Best General Liability Insurance Companies

May 20, 2021

Introduction

Commercial general liability insurance, or as it’s also called general liability insurance, is a type of business insurance coverage that protects the business from financial claims made due to accidents that lead to physical injuries or property damages. It covers medical expenses, the cost of repairs or replacements, and legal fees in case the affected party files a lawsuit against the business.

In this article, we will be reviewing the best general liability insurance coverages from nine of the top-ranking insurance companies in the US to determine which general liability insurance coverage ranks the highest and why.

Methodology

We have evaluated and thoroughly researched dozens of insurance providers and identified the best options in regard to general liability insurance plans.

The companies that made our list have the best combination of coverage options, competitive rates, full-service features, and positive rankings.

Liability Insurance Options

There are several types of liability insurances that you can get for your business. Some of the available options include:

  • General liability
  • Employer’s liability
  • Public liability
  • Product liability
  • Professional liability
  • Director’s and officer’s liability

 

Product
Rating
Key Features
Website
1
OVERALL RATING
4.8
Expert Review
  • It has the best overall insurance policies for businesses.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
2
OVERALL RATING
4.7
Expert Review
  • Its general liability insurance plan protects small businesses.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
3
OVERALL RATING
4.6
Expert Review
  • Its general liability insurance plan supports self-employed small business owners.
PRICE: $ 4.6
Get a Deal
4
OVERALL RATING
4.4
Expert Review
  • You can get insured in less than 10 minutes, thanks to its online application form.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
5
OVERALL RATING
4.3
Expert Review
  • You can customize your business insurance coverages and even bundle two policies in one.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
6
OVERALL RATING
4.1
Expert Review
  • You can claim several other benefits on your general liability insurance.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
7
OVERALL RATING
4.0
Expert Review
  • It provides specialized insurance plans and liability policies for securing your business.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
8
OVERALL RATING
3.9
Expert Review
  • Comprehensive workers’ compensation insurance coverage is available.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal
9
OVERALL RATING
3.5
Expert Review
  • Comprehensive product liability insurance coverage is available.
PRICE: $
Get a Deal

1. Review

OVERALL RATING 4.8

The Hartford insurance company was established in 1810 as a fire insurance company. The company set up its first headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut, with working capital of $15,000. 

In 1835, New York City’s financial district caught fire. The Hartford fire insurance company’s president, Nathaniel Terry, and the directors contributed their fortunes to pay the insurance settlements to their policyholders who had suffered heavy loss due to the arson.

In 1861, the Hartford insurance company took another leap and became the flag bearer of property insurance. At that time, president-elect Abraham Lincoln’s home in Illinois was protected under the Hartford company’s home insurance policy. 

In 1913, with the industrial revolution at its peak and automobiles taking over the streets of major cities, the company decided to venture into car insurance. It formed its Accident and Indemnity Company and provided car owners protection against accidents, fire, theft, and more.

Since 1920, the Hartford insurance company has been offering its services to legends and celebrities. The first-ever person to be insured by the company was baseball player Babe Ruth who is well known for his record of hitting 714 home runs.

In the 1980s, as small businesses started to grow and expand around the US, the company established its first dedicated small business center, offering specialized small business insurance to customers.

In 2001, after the 9/11 attacks, Harford Insurance paid more than $850 million in claims to help families, business owners, car owners, and the injured survive the tragedy and get back on their feet.

For the past 200 years, Hartford insurance has been providing home insurance, car insurance, business insurance, employee benefits, and mutual funds to millions of its customers. Today, the company has around 18,500 employees and a network of independent agents all over the US. Currently, the company is serving more than 1 million small businesses.

As of 2020, its revenue was $20.5 billion, and its shareholder equity was $18.6 billion. Hartford insurance is the most trusted insurance company in the US, with the best overall rating, thanks to its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust, and integrity.

It has received AM Best’s A+ rating, Moody’s A1 rating, and Standard and Poor’s A+ rating for its performance and continued customer satisfaction.

The Hartford offers the following insurance coverages:

Home:

  • Homeowners insurance coverage
  • Dwelling insurance coverage
  • Other structures insurance coverage
  • Personal property insurance coverage
  • Replacement cost coverage
  • Loss of use coverage
  • Personal liability coverage
  • Medical payments coverage

And other customized coverage plans like:

  • Personal injury liability coverage
  • Equipment breakdown coverage
  • Rental property protection plus landlord insurance
  • Valuable items blanket coverage

You can see the full list of customized coverage plans for home insurance here.

Auto coverage:

  • New car replacement coverage
  • Recover Care — assistance after an accident
  • Lifetime car repair assurance
  • 24/7 car insurance claims hotline
  • Accident forgiveness
  •  24/7 roadside assistance

Similar coverages for other vehicles like:

  • RVs
  • Boats
  • ATVs
  • Golf carts
  • Snowmobiles

Businesses:

  • Hartford workers’ compensation
  • Hartford general liability insurance
  • Hartford business owner’s policy
  • Hartford business property insurance
  • Hartford business income insurance

Specialized coverage plans for businesses include:

  • Business auto insurance
  • Data breach insurance
  • Professional liability insurance

What Makes Harford Unique?

