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Everyday business comes with everyday risks. General liability insurance can help protect your business when a covered accident leads to third-party injuries, property damage, or certain other liability claims.
Request a QuoteWhat Is General Liability Insurance?
General liability insurance helps protect your business against certain claims involving third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury. It is often called commercial general liability insurance, or CGL.
A customer could slip at your location, an employee could accidentally damage a client’s property, or your business could face a covered advertising-related allegation. Depending on the policy, coverage may help with eligible defense costs, settlements, and judgments.
General liability is an important part of many business insurance programs. The right coverage depends on your operations, locations, contracts, and the risks your business faces.
Protection for Businesses of All Kinds
If your business interacts with customers, works at client locations, sells products, or leases commercial space, general liability coverage may be important.
Contractors & Trades
Businesses working on job sites or at customer properties, including repair, installation, and maintenance services.
Retail & Wholesale
Stores and suppliers with customer traffic, merchandise, and product-related liability exposures.
Restaurants & Cafés
Food service businesses welcoming guests and serving products as part of their daily operations.
Cleaning & Service Companies
Teams providing services at homes, offices, and other customer locations.
Offices & Professional Firms
Businesses with office premises, visitors, and everyday operational liability exposures.
Small & Growing Businesses
Companies building an insurance foundation as they take on customers, contracts, and new opportunities.
Eligibility and available coverage vary by business type and insurer. Some operations require additional or specialized policies.
What Can General Liability Help Cover?
Available protection depends on your policy, covered operations, limits, exclusions, and the circumstances of a claim.
Third-Party Bodily Injury
Covered claims involving injuries to customers, visitors, or other third parties arising from your business operations.
Third-Party Property Damage
Certain claims that your business accidentally damaged someone else’s property, subject to applicable exclusions.
Personal & Advertising Injury
Specified offenses such as certain libel, slander, or advertising-related allegations, as defined by the policy.
Legal Defense
Defense for covered liability lawsuits, according to the policy’s defense provisions and conditions.
Products & Completed Operations
Covered bodily injury or property damage claims arising from products you sell or work you have completed, when included.
Medical Payments
Limited coverage for eligible medical expenses from certain accidents, without requiring a determination of fault, when included.
General liability does not cover every business loss. Employee injuries, professional errors, commercial auto claims, and damage to your own business property generally require other coverage.
What Affects the Cost?
General liability pricing reflects what your business does, where you operate, and the level of protection you select.
- Your industry and business operations
- Revenue, payroll, and business size
- Locations and customer traffic
- Products sold and work performed
- Claims history and prior coverage
- Coverage limits, deductibles, and endorsements
Get a General Liability Quote
Tell us about your operations, locations, and coverage requirements. Blue Java can help you explore available options for your business.
Request a QuoteGeneral Liability FAQs
Who needs general liability insurance?
Many businesses should consider general liability coverage, especially those that welcome customers, work at client locations, sell products, or lease commercial space. Your operations and contracts help determine the coverage you need.
Is general liability insurance required?
Requirements depend on your business, location, licensing rules, and contracts. A landlord, client, or project owner may require coverage and specific limits before you can begin work or occupy a space.
Does general liability cover employee injuries?
General liability generally does not cover work-related injuries to your employees. Workers’ compensation and employers’ liability coverage address different exposures and should be reviewed separately.
How is general liability different from professional liability?
General liability typically addresses certain third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury claims. Professional liability focuses on certain claims arising from professional advice, errors, omissions, or services.
Does it cover my business equipment or building?
General liability is not a substitute for commercial property insurance. Coverage for your own building, inventory, tools, or equipment generally needs to be arranged through property or other appropriate coverage.
Can I get a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance can provide evidence of coverage in force. If a client requests additional insured status or specific endorsements, those requirements must be reviewed and, when available, added to the policy. A certificate alone does not change coverage.
Can general liability be included in a business owners policy?
Eligible businesses may be able to combine general liability and commercial property coverage in a business owners policy, often called a BOP. Eligibility, included coverages, and available options vary by insurer and business type.
What information is needed for a quote?
Be ready to describe your operations, locations, annual revenue, payroll, products or services, subcontractor use, desired limits, prior insurance, and claims history. Client contracts may also help identify coverage requirements.
A Stronger Foundation for Your Business.
Explore general liability coverage built around your operations, responsibilities, and business needs.
This page provides general information only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, limits, and deductibles of the policy issued. Availability and eligibility vary by business, insurer, and location.