MoneyGeek ranked the best general liability insurance in Massachusetts based on an analysis of insurers’ affordability, customer satisfaction, financial stability and online quote processes. Thimble emerged as the best insurer overall, earning a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. The company also won for the cheapest insurer in Massachusetts. Thimble’s general liability insurance costs an average of $22 per month for sole proprietors and $63 per month for LLCs.
Best General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts (2024)
Updated: May 22, 2024
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Best General LiabilityMassachusettsBest General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts
Best Overall - Thimble
Cheapest - Thimble
Best for Employers - Nationwide
Best for Sole Proprietors - biBERK
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We collected 1,229 general liability insurance quotes and analyzed cost information alongside customer satisfaction and financial stability reports to determine the best general liability insurance companies for small businesses in Massachusetts.
Coverage costs and company information for general liability insurance providers in Massachusetts were last updated in 2023.
1,229Quotes Analyzed
6 Companies Compared
50 Zip Codes
Best Overall General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts
Thimble is the best general liability insurance company in Massachusetts, earning a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100.
For this study, we analyzed six insurers in Massachusetts. The table below shows their MoneyGeek scores along with their average monthly costs.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek used the following weights to rank the best general liability insurance in Massachusetts:
- Affordability for LLCs: 30%
- Affordability for sole proprietors: 30%
- Customer satisfaction: 20%
- Financial stability: 15%
- Online quote process: 5%
MoneyGeek used two business profiles to gather general liability quotes:
- An LLC with five years in business, 20 employees, $5 million in annual revenue and $1,250,000 in annual payroll costs.
- A sole proprietorship with five years in business, no employees, $500,000 in annual revenue and no payroll costs.
| Thimble | 93 | $22 | $63 |
| The Hartford | 90 | $32 | $58 |
| Nationwide | 90 | $35 | $44 |
| Next | 89 | $25 | $26 |
| biBERK | 88 | $23 | No Data |
| Hiscox | 84 | $29 | $204 |
Best OverallScore: 93
4/5LLC Affordability
5/5Sole Proprietor Affordability
2/5Customer Satisfaction
3/5Financial Stability
5/5Online Quote Process
PROS
Most affordable company for sole proprietors
Quick online quote process
High financial strength ratings
CONS
Below-average complaints score
Relatively expensive for LLCs
Company Highlights
Thimble is MoneyGeek’s pick for the best general liability insurance in Massachusetts. This insurer offers the most affordable average rates for sole proprietors with no employees at $22 per month but has relatively high rates for LLCs at $63 per month.
Thimble boasts a strong financial strength rating, indicating that it is likely to be able to pay out claims and fulfill its contractual obligations. The company also has the quickest online quote application process among the insurers we analyzed. On average, it will take you less than a minute to get a quote.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts
Thimble offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Massachusetts at an average of $22 per month for sole proprietors and $63 per month for LLCs.
Moneygeek determined the cheapest company based on an affordability score that combines the monthly cost for sole proprietors and the monthly cost for LLCs (both weighted 50%). As such, the cheapest insurer may not have the lowest cost for both sole proprietors and LLCs.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek used the following weights to find the cheapest general liability insurance in Massachusetts:
- Affordability for LLCs: 50%
- Affordability for sole proprietors: 50%
CheapestScore: 97
4/5LLC Affordability
5/5Sole Proprietor Affordability
2/5Customer Satisfaction
3/5Financial Stability
5/5Online Quote Process
PROS
Cheapest insurer for sole proprietors
Fastest online quote system out of six insurers
High financial strength ratings
CONS
Not the cheapest LLC compan
Relatively high rate of complaints
Company Highlights
Thimble emerged as the most affordable company overall for general liability insurance in Massachusetts. With an average rate of $22 per month, Thimble offers the cheapest policies for sole proprietors. For LLCs, Thimble’s rates average $63 per month, the fourth cheapest out of six insurers in the comparison group.
In addition to affordable rates, Thimble has an efficient online quote system, and in most cases, you can get a quote in less than a minute. This company also has strong financial strength ratings, which is a good indicator that the company can meet its financial obligations to policyholders.
Best General Liability Insurance for Employers in Massachusetts
Nationwide is the best general liability insurer for employers in Massachusetts, according to our study. Nationwide earned a Moneygeek score of 97 out of 100 and is the cheapest LLC company, with an average rate of $44 monthly.
These rankings are based on monthly costs for LLCs with 20 employees. Employee count has a significant impact on insurance costs — LLCs with fewer than 20 employees will likely pay less than the average cost, while those with a greater employee count will likely pay more.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek used the following weights to find the best general liability insurance for employers in Massachusetts:
- Affordability for LLCs: 60%
- Customer satisfaction: 20%
- Financial stability: 15%
- Online quote process: 5%
Best for EmployersScore: 97
4/5LLC Affordability
5/5Customer Satisfaction
4/5Financial Stability
3/5Online Quote Process
PROS
Second cheapest company for LLCs
Strong financial strength rating
Excellent customer satisfaction score
CONS
Slower-than-average quote system
Company Highlights
Moneygeek found that Nationwide offers the best general liability insurance in Massachusetts for employers. This insurer balances affordability and a strong customer service track record, offering employers the best value among the insurers in our comparison group.
With an average rate of $44 per month, Nationwide is the second-cheapest company for LLCs with 20 employees. This company also receives fewer complaints than the average insurer, meaning that policyholders can expect great customer service.
Based on its high financial strength rating from AM Best, Nationwide can also meet its financial obligations, including payment of claims. Although Nationwide offers online quotes, expect the process to take longer than average.