Hartford has always stayed ahead of the competition. Its mission to lead with compassion and deliver with empathy helps to foster trust and form a connection much deeper than just a business partnership with its valuable customers. Since 1810, Hartford has expanded and continued to improve its operations, garnering the public’s love and support for its specialized financial services.

The Hartford liability insurance for small businesses bundles different types of liability coverages, like professional liability, general liability, and employer’s liability, offering comprehensive insurance coverage at half the cost to its newly established as well as reputable family-owned small businesses.

PROS:
  • Customer satisfaction ratings for home and auto insurance are above average.
  • Customized and specialized coverage options for home, auto, and business insurance are available.
  • The company offers group benefits on its policies as well as mutual funds.
  • Hartford has an emergency plan in action for its customers. Its mobile response vehicles are always on standby to help the customers in times of crisis.
CONS:
  • You must first purchase the basic home and auto insurance to benefit from its customized and specialized coverages.
  • Quite a few complaints have been filed for its home and auto insurance policies and claims.
  • Some coverages are specific to the state.
  • The online quotes on Hartford’s website are not available for all the states.

Headquartered in Bermuda, Hiscox is one of the world’s leading insurance providers listed on the London Stock Exchange. The company was founded in 1901 in the Lloyd market when the Roberts agency was responsible for writing marine insurance policies. In 1946, Ralph Hiscox proposed a Roberts-Hiscox partnership plan. Ralph himself had joined the agency as an underwriter.

In 1967, Ralph was elected the chairman of Lloyd market, and in 1970, his son, Robert Hiscox, became the head of the Roberts Hiscox partnership and led the company towards growth and expansion.

In 1987, the company was reorganized and relaunched as a holding company — Hiscox Holdings Ltd. By July 1997, it was listed on the London Stock Exchange as one the most profitable companies in the UK.

In 2005, Hiscox moved its headquarters to Bermuda and started expanding its insurance operations to a worldwide consumer base. Since its move to Bermuda, the company has spent around £10 million per year on its marketing budget. 

In 2014, it successfully launched its services in the US and Asia. Today, the company has a total of 3,400 employees who are evenly spread between its 35 offices, located in 14 countries around the world.

The company maintains a presence in the following countries:

  • USA
  • UK
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Guernsey
  • Bermuda
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • The Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Luxembourg

Hiscox Insurance prides itself on being a diversified international group. The Hiscox UK is currently addressing the needs of over 300,000 small and medium enterprises through its small business insurance coverages and professional liability insurance plans. Apart from that, it is offering its customers cyber and property insurance services too. Thanks to its diversified business operations, it also provides home, travel, car, fine arts, and collections insurance and has customizable insurance plans for its private clients.

Hiscox Europe

Like its UK partner, Hiscox Europe also provides business insurance services for small and medium businesses. Some of its coverage plans include professional liability, media and entertainment events, cyber and commercial property insurance. Apart from these, Hiscox Europe also offers coverages for home and auto, kidnap and ransom, and fine art and collections. 

Suppose you have bought a classic painting worth $1 million. Naturally, you want to have it insured, so that in case it gets damaged or stolen, you can still get some amount of your investment back by claiming the insurance money on your fine arts and collection policy. Staying true to the classic culture and lifestyle in the European countries, Hiscox Europe also allows you to insure your antique or classic cars.

Hiscox USA

Hiscox established itself in the US insurance market in 2006. Today, the company has its offices in 10 different US cities, including Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and New York. Hiscox USA focuses on delivering the best insurance services to small and medium businesses through its network of independent agents and brokers. Within this short period, Hiscox USA has become the market leader for providing business-related insurance coverages such as:

  • Small business insurance 
  • Media and entertainment liability
  • Executive risk
  • Casualty
  • Cyber protection (protection against data loss, cyberattacks, and data breaches)
  • Kidnap and ransom money payment

Hiscox Asia

Hiscox penetration in the Asian market is limited to the Southeast Asian region — Singapore and Thailand, but its growth in Asia has been incredible. Hiscox Asia entered the culturally diverse Asian market by launching one of Singapore’s biggest online insurance service providers. Back in 2010, the idea of being a solely online insurance service provider was relatively new, as people were still exploring and gradually learning the potential of Internet technology. But within three years, the company experienced such demand and success that it decided to open another branch in Thailand in 2013.

Hiscox Direct Asia focuses on delivering car, motorcycle, and travel insurance services to its online customers. The clients can just visit the Hiscox Direct Asia website and request a quote after entering their personal details and insurance history. They are given a list of coverage options and payment plans to choose from. Once the customers make their selection and submit their online application, the request is processed within three working days. Afterward, the clients receive a confirmation email to validate their insurance coverage and the payment method. It is fairly easy to pay the premiums online. Hiscox Singapore office is located at 20 Anson Road. Customers can purchase the insurance policy by visiting this website: https://www.directasia.com/.

Hiscox London

However, Hiscox’s presence and prestige in London are unmatchable. London has been home to Hiscox for almost 100 years, and that’s where the company took root. Currently headed by Kate Markham, the CEO of Hiscox London Market, Hiscox London remains one of the biggest, oldest, and most successful Llyod syndicates. It provides underwriting and insurance services for its valued customers.

Hiscox London is leading the market by offering basic, specialized, and even customized insurance coverages for casualty, property, marine and energy, specialty, and crisis management.

