Jump ahead to learn:
- Is North Carolina General Liability insurance required?
- How does North Carolina General Liability insurance work?
- Examples of General Liability insurance claims for a NC small business
- How much is General Liability insurance in North Carolina?
- How ERGO NEXT General Liability insurance can help protect your business
Is General Liability insurance in NC required?
General liability insurance isn’t required by state law for most businesses in North Carolina, but it’s often required by contracts, landlords or licensing bodies. It can be required for business owners to:
- Pull permits or work on construction projects for general contractors, according to the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
- Rent a space for your business with some landlords.
- Sign contracts to begin working with clients as a consultant or independent contractor.
- Participate in events as a food truck vendor in cities like Raleigh. Check with your city clerk’s office to determine insurance requirements in your area.
How does North Carolina General Liability insurance work?
General liability insurance can help protect North Carolina small businesses from financial losses caused by common business accidents, such as:
- Slip-and-fall injuries to non-employees
- Damage you or your employees cause to someone else’s property
- Accusations of libel, slander or copyright infringement in your advertising
Examples of General Liability insurance claims for a NC small business
Sometimes called commercial general liability (CGL), this coverage can help North Carolina businesses in a number of situations. For example:
- A Charlotte plumber doesn’t seal a pipe tightly while replacing a client’s kitchen plumbing, and the basement floods when the water is turned back on. General liability insurance may help cover repair costs.
- A Greensboro clothing store retailer is sued by a customer who claims a sweater caused an allergic reaction. General liability insurance can help cover legal fees and damages if the business is sued.
In situations like these, filing a claim could help cover related costs up to your policy limit. It can also help when someone sues you for violating their intellectual property rights in your advertising.
See more general liability claim examples.
