12 Low-Cost Liability Insurance Near Me: Everything Experts Wish You Knew
⚡ Quick Key Takeaways
| ❓ Question | ✅ Short Answer |
|---|---|
| What’s the absolute cheapest monthly rate? | $11/month (NEXT Insurance for DJs) |
| Which provider is cheapest in most states? | The Hartford (lowest rates in 42 states) |
| Can I get same-day coverage? | Yes, NEXT, Thimble, and Simply Business offer instant certificates |
| Do I need a prescription? | No, all 12 providers sell direct-to-consumer online |
| Best for on-demand hourly coverage? | Thimble (starting at $5 per hour) |
| Best for high-risk industries? | Tivly (200+ carrier partnerships) |
| Average cost for small business? | $104/month or $1,242/year |
| Biggest discount opportunity? | Bundling into BOP saves up to 25% |
💰 Yes, $11 Per Month Liability Insurance Actually Exists—Here’s Who Qualifies
The internet is filled with clickbait promising impossibly cheap insurance, but the data backs up some genuinely affordable options. According to MoneyGeek’s comprehensive analysis, NEXT Insurance offers the cheapest general liability rates across 19 industries, more than any other provider in our study. DJ services get the lowest rates at $11 monthly through NEXT Insurance, 58% below the $26 industry average.
This isn’t some fly-by-night operation. Business insurance online can cost as little as $19/month for some low-risk businesses through NEXT, and the company has earned recognition from NerdWallet as a top business insurance provider.
However, that $11 rate applies specifically to low-risk service providers like DJs and event entertainers. Pressure washing businesses pay the highest costs at $429 monthly from Thimble, still 53% below the $918 average. Your actual rate depends heavily on your industry, location, and claims history.
The Hartford emerges as the statistical champion for most businesses. Hartford beats the competition in general liability cost as the most affordable option in 42 states. At $83 monthly, you save $21 each month compared to the $104 industry average, or $252 annually for the same coverage.
| 🏆 Provider | 💵 Starting Monthly Cost | 📊 Best For |
|---|---|---|
| NEXT Insurance | $11 (DJs), $19 (low-risk) | Freelancers, entertainers |
| The Hartford | $21-$83 | Most small businesses |
| Thimble | $17 (monthly), $5 (hourly) | Gig workers, events |
| Simply Business | ~$25 | Quote comparison |
| Hiscox | $30 | Professional services |
| Insureon | $21 | Multiple carrier quotes |
📞 Complete Contact Directory: Every Phone Number and Website You’ll Need
Here’s the information most articles bury at the bottom or skip entirely—direct contact details so you can actually reach these companies without hunting through five pages of their website.
| 🏢 Provider | 📱 Phone Number | 🌐 Website | ⏰ Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT Insurance | Online only | nextinsurance.com | 24/7 online |
| The Hartford | 855-440-1078 | thehartford.com | M-F 8am-8pm ET |
| Simply Business | 844-654-7272 | simplybusiness.com | M-F 8am-8pm ET |
| Thimble | 855-940-4525 | thimble.com | M-F 9am-6pm ET |
| Progressive Commercial | 800-776-4737 | progressivecommercial.com | 24/7 |
| biBERK | 844-472-0967 | biberk.com | Business hours |
| Hiscox | 866-283-7545 | hiscox.com | M-F 8am-10pm ET |
| GEICO Commercial | 800-841-1621 | geico.com | Business hours |
| Insureon | 844-654-5348 | insureon.com | M-F 8am-6pm CT |
| CoverWallet | Online only | coverwallet.com | 24/7 online |
| Tivly | 877-907-5267 | tivly.com | Business hours |
| Berxi | 888-231-7721 | berxi.com | Business hours |
Important note about phone support: Thimble’s phone number is (855) 940-4525, and its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. However, when you call that number, you’ll hear a recording providing you with different email addresses for different questions with no option to speak to anyone. If you need actual human conversation, The Hartford and Progressive offer the most accessible phone support.
1. NEXT Insurance—Best for Speed and Simplicity
NEXT Insurance has revolutionized the small business insurance market by eliminating paperwork and phone calls. General liability insurance costs can be as little as $19 monthly for some low-risk businesses.
