How much liability coverage does the average small business need?

Asked by: Korey Bergstrom DVM  |  Last update: September 20, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (37 votes)

General liability insurance: Most small businesses choose $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate limits.

How much general liability insurance should a small business have?

However, many small businesses opt for the standard $1 million / $2 million general liability policy. This means the policy will pay up to $1 million to cover any one claim, with a $2 million policy limit for the lifetime of the policy, which is typically one year.

How much insurance do I need for an LLC?

The insurance needed for small business depends on the type of small business you run and the risks it faces. Be aware that LLCs may be required to have certain types of business insurance. For example, most states require businesses with employees to have workers' compensation insurance.

How much is liability coverage on average?

Liability car insurance costs 87% less than full-coverage car insurance, on average. Drivers with full-coverage policies pay around $2,101 a year, while drivers with liability-only coverage pay around $829.

What is a good amount of personal liability coverage?

The rule of thumb is that you want your liability coverage to be at least about as much as what you actually have for net worth that a plaintiff would have access to. They'll have a lot of incentive to settle for the coverage amount if the max they can get by refusing is at most double.

How Much Liability Coverage Does the Average Small Business Need? - InsuranceGuide360.com

24 related questions found

What is the 80 20 rule for home insurance?

When it comes to insuring your home, the 80% rule is an important guideline to keep in mind. This rule suggests you should insure your home for at least 80% of its total replacement cost to avoid penalties for being underinsured.

What is $100000 basic liability coverage?

Many homeowners insurance policies provide a minimum of $100,000 in personal liability coverage, meaning the insurance company can pay up to that amount in total to injured persons per occurrence. If you feel you need more protection, higher limits are available.

How much is a $5 million dollar business insurance policy?

Average Cost

On average, small businesses might expect to pay significantly more for a $5 million policy compared to lower coverage limits. While a $1 million policy might cost around $1,000 annually, a $5 million policy can range from $2,000 to $2,500 per year.

When should I get liability vs full coverage?

If you own your vehicle outright, you can choose between liability-only and full coverage policies. If your vehicle is older (valued at less than the cost of a full coverage policy) or you otherwise feel that you have enough money to pay for damage out of pocket, you may want to choose liability-only.

What is the best small business insurance?

Best small business insurance
  • Best for variety of plans: Nationwide.
  • Best for online experience: Next Insurance.
  • Best for home-based businesses: The Hartford.
  • Best for independent contractors: Hiscox.
  • Best for medium-sized businesses: Chubb.
  • Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm.
  • Best for worker's compensation: Travelers.

What are standard general liability limits?

Typical limits in a contract require a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate (1M/2M).

Do small business owners have to have insurance?

If you've asked yourself, “Do I need insurance for my small business?” The answer is yes. A small business insurance policy can help with protecting your assets and company. Without this coverage, small businesses may have to pay to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property on their own.

At what point is full coverage not worth it?

Paying for comprehensive and collision — the coverages that many people mean when they say "full coverage" — may not be worth it if your car's value is minimal and your policy includes a high deductible. Usually, you have to have comprehensive and collision on a financed car because most lenders require it.

Does full coverage cover at-fault accidents?

Full coverage car insurance covers the costs to repair damage to your vehicle in an at-fault accident. However, in most states, it doesn't include coverage for bodily injuries that you or your passengers sustained. In “no-fault” states, your auto insurance does cover your bodily injuries up to the limits purchased.

Do I need comprehensive and collision?

Unlike property damage liability insurance (which covers damage to other people's property), collision and comprehensive insurance are optional in California.

How much is $1000000 liability insurance a month?

How much does 1 million general liability insurance cost? On average, small businesses can expect to pay between $796 and $1,230 per year for a $1 million policy. The monthly cost often ranges from $67 to $150, varying based on factors like business type, location, and risk factors.

What percentage of business income should go to insurance?

In general, small businesses can expect to pay anywhere from 1% to 5% of their annual revenue for business insurance. However, this is just a general guideline, and the actual percentage can vary greatly depending on the factors mentioned above.

Why is business insurance so expensive?

More Claims

And when insurance companies have to pay out, they need to take more in. That's just how insurance works. If they ran out of money, they wouldn't be able to pay future claims. Over time, this leads to higher premiums for everyone (not just the ones who filed a claim).

What does $1 million liability cover?

A $1 million general liability insurance policy means your insurance company will provide financial protection for your business up to $1 million in covered losses or damages. Beyond that $1 million limit, you'll have to pay for costs out of pocket without the help of your insurer.

Is 50k 100k full coverage?

If you carry auto insurance with liability coverage limits of $50,000/$100,000/$30,000, those numbers are broken down as follows: $50,000: The maximum amount your insurer will pay for bodily injuries per person. $100,000: The total amount your insurer will pay for bodily injuries per accident.

What does liability 100k 300k 100k mean?

The numbers in the coverage refer to the maximum amount your insurer will pay out for each type of claim. So, in a 100/300/100 policy, you would have $100,000 coverage per person, $300,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 in property damage coverage per accident.

What is the 50% rule in insurance?

In California's personal injury cases, the concept of 50/50 liability applies when both parties are equally responsible for an accident or incident. This shared responsibility is also referred to as equal fault or shared fault, and it falls under the broader category of comparative fault.

What is the insurance 5% rule?

In each insurance year you can withdraw up to 5% of the premium paid into your policy without a gain happening in that year. An insurance year begins on the anniversary of the date of your policy was taken out and ends on the day before the anniversary in the next year, except in the final insurance year.