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General Liability insurance is a type of coverage that many businesses have and all companies should at least consider. It can protect your business from many different types of risk. How much does small business liability insurance cost on average? The price can be as low as $27.50 per month. However, your specific cost depends on several factors, and it’s also important to consider the value of liability insurance.

When looking into the average cost for biBerk General Liability insurance (or a Business Owners Policy), which includes General Liability insurance), it’s important to remember that this coverage includes customer property damage, non-employee bodily injuries, product liability, libel, slander, and copyright infringement.

What’s more, a General Liability insurance policy can be customized with what are called endorsements. These add-on coverages include things like hired and non-owned auto liability, employee benefits liability, employment-related practices liability, liquor liability, and contractors installation, tools & equipment coverage.

Knowing how broad the coverage provided by General Liability insurance can be helps you understand the value you’re receiving as you research business liability insurance costs.

Let’s delve a little deeper into the average small business liability insurance costs. We’ll also answer common questions on general business liability insurance costs and explain how you can get the best coverage for your money.

Average cost of General Liability insurance for a small business

How much is liability insurance? Here’s a quick answer. At biBerk, General Liability insurance (sometimes called commercial General Liability insurance) costs start as low as $27.50 per month, with most of our customers paying less than $1,000 annually. So, you can see that the average cost of liability insurance is very reasonable, especially given the financial protection provided. We’re able to keep our prices low because we insure you directly and don’t work with middlemen or brokers. As a result, you can save up to 20% on liability insurance costs for your small business.

The best way to determine your specific General Liability insurance cost is to get a fast, free online quote. And if you have any further questions regarding your business liability insurance cost, our licensed insurance experts are here to assist you.

What factors affect your General Liability insurance cost?

While the average cost of liability insurance remains very affordable for small business owners, pricing is never one-size-fits-all. Insurers evaluate several key risk elements to determine your specific liability insurance cost:

  • Industry and profession. High-risk industries like construction or manufacturing carry higher rates than lower-risk fields like consulting or accounting due to the likelihood of physical injury or property damage.
  • Business size and revenue. Larger companies with more employees, higher sales volumes, or heavier customer foot traffic naturally face greater exposure to potential claims.
  • Location. Premium rates vary by state and city based on local litigation trends, building codes, and regional economic factors.
  • Claims history. Businesses with a clean history of zero or few past insurance claims typically qualify for lower premiums.
  • Coverage limits and policy add-ons. Choosing higher coverage limits, lower deductibles, or adding endorsements (such as hired auto or liquor liability coverage) will adjust your overall General Liability insurance cost.

Do you need General Liability insurance for your small business?

Every small business is unique. Consequently, there’s no blanket answer to the question, “Does my company need General Liability insurance?”

However, there are some “rules of thumb” regarding the need for General Liability coverage. You should consider it if:

  • Customers or clients visit you at your place of business
  • You sell a physical product to customers
  • You do installation, repair, or maintenance work for others, such as construction
  • You use third-party locations to conduct business
  • You’re required to have a General Liability policy to meet liability insurance requirements before entering into contracts.

It’s common for contractors, consultants, retailers, restaurants, and professional service providers (among many others) to need General Liability insurance. 

As noted above, commercial liability insurance costs are very reasonable, especially when compared to the expense of just one business lawsuit. When it comes to general business liability insurance cost, it’s always low when measured against the worst-case, “what if” business scenario.

Do independent contractors and home businesses need General Liability insurance?

Even if you’re self-employed and have no one working for you, operate a home business, or are a freelancer, you still face business risks. So, yes, it’s a good idea to have General Liability insurance for small business professionals and sole proprietors. Your small business liability insurance cost is well worth the benefits that a policy provides.

Most likely, you have exposures that should be covered by a General Liability policy. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to talk with one of our licensed insurance experts about your unique situation, since every business is different.

They’ll explain everything you need to know, including talking you through the ins and outs of how much your small business liability insurance will cost.

If you need General Liability insurance, getting and maintaining proper coverage enables you to focus on your work without worrying about “what if” scenarios and the possibility of large financial burdens associated with business liability.

It’s always best to protect yourself and your business rather than run the risk of not having proper coverage.

