As a business owner, you've likely heard of general liability insurance. Public liability insurance is a similar coverage type but on a more basic level, and it covers fewer issues. An older version of general liability, this type of commercial insurance covers your business against liability claims from the general public. That includes your customers, shoppers in a retail location, visitors, delivery employees, and anyone else who interacts with your business. While public liability insurance is still an option with some insurance carriers, most businesses buy general liability insurance to protect against the same liabilities along with additional coverage.
Public liability insurance covers public liability claims for bodily injury caused on business property and damage to the claimant's personal property. If you perform business services at different locations, such as at a client's home or business, you're also covered for liability claims that happen in those locations. For example, if you offer in-home services and break a prized possession in a client's home, public liability insurance covers the cost of replacing the item.
General liability builds upon the basics of public liability insurance and offers protection against libel, slander, and false advertising claims. Some general liability policies also include protection for product liability, completed operations, and other kinds of liability coverage. It's important to understand what coverages are included with any type of commercial liability insurance policy.
If you own a business, you should have public liability insurance or general liability insurance. It's an essential coverage type when you interact with clients, the general public, vendors, or anyone else. Even if your business isn't in a high-risk industry, you could face situations where someone is injured or personal property is damaged in the course of your normal work.
Without some type of business insurance covering liability, you expose your business to major legal and financial risks. Paying for legal fees, medical bills, or property replacement costs out of pocket could destroy your business financially and force you to close.
With most insurance companies, you have the option of securing a general liability insurance policy instead of a public liability insurance plan. However, you may have the option of public liability insurance if you want the most basic type of business liability insurance possible. You may save money by opting for a public liability policy instead of general liability. Ensure you don't need the additional coverage options provided by general liability insurance before choosing a public liability plan.
You may also need additional insurance coverage types, depending on the business you operate. Professional liability insurance is often necessary for service-based operations to protect against claims of negligence. You may need a separate product liability insurance policy if you manufacture or sell physical products.
Public liability insurance costs vary significantly based on your company. Insurance companies weigh the risks of your business to determine how much they should charge for public liability insurance premiums. Some of those determining factors include:
Getting customized insurance quotes helps you get a better idea of how much you may pay for a public liability insurance policy. Businesses in higher-risk industries, such as home health care or fitness, where bodily injuries are more likely, often pay higher premiums than companies with fewer interactions with the public.
Protect your business by securing public liability insurance coverage in the form of a more modern general liability policy. Tivly offers quotes from a variety of insurance providers to help connect you to the best options available based on your needs. Complete the form online or call us at 877-907-5267 to get the quote process started.