Frequently asked questions about general liability insurance

General liability insurance isn't required by law. However, it provides key coverage that could protect your business from bankruptcy if a client sues. Plus, in certain situations, general liability insurance may be required. For example, you may need it for:

• A commercial lease
• A client contract
• A professional license

Because of the high cost of a lawsuit, general liability insurance is recommended for every small business.

General liability insurance covers the most common third-party lawsuits (lawsuits filed by someone outside your business). This includes:

• Bodily injury
• Property damage
• Advertising injury, including libel or slander 
• Copyright infringement 
• Product liability

However, there are events, acts, or types of damage that are not covered by general liability insurance. Some can be covered by other types of small business insurance, others will never be covered by any policy. Learn more about general liability insurance exclusions. 

A lawsuit, even a frivolous one, can quickly escalate into thousands of dollars in legal costs. If a client or other person outside of your company sues, your policy can pay for:

• Attorney's fees
• Court costs
• Court-ordered judgments
• Settlements

Most small businesses opt for:

• $1 million per-occurrence limit
• $2 million aggregate limit
• $500 deductible

That means the policy would pay $1 million on one incident, or $2 million on all claims while it’s active. The policyholder would need to pay $500 before getting money back on a claim. Large companies will need more coverage, as their claims could end up costing more.

Yes – and it could be required. Independent contractors and sole proprietors face the same risks as small businesses. You may need this policy to:

• Protect against lawsuits over an injury
• Protect against lawsuits over property damage
• Fulfill the terms of a client contract

Even if a contract does not require it, it’s still recommended that independent contractors and sole proprietors carry this policy.

Customer typically get general liability insurance certificate within 24 to 48 hours after submitting an online quote request.

Your quotes should arrive in your email inbox as soon as you finish the application. A licensed TechInsurance agent can help answer any questions throughout the process.

Once you’ve paid for your general liability policy, there are two ways to obtain an ACORD certificate of insurance:

• We can email you your certificate
• You can access your certificate by logging into your account

This form is the proof of insurance required by commercial leases, client contracts, and applications for certain professional licenses.

It may be tempting to simply go with the least expensive quote, but there are several factors to consider. That includes:

• Premium (how much the policy costs)
• Policy limits (the amount it will pay on a claim)
• Deductible (the amount paid before you can make a claim)
• Coverage (for example, a business owner's policy bundles two insurance coverages)

Read more on how to compare general liability insurance quotes.

TechInsurance is a trusted insurance expert for all small businesses, including startups, limited liability companies (LLCs) and freelancers, with extensive knowledge of the technology sector.

Technology professions that commonly partner with TechInsurance for their insurance needs include:

• Software developers
• App developers
• IT consultants
• Cybersecurity professionals
• Computer repair and service businesses

With TechInsurance, you can compare quotes from several providers, which is an easy way to save money on business insurance. Beyond comparison shopping, a business owner looking to save money on insurance can also:

• Bundle policies for a discount
• Choose low policy limits
• Choose a high deductible
• Manage risks to avoid claims
• Communicate with your clients

Explore more ways to save money on general liability insurance.

To make a general liability claim, you will need to contact your insurance provider. They will ask for:

• A description of the incident
• Basic information about your business
• Your policy number

Your agent can help guide you through the process and answer any additional questions.

Yes. It’s easy to purchase an additional policy or increase policy limits as your business expands. Talk to your insurance agent to make adjustments or purchase new coverage.

Canceling your policy exposes your business to risk. It could also end up costing your business more in the long run. Companies that start and stop coverage are often charged more when they try to purchase insurance at a later date.

A business owner's policy, also called a BOP, bundles general liability insurance with commercial property coverage, which covers the cost to repair or replace business property that is damaged, stolen, or destroyed.

A BOP is typically less expensive than if you purchased each policy separately.

Learn more about the differences between general liability and a BOP.

General liability insurance covers your small business if a third party sues you over a physical injury, property damage, or an advertising injury (libel or slander).

Professional liability insurance (also known as errors and omissions insurance) offers financial protection if you are sued by a client who claims you made a professional mistake that resulted in a monetary loss. Different industries often use one term or the other to refer to the same coverage.

Almost every business owner could benefit from a general liability policy. However, the type of business you have will determine if you need a professional liability policy. Businesses that usually need professional liability coverage are those that offer professional services or advice.

Learn more about the differences between general liability and professional liability insurance.

General liability insurance offers protection if a non-employee sues your small business over bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.

Errors and omissions insurance compensates your business if a client sues over a professional mistake that resulted in a monetary loss. It is also known as professional liability insurance. You may see these terms used in different industries to refer to the same coverage.

Read more about the differences between general liability and errors and omissions insurance.

General liability pays for costs associated with third-party risks, but does not cover employee injuries.

To extend this protection to your employees, you will need to purchase workers' compensation insurance. This policy covers the costs associated with employee injuries and even pays for lost wages during recovery periods.

Depending on which state your business is located in, you may be legally required to purchase workers’ comp coverage.

Learn more about the differences between general liability and workers' compensation insurance.