
Liability insurance coverage is a must-have for individuals and businesses alike. It protects you from financial losses in case you're held responsible for someone else's injuries or property damage.
Having the right coverage can save you from financial ruin, as seen in the case of a business that was sued for $1 million after a customer slipped and fell on their premises.
Liability insurance can be tailored to fit your specific needs, with options ranging from general liability to professional liability and product liability. This flexibility allows you to choose the coverage that best suits your situation.
For example, a contractor may need professional liability coverage to protect themselves from malpractice claims, while a retail store may require general liability coverage to cover slip-and-fall accidents.
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Liability Insurance Basics
Liability insurance is a type of coverage that protects you and your business from lawsuits and financial losses due to accidents, injuries, or property damage. It's a crucial component of risk management for small businesses.
General liability insurance, for example, typically covers legal costs if a customer slips and suffers an injury at your business, or if you accidentally damage someone's property. This policy also covers personal and advertising injuries, such as libel and copyright infringement.
The average premium for general liability insurance is only $42 per month for Insureon customers. This affordable coverage provides peace of mind and financial protection for small business owners.
Here's a breakdown of what general liability insurance typically covers:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Advertising injury
Auto liability insurance, on the other hand, covers damages to other people's property and injuries they sustain due to an accident. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal fees.
What Is Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance provides coverage for common liability claims from third parties, such as people outside your business.
General liability insurance covers legal defense costs if someone sues over a bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.
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Your commercial general liability (CGL) policy can pay for everything from hiring a lawyer to court-ordered judgments and settlements.
This type of insurance is essential for businesses, as it helps protect them from financial losses due to lawsuits and other liability claims.
Specifically, a CGL policy provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury, which are the most common types of liability claims.
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Liability Not Covered
General liability insurance doesn't cover everything. Your policy won't include coverage for property damage or bodily injury to you or your family members at home. This is typically covered by your home or renters insurance policy.
Liability resulting from an automobile accident is not covered by personal liability insurance. This will be covered by your auto insurance policy.
Injuries or damages sustained by you or family members in your home are not covered by personal liability insurance. This is because personal liability insurance is designed to protect others, not yourself.
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Business activities or claims related to your profession are not covered by personal liability insurance. This is because business liability insurance is a separate policy that protects your business from claims.
Here are some examples of what's not covered by personal liability insurance:
- Liability resulting from an automobile accident
- Bodily injury or property damage caused intentionally by you or a family member in your home
- Injuries or damages sustained by you or family members in your home
- Business activities or claims related to your profession
Types of Liability Insurance
General liability insurance is a crucial component of risk management for small businesses, and it's affordable, with an average premium of only $42 per month for Insureon customers. This policy protects against common risks such as slips and falls, property damage, and personal and advertising injuries.
General liability insurance covers legal defense costs, including hiring a lawyer, court-ordered judgments, and settlements, if someone sues over a bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.
The two types of liability coverages in auto insurance are property damage and bodily injury. Property damage coverage pays for damage to another person's property, while bodily injury coverage provides payment for others injured in an accident.
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Car Liability Insurance
Car liability insurance is a must-have for drivers in most states. It pays for property damage and/or injuries to others caused by an accident where you're at fault.
Liability car insurance typically covers two types of damages: property damage and bodily injury. Property damage coverage pays for damage to another person's property, while bodily injury coverage provides payment for others injured in an accident.
You can file a bodily injury claim against someone in most states. However, states may have different requirements on who can file such a claim.
Here are the two types of liability coverages:
- Property damage coverage: pays for damage to another person's property
- Bodily injury coverage: provides payment for others injured in an accident
Umbrella Policies
Umbrella policies offer an extra layer of protection, applied after you've exhausted your liability protection in your auto and/or homeowner policies. They protect you from financial liability if you cause damage to another person or their property.
For example, if you have a general liability policy that covers up to $500,000, an umbrella policy can kick in to cover any amount above that limit. This can provide peace of mind and financial security in case of a lawsuit or other liability claim.
