
Business liability insurance is a vital protection for any business, big or small. It can help cover the costs of accidents, injuries, or property damage that may occur on the job.
There are several types of business liability insurance options available, including general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and product liability insurance. These options can provide financial protection against a range of potential risks.
General liability insurance, for example, can cover damages to third parties, such as customers or vendors, while professional liability insurance can protect against errors or omissions in professional services. Product liability insurance, on the other hand, can help cover costs associated with defective products.
Businesses can choose from a range of insurance providers to find the best fit for their needs.
What Is Business Liability Insurance?
Business liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects businesses from financial losses due to lawsuits and other claims.
This insurance helps businesses cover the costs of damages or injuries caused to others, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Businesses with employees are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance, which is a type of business liability insurance that covers employees injured on the job.
Business liability insurance can also cover damages to property, including buildings and equipment.
For example, if a customer slips and falls in a store, the business may be liable for the customer's medical expenses and other related costs.
Businesses can choose from different types of business liability insurance policies, including general liability, professional liability, and product liability.
The cost of business liability insurance varies depending on the type of business, its size, and the level of coverage needed.
Businesses that are considered high-risk, such as those in industries with a history of accidents or lawsuits, may pay more for their insurance premiums.
Types of Business Liability Insurance
Business liability insurance comes in different forms to protect various aspects of your business. High-risk businesses can get general liability insurance through a specialty market called excess and surplus lines (E&S).
To determine the cost of business liability insurance, your business's perceived risk levels will be taken into account. For example, a building contractor who deals with heavy equipment and machinery will pay more for coverage than an accountant.
There are several types of business liability insurance that your business may need. General liability insurance, for instance, protects against bodily harm to others, property damage, and personal injury. Commercial property insurance, on the other hand, protects against damage to the property that you have bought or rented for your business.
Here are some common types of business liability insurance:
- General liability insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Business income insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Data breach insurance
Who Needs It?
If you're a business owner, you might be wondering who needs general liability insurance. A commercial general liability policy is a good fit for businesses that work with clients, sell products, advertise, and more.
Employers or clients might require you to carry a certain amount of general liability before you can work for them, so it's essential to read through your contracts carefully.
Architects, caterers, engineers, food trucks, landscapers, painters, photographers, and plumbers are common professions that purchase general liability insurance.
These professionals often work with clients and sell products, which makes them more susceptible to third-party claims and lawsuits.
What Are the Types?

Business liability insurance is essential for protecting your business from various risks. General liability insurance is a common type that protects against bodily harm to others, property damage, and personal injury. It's a must-have for businesses that interact with the public, such as retail stores or restaurants.
Commercial property insurance, on the other hand, protects against damage to the property you've bought or rented for your business. This type of insurance is crucial for businesses that own or lease property, such as office buildings or warehouses.
Product and completed operations liability provides protection for bodily injury and property damage that occurs away from your premises, caused by your products or work. This type of insurance is vital for businesses that sell products or offer services that can cause harm.
Liquor liability protects you against claims for injury for selling, serving, or furnishing alcoholic beverages during your business operations. This type of insurance is a must-have for bars, restaurants, and other businesses that serve alcohol.
Here are the main types of business liability insurance:
- General liability insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Product and completed operations liability
- Liquor liability
Employment-Related Practices
Employment-related practices liability insurance can be a lifesaver for businesses. It covers wrongful termination claims made against you by an employee.
Wrongful termination is a serious issue that can lead to costly lawsuits. This type of insurance can help protect your business from financial ruin.
Invasion of privacy or defamation claims made against you by an employee can also be covered by this type of insurance.
Defamation claims can be particularly damaging, as they can harm your business's reputation.
Additional Bop Coverage Options
A Business Owners Policy (BOP) can be a great starting point for many businesses, but it's not the only coverage option available. You can add additional policies to your BOP to provide more comprehensive protection.
A BOP typically includes general liability and property insurance, but you may also want to consider professional liability insurance, which can help cover costs associated with errors or negligence in your business.
If your business involves vehicles, you'll need a commercial auto insurance policy to cover damage or accidents.
Cyber liability insurance is also a good idea, especially if you handle sensitive customer data or have an online presence.
Workers' compensation insurance is a must-have if you have employees, as it helps provide financial protection in case of job-related injuries or illnesses.
Some businesses, such as healthcare professionals, may also want to consider medical malpractice insurance or wellness and fitness insurance to protect against claims of negligence or injury.
Here are some common additional coverage options you can consider:
Hired and Non-Owned Autos
Hired and Non-Owned Autos are essential types of business liability insurance that protect your company from auto-related risks. This coverage is crucial for businesses that use vehicles that are not owned by the company, such as rented cars or employees' personal vehicles.
Hired auto liability coverage provides protection for short-term auto rentals, which is a common scenario for businesses that need vehicles for a specific project or event. This coverage helps to ensure that your business is not held liable for accidents or damages that occur during the rental period.
