Our research team compiled answers to common questions about best business insurance and general liability coverage in Missouri. These insights come from MoneyGeek's detailed analysis of policies and providers:
Best General Liability Insurance in Missouri
The Hartford leads Missouri general liability insurance, while Simply Business offers the lowest rates starting at $83 per month.
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Updated: February 1, 2026
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Commercial General Liability Insurance in Missouri: Fast Answers
Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Missouri?
The Hartford and ERGO NEXT tie as Missouri's best general liability insurers, both earning 4.55 out of 5 scores. The Hartford charges $89 monthly with fast claims processing. ERGO NEXT costs $102 monthly and provides strong digital tools plus responsive customer service.
Who offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Missouri?
The cheapest general liability insurance companies in Missouri are:
- Simply Business: $83 per month
- The Hartford: $89 per month
- Nationwide: $96 per month
- Progressive: $99 per month
- ERGO NEXT: $102 per month
Do Missouri businesses legally need general liability insurance?
Missouri doesn't require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. But contractors, electricians and other licensed professionals often need coverage to keep their licenses. Local cities can set their own rules and landlords plus clients usually demand proof of insurance before contracts.
How much does general liability insurance cost in Missouri?
General liability insurance costs between $17 and $911 per month for small Missouri businesses with two employees. Drone businesses see some of the lowest rates, while pressure washing companies often pay the highest premiums. Your actual cost depends on your specific industry, business location, coverage limits and company size.
Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Missouri
The Hartford and ERGO NEXT are our top picks for Missouri general liability insurance. The Hartford combines affordable rates with financial strength. ERGO NEXT ranks highest for customer service. Nationwide offers competitive prices and solid support for small businesses statewide.
| The Hartford | 4.55 | $89 |
| ERGO NEXT | 4.55 | $102 |
| Nationwide | 4.51 | $96 |
| Simply Business | 4.47 | $83 |
| Coverdash | 4.36 | $102 |
| Thimble | 4.35 | $106 |
| biBERK | 4.28 | $113 |
| Progressive Commercial | 4.26 | $99 |
| Chubb | 4.25 | $118 |
| Hiscox | 4.17 | $113 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect MoneyGeek's analysis of small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries. Actual rates vary based on your business location, industry risk factors, claims history, coverage limits and individual insurer underwriting criteria. Contact insurers directly for personalized quotes.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BEST BUSINESS INSURANCE IN MISSOURI
General liability insurance shields Missouri businesses from customer injury and property damage claims, but comprehensive protection requires additional coverage types. Explore these related insurance guides:
Best Missouri General Liability Insurance Reviews
Finding the best general liability insurance in Missouri requires looking beyond just affordable rates. Coverage quality and customer service matter too. Our research identified the top business insurers based on these important factors.
The Hartford
Best Missouri General Liability Insurer
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly General Liability Premium
$89These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
4.5/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.5/5
Nationwide
Best Missouri Commercial General Liability: Runner-Up
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.6/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly General Liability Premium
$96These rates are for small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries or business types and focus solely on general liability policies.Our Survey: Claims Process
3.9/5Our Survey: Likely to Be Recommended to Others
4.3/5
Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Missouri
Simply Business offers the cheapest general liability insurance in Missouri at $83 per month, saving businesses $18 or 17.4% compared to the state average. The Hartford and Nationwide also provide affordable coverage options.
| Simply Business | $83 | $1,001 |
| The Hartford | $89 | $1,069 |
| Nationwide | $96 | $1,153 |
| Progressive Commercial | $99 | $1,189 |
| ERGO NEXT | $102 | $1,225 |
| Coverdash | $102 | $1,229 |
| Thimble | $106 | $1,274 |
| Hiscox | $113 | $1,356 |
| biBERK | $113 | $1,357 |
| Chubb | $118 | $1,412 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and focus solely on general liability policies. Your premium depends on where your business is located, what industry you're in, how much coverage you choose and other factors insurers consider. Available options differ by state.