What Makes Hiscox Unique?

Hiscox is the market leader for providing specialized insurance products and services to small businesses. If you’re looking for the best general liability insurance for small business — Hiscox is an excellent option. Its understanding of startups, home-based businesses, newly established businesses, and family-run businesses is so profound that it does not provide tailor-made insurance coverages to businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

The company has received an A rating for its financial strength from the AM Best. Its list of customizable business insurance coverages includes:

  • General liability insurance
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Cybersecurity
  • Errors and omissions
  • Business owner’s policy
  • Workers’ compensation

Its commitment to insure small businesses goes as far as offering specific coverages for each company. For example, the general liability insurance coverage for a bakery will slightly differ from that of a printing service because of the difference in risks involved. Many insurance companies around the world manage to tailor and flex their insurance policies from business to business, but Hiscox insurance has been doing that for decades.

PROS:
  • Specialized and customized insurance services and products for small businesses are available around the world.
  • It has been the most successful Lloyd syndicate in London for over 100 years, with significant experience in underwriting.
  • It’s listed on London Stock Exchange as one of the most profitable insurance companies.
  • It has offices in 14 different locations ensuring the effectiveness and speed of service delivery and emergency handling.
CONS:
  • The Hiscox insurance reviews in the US are negative, with a high rejection rate of claims.
  • It doesn’t entertain requests for claims below $1000.
  • Its region-specific services do not offer comprehensive insurance policies and only cover one kind of insurance product. For example, Hiscox USA only provides small business insurance, whereas Hiscox Direct Asia only provides auto, motorcycles, and travel insurance services.
  • It’s not a BBB accredited business.

3. Review

OVERALL RATING 4.6

Berkshire Hathaway – Best for Self-Employed

Berkshire Hathaway was initially a holding company that had several other businesses. But in 2013, its chairman and CEO, Warren Buffet, announced the expansion of Berkshire Hathaway into insurance and the rebranding as Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI). The idea was to venture into commercial insurance and make it substantial and everlasting for the businesses.

Since then, Berkshire Hathaway has remained a trusted business worldwide. Today, the company offers its services in the US, Middle East, South East Asia, Australia, Canada, the UK, and Europe.

According to the AM Best and S&P Global Ratings, Berkshire Hathaway has been rated A++ and AA+ for its financial strength. The company has a total of $316.5 billion in admitted assets and $185.2 billion in policyholder surplus. It is economically stable and has the remarkable capacity to offer its customers customized insurance policy coverages with maximum limits on claims to help them withstand the adverse effects of unexpected financial crises while running their businesses.

Berkshire Hathaway’s experience in underwriting is unmatched. Today, the company writes over $60 billion in insurance premiums a year across many different brands.

BHSI offers a range of insurance products and services to its worldwide customers. Some of the coverages include:

  • Commercial property insurance
  • Casualty
  • Healthcare professional liability
  • Executive and professional lines
  • Transactional liability
  • Surety bonds
  • Travel insurance
  • Medical stop loss
  • Accidents and health-related expenses
  • Homeowners insurance
  • Multinational insurance

The company has offices in the following locations around the world:

  • Atlanta
  • Boston
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Irvine
  • Indianapolis
  • Los Angeles
  • New York
  • San Francisco
  • San Ramon
  • Seattle
  • Stevens Point
  • Adelaide
  • Auckland
  • Brisbane
  • Cologne
  • Dubai
  • Dublin
  • Hong Kong
  • Kuala Lumpur
  • London
  • Macau
  • Madrid
  • Manchester
  • Melbourne
  • Munich
  • Paris
  • Perth
  • Singapore
  • Sydney
  • Toronto

BHSI prides itself on its “claims excellence.” According to the statement on its official website, every single insurance claim application is handled with the utmost skill. Once the initial inquiry is made, the adjusters are sent to evaluate the damage and determine your case value.

There are several other smaller insurance companies under the BHSI that focus specifically on commercial or small business insurance. The insurance coverages are designed to meet the needs of self-employed professionals. In order to ensure that people from all walks of life and all kinds of financial backgrounds have access to affordable and reliable business insurance services and products, the BHSI launched three other small insurance companies:

  1. Three Insurance
  2. GUARD
  3. biBERK

Three Insurance

In 2019, the Berkshire Hathaway holding company launched its Three Insurance, which offers specialized insurance coverages to small businesses. It is a public company with more than 500 employees who help customers find the best protective measures for securing their businesses from unexpected financial losses.

Its range of insurance coverages includes:

  • Residential construction insurance
  • Commercial auto insurance
  • Small business insurance
  • Property insurance
  • Cyber insurance
  • Liability insurances (professional, general, employer’s, etc.)

At Three Insurance, the same coverage plan, e.g., workers’ compensation, is modified to satisfy the needs of that specific business. For example, the general liability insurance coverage for a logistics business and a pizzeria will vary due to the different risks involved.

Three by Berkshire Hathaway provides comprehensive insurance policies that are simple to read and understand without any hidden terms and conditions. Bearing in mind the financial difficulties faced by self-employed professionals, Three Insurance offers cost-effective policies. The cost of its monthly premiums is 20% less than the market average for the same amount of coverage and specialization.

