Do self-employed individuals need General Liability insurance?

Find out how general liability insurance can help to protect you even if you're self-employed.

Chris Butsch - Writer for NEXT Insurance
By Chris Butsch
Michelle Meyer - Editor for NEXT Insurance
Reviewed by Michelle Meyer
Matt Crawford for NEXT Insurance
Fact-check by Matt Crawford

Updated May 29, 2023.

While typically not required by law, general liability insurance can lower your stress, protect your business from bankruptcy and even help you win bigger clients.

Here's why every self-employed individual should consider general liability insurance.

Protection against the unexpected

General liability insurance can help cover "damages" that your business accidentally causes to others, including:

  • Repair or replacement costs if your business damages someone else's property.
  • Medical bills if a non-employee gets hurt.
  • Lawsuits against your business arising from libel, slander, false advertising or copyright infringement related to advertising.

No fear of injury claims

When you think of injury claims, your mind probably immediately goes to slippery floors and falling objects. But what you might find interesting is that some of the most expensive injury claims can come from "advertising injury," which includes libel, slander or copyright infringement in your advertising. In other words, simply using the wrong JPEG in your ad could result in a hefty claim.

That's why self-employed digital marketers and influencers can benefit from general liability insurance just as much as self-employed handymen and restaurateurs.

Win bigger contracts

Having general liability insurance can be a huge boon to your bottom line. That's because clients in many industries strongly prefer to work with contractors who have good insurance. Large clients often require it and can pick you over the competition if you have better coverage.

General Liability insurance customized for the self-employed

General Liability insurance is appealing to many small business owners because it can offer broad protection.

Our quick and simple instant quote process takes your profession and state into consideration to craft a customized insurance package for your business and its needs. Simply answer a few questions online to get started.

» Think you need more protection? Consider these essential types of self-employed business insurance

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