Liability Insurance - Protect Your Business (2024)

What is general liability insurance coverage?

A general liability insurance policy — also known as business liability insurance — protects businesses from claims that result from normal business operations. Get a business liability insurance policy for protection from bodily injuries, medical payments, advertising injuries, and more.

GEICO can help small business owners and contractors get the coverage they need with a general liability insurance quote.

What does general liability insurance cover?

This liability insurance protects your small business from claims that occur during your normal business operations, such as:

  • Property damage
  • Physical injury
  • Defense costs
  • Personal and advertising injury

How much is general liability insurance?

The cost of general liability insurance is based on your specific business needs. Your business is unique, and so are the risks. Factors that influence the cost include:

  • Type of work
  • Location
  • Number of employees

GEICO can help you get an insurance policy with the right coverage at a great price. Start your general liability insurance quote now.

Common terms to know when shopping for liability insurance.

Property Damage

Protects you from claims costs if you damage someone else's property.

Medical Payments

Payments for accidents that occur on your premises or because of your operations, such as a customer slipping on a wet floor. This is regardless of who is at fault.

Personal & Advertising Injury

If you're sued for libel and slander, this could provide coverage for those claims.

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Who needs general liability insurance coverage?

Each business is different, so make sure you're covered with liability insurance for your needs. Examples of businesses that use general liability insurance are:

  • Artisan contractors
  • Small business owners
  • Landscaping companies
  • IT contractors
  • Real estate agents
  • Consulting
  • Marketing
  • Janitorial services
  • And more

Check out our insurance for small business page to learn about small business coverages. If you still need guidance on whether general liability insurance is right for you, we're here to help. Contact our licensed agents with any of your concerns or questions.

Should you get general liability insurance for your LLC?

While an LLC provides some protection from personal liability for members, the protection is not absolute and your business can still be sued. General liability insurance for your LLC helps protect your small business from the consequences of third-party claims for injury or property damage.

Does your company need a different type of liability insurance coverage?

Being properly insured with business liability insurance is the best way to protect your company. We're here to help. Here are a few examples of companies that may be better suited to our other business insurance products

  • Your company provides professional services (e.g., education and training)
  • You rent or own a storefront
  • You use vehicles to transport goods, yourself, or employees

Additional Coverages to consider with your BOP Insurance? GEICO can help.

  • Business Owners Policy (BOP)

    This 2-in-1 policy includes general liability plus protection for your property. It can cover:

    • Business location, merchandise, store contents, and equipment
    • Business interruption expenses and loss of income
    • Cases where someone is hurt on your premises

    Example: A fire damages your office. A BOP could cover repairs to your office and help pay your employees' wages while business is interrupted.

    Get a Quote

  • Professional Liability Insurance

    We often recommend professional liability coverage to go with general liability or a BOP.

    • This covers certain professional and personal services, in case you're sued for negligence or for the advice you give clients
    • It's often known as Errors and Omissions Insurance

    Example: A client sues a hair stylist for allegedly giving them the wrong cut and color. Professional liability insurance could cover legal defense costs.

    Get a Quote

  • Commercial Auto Insurance

    A personal auto policy is not enough to cover vehicles used for business. Commercial auto insurance can:

    • Cover business uses that personal auto policies don't include
    • Offer more liability coverage to protect you
    • Includes cars, pickup trucks, box trucks, and more

    Example: On a job site, a carpenter accidentally backs into the homeowner's car. Commercial auto insurance could cover the damage.

    Get a Quote

  • Cyber Liability Insurance

    Protects businesses from losses from computer-related attacks, such as malware, phishing, ransomware, or stolen personal data.

    Get a Quote

  • Workers' Compensation Insurance

    This helps provide financial protection for job-related:

    • Accidents
    • Illnesses

    Get a Quote

  • Medical Malpractice Insurance

    Protection against claims of negligence of mistakes which cause bodily harm to another and is usually carried by:

    • Physicians
    • Nurses
    • Physical Therapists
    • Other medical professional

    Get a Quote

  • Wellness and Fitness Insurance

    Protects healthcare professionals against claims of injury and medical negligence.

    Get a Quote

Need to speak with us about liability insurance coverage?

You can reach us at (800) 841-1621.

  • Mon – Fri

    8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (ET)

  • Sat

    9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (ET)

General Liability Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I manage my liability insurance policy?

    The Geico Insurance Agency makes it easy to talk directly with an insurance professional who can help you manage your general liability insurance policy.

  • Do you sell other business insurance products?

    Yes! Whether you're a small business just getting started or looking for better insurance rates, GEICO can help. Answer a few short questions about your business so we can help narrow down the search with you.

  • Do you have any information about starting a new business?