According to the company’s official website, being a part of the Berkshire Hathaway group has definitely given Three Insurance an edge. The company has got an AA+ rating from Standard and Poor. In 2019 alone, Three paid $38 billion in insurance claims, and it currently serves small businesses in more than 170 countries worldwide.

GUARD

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies are one of the most financially viable groups in the world. GUARD has been rated A+ (superior) by the AM Best. It was founded in 1983 with its headquarters in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Since then, the company has remained a trusted insurance provider for its clients. 

Today, the company boasts about its 6,700+ independent agents and brokers who are connecting small businesses with GUARD. Apart from the contract workers, the company has around 950+ employees who deliver the best-customized coverages for every business’s unique needs.

Currently, GUARD is serving hundreds of thousands of policyholders who are paying the company more than $2 billion in premiums.

The main insurance products include:

  • Commercial insurance
  • Personal insurance
  • Specialty programs
  • Excess and surplus

Under commercial insurance, its range of coverages include:

  • Business owner’s policy
  • Commercial auto insurance
  • Commercial package (offering the best of property and casualty insurance at a fairly affordable price)
  • Commercial property
  • Commercial umbrella
  • Disability
  • General liability
  • Professional liability
  • Workers’ compensation

To apply for the insurance claims, you simply have to visit the official website and click on the Claims tab on the topmost menu bar. You can either call the helpline number to report your claim or proceed with filling out an application form online and submit it for processing.

biBERK

In 2015, Warren Buffet founded yet another company known as biBERK Business Insurance, a part of Berkshire Hathaway. To date, biBERK has catered to the needs of its 100,000 customers, whose small businesses try to make their mark in the US economy.

biBERK understands that small businesses have limited time and resources. In order to offer them the best hassle-free services, biBERK allows its clients to register for their policies online by requesting a quote. You just have to provide a few basic details about your business performance and your claims history to get customized rates on insurance coverages.

biBERK has removed the middlemen, agents, and brokers from the equation to cut the additional costs and make the monthly premium payments more affordable. Its direct connection with its customers through the transparent online system of policy registration and claims application also resulted in reducing costs. Therefore, the price of its premiums is 20% lower than the market average.

biBERK has received a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from its customers and an A++ from the AM Best.

The Berkshire Hathaway general liability insurance policy by biBERK is one of the most comprehensive general liability coverages in the market. It ensures the security of your business from unwanted harm. 

Its general liability insurance policy covers:

  • Bodily injury
  • Property damage
  • Product liability
  • Libel, slander, and copyright claims

biBERK encourages all small businesses, even those with fewer than 10 employees, to register for general liability insurance because it is a surefire way to keep your business on the ground when a tragedy strikes. The insurance company offers tailor-made solutions to meet the unique needs of your business. You also get the option to include add-ons in your original policy as your company expands because biBERK believes in growing with the businesses it serves. Therefore, even if you change your mind about your insurance coverage, you can just request to integrate two separate policies into one instead of purchasing new insurance.

What Makes Berkshire Hathaway Unique?

Under the leadership of its people-oriented CEO, Warren Buffet, all the Berkshire Hathaway insurance companies focus on serving small businesses. Therefore, it can be rightly said that Berkshire Hathaway is the best option for the self-employed.

The small business insurance policies offered by the company are 20% less expensive compared to other plans available in the market. Berkshire Hathaway had started as a small textile business and therefore understands the needs, aspirations, and financial difficulties of the startups in great detail.

Moreover, the claims process is so fast and simple that the adjusters can be expected to arrive within a week of application.

PROS:
  • The company has an A++ rating by AM Best and an AA+ rating by Standard and Poor.
  • It’s led by Warren Buffet, who has years of experience saving failing businesses.
  • It is a large holding company with great financial strength.
  • It provides customizable, business-centric insurance that can later be bundled with other policies to give comprehensive coverage.
CONS:
  • Some insurance products are only available in a few states.
  • It has received a B-rating by the BBB due to the negative customer reviews.
  • Because of the connection to the parent company, any changes in the policies of Berkshire Hathaway holdings also affect biBERK, GUARD, and Three.
  • Insurance products and services are only available for small businesses.

4. Review

OVERALL RATING 4.4

Simply Business is a private insurance company founded in 2005 with its headquarters in London, United Kingdom. The company offers business insurance services to more than 600,000 customers, and it primarily operates online, catering to the specialized needs of growing businesses.

In 2017, Travelers Insurance company acquired Simply Business from Aquiline Capital Partners LLC at a price of $490 million. Since then, Simply Business has been serving the US market from its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts.

The company offers the following insurance products to its industry-specific small businesses:

  • Business insurance
  • General liability insurance
  • Cleaners insurance
  • Contractors insurance
  • Handyman liability insurance
  • Janitorial insurance
  • Home improvement contractor insurance
  • Landscaping insurance
  • Lawn care insurance
  • Painters insurance
  • Photographers insurance
  • Plumbing contractors insurance
  • Self-employed insurance

Being an online business insurance brokerage, Simply Business provides its customers with insurance coverages from the following insurance providers:

  • ABIC Insurance
  • AXIS Insurance Company
  • Clear Blue Insurance
  • CNA Insurance
  • Frank Winston Crum Insurance
  • Harborway Insurance
  • Hiscox Insurance
  • Markel Insurance
  • NASW Risk Retention Group, Inc.
  • Travelers Insurance

Customers love Simply Business due to its ease of use. You can sign up for an insurance policy online. The reliable platform offers price comparisons for the same coverage from different service providers, which is an excellent feature. It allows customers to get the best coverage at a very affordable price. The online registration process is quick and easy. The helpline number is available 24 hours to ask questions, report claims, or file complaints.

