Why Your Business Needs General Liability Insurance
Protect Your Business: Why Your Business Needs General Liability Insurance Coverage
Protect Your Business: Why Your Business Needs General Liability Insurance Coverage
Protect Your Business: Why Your Business Needs General Liability Insurance Coverage
Protect Your Business: Why Your Business Needs General Liability Insurance Coverage
Just like insurance policies for your car and home protect your personal assets, general liability insurance safeguards your business and its resources. Depending on what kind of business you conduct, you may need additional insurance coverage, but every small business should start with a general liability insurance policy. It is the foundation of small business liability protection.
In this guide:
A general liability insurance policy is the foundation of your small business insurance coverage, which may also include things like workers’ compensation, an umbrella policy and commercial vehicle insurance. It generally covers your business liability, such as bodily injury, damage to someone else's property, copyright violations and lawsuits.
Your actual insurance coverage depends on your policy, so work with your insurance company or broker, and read the policy carefully to get what you need.
General liability insurance can help protect your business from costs associated with:
Just as a foundation isn’t a house by itself, a general liability policy doesn’t cover all your business insurance needs.
Example #1: A customer enters your small local grocery store. They go to grab something from a top shelf and all of the products fall off the shelf, knocking them on the head. Because you have general liability insurance, your insurance company will pay for their medical costs and cover your defense costs and potential settlement for the customer injury.
Example #2: You launch an ad that pokes fun at another local small business owner. They claim the ad caused them to lose business and sue you for advertising injury. Because your insurance company provides coverage for libel or slander and advertising injury, they'll cover associated claims.
General liability typically does not cover:
These areas of coverage are also important, so discuss them with your agent to determine the best policies to meet your needs.
Every business should get general liability insurance, including home-based businesses, small businesses, sole proprietorships and even independent contractors.
The insurance protects your business—however big or small—from financial harm if a customer or client sues for something like injuries, property damage, copyright infringement or property damage. Liability claims can bankrupt a small business, which is why general liability coverage is so important.
You may need additional liability insurance coverage on top of general liability, depending on your business operations. For example:
The cost of general liability insurance policies vary similar to your auto insurance. How much coverage you want, whether you’ve made previous claims, your industry, and your business’s annual revenue all affect your insurance cost.
The cost of a $1 million business liability insurance policy starts at a few hundred dollars annually. HowMuch.net offers these example costs for small businesses by type of service:
Because the cost varies depending on many factors, it's best to speak with an insurance agent to get an accurate quote designed for your business. They can also help you determine the amount of coverage you need.
Structuring your small business as an LLC or corporation offers some additional protection for your personal assets in case of lawsuits, but they leave your business assets vulnerable. General liability insurance steps in to protect your business assets. Some states also require some kind of business liability insurance. Likewise, someone like a general contractor must often provide proof of insurance to win a bid for a job.
There is no difference. General liability insurance is sometimes referred to as:
Each insurance company will likely refer to a general liability policy using any of these terms.
Business owners are not legally required to purchase general liability. Depending on your business, you may be legally required to purchase other types of insurance. For example, the federal government requires any business with employees to purchase workers’ compensation (in almost every state), unemployment and disability insurance.
Yes. A general liability policy covers third party bodily injury and property damage, while professional liability coves errors and omissions in professional judgment, such as negligence. Learn more from our guide, 'General Liability vs. Professional Liability Insurance'.
A certificate of insurance is like a receipt or proof of purchase for your liability insurance.
A company that subcontracts with you may ask for proof of insurance to confirm its covered for your work. Contractors you hire may also want to see it to confirm you can cover injury or property damage they experience.
To get a certificate of insurance, you can contact your insurance provider. Typically, you can find the certificate online, through your account at the provider’s website. But you may have to email or call the company to request the certificate.
Yes. A business owner's policy typically covers your basic business insurance needs, including property and general liability insurance. It can be a good starting point for a small business owner, because it bundles your insurance needs together, simplifies the buying process and saving you money.
Yes, you can deduct the cost of liability insurance premiums and fees as a business expense.
Your business likely needs more than just general liability insurance. These are some other policies that small business owners can look at adding to their business insurance package.
General liability insurance is the starting point for commercial insurance. It costs around $500 per year, depending on your industry and other factors, and provides coverage for your small business in case of lawsuits from the public, contractors, customers or clients.
Our insurance specialists understand that every small business is unique, and we can help you understand your insurance options and translate your needs into affordable coverage. To get a competitive insurance quote, complete the form at the top of the page and an agent will connect with you. Or you can call us at 877-907-5267 for immediate assistance.
Reviewed By: Sarah Reid, Licensed Agent