Cheapest General Liability Insurance in Missouri by Industry
MoneyGeek's research identifies the top five most affordable general liability insurance providers across Missouri industries.
- Simply Business tops the affordability rankings in 18 industries statewide. The provider excels with professional services like accountants, lawyers and consultants, plus home-based businesses and specialized sectors.
- ERGO NEXT offers the cheapest coverage in 15 industries across Missouri. The company performs well for tech businesses, healthcare services like dental practices and specialized trades including welding and pest control.
- biBerk ranks as the most affordable option in 13 industries. This provider leads in construction and contracting work, plus hospitality, trucking and veterinary services.
- Thimble provides the lowest rates for 11 Missouri industries. The company shows strong results for construction, HVAC, roofing and various service-based businesses.
- Progressive and The Hartford each win six industries for general liability affordability. Progressive dominates retail and food service sectors, while The Hartford leads in electrical work and food-related businesses.
Data filtered by:
Accountants
| Accountants | Simply Business | $13 | $150 |
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Missouri
General liability insurance costs Missouri small businesses an average of $101 per month. The average cost of general liability coverage depends on your industry, business size, location and coverage limits.
Manufacturing companies often pay higher premiums because of increased risk exposure, while accounting firms usually pay less due to lower liability risks. Sole proprietors generally pay lower rates compared to businesses with employees since they have fewer liability exposures.
Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Missouri by Industry
Monthly rates for general liability coverage in Missouri vary widely by industry. Drone businesses pay as little as $17 per month, while pressure washing companies can pay up to $911 monthly. Review this table to find typical rates for your specific business type.
Data filtered by:
Select
| Accountants | $22 | $263 |
| Ad Agency | $35 | $422 |
| Automotive | $53 | $634 |
| Auto Repair | $151 | $1,808 |
| Bakery | $90 | $1,075 |
| Barber | $44 | $529 |
| Beauty Salon | $66 | $797 |
| Bounce House | $70 | $836 |
| Candle | $54 | $647 |
| Cannabis | $66 | $797 |
| Catering | $87 | $1,045 |
| Cleaning | $132 | $1,579 |
| Coffee Shop | $89 | $1,068 |
| Computer Programming | $29 | $346 |
| Computer Repair | $47 | $567 |
| Construction | $174 | $2,086 |
| Consulting | $22 | $262 |
| Contractor | $253 | $3,035 |
| Courier | $194 | $2,327 |
| Daycare | $33 | $391 |
| Dental | $21 | $255 |
| DJ | $25 | $303 |
| Dog Grooming | $63 | $753 |
| Drone | $17 | $198 |
| Ecommerce | $72 | $866 |
| Electrical | $112 | $1,346 |
| Engineering | $39 | $472 |
| Excavation | $460 | $5,519 |
| Florist | $43 | $511 |
| Food | $107 | $1,284 |
| Food Truck | $141 | $1,695 |
| Funeral Home | $60 | $718 |
| Gardening | $112 | $1,340 |
| Handyman | $242 | $2,907 |
| Home-based | $24 | $283 |
| Home-based | $46 | $546 |
| Hospitality | $65 | $776 |
| HVAC | $243 | $2,922 |
| Janitorial | $136 | $1,633 |
| Jewelry | $40 | $481 |
| Junk Removal | $161 | $1,932 |
| Lawn/Landscaping | $120 | $1,436 |
| Lawyers | $23 | $272 |
| Manufacturing | $64 | $762 |
| Marine | $28 | $334 |
| Massage | $95 | $1,142 |
| Mortgage Broker | $23 | $272 |
| Moving | $123 | $1,476 |
| Nonprofit | $36 | $427 |
| Painting | $142 | $1,707 |
| Party Rental | $79 | $944 |
| Personal Training | $24 | $285 |
| Pest Control | $32 | $384 |
| Pet | $55 | $663 |
| Pharmacy | $61 | $735 |
| Photography | $24 | $288 |
| Physical Therapy | $110 | $1,315 |
| Plumbing | $359 | $4,312 |
| Pressure Washing | $911 | $10,933 |
| Real Estate | $53 | $633 |
| Restaurant | $144 | $1,725 |
| Retail | $65 | $776 |
| Roofing | $385 | $4,625 |
| Security | $136 | $1,638 |
