Accidents can happen, even to the most responsible business. That’s why general liability coverage  is one of the most essential forms of business insurance in Connecticut.

General liability insurance can protect your company’s bottom line by helping to cover the cost of property damage and injuries to non-employees, including resulting lawsuits. Also, commercial landlords often require businesses to carry this coverage as a condition of renting office space.

Here’s when a small business might need to file a general liability claim:

A patron accuses a Hartford-based restaurant of negligence after falling on a wet floor. The customer seeks medical care and later files a lawsuit for additional damages. The restaurant owner’s general liability coverage could help pay for the customer’s medical bills and legal expenses.

If you operate a construction or cleaning company in Connecticut, you might also want to include tools and equipment coverage with your general liability policy. This optional insurance upgrade can help pay to replace or repair gear that is stolen, lost or damaged.

Business insurance requirements in Connecticut mandate that companies with employees carry workers’ compensation insurance.² If an employee has an on-the-job injury, workers’ comp insurance can help pay for medical expenses and cover lost wages.

For instance, if an employee of a Bridgeport restaurant suffers burns and needs emergency care, regular doctor visits and two months off work to recuperate, workers’ comp can help. It can assist in paying the worker’s medical fees and covering his salary while he gets better.

Personal auto insurance usually won’t cover accident damages that happen when small business owners or employees are driving for business purposes.

That’s why Connecticut companies owning vehicles should add commercial auto coverage to their business insurance packages. It can help pay for injuries and property damage after an employee has an accident while driving a company car.

Commercial auto insurance would benefit a small business in the following situation:

Employees of a carpet cleaning company in Stamford have a minor accident on Interstate 95. Commercial auto insurance would help cover the cost to repair the vehicles involved and pay for any medical care needed by the drivers and passengers.

Businesses that ask employees to drive their personal automobiles for work or rent vehicles may want to consider adding optional hired and non-owned auto insurance. This coverage can help pay for accident damages that happen in vehicles not titled to your company.

If you’re looking to protect your business property, inventory and your business premises in Connecticut, you want commercial property insurance. It can help pay for damages after covered events, such as water, fire and wind damage.

For example, if a windstorm damages the roof of your casual dining restaurant in downtown Greenwich, commercial property coverage can help pay for building repairs and replacement of the roofing material.

Professional liability insurance, which is also called errors and omissions (E&O) coverage, assists small businesses when they’re accused of professional negligence.

Omissions insurance can help cover costs related to accusations of subpar work, missed deadlines or incomplete jobs that cause financial losses. This type of coverage can help businesses compensate clients for work mistakes and includes legal defense benefits.

For instance, if a client accuses a self-employed accountant in New Haven of making a tax error that resulted in fines, professional liability insurance could help the accountant reimburse the client for monies they lost.