What is General Liability Insurance?

General liability insurance protects businesses from common risks that could lead to costly claims. This type of insurance helps ensure your business remains financially secure even in unexpected situations, such as bodily injuries, property damage, and personal or advertising injury claims. In addition to protecting your assets, it helps maintain your business's reputation, allowing you to focus on growth and customer service without compromising the financial health of your business.

What is Included in a General Liability Insurance Policy?

General liability insurance protects against a range of unforeseen incidents that could lead to financial loss or reputational damage. As a business owner, unexpected events can arise, such as an accidental slip-and-fall injury on your premises or a mishap by an employee. These incidents can turn into costly legal battles or cover substantial medical expenses. Therefore, having a general liability insurance policy safeguards your financial interests. Let’s shed more light on what each coverage offers.

Bodily Injury Coverage

This coverage covers the medical expenses and legal fees if someone gets hurt in your workspace. It makes sure that you are not vulnerable to such claims.

Property Damage Coverage

Property damage coverage ensures your business isn’t held responsible for repairs or replacements if you cause unintentional damage, protecting your reputation.

Personal and Advertising Injury Coverage

It helps protect your business against defamation, slander, or false advertising claims, as it helps cover legal costs and any resulting damages.

Medical Payments Coverage

It covers the medical costs if someone gets injured on your property. This policy covers small medical expenses without a lawsuit or claim process.

Product Liability Coverage

If a product you sell or produce leads to harm or injury to a customer, product liability coverage helps to keep your business safe against lawsuits.

Completed Operations Coverage

It protects you if a defect in the work you provided causes damage once the job is finished, preventing financial setbacks from post-project claims.

Tenant Damage Coverage

This coverage protects against the cost of repairs or replacement if a tenant causes accidental damage, ensuring the renters' actions don’t impact you.

Legal Defense Costs

Legal defense costs coverage manages the high expenses of defending yourself in court and protecting your business from financial strain during proceedings.

Non-Owned Auto Liability

If your employees use personal vehicles for business operations, non-owned auto liability coverage ensures your business is protected in an accident.

Premises Liability Coverage

This coverage protects your business from legal and medical costs if an individual is injured in your space and is essential for all types of companies.

What is Not Covered Under General Liability Insurance?

  • Employee Injuries

  • Professional Errors and Omissions

  • Auto Accidents

  • Damage to Your Own Property

  • Intentional Acts or Fraud

  • Contractual Liabilities

  • Pollution and Environmental Damage

  • Damage to Products or Completed Operations

  • Cybersecurity Breaches

  • Employment-Related Issues

  • Product Defects

  • Damage from War or Terrorism

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

Small businesses typically pay around $40 to $55 monthly or $480 to $660 annually for general liability insurance coverage. The cost varies depending on factors like limits and the type of coverage included in the policy. Business owners must review their insurance needs to ensure enough coverage.

Who Needs General Liability Insurance?

Every business, regardless of size or industry, faces risks that could lead to expensive legal claims. General liability insurance is an important safety net, offering protection against common risks like bodily injuries, property damage, and advertising mistakes. If you're running a small business, managing a franchise, or providing professional services, this coverage shields your operations, promising financial stability and peace of mind. Here's a look at who can benefit most from this insurance.

  • Small Business Owners

  • Retail Store Owners

  • Service Providers

  • Contractors and Subcontractors

  • Restaurants and Food Service Businesses

  • Franchise Owners

  • Healthcare Providers

  • Real Estate Agents and Brokers

  • Manufacturers and Distributors

  • Tech Companies

  • Property Owners and Landlords

  • Event Organizers

  • Freelancers and Consultants

  • E-commerce Businesses

  • Non-profit Organizations

Get a Free General Liability Insurance Quote

Are you ready to guard your business with the right coverages? Getting your first quote is quick and easy with Insure C-Store! Enter your name and phone number. Next, select your business property type and click "Submit." You’ll then be directed to a form asking for personal and property details, location address, current insurance provider, etc. Once you fill out and submit that form, one of our agents will call you soon.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please call or visit us to learn more.

OR

Frequently Asked General Liability Insurance Questions

Ans) Yes, you can hold multiple general liability insurance policies, but they won’t stack coverage for a single claim. Instead, they may apply to different areas of your business. However, overlapping policies could lead to unnecessary costs, so it's better to customize a comprehensive policy to suit the needs of your business.

Ans) General liability insurance is typically not required by federal law; however, its necessity can vary highly depending on state regulations and specific industries. Some states have their own mandates or licensing requirements that necessitate businesses to carry general liability insurance, particularly in fields like construction, healthcare, and personal services.

Ans) Yes, individuals such as freelancers or sole proprietors can indeed purchase general liability insurance. This type of coverage is crucial as it protects against risks associated with work activities, including bodily injury, property damage, and personal liability. This insurance makes sure you are protected even without a registered business entity.

Ans) Absolutely, you can obtain general liability insurance even if you do not possess a business license. Many insurance providers cater to unlicensed businesses or sole proprietors, offering policies that guard against various liabilities. This allows you to protect yourself and your assets while you establish or formalize your business operations.

Ans) The cost of commercial general liability insurance is influenced by several factors, including the size of your business, type of industry, geographic location, claims history, selected coverage limits, and overall risk exposure. Insurers evaluate these elements to determine a premium that reflects your specific circumstances, ensuring you receive appropriate protection.