General Liability Insurance

General liability business insurance can provide financial protection for some of the most common accidents at a business. It’s one of the most frequently purchased types of business insurance by small business owners.

It can help if someone other than an employee gets hurt and your business is at fault. This is called “bodily injury.”

General liability insurance coverage can also help if you accidentally damage property that doesn't belong to you. 

And if you’re accused of reputational harm (libel or slander), false advertising (advertising injury) or copyright infringement in your advertising, your insurance policy can help provide coverage for that, too. 

This type of coverage is also sometimes called “business liability insurance,” “commercial general liability (CGL),” “public liability” or “liability insurance.”

General liability insurance coverage can help protect your business from unexpected expenses related to accidents and lawsuits that can affect your business, such as:

• Injuries to people who are not your employees.

• Damage to another person’s property.

• Court and legal fees.

• Medical payments.

• Harm caused by your advertisements.

• Accusations of libel or slander (personal injury or reputational harm).

General liability is included in many business insurance packages because it can help cover the risks small business owners face every day.

It’s not typically required by law, but some clients and agencies could ask you to have a certificate of insurance (proof of insurance) before they’ll work with you.

Here are some examples of how a commercial general liability insurance policy can help protect different types of businesses from liability risks:

Restaurants and food service

Slip-and-fall accidents are a risk for restaurant businesses. A general liability policy could help cover medical payments and lawsuit expenses for these types of accidents. Some businesses may also add liquor liability or workers’ compensation for more coverage.

Construction trades

General contractors and other construction professionals are often required to have general liability insurance to get professional licenses or work on certain jobs.

Retail and eCommerce

Brick-and-mortar business owners can benefit from the protection GL provides for customer injuries. NEXT policies also include some protection for product liability.

Sports and fitness professionals

If you’re a personal trainer, fitness instructor or yoga teacher, you might need fitness insurance for some professional certifications. It can be required to work at a gym.

Janitorial and cleaning businesses

We’ve already looked at some of the important protections general liability insurance can offer after an accident.

Now, let’s look at some benefits it can provide in your day-to-day (hopefully accident-free) operations.

It can help you get more jobs

Having insurance shows clients that your business is trustworthy and that you have taken precautions against potential mistakes. That’s why some business owners advertise that they’re insured.

It could give you a competitive advantage if a potential client has a choice between your business and another business that doesn’t have insurance.

Many larger clients also require coverage before they’ll sign a contract with you.

It keeps your business in compliance

Some states and cities will only give you a business permit if you have an active general liability insurance policy and a certificate of insurance.

You might be required to keep your insurance active if your business is certified or accredited by a professional organization.

Your commercial lease might require it

Property owners may ask to see your certificate of insurance if you plan to rent commercial property. General liability is often required.

It lets you focus on growing your business

General liability insurance can give you peace of mind.

You can feel protected if a client trips and falls or you accidentally damage a customer's expensive property.

General liability insurance costs can be as little as $19 monthly for some low-risk businesses.^†

Several factors influence the price you’ll pay for insurance, including:

• Your industry.

• Your business operations.

• The size of your business.

• Where you do business.

• Your business needs and how much coverage you choose.

• Policy limits.

You can buy affordable general liability insurance and get your certificate of insurance in less than 10 minutes 100% online with NEXT.

Start a free general liability insurance quote to see options for your small business. Here’s how it works:

1. We’ll ask you some basic questions about your business and operations. You’ll get a customized insurance quote for general liability and other recommended coverage.

2. If you like what you see, you can adjust the package limits and make your purchase.

3. Your coverage begins right after payment and you’ll have access to your certificate of insurance at no extra cost.

Start a free instant quote with NEXT today.

General liability can provide important financial protection for your business after an accident, but it doesn’t protect businesses from all the risks they face.

Consider these other types of business insurance coverage for your risk management plan:

Commercial Property insurance

This coverage can help pay for a replacement or repair for your business property. General liability will only cover property that doesn’t belong to you.

Learn more about commercial property insurance.

