Someone trips over your tools and breaks their leg
Yikes! You drop equipment and damage a client’s hardwood floor
You’re sued for improper image use in your advertising
You need an attorney for a lawsuit, even though you did nothing wrong
Someone gets injured on site and asks you to pay for medical expenses
An employee bad-mouths a client online and the client sues you
Your general liability policy provides financial protection if you are held responsible for some of the most common accidents that can occur at a business, such as a customer injury or damages to someone’s property. It also provides coverage if you are forced to defend an accusation of libel or slander.
General liability insurance, also known as commercial general liability (CGL), covers the risks that affect almost every business, no matter what your industry. It is the most common insurance for small businesses and self-employed professionals, and it’s typically the first policy purchased by new businesses.
General liability is included in most business insurance packages because it covers the risks that many business owners face every day. It is not typically required by law, but some clients and agencies could ask you to have a certificate of insurance before they work with you.
Here are some examples of businesses owners who might need general liability coverage:
When someone asks you to have coverage, they will typically request a certificate of insurance (COI) that includes your business and insurance information.
The client or organization you are working with might also ask you to add them to your certificate. In the insurance industry, this is called an additional insured. Next Insurance simplifies the process with a digital certificate of insurance that you can access 24/7 from a mobile device or computer.
You can update your information and share your COI in a matter of minutes.
You’ll get help paying for expenses after an accident if you’re held responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property. Commercial general liability can also help cover defense costs if you are accused of libel or slander.
Here are more details on what makes general liability insurance so important:
Business liability insurance shows that your business is reliable and trustworthy. It gives clients peace of mind knowing that you will take responsibility for your mistakes.
It could give you a competitive advantage if your 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.
Some states and cities will only give you a business permit if you have active general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance. If your business is certified or accredited by a professional organization, you might also be required to keep your general liability insurance active.
If you plan to lease commercial space, your landlord could also insist on seeing your general liability insurance certificate. Coverage is often required because it shows you will have the financial protection needed to cover expenses related to property damage or injuries related to your business at the leased space.
When you have general liability insurance, it gives you peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about what you would do if a client trips and falls or how you would pay for a new vase if you accidentally broke one in a client’s house.
Having business liability insurance means that instead of feeling nervous about what could happen, you can concentrate on growing your business.
General liability insurance protects you from unexpected expenses related to many of the most common types of accidents that can affect your business and lead to lawsuits:
Learn more about what general liability covers.
The cost of general liability insurance is different for each business. Several factors influence the price you’ll pay for coverage, including your industry, the size of your business and how much coverage you want to purchase.
The amount of risk that you face in your industry is used to determine your insurance costs. If your business is in an industry that is more prone to accidents and injuries, than you will typically pay more for insurance.
For example, a carpenter who takes saws and other tools to different locations is more likely to have an accident that would be covered by general liability than a tutor who mostly works at a desk with students. That’s why carpenter insurance is usually more expensive than tutor insurance.
The answer to ‘How much does general liability insurance cost?’ depends on your aggregate limit. This is the maximum amount of insurance that you could claim from your general liability insurance policy. The higher your total coverage limit, the higher your small business liability insurance costs.
If you have a larger deductible, you’ll pay less for general liability insurance for your small business. At Next Insurance, we don’t charge a deductible for our general liability insurance policies, so you won’t need to worry about it.
With Next Insurance, you can purchase affordable general liability coverage online and get your certificate of insurance 10 minutes, or less.
Start an instant quote to see options for your small business. Here’s how the process works:
We’ll ask you some basic questions about your business and operations, including:
After you share your information, you’ll have instant access to a customized insurance quote for general liability and other recommended coverage.
If you like what you see, you can adjust the package limits and make your purchase. Your insurance will begin immediately after payment, and you’ll have access to your certificate of insurance.
Start a free instant quote today.
Learn about general liability insurance with more frequently asked questions about our coverage. If you don’t find find the answers you’re looking for, our licensed insurance advisors are standing by to help.
Read more frequently asked questions about general liability.
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