What can be covered by General Liability insurance in PA?
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.
Table of Contents
- What is General Liability insurance coverage?
- Does Pennsylvania require General Liability insurance?
- What small business might need General Liability insurance in Pennsylvania?
- How much does a General Liability insurance policy cost in PA?
- How NEXT helps Pennsylvania small business owners
What is General Liability insurance coverage?
Whether you own a small construction company in Harrisburg, run a fast casual restaurant in Allentown or you have a retail shop in York, you’ll want the protection of general liability insurance in Pennsylvania.
General liability coverage is often the first kind of business insurance purchased by small businesses and self-employed professionals in the Keystone State.
With more than 1.1 million small businesses employing nearly half of all workers in the state, Pennsylvania is powered by hard-working companies that can’t afford to be without protection.1
A general liability policy can help provide a financial safety net when things go wrong.
- Coverage can help pay expenses if someone other than an employee says your business caused bodily injury or damaged their property.
- Liability insurance in Pennsylvania can also help cover legal defense costs if your business is sued. For example, you may need to hire an attorney if you’re accused of causing copyright infringement with an advertisement.
Does Pennsylvania require General Liability insurance?
Pennsylvania businesses are not required by law to have general liability insurance in most cases. You could be required to have coverage before certain clients will work with you and you may need it to lease commercial property.
Most insurance companies include this insurance in their small business insurance package. Here’s what general liability insurance can help provide:
Financial protection
General liability coverage can help keep your business running after unforeseen events. If you’re accused of causing an injury, damaging someone’s property or have to defend your business after a lawsuit, you’ll want to have liability insurance.
Winning business
Carrying commercial insurance in Pennsylvania helps demonstrate your professionalism. In fact, some clients may ask for proof of insurance before they’ll let you bid on their project or hire you for a job.
Leasing property
If you need to rent an office or commercial space for your Pennsylvania business, having a general liability policy can help. Many landlords will ask you for a certificate of insurance and require a minimum level of coverage before they’ll offer you a lease.
Licenses and permits
You may need general liability coverage to get business licenses and permits in some Pennsylvania cities, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. These requirements differ by profession and place, so be sure to check with local agencies.
What small business might need General Liability insurance in Pennsylvania?
General liability insurance offers broad coverage for common accidents like slip-and-fall injuries and property damage. It can benefit most businesses, from bakeries to clothing stores, carpenters to house cleaners.
Professions involving a greater degree of physical risk, like auto body shops, will generally want a higher level of liability coverage to provide adequate protection.
Getting a business license or permit in some Pennsylvania cities may also require certain companies to purchase general liability insurance.
For example, you may be required to have Pennsylvania general liability and liquor liability coverage to get a liquor license. And to get a contractor license in places like Philadelphia, you’ll need to have a general liability policy.
How much does a General Liability insurance policy cost in PA?
NEXT customers pay less than $25 to $45 per month for their liability coverage.**
The cost of your general liability policy will depend on the kind of work you do, your business operations and your insurance claims history.
The best way to determine the insurance rates for your business is to get a free instant quote from NEXT.
You can also use our general liability insurance calculator for a general estimate of insurance costs in Pennsylvania.
How NEXT helps Pennsylvania small business owners
We offer a fast and easy way for you to get a free general liability insurance quote online, purchase coverage and instantly share a certificate of insurance. The entire process usually takes less than 10 minutes.
You can also chat with our PA–based NEXT licensed insurance agents if you need help or have questions.
Other business insurance policies for Pennsylvania small business owners
Pennsylvania law requires most employers in the state to have workers’ comp coverage.2 This type of insurance can help pay medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and lost wages if employees are hurt on the job.
Learn more about workers’ compensation.
If your business owns vehicles, you’ll need commercial auto coverage. Pennsylvania requires all automobile owners to have this kind of insurance to help cover vehicle damage, personal injury and property damage from accidents.3
Learn more about commercial auto.
Commercial property insurance can help pay for your business property that’s damaged or destroyed after a covered event, such as water, fire or wind incidents. It can help protect your physical assets including inventory, equipment and buildings.
Learn more about commercial property insurance.
Professional liability insurance, also called errors and omissions insurance, can help provide financial protection if someone claims that you made a professional mistake that cost them money. It can cover damages and legal fees if you’re sued.
Learn more about professional liability insurance.
Get customized insurance wherever you do business
Learn more about insurance options in the states where you work.
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