Nationwide emerged as the top contender for Missouri’s best general liability insurance in MoneyGeek’s analysis with a score of 96 out of 100. However, The Hartford, NEXT, Thimble, and Hiscox are also great options for best general liability insurance.
Best General Liability Insurance in Missouri
Updated: June 20, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Overall, the best general liability insurance company in Missouri is Nationwide, which has a great balance of affordable rates for LLCs and good customer service.
The cheapest general liability insurance for sole proprietors in the Show-Me State is offered by Thimble at $24 per month. For LLCs, NEXT is the most affordable option at $28 a month.
General liability insurance costs in Missouri depend on your industry, and we found they can range from $30 to $2,198 per month on average.
Best Cheap General Liability Insurance in Missouri
| Nationwide | 96 | $37 | $39 |
| The Hartford | 92 | $34 | $59 |
| NEXT | 90 | $27 | $28 |
| Thimble | 87 | $24 | $68 |
| Hiscox | 83 | $32 | $116 |
*Rates were based on a $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate limit for a software development company.
Nationwide: Best Overall
pros
Low rates for LLC businesses
Large coverage selection
Low customer claims frequency
cons
Higher rates for sole proprietors
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Nationwide captures our title for Missouri's best overall general liability insurance option. Sole proprietors can find coverage for $37 monthly, while LLCs secure coverage for $39 per month. The company earned our highest MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100, offering low rates for LLC businesses, a large coverage selection, and low customer claims frequency. However, their rates are higher for sole proprietors compared to some competitors.
NEXT: Cheapest Overall
pros
Easy fast buying process
Very cheap rates overall, regardless of business size
Business-insurance-only focus
cons
Higher customer complaint frequency
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT is our pick for the cheapest overall general liability insurance in Missouri. The company has the 2nd cheapest rates for sole proprietors at $27 per month and the lowest rates for LLCs at $28 monthly. While its claims ratio was higher than other companies we've reviewed in the state, their overall buying process was smooth, and you can get proof of insurance within the same day.
How Much Is General Liability Insurance in Missouri?
In the Show-Me State, an average general liability insurance policy for software development companies typically costs around $30 per month for sole proprietors and $62 per month for LLCs. However, this only represents software development companies and the costs can vary widely by industry.
| Cleaning | $1,350 | $77 |
| General Contractor | $2,198 | $155 |
| Software Development | $62 | $30 |
*Rates are based on a $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate coverage policy for general liability.
Factors That Impact General Liability Insurance Costs in Missouri
General liability insurance costs can fluctuate based on a number of different factors in Missouri. In the list below, you can see these factors and their impacts on your coverage costs:
Policy limits
Coverage limits have a major impact on insurance premiums. Higher limits lead to increased costs, while lower limits generally result in more affordable premiums.
Number of employees and payroll costs
Businesses with a large workforce and high payroll expenses often see a rise in general liability insurance costs. This trend is evident in both LLCs and sole proprietorships.
Business location
Where your business operates significantly affects insurance costs. Be aware that state-level average rates can differ from city to city, so these variations should be considered when assessing your coverage needs.
Claims history
A history of multiple claims can make a business seem riskier to insurers, leading to higher premiums.
Industry
Industries with higher risks, like construction, typically incur higher general liability insurance costs.
Missouri General Liability Insurance: Buyer's Guide
Business insurance is a complicated industry and can be difficult to navigate. So, to simplify your understanding of general liability insurance, we've created a short guide detailing how to get the best coverage, defining what it covers, listing requirements in Missouri, and explaining how much coverage you should consider getting.
How to Find the Best General Liability Insurance Company
To help ensure that you get the best small business insurance regardless of your industry, we've created a step-by-step guide to simplify your coverage search.
- 1
Define your coverage needs
Determine your liability risk by considering your industry, services, customer types, business size and market impact. Assess the frequency and costs of common claims in your industry to evaluate coverage options better.
- 2
Research average costs for your business
Research average costs for your specific business to understand how good of a deal you're receiving from insurance companies. Knowing average expenses will give you insight into if a company is going to save you money.
- 3
Consult similar businesses
Your business community is your greatest resource, which can give you recommendations that are better for your specific needs. They may also provide ways to mitigate risks associated with general liability insurance so that you may not need more coverage than necessary.
- 4
Compare multiple options through different means
Comparing multiple companies and using multiple methods to compare, such as online comparisons or brokers, can help you judge which insurance option best suits you. This can provide a comprehensive view of pricing.
What Does General Liability Insurance Cover and How Does It Work?
General liability insurance coverage consists of two parts: per occurrence and aggregate limits. Per occurrence refers to the maximum a single claim can go up to, while the aggregate limit is the total coverage you can get per year. In terms of covered items, this type of policy includes the following:
Bodily injuries or property damage on business property
Legal fees for bodily injury or property damage that your company may be responsible for
Damages to leased or rented business property
Bodily injury or property damage caused by your product or service
Libel, slander, or reputational harm legal defense
Legal fees for copyright infringement accusations
Is General Liability Insurance Required in Missouri?
Like in most states, general liability insurance isn't expressly required by state law and instead varies by your industry. However, if you are looking to apply for a professional license, sign a contract with a larger company, or sign an office lease, some form of general liability insurance may be required. While not an exhaustive list, the following industries tend to fall into these categories:
- Medical
- Accounting
- Real estate
- Insurance
- Contracting
- Engineering
- Marketing
- Law
- Consulting
- Media/Communications
How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need?
Most small businesses will only need a standard policy with 1 million dollars of protection per occurrence and a 2 million limit per year. This will likely cover most or all damages caused over a year for most business types. Even so, your particular industry's risks and the size of your operation may require a larger coverage limit than standard.
WHO MAY NEED MORE COVERAGE
Certain businesses, like those in health care, building, or selling goods, face bigger risks. These businesses often see the costliest insurance claims. When your business is part of these groups, think about getting more insurance to cover you. This is also true for businesses with more workers or your products and services reach more people.
Best General Liability Insurance in Missouri: Bottom Line
Overall the best general liability insurance companies in Missouri are Nationwide, The Hartford, and NEXT. Nationwide offers a monthly rate of $37 and an annual rate of $448 for sole proprietors. The Hartford and NEXT also provide competitive rates. However, we recommend comparing around yourself and getting plenty of quotes to ensure you get the best deal possible.
General Liability Insurance in Missouri: FAQ
Below, we address frequently asked questions regarding general liability insurance in Missouri: Understand basic coverage and its importance.
Which company has the best general liability insurance in Missouri?
MoneyGeek's best choice for general liability insurance in Missouri is Nationwide, which earned an overall score of 96 out of 100. However, the ideal insurance for you depends on various details, including your business size, number of employees, and specific coverage requirements.
Which company has the cheapest general liability insurance in Missouri?
For sole proprietors, Thimble offers the most affordable coverage at $24 per month ($288 per year). For LLCs, NEXT provides the cheapest option at $28 per month ($336 per year).
Does Missouri require businesses to have general liability insurance?
Missouri does not mandate general liability insurance for businesses by state law. You may need coverage to obtain professional licenses, sign contracts with larger companies, or lease office space.
How We Chose the Best General Liability Insurance Providers in Missouri
We broke down our scores into these categories and weights:
- LLC cost (55% of score)
- Sole proprietor cost (5% of score)
- Customer satisfaction (25% of score)
- Financial strength (10% of score)
- Quote process time (5% of score)
For all business insurance companies, we assumed software development industry LLCs with 20 employees. We based customer satisfaction and financial strength scores on NAIC and AM Best ratings. Quote process scores came from our MoneyGeek experts' personal experiences.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.