General Liability Insurance

What is General Liability insurance?

Your general liability policy protects you financially if you are held liable for some of the most common accidents that can occur at a business, such as a customer injury or property damage. It also protects you if you are forced to defend yourself against a libel or slander charge.

General liability insurance, also known as commercial general liability insurance (CGL), covers the risks that almost every business faces, regardless of industry. It is the most common type of small business insurance and self-employed professionals, and it is often the first policy purchased by new businesses.

Who needs General Liability insurance?

Because it covers the risks that many business owners face on a daily basis, general liability is included in most business insurance providers. Although it is not usually required by law, some clients and agencies may require you to have a certificate of insurance before they will work with you.

Here are some examples of business owners who may require general liability insurance:

General contractors may be required to carry general liability insurance as part of their state's license requirements.
Some certifications require fitness instructors to have coverage, and it is usually required if they work at a gym.
Anyone looking to rent commercial property may be required to have insurance as part of their commercial lease.

How do I get a General Liability certificate of insurance?

When someone asks you if you have coverage, they will usually ask for a certificate of insurance (COI) that includes information about your company and its insurance.

The client or organization with whom you are working may also request that you include them on your certificate. This is known as an additional insured in the insurance industry. Next Insurance makes the process easier by providing a digital certificate of insurance that you can access from any mobile device or computer at any time.

In just a few minutes, you can update your information and share your COI.

Why is General Liability important?

If you are held liable for injuring someone or damaging their property as a result of an accident, you will be reimbursed for your expenses. If you are accused of libel or slander, commercial general liability insurance can help cover your defense costs.

Here are some additional details on why general liability insurance is so important:

It helps you get more jobs

Business liability insurance demonstrates that your company is dependable and trustworthy. It gives clients comfort to know that you will accept responsibility for your errors.

If a potential client has a choice between your company and another that does not have insurance, having insurance may give you a competitive advantage. Many larger clients will also demand coverage before signing a contract with you.

It lets you run a legal business

Some states and cities will not issue a business permit unless you have current general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance. If your company is certified or accredited by a professional organization, you may be required to maintain your general liability insurance.

General liability insurance may be required as part of your commercial lease.

If you intend to lease commercial space, your landlord may request a copy of your general liability insurance certificate. Coverage is frequently required because it demonstrates that you will have the necessary financial protection to cover expenses incurred as a result of property damage or injuries sustained while conducting business in the leased space.

It allows you to concentrate on expanding your business.

It gives you peace of mind to have general liability insurance. You won't have to worry about what to do if a client trips and falls, or how to pay for a new vase if you break one in a client's home.

Having business liability insurance allows you to focus on growing your business rather than worrying about what might go wrong.

What does General Liability insurance cover?

General liability insurance protects you from unanticipated costs associated with many of the most common types of accidents that can affect your business and result in lawsuits:

Injuries suffered by people who are not your employees
Damage to property that does not belong to you
Libel or slander allegations

How much does General Liability insurance cost?

The cost of general liability insurance varies by business. Several factors influence the cost of coverage, including your industry, the size of your business, and the amount of coverage you want to buy.

What is your industry?

Your insurance costs are determined by the amount of risk you face in your industry. If your company operates in an industry that is more prone to accidents and injuries, you should expect to pay a higher premium for insurance.

A carpenter, for example, who transports saws and other tools to various locations is more likely to be involved in an accident that would be covered by general liability than a tutor who mostly works at a desk with students. As a result, carpenter insurance tends to be more expensive than tutor insurance.

What is the maximum amount of coverage you require?

The answer to the question, "How much does general liability insurance cost?" is determined by your aggregate limit. This is the maximum amount of coverage available under your general liability insurance policy. The greater your total coverage limit, the more expensive your small business liability insurance will be.

What is the amount of your deductible?

You will pay less for general liability insurance for your small business if you have a higher deductible. We don't charge a deductible for our general liability insurance policies at StrongInsurance, so you won't have to worry about it.

How do I get General Liability insurance?

With StrongInsurance, you can buy low-cost general liability insurance online and receive your certificate of insurance in 10 minutes or less.

Start an instant quote to see what options are available for your small business. This is how the procedure works:

We'll ask you some basic questions about your company and operations, such as:

Your line of work
Where you conduct business
How long have you owned the company?
Employees' number
Annual revenue projections
History of recent insurance and claims

Following the submission of your information, you will have immediate access to a customized insurance quote for general liability and other recommended coverage.