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What Is General Liability Coverage?
General liability insurance coverage helps protect your business from claims that can come up during normal business operations, such as:
- Bodily injuries
- Property damage
- Personal and advertising injuries
- Reputational harm
General liability coverage is an essential part of many small businesses’ insurance plans. This coverage is also known as general liability insurance, business liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance (CGL). Start protecting your business and get a free general liability quote today.Who Does General Liability Insurance Cover?
General liability insurance coverage isn’t required by law, but it’s important to have. Many small companies rely on this coverage to have their business’ back, like:
General liability coverages can help protect many types of businesses. Regardless of the type of company you own, you can likely benefit from coverage. Be aware that some businesses may want you to provide a certificate of insurance to prove you have the right coverage before they agree to work with you.What Are General Liability Insurance Coverages?
Third-Party Bodily Injury
If someone trips in your store and makes a bodily injury claim against your business, general liability insurance can help cover their medical bills.
Product Liability
If a product you sell causes property damage or an injury, it could lead to a product liability claim. For example, if you sell a power tool to a customer that ends up being defective and damages their vehicle, general liability insurance can help cover their repair costs and your legal expenses.
Third-Party Property Damage
If you or your employees damage someone else’s property, they can sue your business. For example, if your employees cut down a client’s tree and it falls on their neighbor’s car, your coverage can help cover the damages.
Libel, Slander, Copyright and Advertising Injury
Let’s say you explain why your company is better than a competitor’s in a news interview. They choose to sue you for harming their reputation. General liability insurance can help cover your legal costs. Without it, you’d have to pay out-of-pocket for these expenses.
If you’re still wondering “what does general liability insurance cover,” we can help. Our team of specialists can let you know how this policy can specifically help your business.
What Is Not Included in General Liability Coverage?
General liability coverage doesn’t help cover every type of insurance claim. It won’t help your business with claims related to:Damage to your business property: If your business’ building or property gets damaged, you’ll need a commercial property insurance policy to help cover your repair or replacement costs.
Commercial auto accidents: If you or one of your employees gets into a work-related auto accident, a commercial auto insurance policy can help cover the damages.
Errors in your professional service: You aim to run your business perfectly, but mistakes can happen. If they do, your clients can sue. When this happens, professional liability insurance can help pay your legal defense costs.
Employee injuries or illnesses: If your employees get hurt or sick from their job, workers’ compensation insurance gives benefits to help them recover. Most states require this coverage if you have employees.
Data breaches: If confidential or sensitive information your business stores gets lost or stolen in a breach, data breach insurance can help cover your costs to notify those impacted or offer credit monitoring services.
Employment practices: Your current or former employees can sue your business for:
- Harassment
- Wrongful termination
- Discrimination
If your business faces an employment-related claim, employment practices liability insurance can help cover your legal costs.
Lost income: You’ll need business income insurance to help replace your business’ lost income if it can’t open because of covered property damage.
Purposefully illegal or malicious acts: General liability insurance doesn’t cover claims from illegal or malicious acts that you or your employees intentionally do.
Why Do I Need General Liability Coverage?
Although most states don’t require general liability coverage, it can help protect you and your business from costly claims. Liability claims have the potential to be financially devastating for small businesses.
Consider a general liability insurance policy if you:
- Run your business from a store, building or office that’s open to the public
- Visit, work on or work near your clients’ property
- Create marketing or advertising for your business
- Use social media for professional reasons
Get a Quote for General Liability Coverage
Not all insurance companies are the same. We’re backed by more than 200 years of experience and our team of specialists have helped more than 1 million small business owners to get general liability insurance quotes. Whether you’re looking for your general liability insurance cost amount or need help filing a claim, we’re here for you. Get a quote today and find out how we can help protect your small business.