What Is Nationwide?
Nationwide’s commercial catalogue includes common small-business policies and separate specialty products. A catalogue listing does not establish eligibility or policy terms; confirm the issuing company and coverage for your state and business. 1,2,3
What Is The Hartford?
The Hartford suits SaaS and software small businesses seeking a BOP and an online quote; buyers needing commercial auto through self-service or built-in California EPL coverage should use another route. Eligible small-business quotes can start online in minutes. 5,6,7
What Is General Liability Insurance?
General liability can protect your business when a customer or visitor claims you caused injury or damaged their property. It suits businesses serving customers or working on their premises; your own building, tools and stock need property coverage. 10,11,12
Key Differences in General Liability Insurance
Products and package options
The Hartford says its GL may be purchased alone or in a BOP, includes product liability, and offers product recall only as an endorsement; it also lists bodily injury, property damage, advertising injury, and completed operations. Nationwide describes medical and legal costs and says product/completed-operations liability is available by endorsement. If you need recall protection or want a package, distinguish that request from ordinary product liability in both quotes. 8 4
Claims access and buyer fit
The Hartford names face-to-face businesses, client-property work, and several professions as target buyers, and provides a 24/7 claims line and online form. Nationwide says most businesses may be potential buyers and directs them to an agent. Ask which provider's proposed form fits your operations and how claims are reported after binding. 8 9 4
What to Confirm in General Liability Insurance Quotes
- Ask The Hartford whether product recall is endorsed and confirm policy limits; ask Nationwide whether products/completed operations are included and how to report a claim.
Review Scores
These averages can combine ratings for different products, locations, and customer groups, including approximate BBB grade conversions. Read each review for the sources, scope, and calculation.
Nationwide
Review Score
4 rated sources
Experts like Nationwide more than customers do. NerdWallet gives it 4.5 out of 5 for business insurance, while small-business customers on ConsumerAffairs give it 2.5 out of 5 from 19 reviews.[1][10]
Read Nationwide reviewsThe Hartford
Review Score
5 rated sources
The Hartford’s service record is mixed: NerdWallet rates it 4.5/5 but reports below-average small-business satisfaction. Low Trustpilot ratings add a service concern, although they mix policy types.[1][2][4][5][6][7]
Read The Hartford reviewsOffering Details
Nationwide vs The Hartford: General Liability Insurance: documented features by provider
| Criteria | Nationwide general liability (official overview) | The Hartford General Liability Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Role in This Line | Nationwide describes offering general liability for the audience stated on the cited product page. 4Company-reported. general liability marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement. | The Hartford's general liability insurance (GLI), also called commercial general liability (CGL), helps protect small businesses from third-party claims of bodily injury or property damage. It can be bought as a stand-alone policy or bundled into a Business Owner's Policy. 8Company-reported. General liability product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| Who It’s For | Most businesses are identified as potential buyers; the source directs businesses to an agent to confirm their specific need. 4Company-reported. general liability marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement. | The Hartford markets GL coverage to businesses that meet clients face-to-face, work on or with client property, use third-party locations, or advertise, and names specific professions it targets, including architects, engineers, photographers, hair salons, gym owners, interior designers, technology companies, landscapers and real estate agents. 8Company-reported. General liability product page as read 2026-09-23. |
| Coverage Features | The cited product page describes medical expenses, attorney fees, and damages for covered liability claims, with product and completed-operations liability available as an endorsement option. Marketing description only; actual coverage, exclusions, conditions, limits, and availability depend on the issued policy and jurisdiction. 4Company-reported. general liability marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement. | The Hartford lists key coverages under its GL policy: bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury (like libel or false advertising claims), legal fees/judgments/settlements, copyright infringement in advertising, products-completed operations (claims after a job is finished), and medical payments for minor injuries regardless of fault. Product liability coverage is included as part of the GL policy, while product recall is available only as an endorsement. 8Company-reported. General liability product page as read 2026-09-23. Coverage descriptions are general; the issued policy controls. |
