurance, and protections against theft.

Does The Location Of My Business Affect General Liability Insurance Cost?

Business Location

The state and zip code of your business plays a role in the cost of your coverage as well. If you do business in an area where the risk is greater - like in inner city with more crime etc. You may pay more than the same type of business in a small town in the country.

Another location consideration is the weather. If your business is an area that gets more wind and rain and hail damage, this can have an effect on your premiums.

How Does My Business Experience Affect General Liability Insurance Cost?

Insurance companies prefer to insure businesses that have experience. For two main reasons:

  1. The longer a business has been in the industry, the more financially stable they look to an insurer.
  2. More experience usually means less chance of a claim because the longer you do the something, the better you get at it. For example, an experienced tree trimmer will typically have a smaller chance to drop a tree on a home than a inexperienced company.

How Does The Amount Of Coverage Affect General Liability Insurance Cost?

The items that your insurance covers will have a big impact on the final cost. As basic commercial general liability policy will cost less than a business owners package, which ads property and other coverages. Adding product liability to a general liability will increase costs. If you want other features like hired and non-owned auto and equipment breakdown etc... can also increase the price.

How much does general liability insurance cost? It makes sense the more coverage that you add, the more you will pay for your small business insurance.

How Does My Claims History Affect General Liability Insurance Cost?

Past claims on a CGL policy can have an effect on the premium. Many insurers consider the frequency and nature of the losses when determining its effect on the rate. The good news is unlike personal auto or home owners insurance, many carriers evaluate claim histories on a case-by-case basis with commercial insurance.

General Liability Insurance Cost - The Bottom Line

If you want to know exactly how much does general liability insurance cost, it's a good idea to get in touch with broker. They'll be happy to go over your business information and suggest a variety of plans and policies that might meet your needs and budget. You'll be able to select the exact amount of coverage you want, meaning you can cut costs and keep things as cheap as possible, or get insurance that will cover your business in the event of large claims.

A commercial insurance agent can also help answer any questions you have related to legal insurance minimums, what happens when a liability claim is filed against you, or what types of things each policy covers.

More Helpful Commercial Insurance Articles

Read other informative articles on small business commercial insurance including costs and coverages.


Small Business Insurance Articles

Business insurance articles are helpful for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they provide information about the various types of insurance available for businesses. This can help business owners make informed decisions about which insurance policies are best for their needs.

Additionally, business insurance articles can help business owners understand the importance of having insurance. Many business owners may not realize the risks they are exposed to, and insurance articles can highlight the potential consequences of not having the proper coverage.

Furthermore, business insurance articles can help business owners stay informed about changes in the insurance industry. This includes changes in laws and regulations, as well as updates on the various insurance policies available. This can help business owners stay on top of their insurance needs and make sure they have the coverage they need.

In summary, business insurance articles are helpful because they provide information about the types of insurance available, highlight the importance of having insurance, and keep business owners informed about changes in the industry.


Free Business Insurance Quote Click Here