What makes NEXT stand out is the completely digital experience. In about 10 minutes you’ll see the exact price you’ll pay for business insurance online. Adjust your policy limits and deductibles to pick the right coverage at the right price. Your coverage is effective immediately or next day.
Best for: Tech-savvy business owners who want instant coverage without phone calls Starting price: $11-$19/month for general liability Contact: nextinsurance.com (online only)
2. The Hartford—Best Overall Value Across Most States
With over 200 years of insurance experience, The Hartford combines financial stability with surprisingly competitive pricing. According to The Hartford, its customers pay an average of $68 per month for general liability insurance coverage.
The company’s in-house claims team is a significant differentiator. One other notable feature of The Hartford is that it has its own in-house claims team. That’s different from some other carriers that simply outsource it to a third party.
Best for: Traditional business owners who value human customer service Starting price: $21-$68/month average Contact: 855-440-1078 or thehartford.com
3. Simply Business—Best for Comparing Multiple Quotes
Simply Business functions as a marketplace that aggregates quotes from multiple top-rated insurers. We work with a variety of different providers to help find the coverage and price that works for you.
The platform excels at transparency. We’ve helped insure more than 1 million small businesses, worldwide. You can see quotes side-by-side and purchase online in about 10 minutes.
Best for: Business owners who want to compare options before committing Starting price: Varies by carrier (as low as $25/month) Contact: 844-654-7272 or simplybusiness.com
4. Thimble—Best for On-Demand and Hourly Coverage
Thimble pioneered the concept of buying insurance by the hour, day, or month. Thimble is the only small business insurance provider that lets people buy insurance on-demand—whether it’s for an hour, a day, a month, or more—starting right now.
This flexibility makes Thimble ideal for gig workers and event-based businesses. For the first time ever, you can get insurance from an hour, a day, or a full year, and everything in between, with no annual contracts. Never overpay for insurance again.
Best for: Freelancers, photographers, event professionals needing short-term coverage Starting price: $5/hour, $17/month Contact: 855-940-4525 or thimble.com
5. Progressive Commercial—Best for Commercial Auto Bundling
Progressive dominates the commercial auto space and offers competitive general liability rates when bundled. We’re currently the No. 1 commercial auto insurer in America with an A+ rating from A.M. Best.
Their customer service operates extended hours. We know that not every business sticks to regular working hours. At Progressive Commercial, we’re here for you 7 days a week, including nights and weekends.
Best for: Businesses with vehicles needing bundled coverage Starting price: Varies by state and industry Contact: 800-776-4737 or progressivecommercial.com
6. biBERK—Best for Berkshire Hathaway Backing
Backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group, biBERK offers the financial security of a massive conglomerate with small business pricing. We insure your small business directly, without a middleman or insurance broker, so we pass that savings on to you—up to 20% less than policies with other insurance companies.
The company’s stability is unmatched. We’re part of the Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group with millions of satisfied customers, more than 75 years of insurance experience, and $52.2 billion in paid claims in 2023.
Best for: Business owners prioritizing financial stability and claims-paying ability Starting price: Up to 20% below competitors Contact: 844-472-0967 or biberk.com
7. Hiscox—Best for Professional Services
Hiscox specializes in protecting professional service providers with tailored coverage. Hiscox offers affordable small business insurance for hundreds of professions. Pricing starts at $30 a month for a general liability policy.
They offer meaningful bundling discounts. Save up to 5% when you buy two or more Hiscox business insurance products.
Best for: Consultants, IT professionals, marketing agencies Starting price: $30/month for general liability Contact: 866-283-7545 or hiscox.com
8. GEICO Commercial—Best Brand Recognition
GEICO leverages its household name recognition to offer competitive small business coverage. GEICO can help small business owners and contractors get the coverage they need with a general liability insurance quote.
The company provides straightforward coverage explanations that help first-time business insurance buyers understand their options.
Best for: Business owners who prefer established, recognizable brands Starting price: Quote-dependent Contact: 800-841-1621 or geico.com/general-liability-insurance
9. Insureon—Best for Multiple Carrier Comparison
Insureon operates as a broker that retrieves quotes from multiple carriers simultaneously. Starting at $21 per month, general liability insurance can be extremely affordable for most small businesses.