The average premium for umbrella policies is not mentioned in the provided article sections, but it's worth noting that general liability insurance is affordable, with an average premium of only $42 per month for Insureon customers.
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Liability Coverage Details
Liability insurance coverage is designed to protect you from financial losses in case you're found responsible for causing harm to someone else or their property. Liability coverage includes both property damage and bodily injury coverages.
Property damage coverage insures against damage to another person's property caused by your vehicle. This can include repairs to the other driver's vehicle, a rental vehicle while the other person's car is being repaired, damage to buildings, fences, or other structures, and damage to personal property.
Bodily injury coverage pays for medical bills, prescriptions, lost wages, pain and suffering, and legal fees if you're sued for injuries you caused. It's essential to select appropriate bodily injury limits to ensure you have enough coverage to protect your financial well-being in the event of a significant accident.
Liability insurance policies typically have two parts: property damage and bodily injury. Property damage liability pays for costs associated with repairing or replacing another person's property, while bodily injury liability pays for medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses of the injured party.
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Liability insurance limits vary, and it's essential to understand what they cover. Bodily injury limits (per person) determine how much your policy will cover for injuries sustained to another individual in an at-fault accident. Bodily injury limits (per accident) determine how much your policy will cover for injuries caused per incident in an at-fault accident.
Here's an example of how liability insurance limits are packaged together:
- 25/50/10: $25,000 BI per person limit, $50,000 BI per accident limit, $10,000 property damage limit
- 300k Combined Single Limit: provides coverage for both bodily injury and property damage under the same limit
It's crucial to review and understand the liability insurance packages available to you and consider an umbrella policy for additional coverage beyond your liability car insurance.
Liability Insurance for Businesses
Liability insurance for businesses is essential to safeguard against third-party claims or lawsuits. Business owners can purchase business liability insurance to cover legal expenses, settlements, or judgments, protecting their financial stability and reputation.
A commercial general liability (CGL) policy provides coverage for common liability claims from third parties, including bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. This policy can pay for everything from hiring a lawyer to court-ordered judgments and settlements.
The average premium for general liability insurance is only $42 per month for Insureon customers, making it an affordable risk management tool for small businesses.
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Business Liability Insurance
Business liability insurance is a must-have for businesses of all sizes. It safeguards companies from third-party liability claims or lawsuits, covering legal expenses, settlements, or judgments that can damage a business's financial stability and reputation.
This type of insurance is essential for mitigating risks and securing assets, whether you run a small enterprise or a large corporation. General liability insurance is a specific type of business liability insurance that covers common liability claims from third parties.
General liability insurance provides coverage for legal defense costs if someone sues over a bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury. Your policy can pay for everything from hiring a lawyer to court-ordered judgments and settlements.
Here are some specific things that general liability insurance covers:
- Legal defense costs
- Court-ordered judgments and settlements
- Hiring a lawyer
- Advertising injury
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
Independent contractors and subcontractors can also benefit from general liability insurance, as they can be sued and held liable for customer injuries, property damage, or advertising injuries. If you don't want to purchase a commercial general liability policy, you can ask your clients to add you to their policies as an additional insured.
However, keep in mind that your clients might pay a higher insurance premium if they add you to their general liability policies, and your coverage will end once the contract expires.
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Liability Cover for Business Vehicles
Personal auto insurance policies usually don't cover business use, except for commutes to and from work. This is because they're designed for personal, non-commercial driving.
Most states require businesses to have commercial auto insurance for their owned vehicles. This is a state law requirement, not a business decision.
Professions that often need commercial auto insurance include construction, installation, cleaning, and landscaping businesses. These industries often rely on vehicles to get the job done.
You can add hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) to a general liability policy to cover personal, leased, or rented vehicles used for work. This can provide peace of mind and financial protection.
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Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a must-have for businesses with company vehicles.
