Key Takeaways

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The Hartford, NEXT and Nationwide lead Montana's general liability insurance market.

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Your business specifics and coverage requirements will help you decide on the best provider.

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Compare quotes from several insurers, research their financial stability, check customer reviews and verify licensing to find quality coverage.

Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Montana

The Hartford tops our rankings for general liability insurance in Montana, delivering a balance of affordable rates and reliable service. NEXT and Nationwide are good alternatives.

The Hartford4.58$81
NEXT4.56$103
Nationwide4.54$97
Simply Business4.50$95
Thimble4.40$107
Coverdash4.39$103
biBERK4.30$114
Progressive Commercial4.29$100
Chubb4.27$118
Hiscox4.19$114

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Compare Small Business Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Why do we need ZIP code?
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LEARN MORE ABOUT BUSINESS INSURANCE

Comprehensive business protection in Montana requires more than just general liability insurance. Review these related coverage options:

Best Montana Small Business Insurance Reviews

To help you choose the right general liability insurance, we've analyzed what makes our top providers stand out for small business owners.

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The Hartford

Best Overall Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.5/5Affordability
4.6/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $81
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    4.5/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.5/5
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NEXT

Runner-Up Best Provider

MoneyGeek Rating
4.6/ 5
4.3/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.8/5Coverage Options
  • Average Monthly Premium

    $103
  • Our Survey: Claims Process

    3.9/5
  • Recommend to Others

    4.8/5

Cheapest General Liability Insurance Companies in Montana

The Hartford offers the most affordable general liability insurance in Montana, with coverage starting at $81 monthly or $977 annually. Small business owners seeking budget-friendly options can also consider Simply Business and Nationwide.

The Hartford$81$977
Simply Business$95$1,144
Nationwide$97$1,159
Progressive Commercial$100$1,196
NEXT$103$1,231
Coverdash$103$1,235
Thimble$107$1,281
Hiscox$114$1,363
biBERK$114$1,363
Chubb$118$1,420

How Did We Determine These Rates?

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance in Montana

General liability insurance in Montana costs an average of $103 monthly or $1,228 annually, which is similar to national rates. Your actual premium varies based on your industry risk level, business size and claims history. Construction companies typically face much higher costs than lower-risk businesses due to increased liability exposure.

Average Cost of General Liability Insurance by Industry

General liability insurance costs vary dramatically by industry in Montana. Pressure washing businesses face the highest monthly premiums at $916, while drone companies pay the most affordable rates at just $17 per month. The table below shows how premiums differ across various business types throughout the state.

Accountants$22$265
Ad Agency$35$425
Automotive$53$640
Auto Repair$152$1,824
Bakery$90$1,085
Barber$44$532
Beauty Salon$67$802
Bounce House$70$843
Candle$55$659
Cannabis$67$805
Catering$88$1,052
Cleaning$133$1,590
Coffee Shop$90$1,077
Computer Programming$29$349
Computer Repair$48$572
Construction$175$2,105
Consulting$22$263
Contractor$255$3,060
Courier$196$2,346
Daycare$33$395
Dental$22$258
DJ$25$304
Dog Grooming$63$762
Drone$17$200
Ecommerce$73$878
Electrical$112$1,350
Engineering$40$478
Excavation$466$5,590
Florist$43$514
Food$108$1,292
Food Truck$142$1,701
Funeral Home$60$725
Gardening$112$1,349
Handyman$244$2,931
Home-based$24$285
Home-based$46$549
Hospitality$65$783
HVAC$245$2,945
Janitorial$137$1,646
Jewelry$40$484
Junk Removal$163$1,950
Lawn/Landscaping$120$1,443
Lawyers$23$274
Manufacturing$64$767
Marine$28$336
Massage$96$1,150
Mortgage Broker$23$275
Moving$124$1,489
Nonprofit$36$431
Painting$144$1,726
Party Rental$80$954
Personal Training$24$287
Pest Control$32$387
Pet$56$673
Pharmacy$62$742
Photography$24$290
Physical Therapy$110$1,323
Plumbing$362$4,340
Pressure Washing$916$10,989
Real Estate$53$638
Restaurant$145$1,741
Retail$65$785
Roofing$388$4,658
Security$139$1,670
Snack Bars$117$1,409
Software$26$316
Spa/Wellness$107$1,281
Speech Therapist$31$375
Startup$29$344
Tech/IT$26$317
Transportation$38$452
Travel$21$251
Tree Service$130$1,558
Trucking$103$1,231
Tutoring$30$363
Veterinary$45$538
Wedding Planning$28$333
Welding$165$1,979
Wholesale$45$536
Window Cleaning$159$1,912

How Did We Determine These Rates?