The platform simplifies comparison shopping. Getting quotes from multiple insurance companies is one of the best ways to find affordable commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. You could go straight to the source and contact each carrier directly, or you could work with an online insurance agency like Insureon for a simpler and easier experience.
Best for: Business owners wanting to see multiple options quickly Starting price: $21/month Contact: 844-654-5348 or insureon.com
10. CoverWallet—Best for Tech-Forward Management
Now owned by Aon, CoverWallet combines cutting-edge technology with major carrier partnerships. It uses technology to help price policies right and make them more affordable than many competitors.
The platform offers a unique policy management dashboard. A smart digital wallet of all your policies & rates, with peer comparison, certificates, claims, payments, and more.
Best for: Business owners wanting sophisticated online policy management Starting price: ~$522/year for general liability (baseline) Contact: coverwallet.com (online only)
11. Tivly—Best for Hard-to-Insure Businesses
Tivly (formerly CommercialInsurance.net) partners with over 200 carriers, making it ideal for businesses that struggle to find coverage elsewhere. Tivly, unlike some standard insurance providers, is also able to find insurance placement opportunities for small business owners that operate in a type of business that generally is harder to find small business insurance for.
Their extensive network means more options. Tivly has over 200 partnerships with carriers, agents, and brokers to help better align their small business owners with the right partner, at the right time, for the right price.
Best for: High-risk industries, businesses with claims history Starting price: ~$500/year for general liability Contact: 877-907-5267 or tivly.com
12. Berxi—Best for Low-Risk Professionals
Berxi, backed by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, offers extremely competitive rates for low-risk professions. For example, Berxi policies for a low-risk profession, like a notary, start at about $241 per year. For a financial planner, policies start around $513 per year, and a marketing consultant could pay about $603 annually.
The company provides comprehensive support during claims. Berxi’s team of claims representatives is there to guide you, answer questions, and connect you with legal experts to ensure you always have the assistance you need.
Best for: Notaries, financial planners, consultants Starting price: $241/year ($20/month) Contact: 888-231-7721 or berxi.com
📊 Complete Provider Comparison Table
| 🏢 Provider | 💵 Monthly Start | 🏆 AM Best Rating | ⚡ Instant COI | 📱 Phone Support | 🎯 Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT Insurance | $11-$19 | A- (Markel) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Digital-first businesses |
| The Hartford | $21-$68 | A+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Traditional businesses |
| Simply Business | ~$25 | Varies | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Quote comparison |
| Thimble | $5/hr, $17/mo | A- | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited | Gig workers, events |
| Progressive | Varies | A+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Auto bundling |
| biBERK | Competitive | A++ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Financial stability |
| Hiscox | $30 | A | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Professional services |
| GEICO | Varies | A++ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Brand trust |
| Insureon | $21 | Varies | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Multi-carrier quotes |
| CoverWallet | ~$44 | Varies | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited | Policy management |
| Tivly | ~$42 | Varies | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Hard-to-insure |
| Berxi | $20 | A++ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Low-risk professionals |
🎯 Five Proven Strategies to Lower Your Liability Insurance Costs
Strategy 1: Bundle Into a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
Bundle general liability into a BOP policy, pay annually instead of monthly and choose a higher deductible. This single change can reduce your total insurance spend by up to 25%.
A BOP combines general liability with commercial property insurance, typically at a significant discount. You can combine property coverage with your liability insurance at a discount of $57 per month.
Strategy 2: Pay Annually Instead of Monthly
Insurance companies charge convenience fees for monthly payments. Paying your full annual premium upfront eliminates these fees and often earns you an additional discount of 5-15%.
Strategy 3: Increase Your Deductible (Where Applicable)
You can save money by choosing a higher deductible, but there’s also a tradeoff. Insurance companies won’t provide any benefits until you’ve paid the deductible, so make sure it’s an amount you can easily afford.
Note that general liability policies typically don’t have deductibles. If you are getting general liability insurance, then no. General liability insurance almost universally doesn’t carry a deductible. This strategy works best for professional liability or property coverage.
Strategy 4: Maintain a Clean Claims History
Your claims history is a significant factor in setting your general liability premium. Risk management programs, training, and safety reviews with your employees can help you avoid claims and keep your premium at an affordable rate.