    Sure, we do! Here are 6 smart tips about starting a new business.

  • Is my small business properly covered?

    For most small businesses, general liability insurance is recommended. Beyond that, it depends on your unique situation. Common types of business insurance include workers' compensation, commercial auto, and/or professional liability insurance as well. Learn more about what insurance your business needs.

Please note:

The above is meant as general information and as general policy descriptions to help you understand the different types of coverages. These descriptions do not refer to any specific contract of insurance and they do not modify any definitions, exclusions or any other provision expressly stated in any contracts of insurance. We encourage you to speak to your insurance representative and to read your policy contract to fully understand your coverages.

For online quotes:

When you click on "START QUOTE" and "Start your quote now", we gather some pieces of information and you may be taken to the website of one of the insurance companies with which GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC works, which website is not owned or controlled by GEICO. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products.

GEICO has no control over the privacy practices of these insurance companies and assumes no responsibility in connection with your use of their websites. Any information that you directly provide to one of these insurance companies is subject to the privacy policy posted on that insurer’s website. All business products offered are written on an admitted basis.

General Liability coverages are written through non-GEICO insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC. The information you provide will be shared with our business partners so that they can return a quote. We can help you secure business insurance in all states except Hawaii.

Liability Insurance - Protect Your Business (2024)

FAQs

What does liability insurance do for a business? ›

Business liability insurance protects your small business if you're sued for bodily injury, property damage or other type of loss during normal business operations. This type of business insurance is also known as general liability insurance or commercial general liability insurance.

What insurance protects your business? ›

Commercial General Liability (CGL) is the standard commercial liability policy used to insure businesses. There are three primary coverage sections that make up a CGL policy: premises liability, products liability and completed operations.

Why is it important that I have liability insurance? ›

Liability insurance provides protection against claims resulting from injuries and damage to people and/or property. Liability insurance covers legal costs and payouts for which the insured party would be found liable. Provisions not covered include Intentional damage, contractual liabilities, and criminal prosecution.

What is the liability insurance quizlet? ›

It provides protection in the event the insured's negligence causes bodily injury or property damage to others and the insured becomes legally obligated to pay damages. Liability insurance is sometimes referred to as third-party insurance, or as a two-party contract with payments made to a third party.

What is liability in a business example? ›

Some common examples of current liabilities are: Accounts payable: Money the company owes to lenders, clients, customers, and suppliers. Short-term loans: Loans with repayment periods of one year or less.

What does liability mean in business example? ›

Liabilities are what a business owes. It could be money, goods, or services. They are the opposite of assets, which are what a business owns. Businesses regularly owe money, goods, or services to another entity.

What type of liability coverage protects businesses? ›

Types of business liability insurance include general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and product liability insurance. This insurance protects the financial interests of business owners from penalties they may face from litigation waged against them while also covering the associated legal costs.

How much is a $2 million dollar insurance policy for a business? ›

On average, an insurance policy that offers coverage for up to $2 million can cost about $30 a month in premiums.

Which type of insurance is most important for a business? ›

General liability insurance, also known as business or commercial liability insurance, is essential coverage for various claims, including bodily injury, property damage, personal or advertising injury, medical payments, products-completed operations, and damages to premises rented to you.

What is the risk of liability? ›

What is Liability Risk? Liability Risk is a type of Operational Risk specifically the risk of being held liable or responsible for an action or inaction, whether or not at fault, resulting in a direct or indirect financial loss.

What does liability insurance claim mean? ›

Liability claims occur when an individual alleges you are responsible for damage to property or injury to another person. Most standard insurance policies include liability coverage based on the type of policy.

What is a liability only insurance policy? ›

A liability-only insurance policy pays for injuries or property damage you cause in an at-fault accident — up to the limits you carry on your policy.

What is the legal definition of liability insurance? ›

In other words, liability insurance compensates a third party for damage caused by the negligence of the insured. For example, one may have liability insurance for one's car, meaning that if he/she gets into an automobile accident and injures someone, the liability insurance will compensate the injured person.

Can you run a business without liability insurance? ›

Operating without it means you'll face fines and penalties. You'll also have to pay out-of-pocket for your employee's medical care if they suffer a work-related injury or illness. However, even if your state doesn't require small business insurance coverage, it's still a good idea to have.

Can I claim liability insurance as a business expense? ›

General liability insurance is usually tax-deductible because the IRS considers your policy payments to be a business expense. Keep track of all the payments you make toward your policy, as that will be important when you file your taxes at the beginning of the year.

What is the difference between business insurance and liability insurance? ›

General liability insurance helps protect you from claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage. It can also protect you if someone sues you for advertising injury. Commercial property insurance covers your business' physical location and equipment, whether you own or lease it.

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