This question comes up a lot. So here is a breakdown for anyone shopping around or trying to budget for general liability coverage.

**What does $1 million in GL coverage actually mean?**

It doesn't mean you have a blanket $1M to use however you like. Most policies are structured like this:

* **$1M per-occurrence limit**—the most your insurer pays for a single covered incident (a slip-and-fall, property damage, a libel claim, etc.)
* **$2M aggregate limit**—the most your insurer pays for all claims combined over the policy term

So $1M/$2M is a common structure, and it's often the minimum required before clients will sign a contract with you.

**What does $1 million in general liability coverage cover?**

A standard GL policy typically covers:

* Third-party property damage
* Third-party bodily injury
* Advertising injury (libel, slander, copyright infringement)
* Faulty products that cause harm or damage

Note: it does **not** cover professional mistakes or errors—that's what professional liability (E&O) insurance is for.

**How much does it cost?**

Based on Simply Business GL policies sold in the second half of 2025, the median monthly cost for $1 million in general liability coverage is around **$42/month**. 

That said, costs vary a lot by profession. Here's a sample from our data:

|Profession|Median Monthly Cost|
|:-|:-|
|Photographer / videographer|$16.67|
|Disc jockey|$16.67|
|Consultant / coach|$25.83|
|Landscaping|$32.67|
|Electrician|$36.25|
|Janitorial services|$41.25|
|Painter|$45.83|
|Handyperson|$51.25|
|General contractor|$81.83|
|Plumber|$92.38|
|Roofer|$200.50|

Low-risk businesses (consultants, photographers, creatives) often pay under $30/month. High-risk trades like roofing and construction sit much higher.

**What affects your rate?**

Five main factors:

1. **Business type**—higher-risk industries pay more
2. **Revenue**—higher earnings can mean higher premiums
3. **Location**—local laws and litigation rates matter
4. **Size of your physical space**—larger, public-facing spaces increase risk
5. **Claims history**—a clean record can help keep costs down

**Can you get this type of general liability coverage under $50/month?**

Yes—most small businesses can get $1 million in general liability coverage for under $50/mo. If you're in a low-to-moderate risk profession, it's very achievable.

Learn more the factors that go into getting[ $1 million in general liability coverage](https://www.simplybusiness.com/business-insurance/general-liability-insurance/one-million-liability-insurance-cost/?utm_source=Reddit&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=reddit_advice).  





How much does $1 Million in general liability insurance actually cost?