Simply Business uses a simple questionnaire to assess your needs. Based on your answers, it generates a quotation to help you compare the prices and the benefits. You can also learn how different insurance providers have tweaked their policies to make them more customized. After selecting the insurance plan, Simply Business’s trained customer support team will follow up with you. You’ll be guided through the process and become a member of the Simple Business community.

The four main business policies offered to all small and medium businesses are:

  • Simply business general liability insurance
  • Professional liability
  • Errors and omission insurance
  • Home-based business insurance

Its general liability insurance covers:

  • Bodily harm
  • Property damage
  • Reputational damage

What Makes Simply Business Unique?

Unlike the rest of the insurance companies discussed above, Simply Business assesses your needs and helps you select the best business insurance plan from a long list of insurance providers and their competitive pricing. It is best for sole proprietorship businesses.

PROS:
  • Its online business insurance comparison tool lists down insurance policies and various insurance providers.
  • It’s very quick and easy to use.
  • Its comparison charts and quotations with competitive pricing help the customers decide which plan is best for their businesses.
  • It provides industry and business-specific insurance coverages such as painters insurance, photographers insurance, handyman liability insurance, etc.
  • It has an A+ rating on BBB with 0 customer complaints.
CONS:
  • It is an insurance brokerage; therefore, it is not responsible for underwriting its own insurance policies. It only sells the policies of other insurance providers.
  • The range of insurance services and products offered in the London market is very different from those in the US.
  • The registration and insurance claim processes are performed entirely online. The lack of local agents and in-person communication can lead to confusion and the selection of wrong plans.

5. Review

OVERALL RATING 4.3

Travelers Insurance was founded on April 1, 1864, by a businessman from Hartford, Connecticut, James G. Batterson. When some local bankers, along with the help of townspeople, were trying to introduce accident insurance in the US, Batterson seized the opportunity.

For the past 157 years, The Travelers Companies Inc., popularized by its iconic red umbrella, has been providing insurance services and products to its customers. Beginning from a small accident insurance company, it grew and expanded with time to include business insurance coverages. Today, Travelers has formed partnerships with major tech companies like Amazon, Groundspeed Analytics, Inc., and Samsung Electronics to insure tech products, artificial intelligence, and other advanced software that are slowly becoming the future of this world.

Travelers provides a wide range of personal and business insurance products. Some of its personal insurance products include:

  • Auto insurance
  • Home insurance
  • Renters insurance
  • Condominium insurance
  • Landlord insurance
  • Boat or yacht insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Weddings and events insurance
  • Umbrella insurance coverage
  • Bundling home and auto insurance

The insurance products that are available for businesses contain:

  • Commercial and auto trucking
  • General liability insurance
  • Property insurance
  • Cyber insurance
  • Management and professional liability
  • Small business owner’s policy
  • Surety bonds
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Environmental liability
  • Marine insurance
  • Boiler and machinery insurance
  • Excess casualty and umbrella insurance

Unlike Berkshire Hathaway and Simply Business, Travelers insurance policies are not limited to small businesses. Some of its customers are industry giants that want to secure their assets and international businesses.

The company has been rated A++ (superior) by the AM Best for its financial strength. It has received an A+ from BBB. However, according to the customer reviews on BBB, it got 1.17 out of 5 stars because the customers found the company to be unhelpful and unresponsive in helping them claim for their damages.

A total of 417 complaints have been registered against Travelers on BBB. The average rating gathered from 945 customer reviews shows that most customers have given the company a 1-star rating, making its average rating 1.17 out of 5. Most clients have complained that their auto or home insurance claims were rejected, even though the damage was clearly accidental, and they had to pay for the repairs out of their own pockets.

Moreover, in some cases, the company either refused to process the claims or paid such low settlements that it was barely sufficient to fix the damage, let alone cover the medical expenses of the injured persons.

What Makes Travelers Unique?

Travelers general liability insurance coverage is found to be the most customizable. It provides coverage for the following:

  • Bodily injuries that happened at your business property
  • Property damage 
  • Lawsuits filed against your business such as libel and slander
  • Lawsuits that allege your business for copyright infringement in the advertisements

Depending on the category of the business, additional coverages can be included in the Travelers general liability insurance to give your business basic protection against unexpected events.

PROS:
  • It has been in business for the past 157 years.
  • It’s a US-based insurance company with an international presence and customers.
  • It’s rated A++ by AM Best and A+ by BBB.
  • It covers a wide range of insurance products and services.
CONS:
  • The company has really bad customer reviews with a high claim rejection rate.
  • It does not provide wind damage coverage for homes, cars, and businesses.
  • In case your car or other assets, such as machinery, need to be replaced, you will be required to pay extra for replacement even if the damage was purely accidental or caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.

