Jump ahead to learn:
- Is Pennsylvania commercial General Liability insurance required?
- How does PA General Liability insurance work?
- Examples of General Liability insurance claims for a Pennsylvania small business
- How much does Pennsylvania General Liability insurance cost?
- How ERGO NEXT General Liability can help protect PA business owners
Is Pennsylvania commercial general liability insurance required?
General liability insurance may be required for small businesses in Pennsylvania depending on your industry, location and contracts. You may need coverage for:
- Leasing property: Many landlords require a certificate of insurance before they’ll offer you a lease.
- Obtaining a professional license: You may need general liability coverage to get business licenses and permits in some Pennsylvania cities, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. For example, general contractors need general liability insurance to have a valid license in Philadelphia, per the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections. These requirements differ by profession and place, so be sure to check with local agencies.
- Winning business: Clients may ask for proof of insurance before they’ll let you bid on their project or hire you for a job.
How does PA general liability insurance work?
General liability insurance (sometimes called business liability insurance) is often one of the first policies small businesses and self-employed professionals purchase in Pennsylvania. It can help cover:
- Property damage caused by you or one of your employees
- Bodily injury to a client or visitor due to slip-and-fall accidents
- Libel, slander, or copyright infringement in your advertising
Examples of General Liability insurance claims for a Pennsylvania small business
- A Pittsburgh real estate agent uses a professional sports team’s logo in their advertising. If the team sues them for copyright infringement, general liability coverage could help cover the cost of defending the claim, including attorney fees.
- A Scranton carpenter accidentally damages an expensive countertop while building new cabinets. General liability insurance could help pay for the cost of repairing or replacing the customer’s damaged property.
- At a clothing store in Lancaster, a customer hurts their arm after they trip on a display unit. General liability insurance could help pay their medical expenses as well as some legal fees if they take legal action against the business for damages.
