General Liability Insurance

What Is General Liability Insurance?

If you are an entrepreneur, contractor, or owner of a small business, you must have General Liability Insurance. Business Insurance is the best way for owners and entrepreneurs to protect themselves against financial loss. 

This is the first coverage level you should get if you’re starting a business. It gives company owners piece of mind by ensuring that their business is insured in the case of an accident, such as someone slipping and falling on their property. General Liability Insurance can cover any injuries that you, your employees, and your customers may suffer as a result of your business. Business Insurance can also cover any property damage that may occur because of your company.

We realize that as a business owner, you are always focused on the bottom line and making the greatest financial decisions for your company. We provide a variety of different insurance options based on your budget range. Whether you wish to see insurance as an investment and protect your firm to the maximum extent possible, or if you can only afford the bare minimum, we can help you find Business Insurance that can fit your budget. This will give both you and the business owner peace of mind.

We exclusively deal with the industry’s top and most reputable insurance providers. They are financially stable and give you access to most items of any provider. Business Insurance provides protection against almost anything an owner may encounter. Business Insurance gives the insurance company a duty to defend, therefore insuring legal fees and other costs incurred if you are sued. Business Insurance also offers coverage for property damage, bodily injury claims, and medical bills that arise during a company’s commercial activities.

A Basis For All Insurance Policies

You and your staff are certain to encounter a variety of people – customers, suppliers, and contractors, to name a few – on a daily basis. Each of them may be hurt or lost as the result of an accident. They might bring a lawsuit against you if your firm is the source of the problem.

Who is Insured Under A General Liability Policy?

No one can foresee every possible accident that might occur in their business, but with General Liability Insurance, you can be sure that you and your staff are protected from the majority of potential risks. This insurance gives peace of mind, knowing that you’re covered financially in the event of an accident.

It also covers your legal defense costs, as well as settlements and judgments if you are successfully sued. If you’re a renter who damages the property you’re renting (for example, by setting it on fire), you’ll be protected thanks to a General Liability Insurance policy. Finally, these insurance policies protect against deceptive or fraudulent advertising claims. This is a valuable protection to have if you’re a small business owner.

The Company and Staff

Typically, this coverage is intended to protect the business and its personnel in the case that a third party files a complaint against them claiming they caused physical injury or property damage as a result of commercial activities.

Distributor or Manufacturer

Typically, this coverage is intended to protect the business and its personnel in the case that a third party files a complaint against them claiming they caused physical injury or property damage as a result of commercial activities.

Vendors

You may have a legal agreement in place to indemnify a specific individual or organization if you engage with vendors, such as contract salespeople. These people and organizations are protected from liability claims related to the sale of your items using this sort of insurance.

What Are General Liability Insurance Limits?

This policy will also include a limit, which is the maximum amount they will pay in the case of a liability claim. It’s critical to correctly assess your risk to ensure you have sufficient coverage and won’t have to reimburse expenses out of pocket.

The typical limits for General Liability insurance are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million overall; if more coverage is required, the limitations are generally doubled. If you want coverage in excess of $2 million per event, you’ll almost certainly need to purchase an umbrella or excess liability insurance.

For example, if your small business is sued for $300,000 in medical expenses resulting from a slip-and-fall accident but your insurance coverage is only $250,000, you will be held liable for the difference of $50,000. Prior to purchasing a policy, it’s critical to conduct industry research.

Additionally…

Commercial general liability insurance protects a company against third-party lawsuits for physical harm, property damage, and personal/advertising injury. It’s worth noting that if you have a client’s belongings in your hands as part of your service, cleaning, repairing, or storing (for example, a dry cleaner or an appliance repair store), you are legally required to have general liability insurance. If you are an architect, it’s not only a good idea to have this coverage, but also Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance. This type of policy covers you if an unhappy customer sues for financial damages due to mistakes made on your part while performing your services.

This insurance also protects your employees and other businesses too. If you have a collaboration or joint venture with another individual, all of your partners and members, as well as their spouses, are protected if they are sued for anything they do while working for you.

What Is NOT Covered by General Liability?

Negligence

If you or your firm is sued for professional negligence, general liability insurance does not protect either of you. Professional Liability Insurance is a distinct coverage that must be purchased.

Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Property insurance is required in addition to General Liability coverage. Commercial Property insurance protects you against property damage caused by you or your business. You may get a Business Owners Policy (BOP) that combines both General Liability and Commercial Property coverage.

Damage to property belonging to a client while it is in your possession

Customer goods are not covered if you work on, clean, repair, or store them (for example, a dry cleaner, storage facility, or appliance repair company).

What Is the Cost of General Liability Insurance?

Costs might differ widely. The sort of coverage your firm needs is determined by the nature of your business and the anticipated risk associated with you or your industry. For example, a marketing consultant may require less insurance than a construction company. Additionally, where you reside is crucial because certain states pay higher damages to plaintiffs who claim bodily injury than others. If you are located in a state with high litigation costs, your premiums for general liability insurance may be higher.

The best way to protect your business is by conducting a full risk assessment and speaking with an insurance agent who can help you find the best coverage for your specific needs.

Before calculating your premium, the insurance provider will usually need the following data:

  • Location
  • Prior claims’ history
  • Current and previous commercial activity
  • Payroll totals
  • How long you’ve been in business
  • Your business’s size and nature

The typical yearly cost for a small business is $750 to $2,000, depending on the task and insurance needs. That’s far less than the hundreds if not millions of dollars you’d spend in court to defend your case.

Suits are becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Regardless of your firm’s size or the unlikeliness that you would ever be subjected to a lawsuit, you remain subject to safety risks on the job. When compared to the costs your company would incur if it were sued.

Get Your Personalized Quote Today!
Our team will be happy to discuss your insurance needs and provide full details of each policy and find the best quote for you.

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