General Liability covers a wide range of incidents
Slip-and-fall injuries
Someone trips at your business, breaks their leg and files a lawsuit. Excluding employees.
Property damage
You accidentally damage a client or customer’s property.
Advertising injury
You’re sued for improper image use in your advertising.
Legal fees & defense costs
You need an attorney to defend your business in a lawsuit after a claim.
What is General Liability insurance coverage?
Oregon general liability insurance, also called commercial general liability (CGL), can help cover costs related to common risks that many businesses face, such as:
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Other injuries related to your business, excluding employees
- Damage to someone else’s property
- Accusations of libel, slander or copyright infringement
There are a number of different situations where businesses in Oregon may benefit from having general liability insurance. For example, general liability coverage can help protect small businesses in situations like these:
- A client trips over a Portland landscaper’s equipment and injures their ankle. General liability insurance could help cover medical costs if the landscaper is at fault.
- A barista at a Salem coffee shop spills hot cocoa on a client’s new cell phone. General liability could help pay to repair or replace the device.
An Oregon general liability insurance policy can help businesses pay for the financial repercussions of these types of incidents. This insurance can also help cover situations where you need to defend yourself against an accusation of copyright infringement, libel or slander.
Is General Liability insurance required in Oregon?
According to state law, Oregon businesses are not required to carry general liability insurance.
Oregon business owners should check with local government agencies to find out whether any specific types of insurance are needed to operate legally in their area.
However, local mandates aren’t the only reason to carry Oregon liability insurance. Many small business owners opt to get general liability coverage to take advantage of other important protections that it provides, such as:
Financial protection
General liability insurance can help your business remain financially stable if a covered accident occurs. In addition, small business owners may discover that they need this Oregon business insurance to work with certain lenders and banks.
Work contracts
Potential clients may require proof of coverage before agreeing to work with you. A general liability insurance requirement is sometimes written into contracts, so you could lose out on jobs if you don’t have this type of coverage.
Commercial lease agreement
Many commercial property leases require proof of small business liability insurance. Oregon property owners may refuse to rent commercial space to you if you don’t have this type of coverage.
Licenses and permits
You may need a general liability insurance policy to get a business permit or license.
For instance, the state requires Oregon contractor liability insurance due to the increased physical risks in this line of work. You must provide a certificate of insurance for CGL to get your Oregon contractor license.
See our Oregon general contractor license and insurance requirements for more details.
What types of businesses might need General Liability in Oregon?
Most businesses in Oregon can benefit from general liability insurance because it covers risks that can happen in nearly every industry.
Even if your business doesn’t face as many risks as others, you may still benefit from general liability insurance coverage. Accidental property damage or injuries can happen anywhere, including quiet offices and small retail spaces.
If a customer slips on a freshly mopped floor in your Eugene convenience store, for example, general liability insurance may help cover certain costs related to the accident.
How much does General Liability insurance cost in Oregon?
General liability insurance costs in Oregon can vary depending on a number of factors, such as:
- The type of work you do
- The number of people you employ
- Where your business operates
- What policy limits you select
- Your past insurance claims
Business owners in Oregon can get affordable general liability insurance from NEXT. Our custom insurance policies for small business owners cost $45 or less per month for 50% of our U.S. customers.**
Learn more about general liability insurance costs.
How NEXT Insurance helps Oregon businesses
NEXT provides Oregon general liability insurance policies designed for small businesses and self-employed workers.
It only takes about 10 minutes to get a quote, review your coverage options, choose your policies and download a certificate of insurance.
Start an instant quote online today.
Our team of licensed insurance advisors is standing by to assist you if you have any questions along the way.
Other types of Oregon business insurance
Oregon workers’ compensation insurance can help cover medical bills, lost wages and other related expenses if an employee gets hurt on the job. Most employers in Oregon are required to carry workers’ comp insurance.
Learn more about workers’ compensation.
Commercial auto insurance can help cover medical bills, property damage and other related costs if you or an employee become involved in an accident while driving a work vehicle.
All vehicles in Oregon must be covered by auto insurance, with minimum coverage levels of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $20,000 for property damage per accident.3
Learn more about commercial auto.
Commercial property insurance can help protect a business’s physical assets, including brick-and-mortar structures, inventory, equipment and furniture. This insurance could help cover the costs to repair or replace important assets if a covered event occurs, like a fire or a burst water pipe.
If you plan to get general liability and commercial property insurance, consider a business owner’s policy (BOP) which combines both types of coverage and may offer savings on monthly premiums.
Learn more about commercial property insurance.
Professional liability insurance can help provide financial protection if a client or customer claims you made a mistake in your work that cost them money. Some small business owners opt to bundle E&O with their general liability insurance for better coverage.
Learn more about professional liability.
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Learn more about insurance options in the states where you work.
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2/14/2023
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Business insurance is divided into different policies. We offer seven types so it's easy to design the coverage that fits your business.
