How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost in Florida? (2026 Rates)
General liability insurance in Florida costs $30–$85 per month for most small businesses. But your actual rate depends on your industry, revenue, and claims history. Here's a detailed breakdown with real numbers.
What Does General Liability Insurance Actually Cover?
Before we talk about cost, let's make sure we're on the same page about what general liability (GL) insurance does. It protects your business against claims of:
- Bodily injury — A customer slips and falls at your business
- Property damage — You accidentally damage a client's property while working
- Personal and advertising injury — Libel, slander, copyright infringement in your advertising
- Medical payments — Small medical bills for injured third parties, regardless of fault
- Legal defense costs — Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements
General liability does not cover employee injuries (that's workers' comp), professional mistakes (that's E&O insurance), or your own property (that's commercial property insurance).
Florida General Liability Insurance Costs by Industry
Your industry is the single biggest factor in your GL premium. Here's what Florida businesses typically pay in 2026:
| Industry | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | Why This Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office/Consulting | $25–$45 | $300–$540 | Low physical risk, minimal foot traffic |
| Retail Store | $35–$65 | $420–$780 | Customer foot traffic increases slip-and-fall risk |
| Restaurant/Bar | $75–$150 | $900–$1,800 | Food liability, alcohol service, high foot traffic |
| General Contractor | $100–$250 | $1,200–$3,000 | High physical risk, property damage exposure |
| Landscaping | $60–$120 | $720–$1,440 | Property damage risk, equipment use |
| Cleaning/Janitorial | $40–$80 | $480–$960 | Working in clients' spaces, property damage risk |
| IT/Technology | $30–$50 | $360–$600 | Low physical risk (but consider E&O separately) |
| Real Estate Agent | $30–$55 | $360–$660 | Moderate risk from property showings |
| Personal Trainer/Gym | $50–$100 | $600–$1,200 | Bodily injury risk from physical activity |
| Plumber/Electrician | $80–$175 | $960–$2,100 | Property damage risk, working in occupied spaces |
What Determines Your Exact Premium?
Insurance companies use several factors to calculate your GL rate:
1. Industry Classification Code
Your business is assigned a classification code that reflects its risk level. A yoga studio has a very different risk profile than a demolition contractor. Make sure your business is classified correctly — misclassification is one of the most common reasons businesses overpay.
2. Annual Revenue
Most GL policies are rated based on your gross annual revenue. Higher revenue generally means more customer interactions and more exposure, so higher premiums. A $200,000/year business will pay less than a $2,000,000/year business in the same industry.
3. Number of Employees
More employees = more potential for liability claims. Some policies are rated per employee rather than per revenue.
4. Claims History
If you've filed GL claims in the past 3-5 years, expect to pay more. A clean claims history can qualify you for significant discounts.
5. Coverage Limits
The standard GL policy provides:
- $1,000,000 per occurrence — Maximum paid for a single claim
- $2,000,000 aggregate — Maximum paid for all claims in a policy year
Higher limits cost more. Lower limits save money but increase your risk. For most small businesses, the standard $1M/$2M limits are appropriate.
6. Location
Florida businesses generally pay more than the national average due to our litigation environment. Businesses in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties typically pay the highest rates in the state.
General Liability vs. Business Owner's Policy (BOP)
Here's something most business owners don't realize: buying a BOP is almost always cheaper than buying GL alone.
A Business Owner's Policy bundles:
- General liability insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Business interruption insurance
| Option | Typical Monthly Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| GL Only | $45–$85 | Liability coverage only |
| BOP (GL + Property + BI) | $57–$147 | Liability + property + business interruption |
That's right — for roughly the same price as standalone GL, you can get property and business interruption coverage included. The catch? You need to have a physical business location or business personal property to qualify.
Most small businesses with a physical location should buy a BOP instead of standalone GL.
How to Get the Best GL Rate in Florida
Shop Multiple Carriers
This is the single most important thing you can do. GL rates vary dramatically between carriers. We regularly see 30-40% differences in quotes for the same business.
Bundle Into a BOP
As mentioned above, bundling saves money. If you qualify, always get a BOP quote alongside your standalone GL quote.
Maintain a Clean Claims Record
Even one GL claim can increase your premium by 15-25% at renewal. For minor incidents, consider whether filing a claim is worth the long-term premium impact.
Review Your Classification
Make sure your business is classified under the correct code. If you're a software company classified as a general contractor, you're paying 5-10x more than you should.
Ask About Payment Plans
Many carriers offer monthly payment plans with little or no additional cost. This helps with cash flow without increasing your total premium.
Do You Need General Liability Insurance in Florida?
Florida doesn't legally require most businesses to carry general liability insurance. However, you'll almost certainly need it because:
- Landlords require it — Most commercial leases require $1M in GL coverage
- Clients require it — Many contracts, especially government and corporate, require proof of GL
- Lenders require it — SBA loans and most business loans require GL coverage
- It protects your assets — Without GL, a single lawsuit could bankrupt your business
The Bottom Line
General liability insurance is one of the most important — and most affordable — coverages for Florida businesses. Most small businesses pay $30–$85 per month, and bundling into a BOP can save you even more.
The key is shopping multiple carriers. As an independent agency with access to 40+ carriers, we consistently find our clients better rates than they were paying before.
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Not sure what coverage you need? Call us at (904) 900-5063. We'll walk you through it — no pressure, no obligation.
Ricardo Alonso
Founder, Atesa Risk Advisors
Ricardo is a RamseyTrusted insurance advisor with a Harvard ALM in Finance. He founded Atesa Risk Advisors to bring honest, independent insurance guidance to Florida businesses and individuals.