Who relies on biBerk for General Liability insurance for small businesses?

We help all types of professionals determine their small business liability insurance costs and purchase the appropriate policies.

First-Time Small Business Owners

Entrepreneurs launching a new company or operating for less than a few years—across retail, food service, e-commerce, or professional services—rely on biBerk to establish their operations on solid financial ground. First-time owners often wonder how premiums are calculated and what coverage limits make sense for their initial risk exposure. We help new entrepreneurs set realistic cost expectations, understand pricing factors, and choose appropriate policy limits so they can launch with confidence and plan for future growth.

Growing Small Businesses

As established companies expand by hiring employees, taking on larger projects, opening additional locations, or introducing new products, their insurance needs evolve. Owners of growing businesses turn to biBerk to understand how operational changes impact premiums over time. We assist expanding businesses in managing operational risks, updating policy limits, and regularly reviewing coverage during annual policy renewals to keep protection aligned with business growth.

Independent Contractors and Self-Employed Professionals

Freelancers, consultants, sole proprietors, and skilled trade professionals frequently need liability coverage to secure projects, satisfy client contracts, or shield themselves against everyday third-party risks. biBerk offers straightforward, profession-specific coverage tailored to the unique risks of independent work. We guide self-employed individuals in selecting coverage that satisfies contract requirements, covers trade risks, and adapts as they take on larger clients or expand their services.

General Liability Insurance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

In addition to, “What does liability insurance cost for a small business?” you probably have other questions. Our insurance experts are happy to provide answers, but below is some helpful information for your convenience.

How much is liability insurance for a small business?

At biBerk, small business liability insurance starts as low as $27.50 per month. Most small business policyholders have a business liability insurance cost that is under $1,000 per year, though exact amounts vary based on risk factors like industry and coverage limits.

What factors affect General Liability insurance cost?

Your business liability insurance cost is primarily calculated based on your company’s industry, physical location, payroll/revenue size, claims history, and the specific liability limits or policy endorsements you choose.

Does business size or industry affect liability insurance cost?

Yes, significantly. Businesses operating in higher-risk industries (such as roofing or general contracting) or companies with larger workforces and higher foot traffic pay more because their exposure to potential injuries or accidents is higher.

Does General Liability protect my company from lawsuits?

Yes, General Liability insurance for small businesses helps cover legal fees and settlements, but only if you’re sued for specific reasons as outlined in the policy. For example, you aren’t covered by your General Liability policy if an employee sues you or if you’re sued over a professional error.

Does General Liability insurance cover Errors and Omissions?

No, it doesn’t. You’ll want Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions) coverage from biBerk if your business provides professional advice or services.

Get details on our Errors and Omissions insurance.

Does biBerk provide General Liability insurance in my state?

We offer General Liability insurance in many states. Check out our States Served page for details.

Do I need insurance as a freelancer?

Yes, even self-employed freelancers should consider getting business liability insurance. No matter what work you do or what sector you’re in, the truth is, accidents happen. If something goes wrong and it’s your fault (even a small mistake), a client or customer might file a lawsuit against you.

How do I prove I have General Liability insurance?

A Certificate of Insurance (COI), which you can obtain at any time from our website as a policyholder, proves that you have General Liability insurance and lists the coverages and limits.

Get covered with biBerk, a Berkshire Hathaway company.

Maintaining adequate liability insurance is essential for small companies, but so is finding a commercial General Liability insurance cost that fits your budget. You can save up to 20% on liability insurance with biBerk, and you’ll find that our full transparency in coverage and pricing makes it easy to compare our offerings to other providers. Get a quote online in just minutes.

Still unsure about something? Our licensed insurance experts are happy to assist you in any way they can, and there are several ways to connect with them. As a Berkshire Hathaway company, biBerk is all about helping you make more well-informed decisions about your insurance needs.

About the Author

Dan Buck

Director of Sales

Dan Buck drives sales growth across biBerk’s market footprint, mentoring teams to deliver both efficiency and client-focused education. With over three decades in sales and operational leadership and over 10 years in insurance, he offers strategic perspective on channel development and client acquisition. Dan’s content delivers practical guidance on aligning sales tactics with underwriting and service excellence for sustainable growth.