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?
General liability insurance for small businesses in Tennessee can help provide financial protection when common accidents occur, such as:
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Other injuries related to your business, excluding those involving employees
- Damage to someone else’s property
- Accusations of libel, slander or copyright infringement
General liability insurance, also known as commercial general liability (CGL), could help pay for related costs when the incidents listed above occur. For example:
- A customer slips and falls on a wet floor in a Memphis laundromat. General liability insurance can help cover legal fees and damages if the business is found liable for the customer’s injuries.
- A Nashville HVAC contractor accidentally damages the siding on a client’s home while installing an air conditioning unit. General liability coverage can help pay to repair the damage.
Your Tennessee general liability insurance can help protect your business financially when these types of accidents happen. CGL coverage could also apply in situations where you need to defend yourself against accusations of libel, slander or copyright infringement.
Is General Liability insurance required in Tennessee?
There are no statewide Tennessee liability insurance requirements for businesses.
However, local governments or licensing boards may require it depending on the type of work you do.
Although this state does not require businesses to carry general liability insurance, Tennessee entrepreneurs often get this coverage to benefit from its important protections, which include:
Gain financial protection
General liability insurance can help protect Tennessee businesses from certain financial costs when an accident occurs. You may find that lenders and banks require this type of Tennessee business insurance if you need a business loan.
Get more clients
Depending on your industry, your clients may require proof of coverage before agreeing to work with you. You may lose out on potential jobs without Tennessee general liability insurance coverage.
Sign a commercial lease agreement
Tennessee property owners and management companies may refuse to rent commercial property space to you without general liability coverage.
Secure licenses and permits
To obtain a business permit or professional license in certain industries, you may need to meet certain general liability insurance requirements.
Building contractors in Tennessee, for example, need proof of general liability insurance to get a business license.
For more details, see our guide to Tennessee general contractor license and insurance requirements.
What types of businesses might need General Liability insurance in Tennessee?
Most Tennessee businesses can benefit from general liability insurance because it can help cover common risks across a variety of industries.
Even if your business involves minimal risks overall, general liability coverage can offer important financial protection. It’s not uncommon for accidental injuries or property damage to happen in an office environment or small retail spaces.
For example, if a server at a Knoxville restaurant spills soup on a customer’s purse and cell phone, general liability coverage could help pay for replacements.
How much does General Liability insurance cost in Tennessee?
General liability insurance in Tennessee typically costs more for businesses operating in industries with high levels of risk. However, other factors can affect your monthly premiums, including:
- What type of work you do
- The number of people you employ
- Where you operate your business
- The policy limits that you select
- Your insurance claim history
Tennessee small business owners can get affordable general liability insurance from NEXT online in about 10 minutes. At NEXT, half of our U.S. customers pay $45 or less per month for this type of coverage.**
Learn more about general liability insurance costs.
How NEXT Insurance helps Tennessee businesses
NEXT provides Tennessee 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 Tennessee business insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance can help pay for medical expenses and lost wages if an employee gets hurt on the job.
Tennessee workers’ comp is required if you have five or more employees, or if you work in high-risk trades such as construction or coal mining and have at least one employee.
Learn more about workers’ compensation.
Commercial auto insurance can help cover costs such as medical bills, property damage and rental reimbursement if you or one of your employees gets into an accident in a work vehicle.
All vehicles in Tennessee must have minimum auto insurance coverage of $25,00 per person, $50,000 per accident and $15,000 for property damage per accident.1
Learn more about commercial auto.
Commercial property insurance can help protect your business equipment, inventory, furniture, brick-and-mortar structures and other physical assets. This insurance can help pay for replacement or repair costs if your business is affected by a covered event, like a fire or water damage from a burst pipe.
A business owner’s policy (BOP) combines commercial property insurance and general liability insurance. A BOP is often less expensive compared to policies which are purchased separately.
Learn more about commercial property insurance.
If a customer or client claims that you made a mistake while doing your job that has cost them money, professional liability insurance can help protect you financially. This type of coverage is often bundled with general liability for small businesses.
Learn more about professional liability.
Sources
Get customized insurance wherever you do business
Learn more about insurance options in the states where you work.
See what our customers have to say about NEXT
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Best business insurance with the easiest process!
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2/14/2023
Small business insurance
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2/13/2023
Small start up
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2/12/2023
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2/18/2023
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2/17/2023
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2/19/2023
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2/21/2023
Easy to sign up and has what I need.
Only took about 10 minutes to have all my questions answered and get the plan I need for my business. Great price and easy to understand plan.
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2/21/2023
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2/9/2023
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2/6/2023
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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.