This type of coverage reimburses you if you, a family member, or your designated driver is hit by an uninsured driver, a hit-and-run driver, or an unidentified vehicle that forces you to have an accident.
You should report any accidents involving a hit-and-run or unidentified vehicle to local law enforcement within 72 hours.
Try to get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Be sure to talk with your agent and check your policy for specific requirements.
Note that insurance agents and brokers must also offer this type of coverage to motorcycle drivers.
Liability Insurance Requirements
Liability insurance requirements vary by state, but most states require some form of liability insurance to legally drive a vehicle. The required liability limits in each state will vary.
In Washington state, for example, your agent or broker must offer you two types of coverage when buying auto insurance. If you decline the coverage, you must reject it in writing.
Most states require liability insurance to protect others in case of an accident. This is especially important for small business owners who interact with clients and customers.
General liability insurance, in particular, is a crucial component of risk management for small businesses. It provides coverage for common liability claims from third parties and is often required by landlords, lenders, and contractors.
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Don't assume you don't need liability insurance just because you work from home or have a limited liability company (LLC). Even with an LLC, you still need general liability insurance to protect your business from financial devastation in case of a lawsuit.
Here's a quick rundown of the types of liability insurance you may need:
- General liability insurance: protects against common liability claims from third parties
- Auto liability insurance: required in most states to legally drive a vehicle
- Personal liability insurance: may be included in your homeowners or renters insurance policy
- Personal umbrella liability insurance: provides an extra layer of personal liability protection
Liability Insurance Options
General liability insurance provides coverage for common liability claims from third parties, covering legal defense costs for bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.
Your commercial general liability policy can pay for everything from hiring a lawyer to court-ordered judgments and settlements.
You can count on your policy to cover legal defense costs, making it a vital part of your business insurance.
This type of insurance is essential for businesses that interact with the public or have employees, as it protects against unexpected lawsuits.
General liability insurance can give you peace of mind, knowing that you're protected in case of unexpected accidents or injuries.
In Washington state, auto insurers must offer two types of coverage when you buy an auto insurance policy.
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Liability Insurance for Specific Situations
General liability insurance is a must-have for small business owners, and it's not just for show. The average premium is only $42 per month for Insureon customers.
This policy protects against common risks of running a business, such as customers slipping and suffering an injury at your business.
It also covers personal and advertising injuries, like libel and copyright infringement.
Small business owners often need general liability insurance to fulfill requirements for a lease, loan, or contract. For example, a landlord might ask to see a certificate of insurance when you sign a commercial lease.
Your commercial general liability (CGL) policy provides coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury.
This means your policy can pay for everything from hiring a lawyer to court-ordered judgments and settlements.
Liability Insurance Claims and Proof
If you're considering liability insurance, it's essential to understand what it covers and how to get proof of coverage. General liability insurance provides coverage for common liability claims from third parties, including legal defense costs for bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury.
Your commercial general liability (CGL) policy can pay for everything from hiring a lawyer to court-ordered judgments and settlements. This can be a huge relief, especially if you're just starting out and want to avoid costly lawsuits.
To get a general liability policy, you'll typically need to provide basic information about your business, such as your business name, operations, number of employees, estimated annual revenue, and years of industry experience. This is usually done online, and you can get quotes and coverage quickly.
A certificate of insurance is often required by landlords and banks, and it's great to have one to show that you're covered. You can usually get proof of insurance online the same day you apply for quotes with Insureon, which can be a huge time-saver.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does liability insurance cover if you're not at fault with a car?
Liability insurance covers repairs or replacement of damaged property, including other vehicles, fences, and structures, if you're involved in an accident and not at fault
Sources
- https://www.geico.com/information/aboutinsurance/auto/liability-insurance/
- https://www.libertymutual.com/insurance-resources/auto/auto-liability
- https://www.insureon.com/small-business-insurance/general-liability
- https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/home/articles/what-is-personal-liability-insurance
- https://www.insurance.wa.gov/whats-covered-under-auto-policy
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