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General liability insurance
Protect your small business from third-party claims with a general liability policy from a trusted insurance company.
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What is a general liability insurance policy?
Liability insurance for a small business protects you against lawsuits and other claims of bodily injury and property damage from a third party, including customers. It is an essential coverage for small businesses, like retailers and contractors, to protect their business interests in case of an accident.
What's covered under a general liability policy
General liability policies typically include coverage for
- Bodily injuries
- Damage to buildings, land and other tangible property
- Personal injuries (mental or emotional harm)
- Advertising injuries (copyright infringement)
With Liberty Mutual, certain small businesses can tailor their general liability policies by adding industry-specific coverages.
Cover all your bases with a BOP
A business owner's policy (BOP) bundles two coverages most small businesses need - commercial property insurance for physical assets and general liability to protect against third-party injury or property damage claims.
Why choose a Liberty Mutual general liability policy?
Why work with independent insurance agents
Who needs general liability insurance?
Most small businesses, including contractors and tradespeople, can benefit from general liability insurance to cover the legal costs that arise in the course of doing business.
You may even be required to carry a general liability policy if you sign contracts with other companies, lease office space, or have a professional license.
Here are a couple common scenarios where a general liability policy can help save you out-of-pocket costs:
- Unintentional property damage is extremely common, especially for contractors who work in homes or places of business. For example, a general liability policy can protect you if you spilled paint on a carpet - covering the cost to clean or replace it as well as any legal costs incurred.
- Slip and fall injuries may sound harmless, but they're often anything but - resulting in broken bones, concussions, or worse. If a customer or other non-employee gets injured in your workplace, a general liability policy may help pay medical expenses for which you're liable.
Explore these additional small business coverages
We can help you find the best coverage for your small business so you have peace of mind.General liability insurance frequently asked questions
Most small businesses can benefit from having general liability insurance, which helps cover legal costs that arise in the course of doing business.
You may be required to carry general liability insurance if you sign contracts with other companies, lease office space, or have a professional license.
Whether you should bundle general liability insurance with other types of insurance depends on your business and what risks you face.
Other common types of small business insurance you might need include commercial property insurance, workers compensation insurance, and commercial auto insurance.
To figure out what types of insurance your business needs, speak with an independent agent.
A certificate of insurance is a simple document that proves a business has insurance coverage. It includes important details like the types of insurance the business has, how much coverage is included, and the dates the coverage is active.
Business owners often use certificates of insurance to show clients or partners that they are protected in case something goes wrong. It's a quick way to confirm you have insurance without having to share the full policy.
A general liability insurance policy protects a business against lawsuits and other claims of bodily injury and property damage from a third party.
A business owner's policy (BOP) is comprehensive insurance policy that combines the base coverages included in a general liability policy with those included in a commercial property policy.
BOPs are best for businesses that need both commercial property insurance for their physical assets and general liability insurance to help cover legal expenses that could arise in the course of doing business.
The cost of general liability insurance will depend on your industry and how much liability insurance you need - a decision an independent agent can help you make.
Keep in mind that cheap general liability insurance isn't necessarily the best general liability insurance for a small business.
General liability insurance protects contractors from common risks like property damage and liability for medical costs due to injuries.
With general liability coverage, a contractor can receive support for paying legal fees and settlements that would otherwise be their sole responsibility.
Yes. General liability insurance is also commonly called "commercial liability insurance" and "commercial general liability insurance."
The best starting place for getting general liability insurance is to talk to an independent agent about your unique coverage needs. Your agent will help you identify potential risks, review additional coverages, if needed, and secure a quote.
General liability insurance requirements vary by state and industry. Some states, for example, require general contractors and developers to have general liability insurance.
States may also require applicants for certain professional licenses (real estate, accounting, dentistry) to have general liability coverage.
An independent agent can help you determine what types of coverage your state requires for your business.
You absolutely can - and should! We recommend working with an independent agent to review the coverage needs of your business and help you find the right insurance product.
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