The most essential business insurance, every business can benefit from general liability insurance.
General liability insurance (GL), sometimes referred to as business liability insurance, is coverage that can protect your business from a variety of claims including bodily injury, property damage, personal injury and other mishaps that can arise from your business operations.
General liability insurance is often packaged with commercial property insurance in a Business Owners Policy (BOP), but it's also available mono-line to contractors and other specialty businesses. As a contractor or small business owner, you need some form of business liability insurance to safeguard your livelihood. Just imagine how devastating an accident that resulted in a lawsuit could be to the bottom line. Your business may not be able to survive. A great way to protect against these types of unfortunate acts is to make sure you have liability coverage that matches your level of risk. Some employers or clients might also require you to carry a certain amount of general liability before you can work for them.
If you're a contractor, you might only want general liability - not a full package or business owner's policy. For example, you might not own any commercial buildings that require property insurance, or need to cover payroll or other operating expenses. However, you're still exposed to liability risks in the course and scope of your work. You might be eligible to get business liability insurance, without the extra coverages included in a BOP, when you buy your liability insurance mono-line. We offer general liability, as well as Blanket Additional Insured Coverage to contractors who qualify. Blanket Additional Insured Coverage extends your existing liability insurance to other entities as required by some contracts with employers.
No, but failing to carry general liability insurance could result in you having to pay for all the expenses related to a claim against your business. For example, while visiting your office a client slips on a rug and breaks their hip. Without general liability insurance, you could be solely responsible for all the medical bills and legal fees. So, even though it’s not required by law, it should be a priority for your business.
Yes. You choose the amount of your general liability deductible when you get a quote. A deductible is a fixed out-of-pocket expense you agree to pay before your coverage starts to pay.
General liability insurance only pays for third-party damages, not yours. You’re considered the “first-party”. The “third-party” is the one that has a claim against you. This means general liability won’t cover your property or equipment against theft or damage. To protect your property, we offer Business Personal Property coverage as a part of a Business Owners Policy.
No. General liability only provides coverage for claims against you by others for their bodily injuries or damage to their property. To protect from claims against you for professional neglect or mistakes, you need to have professional liability insurance.
A certificate of insurance (COI) is an official document that lists all coverages and limits on an insurance policy. Essentially, it proves that you have insurance and details your policy coverages and limits.
Your rate will depend on the specific features of your business. You know, the things that make your business unique.
Discover more about general liability insurance cost, policy rating factors and money-saving tips to help you find the best combination between price and protection for your business. Call us today, or start a quote online.
General liability, along with other coverages, is available in BOPs, make sure to ask how a business owner's policy might be best for you.
If you need to protect things like personal property used for your business, or commercial buildings such as garages or storage facilities, you might require the additional protections provided in a BOP.
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