Commercial insurance · 01 of 05
General liability insurance
General liability covers claims that someone was injured or their property was damaged because of your business.
For most businesses it's the foundation everything else sits on.
Who needs it
- Any business where customers, vendors, or the public are physically present
- Contractors and trades — often required before you can bid or start work
- Businesses that lease space; landlords typically require proof
- Anyone whose work leaves something behind that could later fail
What it typically covers
- Bodily injury to customers, vendors, or visitors
- Damage you cause to someone else's property
- Products and completed operations
- Personal and advertising injury
- Legal defense costs, even for claims that turn out to be groundless
Common questions
Yes, and quickly. Tell us who needs it and what limits they're requiring.
No — that's workers' compensation, which is separate. General liability covers third parties.
Generally not. Errors in professional services are covered by professional liability, which is a different policy.
Usually yes, and often it's required by the people hiring you. Size doesn't change whether you can be sued.
You insure the business. Has anyone looked at the whole picture?
Coverage, benefits, key people, retirement, and what eventually happens to the company — reviewed together, once a year.
The Owner's TableOther commercial insurance lines
01Commercial property insuranceCoverage for your building, equipment, inventory, and the income you'd lose if you couldn't operate.02Workers' compensation insuranceWorkers' compensation covers medical costs and lost wages for work-related injuries, and it protects the business from most related lawsuits.03Commercial auto insuranceIf vehicles are used for business, a personal auto policy may not respond to a claim.04Group benefits for small businessesGood people have options.