BOP insurance (Business Owner’s Policy)

BOP insurance combines the protections of general liability and commercial property into a single policy that’s often more cost-efficient. It can cover both liability and your business property, inventory, products and fixtures.

Learn more about a Business Owner’s Policy.

Workers’ Compensation insurance

Most states require workers’ compensation if you have employees. It can help cover medical expenses and lost wages after an employee’s workplace accident.

Learn more about workers’ compensation insurance.

Other types of liability coverage

Professional liability insurance can help protect your business from losses after a professional mistake.

Depending on your industry, you might also benefit from product liability insurance (retail) or liquor liability insurance (food service).

We’ll walk you through the differences and similarities between GL and other types of business insurance policies to help you make the best choice for your business.

• General Liability insurance vs. Professional Liability

• General Liability insurance vs. Business Owner's Policy

• General Liability insurance vs. Workers' Compensation

• Liability insurance vs. Commercial Property insurance

• Compare other business insurance policies

If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, our licensed insurance advisors are standing by to help.

Is General Liability insurance required by law?

General liability insurance is often the first type of coverage purchased by new business owners, but it’s not typically required by law.

However, some agencies might require coverage before issuing a professional license or permit. This is common in construction.

Clients might also ask for proof of insurance before they will work with you.

Does General Liability insurance cover property damage?

General liability insurance can cover expenses related to property damage, but only to property that does not belong to you.

Commercial property insurance can help protect the physical items you need to operate your business, such as:

• Inventory

• Business equipment

• Furniture and furnishings

• Physical structures

BOP insurance (Business Owner’s Policy) combines general liability insurance and commercial property insurance into one package that is usually less expensive than buying both coverages separately.

Learn more about BOP insurance.

Does commercial General Liability insurance cover theft?

General liability insurance doesn’t cover the theft of your own possessions, but it might cover the theft of customer property.

If any of your personal or business items are stolen, you won’t be covered without additional insurance to protect your own gear, such as tools and equipment insurance.

You can bundle tools and equipment coverage with your NEXT general liability coverage if you’re a contractor or own a cleaning business.

Will General Liability insurance protect me if my tools get stolen?

If you’re a contractor or own a cleaning business, commercial general liability alone won’t provide tools and equipment coverage.

Tools and equipment insurance, purchased separately, can help protect your belongings if they’re damaged or stolen.

You might consider adding tools and equipment coverage if you work frequently at different locations because it can provide financial protection for your equipment in different locations.

For example, if there’s a water leak at the new house you’re building and your power tools get soaked, your insurance could help pay for new tools.

Learn more about tools and equipment insurance.

Does General Liability insurance cover employee injuries?

General liability insurance can help pay for expenses if your business is accused of causing an injury, but injuries to you or your employee are not included.

Workers’ compensation insurance can help pay for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job.

Most states legally require you to buy workers’ comp coverage as soon as you hire an employee. Optional business owner’s coverage is an add-on that can help provide benefits for business owners if they get hurt on the job.

Learn more about workers’ compensation insurance.

Is General Liability insurance tax deductible?

General liability insurance premiums can typically be deducted from your taxes. Consult with a licensed accounting professional to make sure you qualify.

The IRS categorizes payments you make for this type of insurance to be both an “ordinary and necessary” business expense. Keep a record of how much you pay every year for your policy.

How much General Liability insurance do I need?

Our small business insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each business is unique and has different insurance needs.

The coverage you need depends on a number of factors, including:

• The type of work you do.

• How many employees and subcontractors you have.

• Your level of risk.

• The state where you work.

When you get a free online quote with NEXT, you can review options and adjust limits to your preference.

When will I get my policy documents and proof of insurance?

It takes about 10 minutes to get a quote, buy coverage and get access to policy documents and your certificate of insurance (COI).

You can access your documents and COI 24/7 online or in the NEXT app for iPhone or Android.

How do I make a General Liability insurance claim?

You can file a claim anytime online or in the NEXT app.

You’ll be asked to share the details of what happened and to provide relevant photos and documentation. We strive to make claims decisions as quickly as possible so that you can get back to work.

Check out our claims page for more details.