General Liability Insurance 

“What is general liability insurance?” This is a question many business owners ask. And they don’t just want to know what it is, they want to know if they need it. The truth is, liability insurance is an essential part of an insurance plan. 

Commercial General Liability insurance can help cover claims that your business  caused bodily injury or property damage. In layman's terms a GL policy is the first layer of protection for your business. 

 

You can get General Liability Insurance as a standalone policy, or together with property insurance and other coverages in what is known as a Business Owners Policy or BOP.

 

A general liability insurance policy can help cover claims that your business caused:

 Third-party bodily injury: If a customer gets hurt after slipping and falling in your store, they can sue your business. Your insurance policy includes bodily injury liability coverage, so it can help pay for their medical bills.

 Third-party property damage: If you or your employees work at a client’s house, your business faces a risk of causing property damage. Property damage liability coverage can help cover repair or replacement costs if your business damages someone else’s belongings.

 Reputational harm: Someone can sue your business for libel or slander because of something you or your employees said. If this happens, general liability insurance can help cover your legal costs to defend your business.

 Advertising injury: Your business can get sued for copyright infringement. For example, a photographer can sue you if you use their photo in your ads without permission.

Why do you need it?

Liability claims aren’t uncommon and they can get expensive. In fact, 4 out of 10 small businesses will likely experience a liability claim in the next 10 years.** Slips and falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits.1 The average cost of this kind of claim is $35,000. If a claim leads to a lawsuit, it can increase its average cost to more than $75,000 to defend and settle.** Without general liability insurance, your business would have to pay for these costs out of pocket and it can put you out of business.

 You may also need general liability insurance before you can work with other businesses. Some companies may ask you to provide proof of insurance, also known as a certificate of insurance.

What is the right coverage for my business?

Even though every business is unique, each one can benefit from having general liability coverage. We can work with you to customize your policy so you get the coverage amounts that are right for your business.