The average, up front
Insureon’s small business customers pay a median of $45 a month ($542 a year) for general liability, $88 a month for professional liability (E&O), and $83 a month for a business owner’s policy (BOP). Solo businesses buying a single policy often pay less.
Averages are useful for one thing: telling you whether a quote you receive is in the normal range or wildly off. This page collects the 2026 averages in one place, by policy type and by profession, then shows the handful of factors that decide whether your business lands above or below them. If you already have a quote from an insurer, broker or agent, the tables below show whether it sits in the normal range.
Average monthly cost by policy type
These are the national medians Insureon publishes for its small business customers, most of whom have fewer than 5 employees and under $100k in revenue, at standard $1 million per-occurrence limits.
| Policy type | Median monthly cost | How prices spread | Advertised from (Hiscox) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability | $45 | 22% pay under $30, 63% under $60 | ~$29/mo |
| Professional liability (E&O) | $88 | 43% pay under $75, 71% under $150 | $22.50/mo |
| Business owner’s policy (BOP) | $83 | 25% pay under $50, 58% under $100 | ~$42/mo |
| Workers’ compensation | $54 | 47% pay under $50, 71% under $100 | - |
| Cyber liability | $129 | 41% pay under $100 | - |
Insureon’s published national medians for its small business customers, beside Hiscox’s advertised starting prices. Workers’ comp is priced on payroll. Not quotes.
The two lines most small businesses actually buy have their own deep dives: the average cost of general liability insurance ($45/mo median, and what a $1 million policy really runs) and the average BOP insurance cost ($83/mo median, and when bundling beats separate policies).
Average cost by profession
Industry is the single biggest input to your premium, because insurers price the risk of the work itself. These are the median monthly premiums Insureon publishes for each type of business:
| Business type | General liability | BOP | E&O |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal trainer or fitness | $29 | $59 | $42 |
| Massage therapist | $30 | $82 | $42 |
| Photographer or videographer | $29 | $47 | not published |
| Consultant | $32 | $61 | $62 |
| Real estate agent | $33 | $58 | $68 |
| IT or software developer | $37 | $46 | $110 |
| Retail shop | $42 | $95 | not published |
| Online store (e-commerce) | $42 | $95 | not published |
| Cleaning or janitorial | $48 | $76 | not published |
| Landscaping or lawn care | $51 | $94 | not published |
| General contractor | $162 | not published | not published |
| Restaurant or café | $141 | $251 | not published |
Estimates from Insureon’s published medians for each business type, monthly. “Not published” means Insureon gives no figure for that cover and type, so the national median applies. Not quotes.
State matters too, since rates and contract requirements are set locally. Two worked examples: our guide to insurance for massage therapists in Hawaii shows a wellness trade landing at the cheap end of the table, even with resort contract requirements, while professional liability for consultants in Vermont shows how state contract terms can push a one-policy solo business toward a two-policy package.
General liability vs a BOP, which average applies to you?
The most common pricing decision for a first policy is between standalone general liability (median $45 a month) and a business owner’s policy (median $83 a month). The difference is property coverage: a BOP bundles general liability with protection for your gear, inventory, and premises.
- Home-based or service-only business with little equipment? Standalone general liability, often paired with E&O if you give advice, is the cheaper, better fit. Insureon’s medians for the pair are $45 and $88 a month.
- Own a space, a vehicle full of tools, or inventory? A BOP usually costs meaningfully less than buying liability and property separately, which is why property-carrying businesses default to it.
Not sure which coverages you actually need before you price them? Start with our plain-English general liability vs professional liability vs BOP guide. Already know which one you want? Go straight to general liability pricing or BOP pricing.
Hiscox vs. a typical small business insurer
Price is only part of the comparison: how you get a quote and who stands behind the policy matter too. The table below sets Hiscox, the insurer we have a referral partnership with, against a typical small-business insurer. A direct online insurer suits a simple, low-risk business that knows which cover it wants; a broker or local agent can compare several insurers, which suits businesses with staff, vehicles or higher-risk work.
| What to compare | Hiscox Referral partner | Typical small-business insurer |
|---|---|---|
| Advertised starting price | Shown in the policy table above | Insureon’s medians are $88/mo for E&O, $45/mo for general liability |
| Getting a quote | Online form, price shown on screen | Online, through a broker, or through an agent |
| Financial strength | A (Excellent) from AM Best | Varies by carrier |
| Policies quoted online | General liability, professional liability and BOP | Varies by carrier |
| Availability | 49 states + Washington DC (not Alaska) | Varies by state |
Hiscox column reflects its advertised pricing and AM Best rating, last checked August 2026; “typical insurer” column reflects the Insureon medians cited on this page. Hiscox is our sponsored partner: see the disclosure at the top of this page.
What moves you off the average
- Industry. The tables above show the spread: the same $1 million limit costs a bookkeeper (a $30 median for general liability) a fraction of what it costs a general contractor ($162).
- Revenue and payroll. More business means more exposure; workers’ comp is priced directly off payroll.
- Employees. Each hire adds workers’ comp cost, and most states make the coverage mandatory with your first employee.
- Limits and deductible. $1M/$2M is the small-business standard. Higher limits raise the price, though not by much: Insureon’s customers who choose $2M/$4M pay a median of $46 a month against $45. A higher deductible lowers it.
- State. Rates vary meaningfully by location, and local wind, fire, and crime risk moves anything with property coverage.
- Claims history. A clean record keeps you in the cheaper tiers; recent claims can raise premiums for three to five years.
For the levers that push your premium below average (bundling, paying annually, re-quoting yearly) see the full breakdown in how much does small business insurance cost?
Where these numbers come from
The medians on this page are the ones Insureon publishes from the policies its small business customers buy, most of whom have fewer than 5 employees and under $100k in revenue (full list of sources). The starting prices are the ones Hiscox publishes on its own site, last checked July 2026. Treat them as a planning benchmark: the only number that applies to your business is the one on a real quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of small business insurance per month?
Insureon’s small business customers pay a median of $45 a month for general liability, $88 for E&O and $83 for a BOP. A solo business buying one policy can pay less.
What is the average cost of general liability insurance?
Insureon’s small business customers pay a median of $45 a month at standard $1 million limits; 22% pay under $30 and 63% under $60.
Why does a BOP cost more than general liability alone?
Because it bundles general liability with commercial property coverage. At a median of $83 a month it costs more than GL alone, but usually less than buying liability and property separately.
What is the average insurance cost for an LLC with no employees?
Usually general liability plus, if you give advice, E&O. Insureon’s medians are $45 and $88 a month, and a one-person business under $100k usually sits in the lower half of the range. Without employees, workers’ comp is generally not required, which keeps the total low.
What affects the average price the most?
Industry first, then revenue and payroll, employees, limits and deductible, state, and claims history.
Get a real price
These figures are estimates. Only an insurer can give you a real price.
Direct online insurer
Fill in a form and see a price on screen. Best for simple businesses.
Example: Hiscox. Rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. Sold in 49 states and DC.
Hiscox pays us when you get a quote. It does not change your price.
Online broker or marketplace
One form, several insurers compared. Best if you want more than one price.
Local independent agent
Talk it through by phone or in person. Best for higher-risk businesses.
Find an independent agent near you (free directory, no payment to us)
Disclaimer: Informational only, not insurance advice or a substitute for a licensed agent. Coverage descriptions are summaries; policy terms govern. Availability and pricing vary by state and business; all averages and ranges shown are illustrative benchmarks, not quotes or offers. Hiscox is available in 49 states and DC, not Alaska.