General liability
What is general liability insurance?
General liability insurance, also known as commercial general liability (CGL) insurance, provides financial protection from everyday workplace risks such as property damage, customer injury and lawsuits. It is the most common policy to have in place to provide overall protection for any sized business, across all industries.
What does general liability cover?
Bodily Injury
Property Damage
Personal and Advertising Injury
Who needs general liability insurance?
Every small business, regardless of size or industry, needs protection from common business risks in the event of a lawsuit, third-party injury, or property damage. You may also be required to show proof of general liability insurance to a client, customer, or marketplace to validate coverage.
See if you're covered
Small Business Owner
Managing your own business means you have enough on your plate.
E-Commerce Merchant
Selling online is hard enough without having to think about what else can go wrong.
Startup
Don't let unnecessary business risks make your founder journey bumpier than it needs to be.
Freelancer
Freelancing is all about keeping things simple and focusing on what you do best.
Why is general liability important?
Regardless of industry or size, a general liability policy can protect your business from common financial risks that can be incurred because of a third-party accident. Certain states and various clients require proof of general liability insurance to allow businesses to transact.
See if you‘re coveredWhat other kinds of business insurance do I need?
Bodily Injury
Someone other than you (or an employee) is injured and your business is responsible for medical, legal and damages.
Third-Party Property Damage
Customer property is damaged by you (or an employee).
Advertising and Reputational Injury
Your business is accused of copyright infringement, malicious prosecution, slander, libel, wrongful eviction and violating a person's privacy.
Product Liability
Products developed or sold by your business harm people or property, and your business is responsible for legal and medical expenses.
General liability insurance FAQs
- Is general liability insurance required by law?
- General liability requirements vary by state and industry. However, your business can be exposed to high risks of financial loss if you are not properly protected. You may also lose potential clients and customers if you are asked to show proof of insurance and are not able to provide evidence of coverage. In short, although it might not be legally required, a general liability policy is crucial to protect your business from everyday risks.
- How do I show proof I have a general liability policy?
- Once you've purchased your general liability policy, a Certificate of Insurance (“COI”) will be sent to you and can be presented to any party that requires proof of coverage. You can also request that the COI be sent to any third-party that requests verification of insurance.
- What is an additional insured?
- An additional insured is any party that wants to be listed as a covered party under your policy. In certain cases, an additional insured might be a vendor, marketplace, landlord or any other third-party whom which you conduct business with.
- Does general liability cover my store, office or physical location?
- Damage to your location is not protected under a general liability policy. If you would like to have additional coverage to protect your store, office, or physical location you will need to purchase a business owners’ policy. You can purchase one here.
