How to use these $2M CGL widgets

These mini‑benchmarks provide quick, reusable anchors for typical annual premiums (CAD) for $2,000,000 Commercial General Liability (CGL) by industry across Canada (excluding Quebec). They are intended for scannability and internal consistency; your actual price depends on risk profile, limits, and endorsements. For definitions and coverage scope, see our Commercial General Liability (CGL) hub.

Widget 1 — Retail & Ecommerce ($2M CGL)

Typical annual premium: CAD $450–$900
Low‑risk, low foot‑traffic ecommerce can fall near the floor; brick‑and‑mortar with higher visitor volume trends higher.
Updated: November 2025
Source signals (Canada):
Basic $2M CGL “starts at $450/yr” (broker data, small business).
“Majority” of $2M CGL policies for small/medium businesses land ~$450–$500/yr; some exceed $1,000.
General liability for small businesses commonly $30–$65/month ($360–$780/yr).
Explore coverage details: CGL hub

Widget 2 — Contractors & Trades ($2M CGL)

Typical annual premium: CAD $600–$1,200 for standard trades; higher‑risk trades (e.g., roofing, demo) often CAD $1,500–$3,000+
Market minimums exist; many Canadian brokers show entry points from ~$425–$540 for $2M CGL on low‑risk trade classes; averages cluster higher once tools, jobsite exposure, and endorsements are considered.
Updated: November 2025
Source signals (Canada):
Contractor CGL “starts from $450–$540/yr” for $2M limits (small/medium contractors).
Independent Ontario examples cite $2M contractor CGL from ~$425/yr; broader guides show $450–$1,000 typical, with high‑risk classes materially higher.
Several Canadian brokers publish contractor averages around ~$850/yr for $2M, with increases for higher limits and added coverages.
Explore coverage details: CGL hub

Widget 3 — Professional Services ($2M CGL)

Typical annual premium: CAD $360–$780
Home‑based consultants with minimal client visits often price at the lower end; offices with regular client traffic trend higher. Note: many professionals also require E&O (professional liability) alongside CGL.
Updated: November 2025
Source signals (Canada):
General liability commonly $30–$65/month ($360–$780/yr) for small professional firms.
Basic $2M CGL “starts at $450/yr” (small business reference point).
Published ranges for professional liability (E&O) vary widely by class and limit and are separate from CGL.
Explore coverage details: CGL hub

One‑glance summary

Industry	Typical $2M CGL annual premium (CAD)	Notes
Retail & Ecommerce	$450–$900	Foot traffic and product risk drive variance; ecommerce without a storefront sits lower.
Contractors & Trades	$600–$1,200 (standard); $1,500–$3,000+ (high‑risk)	Trade class, jobsite hazards, subcontracting, and endorsements (e.g., additional insureds) materially impact price.
Professional Services	$360–$780	Low premises exposure reduces CGL cost; many add E&O for service/financial‑loss claims.

What moves you between the low and high ends

Operations: visitor volume, manual work, heat/sparks, heights, or hot works increase risk.
Limits and endorsements: higher aggregates, additional insureds, waivers, and cross‑liability endorsements can add cost.
Revenue and payroll: more activity and people generally mean more exposure.
Claims history and risk controls: recent losses, poor contracts, weak housekeeping, or inadequate training increase premiums.
Region and occupancy: local legal environment, construction type, and location‑based crime/weather risks affect rating.

Methodology and sources (Canada)

Ranges synthesize recent publications and broker guides current to November 2025, including:

Zensurance — Liability Insurance: noted “basic General Liability Insurance policy starts at $450 per year with a $2M limit.”
Zensurance — Construction Insurance: “starts at around $540 per year for a $2M CGL” for small‑to‑medium construction.
LiabilityCover.ca — CGL cost overview: majority of $2M CGL for small/medium businesses around $450–$500; some >$1,000.
HelloSafe — Small business insurance cost: general liability commonly $30–$65/month in Canada.
Insurance Business Canada — Contractors insurance price guide: cites ~$450–$500 CGL for small/midsize contractors (with wide variance across add‑on lines).
Contractors‑Insurance.ca (Ontario) — examples of $2M contractor CGL starting near $425; Acumen/Ratehub/EasyCover and Acera publish similar entry points and averages for $2M contractor CGL around the mid‑hundreds to ~$850 depending on class and options.

Use these widgets across pages

Embed the three widgets wherever industry pricing context helps a reader calibrate expectations, and always link “$2M CGL” back to the CGL hub for definitions, scope, and exclusions. All figures in CAD; Canada‑wide applicability excluding Quebec.