Best General Liability Insurance for Sole Proprietors in Massachusetts
biBERK is the best general liability insurer for sole proprietors in Massachusetts, with a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100. A policy costs an average of $23 per month, the second-cheapest rate among the six companies analyzed.
This analysis is based on average rates for a sole proprietor with no employees. Rates may be higher for sole proprietors in risky industries like construction.
How was this MoneyGeek score calculated?
MoneyGeek used the following weights to find the best general liability insurance for sole proprietors in Massachusetts:
- Affordability for sole proprietors: 60%
- Customer satisfaction: 20%
- Financial stability: 15%
- Online quote process: 5%
Best for Sole ProprietorsScore: 97
5/5Sole Proprietor Affordability
4/5Customer Satisfaction
5/5Financial Stability
3/5Online Quote Process
PROS
Second-cheapest company for sole proprietors
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
CONS
Relatively slow online quote process
Company Highlights
Sole proprietors in Massachusetts will find the best general liability insurance from biBERK. This company offers a balance of affordable rates and quality service, meaning policyholders get good value for their money.
biBERK receives fewer complaints than the average for a company of its size, indicating that you can expect good service from this provider. It also has a high financial strength rating, so it is generally able to meet its financial obligations, including payment of claims.
Although biBERK has a good customer service track record, their online quote system can be slow compared to the average turnaround time offered by other insurers.
Do You Need General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts law does not require businesses to carry general liability insurance, but it still makes sense to purchase a policy since it provides financial protection against liability claims and lawsuits from third parties. In addition, it may be required to obtain business licenses or win contracts in specific industries.
Some of the protections offered by general liability insurance include:
- Third-party bodily injuries: A general liability policy will cover medical expenses if a third party suffers injuries at your business.
- Third-party property damage: A general liability policy will cover damages caused by your business or employees to someone else’s property.
- Personal and advertising injury: General liability insurance covers your legal expenses and damages if your business or employees are sued for libel, slander or copyright infringement.
The business insurance requirements in Massachusetts require all businesses to have workers' compensation insurance. Only domestic employees working less than 16 hours per week are exempt.
Businesses are also required to have commercial auto insurance for company-owned vehicles with at least the following limits:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES IN MASSACHUSETTS
Small businesses starting or expanding their operations in Massachusetts can get assistance from The Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD), which offers assistance for obtaining funding through various programs, microlending and community development. Massachusetts also offers support to small businesses through the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network (MSBDC).
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts?
The average cost of general liability insurance in Massachusetts is $79 per month for LLCs with 20 employees and $28 per month for sole proprietors.
These rates are based on a policy with a $2 million aggregate limit, a $1 million occurrence limit and a $0 deductible. The aggregate limit is the maximum amount that the policy can pay out for claims during a policy period, and the occurrence limit is the maximum amount that the policy can pay per claim. The deductible is the amount that the business owner needs to pay before the insurance kicks in.
Factors That Impact General Liability Insurance Costs in Massachusetts
The cost of general liability insurance varies for each business based on the following factors:
Policy limits
The average cost of general liability will depend on both the aggregate and occurrence limits chosen by the policyholder. Higher limits usually come with higher monthly premiums.
Number of employees and payroll costs
In general, companies with a high employee count will pay more for general liability insurance. Sole proprietors with no employees generally pay less for liability insurance compared to LLCs with 20 or more employees. This is the case in Massachusetts, as shown by our cost data.
Business location
Location also impacts general liability insurance costs, with businesses in riskier locations paying more for coverage. This means that average state rates from our study can vary by city based on factors that impact how risky a certain location is.
Claims history
Businesses that are considered more likely to file claims based on their claims history will typically pay more for general liability insurance.
Industry
Businesses in high-risk industries like construction pay more for general liability insurance since they are more likely to file claims. You can use the table below to compare average costs by industry in Massachusetts.
| General Contractor | $190 | $2,786 |
| Cleaning | $105 | $2,019 |
| Software Development | $28 | $79 |
Frequently Asked Questions About General Liability Insurance in Massachusetts
MoneyGeek answered frequently asked questions about general liability insurance to help you find the best providers in Massachusetts.
Which company has the best general liability insurance in Massachusetts?
Thimble is the best general liability insurance company in Massachusetts, offering affordable rates and fast online quotes. The best insurer for you may vary based on your business size, employee count and coverage needs.
Which company has the cheapest general liability insurance in Massachusetts?
Thimble offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Massachusetts at an average rate of $22 per month for sole proprietors and $63 per month for LLCs with 20 employees. The cheapest insurer for your business may vary depending on your location and employee count.
What does general liability insurance cover in Massachusetts?
General liability insurance in Massachusetts covers third-party bodily injuries, third-party property damage and personal and advertising injury. General liability insurance does not cover injuries to your employees or damages to your own property.
Does Massachusetts require businesses to have general liability insurance?
No, general liability insurance is not a legal requirement in Massachusetts. However, employers in the state are required to have workers' compensation insurance and commercial auto insurance.
About Melissa Wylie
Melissa Wylie is the Content and SEO Manager at MoneyGeek, with nearly a decade of editorial experience and six years of work in financial content focused on small businesses. She previously held SEO positions at Bankrate and LendingTree, with bylines on ValuePenguin and MagnifyMoney.
Wylie has a journalism degree from the University of North Texas. Her strong foundation in journalism helps her craft content that simplifies complex financial topics to help everyone feel confident when making decisions with their money.
sources
- Mass.gov. "Small Business Guide from MOBD." Accessed May 8, 2023.