General Liability (GL) Insurance
General liability (GL) insurance is one of the most common and necessary policies that businesses need.
What is General Liability (GL) Insurance?
General liability (GL) insurance is one of the most common and necessary policies that businesses need. This policy primarily covers allegations or incidents where you cause bodily injury or property damage to someone else (or another business), but it also covers other incidents, such as copyright infringement and defamation.
Why You Need It
To Provide A Certificate Of Liability Insurance
First-time buyers of general liability insurance often purchase the policy to produce a certificate of insurance (COI) for a customer, vendor, or bank they want to do business with. Many companies want to know that you have the necessary insurance to pay for any incident that might arise, including if your actions result in a lawsuit for them.
To Comply With State Or Federal Regulations
Other buyers have to purchase general liability insurance to comply with government requirements for the operation of their type of business. Generally, these requirements are specific to the state where your business operates, but purchasing general liability insurance is often required for construction contractors, cosmetologists, car dealers, and real estate agents.
To Protect The Business From Major Losses
After the significant amount of time, resources, and money invested in building a viable business, many business owners want to make sure their investment is protected from certain incidents that could bankrupt the company. A general liability insurance policy covers a lot of the incidents that could lead to a costly lawsuit.
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What General Liability (GL) Insurance Covers
Premises Liability
Property damage or bodily injury that takes place on property that your business owns or occupies. Premises liability claims could arise from uneven pavement, slippery floors, icy walks, falling objects, inadequate security, chair defects, and concealed holes.
Physical Injuries
Unintentional injuries to someone during the course of doing business. This covers everything from injuries that occur while on client premises or due to a product you sold to a customer years prior.
Damaging Someone Else’s Property
Damage your business causes to other people’s or other company’s property. This could be anyone or any business that experienced property damage as a result of your business operations—not just a customer or partner.
Products Liability
Property damage or bodily injury that your product causes others after you have produced and sold the product.
Completed Operations Liability
Liability that arises from a contractor’s project after the work is finished. For example, if a deck on a house collapsed and injured three people a year after it was built, the completed operations liability claim would be covered on the contractor’s general liability insurance policy.
Medical Payments
Medical bill reimbursement for others, regardless of fault. Note: This coverage is a small limit, usually $5,000 to $15,000, on most general liability insurance policies.
Personal Injury
Liability arising from certain intentional torts, such as libel, slander, wrongful eviction, false arrest, and invasion of privacy.
Advertising Injury
Most liabilities that arise from your marketing operations, such as misappropriation of advertising ideas and copyright infringement.
Settlements Or Verdicts Against You
Both settlements and verdicts against your company for covered claims, up to the policy’s limit of insurance (e.g. $1,000,000 on most policies)
Legal Defense Costs
Legal costs to defend your business and negotiate favorable settlements on your behalf. Typically, this coverage is not included in the limit of liability, meaning there is no limit on the financial amount the insurance company can pay until the policy limits are exhausted through a settlement payment.
What General Liability (GL) Insurance Doesn't Cover
Giving Incorrect Advice
Financial harm that could arise as a result of incorrect advice given to a client. For this coverage, you need an errors & omissions insurance policy.
Damage To Owned Property
Property you own. For this coverage, you need a commercial property insurance policy.
Employee Injury
Injuries to either you or your employees. This coverage would be provided under a workers compensation insurance policy.
Expected Or Intended Incidents
Damage you intended to cause, or damage that could have been expected to happen given your actions.
Data Breach Liability
Liability arising from your sensitive data becoming public after a cyberattack or data breach. For this coverage, you need a cyber liability insurance policy.
Incidents You Aren’t Legally Liable For
It has to be determined that you are legally liable for paying the damages before the insurance provider will pay the claim.
Reasons To Have General Liability (GL) Insurance Coverage
General Liability (GL) Insurance is a must have for businesses that need:
To Provide A Certificate Of Liability Insurance
First-time buyers of general liability insurance often purchase the policy to produce a certificate of insurance (COI) for a customer, vendor, or bank they want to do business with. Many companies want to know that you have the necessary insurance to pay for any incident that might arise, including if your actions result in a lawsuit for them.
To Comply With State Or Federal Regulations
Other buyers have to purchase general liability insurance to comply with government requirements for the operation of their type of business. Generally, these requirements are specific to the state where your business operates, but purchasing general liability insurance is often required for construction contractors, cosmetologists, car dealers, and real estate agents.
To Protect The Business From Major Losses
After the significant amount of time, resources, and money invested in building a viable business, many business owners want to make sure their investment is protected from certain incidents that could bankrupt the company. A general liability insurance policy covers a lot of the incidents that could lead to a costly lawsuit.
What Does General Liability (GL) Insurance Coverage Cost?
Costs can vary based on your location and the specific type of work you perform. Here are some examples of small business general liability quotes:
| Marketing Company | Painting Contractor | Concrete Construction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | CA | FL | OR |
| Annual Revenue | $250,000 | $75,000 | $500,000 |
| Per Occurance Limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate Limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Deductible | $0 | $250 | $0 |
| Monthly Cost | $30 | $62.50 | $233 |
| Annual Cost | $350 | $750 | $2,796 |
Running a larger company comes with additional risk and increased premiums. Here are some quote examples for larger company general liability policies:
| Utilities Contractor | Metal Manufacturer | Online Amazon Store | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State | OK | FL | TX |
| Annual Revenue | $2,400,000 | $4,000,000 | $18,000,000 |
| Per Occurance Limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate Limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Deductible | $0 | $2,500 | $0 |
| Monthly Cost | $3,723 | $2,193 | $191 |
| Annual Cost | $44,680 | $26,316 | $2,300 |
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What Our Customers Are Saying
Buying insurance can be a daunting task because of the complexity of each policy. LandesBlosch has been a game changer for my business. They held my hand through all the different options that my businesses may or may not needs to make sure I'm not underinsured. This reduces my personal stress and my business liability.
Dalton P.
I have been with Guy Landes and the LandesBlosch agency for almost 20 years. Guy Landes and his staff have been there for me and my entire family through several claims as well as guiding us successfully to ensure our family’s ever changing and growing business. Whether you are looking for personal or commercial insurance, you cannot find a more devoted and competitively priced group than the LandesBlosch Group!
Mike S.
If integrity is an important element in your business dealings? LandesBlosch delivers. This company stands on timeless character strengths that have been the cornerstone of their business build. Exemplary customer service skills combined with astute knowledge in the industry equates to unparallel success for any individuals or businesses seeking solid counsel. I highly recommend LandesBlosch as your insurance partner, you will not be disappointed.
Cheri M.
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