How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need in Montana?

Montana does not require most businesses to carry general liability insurance at the state level. Cities and counties can establish their own insurance requirements. Check with your local government offices to understand what rules apply in your specific area.

While the state keeps broad requirements minimal, certain licensed trades must maintain specific coverage.

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    Electricians

    Need minimum limits of $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate.

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    Electrical Sign Contractors

    Must carry $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate limits.

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    HVAC Contractors

    Basic HVAC licenses require minimum coverage of $50,000 per occurrence and $150,000 annual aggregate, while master-level contractors must maintain $100,000 per occurrence and $300,000 annual aggregate limits.

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    Fire Safety Companies

    Fire safety companies need minimum limits of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 annual aggregate.

General liability insurance becomes a business necessity even when Montana doesn't require it for licensing. Most commercial landlords demand proof of coverage before they'll lease space to your business. Large companies and government agencies typically won't work with contractors unless they can provide a current insurance certificate. Your coverage amounts should satisfy both your licensing requirements and client demands to keep business opportunities open.

How to Choose the Best General Liability Insurance in Montana

Choosing general liability insurance in Montana starts with identifying your business risks and finding affordable coverage that protects what matters most.

  1. 1

    Determine your coverage needs

    Research Montana's industry licensing requirements for your business type first.

  2. 2

    Prepare essential business information

    Gather details like annual revenue, employee count, business type and location before requesting quotes

  3. 3

    Collect multiple insurance quotes

    Request quotes from at least three different insurers to compare options.

  4. 4

    Examine policy terms carefully

    Focus on exclusions and coverage details. Some policies include legal defense expenses above your coverage limit.

  5. 5

    Verify insurer and agent credentials

    Use the Montana insurance department website to confirm licensing and check complaint records.

  6. 6

    Inquire about available discounts

    Ask about savings opportunities like safety program participation or policy bundling.

  7. 7

    Obtain your insurance certificate

    Request your certificate of insurance immediately after purchasing coverage.

How to Prevent General Liability Claims in Montana

Business owners never want to handle liability claims, but Montana companies can prevent most issues through smart preparation and proactive planning.

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    Watch out for property hazards

    Montana's harsh winters create serious slip and fall risks from October through April. Clear ice and clear snow after storms.

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    Train your people well

    Seasonal workers and new hires need consistent safety training to prevent workplace accidents.

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    Keep good records

    Document incidents immediately with photos, witness statements, and detailed written reports.

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    Get everything in writing

    Written contracts prevent misunderstandings about work scope, timelines and responsibilities.

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    Fix problems fast

    Address customer complaints and safety concerns immediately.

General Liability Insurance in Montana: Bottom Line

Selecting quality general liability insurance in Montana requires matching coverage to your specific business needs. The Hartford, NEXT, and Nationwide stand out as top providers in the state.

Commercial General Liability Insurance in Montana: FAQ

We've answered the most common questions about general liability insurance to help you make informed decisions.

What does general liability insurance cover for Montana businesses?

How much does general liability insurance cost in Montana?

Do Montana businesses legally need general liability insurance?

Which company offers the best general liability insurance in Montana?

What coverage limits should Montana businesses choose?

How can Montana businesses prevent general liability claims?

Can Montana businesses get discounts on general liability insurance?

How quickly can Montana businesses get general liability coverage?

What should Montana businesses do when filing a general liability claim?

How does general liability differ from professional liability coverage?

How We Scored the Best General Liability Insurance Companies in Montana

Montana businesses encounter specific liability challenges, from weather-related incidents to workplace injuries across diverse industries. We analyzed general liability providers to identify insurers offering dependable coverage at reasonable rates for small business owners.

What We Evaluated

  • Affordability (50%): Montana small businesses typically operate with limited budgets. We examined premium costs across multiple carriers because reasonable pricing determines whether businesses can maintain essential protection.
  • Customer experience (30%): Effective claims service is critical when accidents occur. We analyzed J.D. Power ratings, state complaint data, and independent agency feedback to assess how insurers treat policyholders during claim situations.
  • Coverage options (15%): Business risks vary across sectors. We evaluated how insurers customize general liability policies for different Montana enterprises, from retail shops to construction companies.
  • Financial strength (5%): Low premiums become meaningless if insurers cannot honor claims. We examined AM Best ratings and financial documentation to ensure recommended companies maintain solid financial foundations.

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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.


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