| Limits and Retentions | The cited overview does not set a universal limit or retention for this line. Ask for the proposed policy form, limits, retentions, exclusions, and conditions in the quote. 4Not publicly disclosed. Only the cited marketing page was reviewed for published limit and retention information; no policy-form entitlement is inferred. | The Hartford reports average GL premiums of about $810 a year ($67 a month) for its customers, and says cost varies by business type, revenue, employee count, location, coverage limits/deductibles and claims history; the page does not publish standard limit or deductible amounts. 8Company-reported. Company-reported average as of 2026-09-23; not a specific quote. |
| How to Apply | The page directs prospective customers to contact an agent or request a quote. The page does not establish a quote, bind, or coverage-effective timeline. 4Company-reported. general liability marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement. | Confirm in your quote. |
| Claims Support | Confirm in your quote. | The Hartford provides a 24/7 general liability claims phone line (800-327-3636) and an online claim form, with a policy-type selector that also covers cyber, employee benefits, property and workers' compensation claims. 9Company-reported. GL claims page as read 2026-09-23. Describes intake channels, not claim outcomes. |
Full Comparison
More Nationwide vs The Hartford Comparisons
Other General Liability Insurance Comparisons
Sources
Nationwide
- Small Business Insurance. Nationwide; Small business products and solutions, lines 185–214: BOP, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, umbrella, EPLI, cyber and surety; purchase guidance lines 235–247. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Small Business Insurance Solutions for Agents. Nationwide; Specialized small commercial solutions: BOP, auto, workers’ compensation, cyber, EPLI, umbrella, inland marine and professional liability; page states appetite varies by state, lines 129–163, 191–193. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- Terms and Conditions for Nationwide.com. Nationwide; P&C products not offered by all companies/states; policy/declarations control; NMI and affiliates may underwrite; each underwriter responsible for own products, lines 358–368 and 391–394. Accessed 2026-09-29.
- General Liability Insurance – Nationwide. Nationwide; General liability overview; covered expenses and endorsements; product and completed-operations liability. Accessed 2026-09-30.
The Hartford
- Legal Notice. The Hartford; The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. holding-company description; no representation that all products are available in all locations; P&C writing-company table as of December 31, 2025 including Hartford Fire (NAIC 19682) and Hartford Underwriters (NAIC 30104); life writing companies including Hartford Life and Accident (NAIC 70815). Accessed 2026-09-16.
- SaaS Insurance for Your Business. The Hartford; Audience list (software startups, SaaS, IT consulting); Get a Business Owner’s Policy; What Is Business Owner’s Policy Insurance?; general liability introduction and Get a Quote; Get Commercial Property Insurance; Commercial Property Insurance for Your Business; Benefits of The Hartford’s WC Insurance for Employers and Employees; cyber insurance and data breach descriptions; Get a quote for cyber insurance; EPLI introduction and Private Choice Premier; add-ons (workers’ compensation, data breach, commercial auto); technology professional liability mention; small-business availability banner; industry-average premium footnote; footnote 2 state restrictions; footer product-availability disclosure. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Find a Local Insurance Agent. The Hartford; Small-business and midsize agent locators; FAQ that buyers can purchase without an agent by calling or quoting online; statement that agents may charge fees. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- General Liability Insurance. The Hartford; What Is General Liability Insurance?; How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?; Key Coverages; Examples of General Liability Coverage; Bundle It All With a BOP; Who Needs General Liability Insurance? Accessed 2026-09-23.
- General Liability Claims | File A Claim. The Hartford; 24/7 phone 800-327-3636; online general-liability claim form. Accessed 2026-09-23.
General Liability Insurance Guide
- Commercial general liability insurance. Insurance Information Institute; Coverage A; Coverage B; Coverage C; Purchasing commercial general liability insurance. Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Commercial Insurance Guide. California Department of Insurance; Commercial General Liability; Commercial Automobile; What Should I Expect from a Broker-Agent?; How Are Commercial Policies Rated? Accessed 2026-09-16.
- Commercial General Liability Coverage Form. ISO; specimen hosted by Hiscox; I.A pp.1–5; I.B pp.6–7; I.C pp.7–8; Supplementary Payments p.8; II pp.9–10; III p.10; IV pp.10–12. Accessed 2026-09-16.





