General Liability Insurance
What is General Liability Insurance?
General Liability Insurance provides financial protection against claims that can arise from daily business operations. It covers a range of situations where your business may be held liable, including:
- Bodily Injury: Covers medical expenses and legal fees if a third party is injured on your business premises.
- Property Damage: Pays for repairs or replacement if your business activities accidentally cause damage to someone else's property.
- Personal and Advertising Injury: Protects against claims of defamation, copyright infringement, and other advertising-related claims.
- Medical Payments: Provides quick coverage for minor injuries on-site, regardless of fault.
While General Liability Insurance covers many types of incidents, it does not cover injuries to your employees, professional errors, or damage to your own property. To ensure comprehensive protection, you may need additional coverage such as Workers' Compensation Insurance for employee injuries, Professional Liability Insurance for errors in professional services, or Commercial Property Insurance for physical assets.
Why Do You Need General Liability Insurance?
- Financial Protection: Reduces the impact of unexpected expenses due to claims or lawsuits, which could otherwise disrupt your business operations or even lead to bankruptcy.
- Business Credibility: Many clients and vendors require proof of liability insurance before working with your business. Having coverage can increase your credibility and open doors to new opportunities.
- Peace of Mind: Allows you to focus on growing your business without worrying about potential liability risks. You can confidently operate knowing that you’re protected from a variety of claims.
To further enhance your business's protection, consider combining General Liability Insurance with a Business Owners Policy (BOP), which bundles liability coverage with property insurance. This combination can provide broader coverage at an affordable rate, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.
Typical Coverage Limits
General Liability policies come with set limits, and coverage can vary based on your business needs. Here are common coverage limits:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Covers bodily injury claims up to $1,000,000 per occurrence, with options for higher limits.
- Property Damage Liability: Pays up to $1,000,000 for damage to others' property due to your business activities.
- General Aggregate Limit: Provides a total coverage limit of $2,000,000 per policy term for all claims combined.
- Medical Payments: Covers minor injuries with a typical limit of $5,000 per person.
- Personal and Advertising Injury: Offers coverage up to $1,000,000 for claims related to advertising injury and reputation harm.
Depending on your business's exposure, you may want to increase your liability limits. For additional coverage, consider an Umbrella Policy that extends the limits of your General Liability and other liability policies, providing an extra layer of protection for larger claims.
Examples of General Liability Claims
General Liability Insurance can cover a variety of real-world situations, such as:
- Slip-and-Fall Accidents: A customer slips on a wet floor in your business and requires medical attention. General Liability Insurance covers their medical expenses and any legal fees if they decide to sue.
- Damage to Client Property: Your employee accidentally damages a client’s valuable equipment while performing a service on-site. This coverage helps pay for the repair or replacement of the damaged item.
- Advertising-Related Claims: Another business claims that your advertisement infringed on their trademark. General Liability Insurance can help cover the cost of defending against these claims and any resulting settlements.
For industries with high-risk exposure, like construction, combining General Liability Insurance with Contractor General Liability Insurance can help cover additional unique risks such as contractor-related damages or injuries.
Getting a Quote for General Liability Insurance
Our agents would love to help you find the right General Liability Insurance coverage for your business. To get started, please provide:
- Business Details: Business name, location, and industry.
- Annual Revenue: Your business’s annual income to determine coverage needs.
- Employee Count: Number of employees or independent contractors working for your business.
- Previous Claims History: Information on past claims, if applicable.
Request General Liability Quote
Why Choose Us for General Liability Insurance?
- Customized Coverage: Our agents work with you to create a policy that fits your business's specific risks, whether you need coverage for general operations or specialized services. We can also assist you with Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance if you provide professional services that could lead to financial harm to clients.
- Affordable Options: We offer competitive rates to protect your business without straining your budget. By bundling General Liability with Business Owners Policy (BOP) or Commercial Auto Insurance, you can benefit from package discounts that provide comprehensive coverage at reduced costs.
- Expert Guidance: Our agents would love to help you navigate your options and select the right policy for comprehensive liability protection. Additionally, we can help identify whether Excess Liability or an Umbrella Policy is suitable for your business needs to enhance overall coverage limits.