6. Review

OVERALL RATING 4.1

Chubb – Best Program Benefits

Chubb is an insurance company originally formed in 1882 by Thomas Caldecot Chubb and his son Percy. It provides property, casualty, accident, health, and life insurance services to its customers. Chubb has its headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland and it is the largest publicly traded casualty and property insurance company in the world.

Chubb is also the largest commercial insurer in the US and has its presence in 54 countries. Chubb’s range of insurance products and services includes:

  • Home
  • Auto
  • Life and health
  • Travel
  • Valuables
  • Cyber
  • Natural disasters
  • Floods
  • Boats and yachts

Some of its business-related insurance coverages contain:

  • Accident and health
  • Commercial general liability
  • Professional liability
  • Product recall
  • Commercial package
  • Cyber
  • Management liability
  • Surety bonds
  • Political risk
  • Medical liability
  • Small business insurance
  • Specialty causality
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Workplace benefits

According to the AM Best, Chubb has been given an A++ (superior) rating, but the company is not listed on the BBB, and therefore, is not BBB accredited. 

The Chubb general liability insurance plan is known as Customarq General Liability and covers the following:

  • Bodily injury and damage of property
  • Advertising injury such as copyright infringement
  • Worldwide coverage for legal lawsuits
  • Medical expenses, legal costs, and cost of repairs or replacements
  • Covers all the subsidiaries of a said business

What Makes Chubb Unique?

The international presence of Chubb and its wide network of brokers and independent agents gives its customers the freedom to pursue their court cases even outside of the US. The company provides a comprehensive general liability policy to protect small, medium, and large businesses from financial losses. Without the Customarq General Liability, businesses could easily lose anywhere between $10,000 to $600,000 in damages.

Chubb undoubtedly has the best program benefits and insurance coverages that give its multinational businesses the peace of mind to operate overseas. Chubb really knows how to write a policy that will benefit and safeguard its customers.

PROS:
  • Homes, cars, businesses, properties, and other valuables are protected locally as well as globally.
  • It’s rated A++ by AM Best for its financial strength.
  • It offers a comprehensive general liability insurance plan.
  • It has its presence in 54 countries with a wide network of international agents and brokers.
CONS:
  • Customer reviews are unavailable on BBB.
  • Customers are not satisfied with the home insurance policies and claims process.
  • Premiums are priced slightly higher than the market average, which is not suitable for small businesses.

7. CNA Review

OVERALL RATING 4.0

Continental Assurance Company of North America was established in 1897 in Detroit. The purpose of setting up this insurance company was to provide health and accident insurance to railroad industry employees.

However, after several mergers and acquisitions, the company was rebranded as Continental National American (CNA) group, and its headquarters moved to Chicago. Today, CNA is the 7th largest commercial insurer in the US, providing property and casualty insurance services to businesses and individuals from Canada, the US, Asia, and Europe. Currently, the company has more than 6,700 employees and a vast network of independent agents.

CNA’s list of products include:

  • Casualty
  • Business owners policy
  • Cyber
  • Equipment breakdown
  • Commercial auto
  • Surety bonds
  • Commercial package
  • General liability insurance
  • Management and professional liability
  • Marine
  • Property
  • Umbrella and excess casualty
  • Workers’ compensation

The company offers specialized CNA insurance programs to its international customers. CNA is not limited to small businesses, and even major multinationals operating in multiple countries can benefit from its comprehensive coverages.

What Makes CNA Unique?

CNA delivers consistent business insurance policies to all its customers regardless of the location and the size of their businesses. You can bundle multiple liability policies under an exclusive CNA general liability insurance plan.

PROS:
  • It has an A+ (excellent) rating on BBB and A (excellent) rating on AM Best.
  • Claims reporting is available 24/7.
  • There is a wide range of business insurance services available, including business interruption and inland marine insurance.
  • The company provides nationwide coverage with the possibility to pursue legal cases outside of the US.
CONS:
  • A lot of customers have filed complaints against the company, blaming it for ignoring claim requests.
  • The company does not mention how long it takes to process claim applications.
  • It only provides business insurance.

8. Review

OVERALL RATING 3.9

In 2019, AmVenture Insurance Agency, Inc. changed its name to Suracy Insurance Agency, Inc. 

Suracy offers commercial insurance policies to businesses all over the US. The company’s headquarters is in Solon, Ohio. It provides tailored business insurance solutions after thoroughly assessing all the potential risks that could damage the company’s financial standing and reputation in the future. It serves all kinds of businesses from a wide range of industries as well as religious and non-profit organizations.

Along with Suracy general liability insurance, there are other coverages available: 

  • Professional liability
  • Commercial property
  • Cyber liability
  • Disability
  • Business owner’s policy
  • Employment liability
  • Commercial auto
  • Medical malpractice
  • Paid family leave
  • Workers’ compensation

What Makes Suracy Unique?

Suracy Insurance agency is best for worker’s compensation. This compensation plan covers illnesses and injuries sustained on duty and allows the company to pay for the medical expenses and any additional costs. Suracy’s workers’ compensation plan also offers coverage for work-related injuries or accidents that occur off-site. For example, when an employee goes on a business trip and happens to get injured, the employer has to compensate for all the expenses.