Non-owned auto liability coverage, on the other hand, provides protection for employees who use their personal vehicles for business purposes. This coverage helps to fill the gap in liability coverage that may exist when employees use their own vehicles for work-related activities.
Additional Coverage Options
Business liability insurance is just the beginning. A Business Owners Policy (BOP) can cover property damage, like a fire that damages your office, and help pay employees' wages while business is interrupted.
You may also want to consider professional liability insurance, which can cover legal defense costs in cases like a hair stylist giving a client the wrong cut and color. This type of insurance can help protect your business from costly lawsuits.
Other important coverage options include commercial auto insurance, which can cover damage to vehicles used for business, like a carpenter accidentally backing into a homeowner's car. This can be a lifesaver if you have employees who use their own vehicles for work.
Umbrella Policy
An umbrella policy is designed to protect against unusually high losses when the policy limits of one of the underlying policies have been used up.
This type of coverage can be a lifesaver if you're involved in a lawsuit or experience a catastrophic event that exceeds your standard policy limits.
Umbrella policies can extend coverage over and above your other liability coverage, providing an extra layer of protection for your assets.
The Hanover's umbrella coverage, for example, can fill gaps on general liability and auto policies, offering flexible limits up to $25 million at affordable rates.
Get It All in a Bop
A BOP, or Business Owners Policy, is a great way to get all your coverage needs in one place. This type of policy includes general liability and property protection, which can cover damages to your office, like a fire, and help pay your employees' wages while business is interrupted.
Having a BOP can also provide peace of mind, especially if you own or rent property. For example, a fire that damages your office can be covered by a BOP, and you can focus on getting back to business as usual.
If you own a small or medium-sized business, such as a restaurant or retail store, a BOP might be a better choice for you. This is because it offers additional protections that can help you navigate unexpected events.
Here are some additional coverage options you might consider adding to your BOP:
- Professional Liability Insurance: This can cover legal defense costs in case a client sues you for something like a hair stylist giving them the wrong cut and color.
- Commercial Auto Insurance: This can cover damage to vehicles used for business, like if a carpenter accidentally backs into the homeowner's car on a job site.
- Cyber Liability Insurance: This can protect your business from losses due to computer-related attacks, such as malware or stolen personal data.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance: This can provide financial protection for job-related injuries or illnesses.
- Medical Malpractice Insurance (for healthcare professionals) and Wellness and Fitness Insurance (for healthcare professionals): These can protect against claims of negligence or medical mistakes.
Risk Management and Costs
Business liability insurance is crucial for protecting a company's assets and paying for legal obligations. Small business owners, especially those with partnerships and sole proprietorships, are particularly vulnerable to exorbitant expenses in the event of a lawsuit.
Even with a limited liability corporation (LLC) structure, an owner may still be exposed to personal risk. This is why business liability insurance is essential for covering medical costs incurred by customers and on-the-job injuries sustained by employees.
Businesses that carry higher risks can augment their coverage limits with excess of loss reinsurance or umbrella insurance. This provides an added layer of protection against costly lawsuits.
Understanding Risk Management
Small business owners often put their personal finances at risk in the event of a business-related lawsuit.
Partnerships and sole proprietorships are particularly vulnerable to exorbitant expenses and are consequently in the greatest need of business liability insurance coverage.
Business liability insurance protects a company's assets and pays for legal obligations, such as medical costs incurred by a customer who gets hurt on store property.
Businesses that tend to carry higher risks than traditional liability insurance covers can augment their coverage limits with an excess of loss reinsurance or umbrella insurance.
Liability insurance also covers the cost of a company's legal defense, while paying for any settlement offerings or awards a company is mandated to pay as per legal judgments leveled against them.
It's essential for businesses to have workers' compensation insurance, as it's required in almost every state, and can help protect against costly claims.
Businesses that don't have workers' compensation insurance may be putting their employees at risk of financial hardship if they're injured on the job.
In some cases, having a general liability policy can be a good idea, especially if a business needs to fulfill certain contracts, such as a lease.
Business Costs
Businesses that deal with heavy equipment and dangerous machinery will pay more for business liability insurance than those that don't.
A business owner policy (BOP) can be a cost-effective option for businesses in the lower risk category, combining general liability and property insurance at a lower rate.
Coverage costs are determined by a business' perceived risk levels, which can vary greatly depending on the type of business.
Businesses should carefully review any new or additional business liability insurance policies to avoid duplication of coverage from competing insurance providers, thereby minimizing costs.
Specialized Support
High-risk businesses can get general liability insurance through a specialty market called excess and surplus lines (E&S). This type of insurance provides coverage for businesses that the standard market doesn't protect.
Some businesses may find themselves in high-risk categories, but that doesn't mean they can't get the insurance they need. With E&S insurance, they can still get the protection they require to operate safely and successfully.
Contractors
As a contractor, you're likely familiar with the importance of protecting your business from potential risks. General Liability Insurance for Contractors can be a more cost-effective solution if you don't require property insurance or need to cover payroll or operating expenses.