Strategy 5: Compare At Least 3-5 Quotes
Get quotes from at least three to five insurers since rates vary between companies for the same coverage. Using brokers like Simply Business, Insureon, or Tivly makes this process significantly easier.
| 💡 Strategy | 💰 Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Bundle into BOP | Up to 25% |
| Pay annually | 5-15% |
| Higher deductible | 10-20% (where applicable) |
| Clean claims history | Varies significantly |
| Multiple quotes | 20-40% vs. first quote |
⚠️ What Liability Insurance Actually Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
Understanding coverage prevents expensive surprises. General liability insurance protects your small business from claims that occur during your normal business operations, such as: Property damage – protecting you if your business activities cause damage to someone else’s property. Physical injury – ensuring coverage for medical expenses and potential legal claims resulting from injuries to third parties. Defense costs – covering legal fees and expenses if your business faces a lawsuit.
What General Liability DOES Cover:
Third-party bodily injury (customer slips on wet floor) Third-party property damage (you break a client’s equipment) Personal and advertising injury (defamation, copyright infringement) Medical payments regardless of fault Legal defense costs
What General Liability DOES NOT Cover:
Employee injuries (requires workers’ compensation) Professional mistakes (requires professional liability/E&O) Vehicle accidents (requires commercial auto) Your own property damage (requires commercial property) Intentional acts or criminal behavior Cyber attacks and data breaches (requires cyber liability)
| ✅ Covered | ❌ Not Covered |
|---|---|
| Customer slip-and-fall | Employee injuries |
| Damaging client property | Your equipment theft |
| Libel/slander claims | Professional errors |
| Product injury claims | Vehicle accidents |
| Legal defense costs | Cyber breaches |
❓ Critical Questions Answered
“How fast can I actually get coverage?”
Several providers offer same-day or instant coverage. Your coverage is effective immediately or next day. And your certificate of insurance can be shared at no extra cost. NEXT, Thimble, and Simply Business all provide instant certificates of insurance.
“Do I really need liability insurance if I work from home?”
Yes. If clients ever visit your home office, if you visit client locations, or if your work could potentially harm someone, you’re exposed to liability. Many contracts and leases require proof of coverage regardless of your work location.
“What’s the difference between general liability and professional liability?”
General liability covers physical accidents and property damage. Professional liability (also called E&O or errors and omissions) covers financial harm from your professional services. A web developer who makes a coding error that costs a client money needs professional liability. If that same developer’s client trips over a cable during an office meeting, that’s general liability.
“Can I get coverage with bad credit or claims history?”
Yes. Tivly has over 200 partnerships with carriers, agents, and brokers specifically to help businesses that struggle with standard providers. Some carriers specialize in high-risk businesses.
“Is the cheapest insurance always the worst?”
Not necessarily. Cheap insurance doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, so long as you understand the coverages that apply to your policy. In fact, the top affordable general liability insurance providers offer more than just low premiums; they can offer fast claims resolution, coverage that meets your needs, and the ability to pay out claims.
🏁 The Bottom Line: Taking Action Today
The best liability insurance is the one you actually have when you need it. Every day without coverage is a day your business assets, personal savings, and future income are at risk. A single lawsuit can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars—far more than a lifetime of insurance premiums.
Here’s your action plan:
Step 1: Identify your coverage needs (general liability alone, or bundled with professional liability/property)
Step 2: Get quotes from at least 3 providers on this list
Step 3: Compare not just price, but also coverage limits, exclusions, and customer service accessibility
Step 4: Purchase coverage today—most providers offer instant binding
Step 5: Download and save your certificate of insurance immediately
The insurance marketplace has never been more competitive or accessible. With rates starting as low as $11 per month and instant digital certificates available around the clock, there’s no excuse to operate unprotected. Your business deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re covered.
| ✅ Do This | ❌ Avoid This |
|---|---|
| Compare 3-5 quotes | Accept first quote offered |
| Read exclusions carefully | Assume everything is covered |
| Bundle policies for savings | Buy policies separately |
| Pay annually if possible | Default to monthly payments |
| Keep COI easily accessible | Forget where you saved documents |
| Review coverage annually | Set and forget your policy |
