Why Business Owners Need General Liability Coverage

Even if you rarely have visitors to your workplace, you need general liability coverage. Today’s business owners manage a variety of liability risks, sometimes without even realizing it. For example, do you advertise, occasionally post a blog, or have an Instagram account or other social media presence? You may distribute a product in the U.S. or worldwide. Do you go into people’s homes or manage rental properties? Landlording brings with it a host of hazards. If any of these activities sound familiar, you have liability risks.

These situations, and a wide range of other business ventures, can leave your company exposed to liability. Companies can protect themselves with a general liability (GL) policy designed to cover business liabilities. Protecting your hard-earned assets is necessary in today’s world where litigation seems to be the go-to response to many types of disagreements.

What is General Liability Insurance?

Today’s businesses face a growing threat of claims on both the buildings they manage and from their business activities. A GL policy can offer three important protections should someone make a claim against you or your business.

  1. Investigation – A prompt and thorough investigation after an incident. Your insurer will review any allegations lodged against you, your managers, or your company.
  2. Defense Priced an attorney lately, especially when allegations include defamation or trademark infringement? Your GL policy supplies a robust defense using highly skilled attorneys accustomed to defending these and other personal injury allegations.
  3. Indemnity Judgments and court costs have risen sharply. Your GL policy can pay claims settlements, defense and court costs and judgments if you’re found liable in an incident

What Types of Claims Does the GL Policy Defend?

The GL is broad coverage that can defend against many different allegations.

Slips, trips and falls

No matter how well-kept your premises, a visitor can fall, and the results can be catastrophic. As our buildings age – and research shows the average U.S. commercial building is 50 years old – maintenance becomes more challenging. Lighting may not be perfect, stairs may no longer meet current code and other problems are bound to arise. Your GL supplies peace-of-mind protection in the event that an injury or assault occurs on your premises.

Property damage

You may hold others’ property, such as after an eviction. You may send workers into buildings. These employees can accidentally damage a client’s property. Your insurance adjuster can estimate the current value of any damaged property and settle the property damage claim. This settlement can help keep your tenant’s goodwill.

Damage to rented space

Do you hold seminars or rent office space? Even the most careful person can cause damage. An untended space heater or a malfunctioning microwave can start a fire. Your GL coverage protects you against certain types of damage to the spaces you rent or lease.

Product liability

If you sell a product, you run the risk of an injured consumer. No matter how safe your product, misuse or malfunction could cause serious repercussions. Your GL policy can defend you against allegations of faulty workmanship, regardless of where you distribute your product.

Personal or advertising injury

Offhand remarks you make about your competition or images you use on your blog can create liability. Personal and advertising injury coverage allows you to publish your blogs, more freely discuss the benefits of your facilities over a competitors’, or pursue trademark efforts, knowing you have coverage to help protect you.

Here is another liability policy you may want to strongly consider.

Active assailant event coverage

No business owner who has experienced workplace violence or an armed intruder expected it. However, today’s business owners face that very real possibility, that an armed intruder could invade your business. While the GL policy may protect you if a victim alleges you did not provide adequate protection, the active assailant policy offers the types of services essential to continue operations after this type of encounter. These include post-event public relations assistance, counseling for victims, access to violence-prevention workplace plans and other important benefits

How it Works

Create Profile

Simply create your quote profile and answer some basic questions. We’ll reach out if we need more information.

Review Quotes

We’ll provide quotes from several well-respected insurers eager to do business with you.

Enjoy Peace of Mind

Once we complete your coverage, you’ll have the peace of mind you need to manage your business.

General Liability FAQs

  • What is general liability insurance?

    General liability insurance is your first line of defense to protect you and your business assets against allegations that you acted negligently.

  • Is general liability insurance expensive?

    Your premium will depend on the types of risks you customarily face in your “class” of business. For example, if you’re a sole proprietor real estate company, you face fewer risks than an apartment complex with swimming pools and beachfront exposure, for example. For smaller businesses, we can offer you GL coverage packaged with property insurance for a surprisingly low cost. Whether big or small, GL coverage provides your business with broad coverage against an increasingly litigious clientele.

  • Why do I need general liability coverage? I am just a sole proprietor and I do all my work over the internet.

    In today’s world, people are increasingly lawsuit prone. Even a single statement you make about a competitor can result in a lawsuit. No business owner today should open the doors without liability insurance. It’s just too easy to become involved in litigation with the shotgun approach lawyers take when filing suit.

Get A General Liability Quote Now

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