| Snack Bars | $116 | $1,397 |
| Software | $26 | $314 |
| Spa/Wellness | $107 | $1,282 |
| Speech Therapist | $31 | $373 |
| Startup | $29 | $342 |
| Tech/IT | $26 | $314 |
| Transportation | $37 | $447 |
| Travel | $21 | $248 |
| Tree Service | $127 | $1,526 |
| Trucking | $102 | $1,220 |
| Tutoring | $30 | $361 |
| Veterinary | $44 | $533 |
| Wedding Planning | $28 | $331 |
| Welding | $163 | $1,960 |
| Wholesale | $44 | $531 |
| Window Cleaning | $158 | $1,898 |
How Did We Determine These Rates?
These rates reflect small businesses with two employees across 79 major industries and focus solely on general liability policies. Your premium depends on where your business is located, what industry you're in, how much coverage you choose and other factors insurers consider. Available options differ by state.
What Factors Affect Missouri General Liability Insurance Costs?
Many important factors affect what Missouri businesses pay for general liability insurance.
Missouri Severe Weather and Natural Disaster Risk
Missouri saw 120 billion-dollar weather disasters from 1980-2024. Catastrophic events jumped from 2.7 to 8.2 per year. Wind and hail damage cause most insured losses. 2025 losses will likely hit $1.8 billion.
Storm-damaged property exposes you to premises liability. Collapsed structures, debris and unsafe conditions injure customers and visitors. Kansas City, St. Louis and Jefferson City businesses pay more because storms hit these areas harder.
Missouri Legal and Regulatory Environment
Missouri's five-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases keeps claim exposure open longer than most states. Insurers must hold bigger reserves, which adds uncertainty. Non-economic damage caps (§538.210) help control some costs, but multi-million dollar verdicts for economic damages keep pushing rates up.
Social inflation, attorney ads and third-party litigation funding boost both claim numbers and payouts. Electricians and electrical sign contractors must carry $300,000/$600,000 general liability coverage. The state knows these trades carry real risks.
Missouri Geographic and Medical Cost Variations
Kansas City and St. Louis charge much higher rates. More people, traffic and pedestrians mean more claims. Urban medical bills run higher than rural costs, so bodily injury claims cost more when customers get hurt at your business.
Cities also see bigger legal fees and settlements. Missouri has 520,000 small businesses split between urban and rural areas. Each market has different risk levels. Where you're located directly affects what you pay.
Missouri Industry Composition and Economic Profile
Manufacturing makes up 13% of Missouri's $280 billion economy. This sector faces higher product liability, premises liability and operations liability risks. The state's $93.7 billion agriculture sector and $12.4 billion food processing industry add contamination and agribusiness liability concerns. Missouri's spot as a transportation hub means more warehouse and distribution liability.
Construction rules require electricians and electrical sign contractors to carry completed operations coverage. You're liable even after finishing the job. Missouri ranks 3rd nationally for industrial diversity, so insurers handle multiple high-risk sectors at once.
How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Missouri?
Missouri doesn't require most businesses to carry general liability insurance, though certain licensed trades must maintain coverage. Understanding the requirements for commercial general liability insurance helps you determine whether state law mandates coverage for your specific profession. Cities and counties can also impose local insurance requirements beyond state mandates.
Missouri’s state-level requirements include:
Missouri public liability insurance requirements for licensed electricians
Missouri requires minimum coverage of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. Completed operations coverage is mandatory.