Suracy has a 24 hour online claims filing service. Even if there is an emergency, for example, if the employee has to be admitted to an ICU due to a work-related accident or injury, you can immediately request the processing of your claim and pay the hospital charges for your employee’s surgery or quick treatment.

PROS:
  • The company offers customized insurance policies for businesses.
  • It provides tips and resources for business and industry.
  • There is a variety of business insurance coverages available for small and large companies.
CONS:
  • It only provides business insurance policies.
  • Information about its pricing options is not available on the website.
  • AM Best and BBB ratings are not available for Suracy.

9. Review

OVERALL RATING 3.5

AIG – Best for Product Liability

The American International Group was founded on December 19, 1919, in Shanghai, China. It is a multinational finance and insurance company with offices in more than 80 countries around the world, currently employing 49,600 people.

The company’s primary business operations involve writing and selling insurance policies and providing investment opportunities to its international customers.

The company caters to two categories of customers: 

  • Individuals and families
  • Businesses and enterprises

Its wide range of individual and family insurance plans includes:

  • Life insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal accident and health insurance
  • Private client group
  • Home insurance

AIG’s variety of business and enterprise insurance plans contains:

  • Cyber liability
  • Product liability insurance
  • Professional liability
  • Workers’ compensation
  • Business owners policy
  • Errors and omissions
  • Commercial property
  • Commercial auto

What Makes AIG Unique?

AIG ‘s multicultural approach and its combination of personal and commercial insurance coverages prove that the company cares about protecting customers’ personal and professional interests.

AIG product liability insurance is excellent. AIG understands the immediate financial crunch that the company can face if all of its recent products have to be recalled because of some defect or malfunction. In case the business faces such difficulties, AIG becomes the safety net for its customers. After your insurance claim is approved, the policyholder receives the agreed settlement. That way, the company has enough financial resources to defend itself in court and recover the production.

PROS:
  • The company covers a wide range of personal and commercial insurance policies.
  • It has an A (excellent) rating by AM Best.
  • Its life insurance provides coverage for 35 years.
  • It’s present in more than 80 countries.
CONS:
  • There’s a high number of customer complaints and a high rate of claims rejection.
  • Customers aren’t satisfied with its life insurance policy.
  • It’s not so popular in the US.

Types of liabilities applicable to your business

 

1.    General Liability

The purpose of general liability insurance is to protect your business from all financial claims or lawsuits related to bodily injury or property damages. These damages or injuries can occur due to your business services, operations, or products. Your company can be held responsible when a customer falls down the broken stairs of your retail outlet, or your signboard falls over a parked car, completely shattering its windshield. In such cases, you can submit general liability insurance claims to compensate for the damages or pay the medical bills of the affected customer. But without the general liability insurance, you will have to cover these unexpected and hefty expenses out of your pocket.

What does the general liability insurance cover?

  • Medical costs for bodily injuries
  • Repair or replacement costs for property damage (including cars)
  • Legal costs for lawsuits and lawyer’s fees (including out of court settlements and compensations)

2.    Employer’s Liability

Employer’s liability insurance coverage gives your business financial protection against claims made by your workers who are not covered by the workers’ compensation. For example, suppose an employee sustains an injury or dies as a result of your business operations (electrocution, accident, poisonous fumes, assault, etc.). But the workers’ compensation insurance is either not sufficient to pay for the damages or does not cover a specific area. In that case, the employer’s liability insurance can be used to pay for the medical expenses and support the employee’s family.

Employer’s liability insurance plan also covers the legal costs of a lawsuit filed by your employees, such as sexual harassment, racial or religious discrimination, or wrongful termination. It is to be noted that workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory in most US states and only provides the basic level coverage for your business. But employer’s liability insurance coverage is comprehensive and is usually bought with the workers’ compensation insurance to give the businesses maximum protection.

3.    Professional Liability

Professionals who either have their private practice such as doctors, lawyers, accountants or are associated with a firm, institute, or an organization such as law enforcement agents, health workers, or professors need professional liability insurance. It can protect them against claims made by their patients, customers, or students related to malpractice, professional negligence, or misrepresentation. Professional liability insurance can also be named as error and omissions insurance or medical malpractice insurance.

For example, suppose a patient files a case against a doctor stating that the doctor performed the wrong surgery on that patient and aggravated his or her medical condition. In that case, the doctor can use the professional liability insurance claim to defend himself in court, protect his reputation, and save his medical license from getting canceled.

Other Insurance Options

Some other insurance options for businesses include:

  • Commercial property insurance
  • Commercial auto insurance
  • Umbrella insurance
  • Business income insurance
  • Data breach insurance
  • Workers’ compensation insurance

How Are Rates of General Liability Insurance Determined?