If you're responsible for contractual obligations, you may need a surety bond to guarantee your business will perform as expected. These bonds provide a financial guarantee that you'll comply with regulations.
General Liability Insurance can save you money by providing the risk protection you need without overwhelming you with unnecessary coverages. Surety bonds, on the other hand, are often required to run your business, especially when dealing with contractual obligations.
Directors and Officers
Directors and officers liability insurance is a type of business insurance that protects the personal assets of directors and officers in the event they are sued.
Directors and officers can be sued by third parties, such as suppliers and customers, or by their employees, which can lead to significant financial losses.
This insurance provides coverage for situations where a poor decision was made by a company's board of directors or officers resulting in a claim for damage.
It's essential for companies, especially condominium associations, golf courses, and churches, to have this type of insurance to safeguard their directors and officers.
Directors and officers liability insurance can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each organization, providing peace of mind for those in leadership positions.
High-Risk Business Support
High-risk businesses can get general liability insurance through a specialty market called excess and surplus lines (E&S). This type of insurance provides coverage for businesses the standard market doesn’t protect.
Businesses with high risk levels, like building contractors who deal with heavy equipment, will pay more for coverage. They'll need to consider the cost of insurance carefully to ensure it fits within their budget.
A business owner policy (BOP) can be a cost-effective option for businesses in the lower risk category, combining general liability and property insurance at a lower rate. This can be a great way to save money on insurance premiums.
Any new or additional business liability insurance policies should contain exclusions clauses to avoid duplication of coverage from competing insurance providers. This will help minimize costs and ensure you're not paying for unnecessary coverage.
Claims and Endorsements
Our industry-leading claim services and 24/7 reporting help you get back to business quickly, making the process of making a claim as smooth as possible.
A Business Owners Policy (BOP) can cover repairs to your office and help pay your employees' wages while business is interrupted, as seen in the example of a fire damaging your office.
If you're a hair stylist, professional liability insurance could cover legal defense costs if a client sues you for allegedly giving them the wrong cut and color.
Here are some additional coverage options to consider:
Endorsement Options
If you're looking to enhance your insurance coverage, there are several endorsement options available to consider.
A Business Owners Policy (BOP) can provide general liability coverage, as well as protection for your property, and can even cover repairs to your office and employee wages in case of a business interruption.
You should also think about supplementing your standard insurance coverage with general liability, which can help protect your business from various types of exposures.
To further enhance your BOP, you can consider adding additional coverage options, such as professional liability insurance, which can help cover legal defense costs in case a client sues your business.
Here are some key endorsement options to consider:
- General Liability Insurance: This type of insurance can help protect your business from various types of exposures.
- Professional Liability Insurance: This type of insurance can help cover legal defense costs in case a client sues your business.
- Commercial Auto Insurance: This type of insurance can help cover damage to vehicles used for business, such as if a carpenter accidentally backs into a homeowner's car.
- Cyber Liability Insurance: This type of insurance can help protect businesses from losses from computer-related attacks, such as malware or stolen personal data.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance: This type of insurance can help provide financial protection for job-related injuries or illnesses.
Claims
Having a reliable claims process in place is crucial for any business. Our industry-leading claim services help you get back to business quickly.
You can report claims 24/7, which is a huge relief when you need to make a claim outside of regular business hours.
Key Takeaways
Business liability insurance is a must-have for companies and business owners. It protects their financial interests from lawsuits and associated legal costs.
This type of insurance covers a range of liabilities, including general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and product liability insurance. Each type of insurance has its own unique coverage, but they all share the common goal of safeguarding business owners' financial well-being.
The cost of business liability insurance is influenced by the type of business being insured. For example, companies located in flood-prone regions tend to pay more for coverage.
Here are some key types of business liability insurance:
- General liability insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Product liability insurance
Business liability insurance also protects business owners from penalties they may face from litigation. This can be a significant financial burden, and insurance helps to mitigate that risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is $1,000,000 liability insurance?
The average cost of a $1 million liability insurance policy is around $500 per year, with some customers paying as little as $30 per month. However, premiums can vary depending on individual circumstances, so it's best to get a personalized quote.
How much is a $5 million dollar insurance policy for a business?
A $5 million business insurance policy typically costs between $375 to $525 per year, extending your existing liability coverage with an extra layer of protection.
What is the best insurance for a small business?
For small businesses, a Businessowners Policy (BOP) is often the best insurance option, providing comprehensive coverage for general liability and property insurance in one convenient package.
What is the limit of liability insurance for a business?
Business liability insurance typically has two limits: a per-occurrence limit, which covers individual incidents, and an aggregate limit, which covers total incidents for a policy period
What is not covered by general liability?
General liability policies typically do not cover intentional acts or contractual liabilities assumed by the policyholder. This means damages caused on purpose or from taking on someone else's responsibility are usually excluded
Sources
- https://www.geico.com/general-liability-insurance/
- https://www.progressivecommercial.com/business-insurance/general-liability-insurance/
- https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/small-business-liability/
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/business-liability-insurance.asp
- https://www.hanover.com/businesses/products/general-liability
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