Get coverage for the uncertainties in business with general liability insurance.
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Learn about the advantages of Business Owner Policies with this highly educational and fun animated video.
Protect Your Business With General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance helps protect your business if someone gets hurt or if something gets damaged. It also helps pay for legal costs if you get sued.
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In my experience small businesses in Virginia can benefit from adding cyber insurance to their General Liability insurance policies. Many small businesses in Pennsylvania reporting that they use CRMS and system that contain sensitive consumer information. General Liability policies are a must for any business and these versatile commercial insurance policies allow you to tailor coverages to your specific business needs.
Why Small Businesses Need It
If you run a small business in Maryland, accidents can happen. A customer might fall in your store. An employee might damage a client’s property. If someone sues you, the costs can add up fast. Businesses have even been sued for having data breaches similar to Johnny Pistola’s in Washington D.C a good General Liability insurance policy with additional Cyber coverage would have saved this restaurant millions of dollars.
A general liability policy helps cover:
- Bodily injury – if someone gets hurt because of your business
- Property damage – if you break or damage someone else’s property
- Advertising injury – if someone claims you hurt their reputation
- Medical payments – for injuries at your place of work
- Legal fees – if you are sued
This is also called CGL, short for commercial general liability insurance.
What’s Not Covered?
General liability insurance doesn’t cover everything. It does not pay for:
- Mistakes in your work (that’s professional liability insurance)
- Employee injuries (you’ll need workers’ compensation)
- Damage to your own tools or building (commercial property insurance helps with that)
- Company vehicles (commercial auto insurance is needed)
As an experiences commercial insurance agent I’ve worked with thousands of small businesses in Virginia and as your business grows so does your need for additional coverages. As you can imagine starting out with no employees you may not need (insert hyperlink to workers comp page) anchor text workers compensation but after that first hire happens you will need this valuable coverage.
What Does General Liability Insurance Cost?
Prices can change depending on your type of business, location, and risk.
- $1 million coverage usually costs between $300 and $1,000 per year
- $100,000 coverage may cost around $200 to $400 per year
Costs depend on things like your premiums, deductible, how risky your work is (exposures), and what your coverage limits are. Cost of General Liability Insurance in Virginia can also depend on the type of business you have.
Real-Life Examples
Here are two ways this insurance helps:
- A customer slips on your floor and needs care. Insurance helps pay medical expenses and legal fees.
- An employee damages a client’s person’s property while working. Insurance helps cover the cost.
These are common liability claims.
When Do You Need It?
You may need general liability insurance if you:
- Work with clients in person
- Visit other job sites
- Sign contracts to do work
- Want to protect your business operations
Many insurance companies require it before doing business. If you are working with a Vendor for business in Pennsylvania or Virginia they may require a certificate of insurance proving that you have commercial General Liability Insurance.
How to Choose the Right Policy
Picking the right general liability insurance policy starts with understanding your business needs. Here’s how to choose:
- Think about how much coverage you need (policy limits)
- See if you need to add an additional insured like a landlord
- Ask about bundling your general liability coverage with a business owners policy (BOP) for extra protection
A licensed insurance agent can help explain your options and walk you through the underwriting process.
Other coverages:
General Liability Insurance FAQs
What does a commercial general liability policy cover?
It covers personal injuries, damages, and lawsuits that happen because of your business.
How much is $1 million commercial insurance?
Usually $300 to $1,000 per year for most small business owners.
How much is $100,000 in liability insurance?
Usually $200 to $400 per year, depending on your work.
What is an example of a commercial general liability claim?
A customer slips in your store. Your policy helps pay the bills.
What is the scope of commercial general liability insurance?
It covers claims from others—not damage to your own stuff or employees.
Can an individual get commercial general liability insurance?
Yes. Freelancers and one-person businesses can get this coverage too.
What does general liability insurance cover?
It helps pay for injuries, damage, advertising injury, medical payments, and legal fees.
How much does commercial general liability insurance cost?
It depends on your job, where you work, and how risky your work is it also depends on how long you’ve been in business.
What kinds of insurers offer CGL insurance?
Most big insurance companies and local providers offer CGL coverage.
Does general liability insurance cover property damage?
Yes, if you damage someone else’s property, your insurance can help pay for it.
Is general liability insurance tax deductible?
Yes. You can usually deduct the premiums from your general liability insurance coverage on your business taxes.
Who is insured on a general liability policy?
The business owner, employees, and others listed as additional insured.
How do I file a claim with my commercial general liability insurance?
Call your insurance provider or insurance agent, share what happened, and send any needed info. If you are a client with Right Away Insurance, please call us directly and we will help you with the claims process.
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