Several business insurance companies around the US offer the best general liability insurance coverages at affordable rates. Still, all of them have different methods of calculating the monthly premiums for their plans. Typically, the general liability insurance quote is determined after assessing the following factors:

  • Size and condition of your commercial property
  • Type of business operations/industry your company belongs to (some industries and businesses are riskier as compared to others, e.g., chemical manufacturing)
  • Your years of experience doing this business
  • Number of employees
  • Location of your business (some neighborhoods or localities are dangerous and hence pose a greater risk to the companies)
  • The extent of the coverage of your general liability insurance (the more coverage you get, the higher the premiums will be)
  • What can the policy be bundled with? (Some insurance companies provide general liability insurance, which bundles two policy coverages at a much lower price)
  • Claims history (if your claims history shows that you have hardly ever made any insurance claims, then the company will lower the rates of your monthly premiums because you will be a low-risk client for them)

The Claims Process

General liability insurance claims are usually filed online through the insurance company’s official website. There is a Claims tab on the top or side menu of the website. You just have to click on it and select the right insurance claim. Once you click on the General liability insurance claim, it will lead you to another page where you will see some contact information, such as the helpline numbers and company addresses. There will also be an option to file the claim online by clicking on the Online general liability claim reporting form.

You will have to fill in all the details such as your policy information, the circumstances during which the accident or damage occurred, etc., and the amount you expect to claim from the company. Click on Submit to have your completed form reviewed and processed.

Usually, it takes around a week for adjusters from the insurance company to arrive. But in case the company wants to run a thorough investigation, they will hold back the cheque and contact you for more details.

Generally, the rate of rejection of general liability insurance is low, so you can expect a full reimbursement as long as your details are accurate, you pay all your monthly premiums on time, and you have a clean claims history.

BBB and AM Best Ratings and Complaints

Insurance rating organizations such as AM Best and Fitch rate the best insurance companies that offer a range of insurance services like life insurance, car insurance, health insurance, home insurance, and even business insurance. The ratings are based on customer reviews of the company’s performance.

According to AM Best’s general liability insurance company ratings, the best insurance companies have an A++ or A+ ratings. These companies are categorized as top-notch or superior and are known to deliver the best services to their valued customers. Companies with C or C- ratings are very poor-performing insurance companies. And those labeled as S have been suspended due to either lack of available data or other issues.

Another way to select the best insurance company for your general liability insurance is to check the insurance company record on Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB is a non-profit organization that generates its own ratings for all the companies in the US. Its rating system gives you a detailed record of the company and helps you find out if customers filed complaints against this company in the past and when and how the possible issues got resolved. The BBB’s A to F rating system grades the companies depending on their performance and the number of complaints submitted against them.

Before you decide to get general liability insurance online, it is recommended that you have a look at both the AM Best and the BBB ratings to choose the best insurance company for your needs.

Buyers Guide

What Is General Liability Insurance?

General liability insurance is sometimes also called business liability insurance or commercial general liability insurance. It helps protect your business from claims made by customers or third parties who suffered a bodily injury or were involved in property damage during your business operations. If you don’t have general liability insurance, you could end up paying for the damages out of your pocket.

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?

The general liability insurance coverage includes the following:

  • Expenses for property damage claims
  • Medical expenses for bodily injury to a customer or bystander at your business property or as a result of your business operations
  • Legal costs of lawsuits and claims filed against your business

The general liability insurance does not cover:

  • Injuries or harm sustained by you or your employee
  • Damage done to your commercial property or auto
  • Professional errors, malpractice, misstatements

Who Needs General Liability Insurance?

Most small and large businesses need general liability insurance. According to Hartford, 4 out 10 small business owners will experience some sort of unfortunate event in the next 10 years, which could result in the loss of thousands of dollars. Even minor accidents like a customer falling down the stairs of your retail outlet could call for a general liability claim, so it is best to be proactive and sign up for general liability insurance.

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

The average cost of general liability insurance is anywhere between $30 and $100 per month.

The price of the monthly premiums depends on several factors:

  • Years of experience doing business
  • The location of your business
  • The size of your business
  • The condition of your commercial property
  • Policy coverage details and deductibles
  • Your history of insurance claims

It is to be noted that the more risky your business is, the higher monthly premiums you’ll pay. For example, a company that manufactures chemicals in its warehouse will have higher premiums than a company that sells pet toys.

However, based on the years of experience and your history of insurance claims, you may get a 20% discount on your monthly payment.

You should keep in mind that if you go for the cheapest option available in order to cut down on the cost, your level of coverage will be compromised, and you will end up paying for the damages from your own pocket.

How Much General Liability Insurance Coverage Do You Need?

The amount of coverage you need depends on a few factors:

  • Type and size of your business
  • Risks involved
  • The number of employees
  • The location of your business
  • Essential coverages for your business

It is not advisable to waste money on coverages that you don’t need for your business.

FAQs

What does general liability insurance cover for contractors?

General liability insurance for contractors covers:

  • Customer injuries
  • Property damage
  • Advertising injuries such as libel and slander
  • Product liability

How is general liability insurance calculated?

The following factors are considered to calculate general liability insurance costs: 

  • Size and condition of your business property
  • The number of employees
  • Line of business/industry
  • Years of experience in business
  • Location of business
  • The extent of coverage and deductibles
  • Claims history

What is professional liability insurance vs. general liability?

General liability covers physical risks. Professional liability covers abstract risks such as malpractice.

What does a general liability cover?

  • Medical expenses of injured customers
  • Repair or replacement costs of damaged property
  • Legal costs of lawsuits

Who has the cheapest general liability insurance?

Most insurance companies offer general liability insurance between $30 to $100 per month. The best companies with cheap general liability insurance are CyberPolicy, Hiscox, Chubb, The Hartford, and Travelers.

Does general liability insurance cover lawsuits?

Yes, it does.