Missouri public liability insurance requirements for electrical sign contractors
Coverage must match electrician requirements at $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 annual aggregate. You'll also need completed operations protection.
For businesses without mandated requirements, a $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate policy represents the industry standard. This coverage level satisfies most commercial leases and client contracts while providing adequate financial protection.
Note: State insurance rules change often. Check current requirements with the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance or talk with a licensed agent before purchasing coverage.
How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Missouri
Get business insurance by first reviewing your liability risks and coverage needs. Compare policy limits, deductibles and premium costs across Missouri insurers to find protection that fits your operations without stretching your budget.
- 1Assess Coverage Needs
Missouri requires licensed electricians and electrical sign contractors to carry minimum business insurance limits of $300,000 per occurrence and $600,000 in annual aggregate coverage. Businesses without state requirements often select $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate to reduce liability exposure.
Check commercial lease agreements and client contracts carefully, as many landlords in Kansas City and St. Louis require proof of coverage before approving a lease or project.
- 2Prepare Business Information
Insurers in Missouri use your business classification code, annual revenue, employee count and physical location to calculate premiums. Industry risk plays a major role, with construction and manufacturing businesses often paying higher rates due to increased liability exposure. Gather your EIN, Missouri business registration and recent tax records before requesting quotes to speed up underwriting.
- 3Compare Multiple Quotes
Request quotes from at least three insurers licensed in Missouri to compare business insurance costs accurately. Premium differences can reach 30% or more for identical coverage because underwriting standards vary by carrier. Compare limits, deductibles and whether defense costs apply separately or reduce your policy limits.
- 4Look Beyond Price
Low-cost business insurance without adequate coverage increases financial risk. Compare insurers based on claims-handling history, customer support and coverage scope rather than monthly premiums alone. Missouri businesses should review exclusions, defense cost terms and financial strength ratings before choosing a policy.
- 5Verify Insurer Credibility
Confirm insurer licensing through the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance before purchasing coverage. Check AM Best ratings and target companies with A- or higher financial strength. Review complaint data through state regulators to spot patterns of delayed or disputed claims.
- 6Ask About Discounts
Missouri insurers often reduce premiums when you bundle general liability with commercial property or auto coverage. Claims-free histories, safety programs and annual payment options can also lower costs. Security systems and employee safety training signal lower risk and may qualify your business for added discounts.
- 7Get Certificate of Insurance
Many Missouri leases and client contracts require a certificate of insurance before work begins. Insurers usually issue digital certificates the same day or within 48 hours. Keep agent contact details accessible, as contractors in Kansas City and St. Louis often need certificates quickly for bids and compliance checks.
- 8Review Coverage Annually
Missouri’s weather risks and rising legal costs make annual coverage reviews important. Request updated quotes 60 to 90 days before renewal, especially after adding staff, expanding services or increasing revenue. Keeping coverage current helps avoid compliance gaps and prevents costly premium audits as your business grows.
Top General Liability Insurance in Missouri: Bottom Line
Finding quality general liability insurance in Missouri starts with understanding your specific business needs and researching providers thoroughly. The Hartford, ERGO NEXT and Nationwide lead the market, but your ideal choice depends on your industry, business size and budget. Compare multiple quotes and verify each insurer's licensing and credentials before making your final decision.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. "DCI Director: Insured Losses From 2025 Catastrophic Weather Events in Missouri Approaching $2 Billion." Accessed February 4, 2026.
- Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance. "Severe Weather Causes Continued Rise in Homeowners Insurance Premiums." Accessed February 4, 2026.
- Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. "Industry Research." Accessed February 4, 2026.
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes. "Section 516.120 - What Actions Within Five Years." Accessed February 4, 2026.
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes. "Section 538.210 - No Common Law Cause of Action — Limitation on Noneconomic Damages." Accessed February 4, 2026.
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. "Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | Missouri." Accessed February 4, 2026.