Best General Liability Insurance for Small Business 2026
Expert reviews of the top GL carriers for small businesses. Our picks by category — with pricing context and who each is best for. Updated August 2026.
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Top 5 GL Insurance Carriers for Small Businesses
ERGO NEXT (NEXT Insurance)
Best Online / Best for Trades⭐ 4.8/5Best for: Contractors, service businesses, retail, restaurants
Hiscox
Best for Professional Services⭐ 4.6/5Best for: Consultants, IT, accountants, creative professionals
The Hartford
Best Established Carrier⭐ 4.5/5Best for: Established businesses wanting a recognized name
Nationwide
Best for Industry Variety⭐ 4.3/5Best for: Businesses in niche industries needing specialty GL
Progressive Commercial
Best for Auto + GL Bundle⭐ 4.2/5Best for: Businesses needing both GL and commercial auto
GL Insurance Cost Ranges by Business Type (2026)
| Business Type | Annual GL Cost Range | Typical Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Home-based service business (solo) | $400–$700 | $1M/$2M |
| Cleaning service (1-5 employees) | $700–$1,500 | $1M/$2M |
| Landscaping (1-5 employees) | $800–$2,500 | $1M/$2M |
| Restaurant (under 10 employees) | $1,200–$3,500 | $1M/$2M |
| General contractor (1-5 employees) | $1,500–$5,000 | $1M/$2M |
| Retail store | $600–$2,000 | $1M/$2M |
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By clicking, you agree to Insurance Pro Agencies' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and authorize Insurance Pro Agencies, Inc and its affiliated carrier partners to contact you using the information you provide during the quoting process. Consent is not a condition of obtaining a quote.