General liability
General liability insurance is the foundation policy for almost every business. It covers claims that your business injured someone or damaged their property, and it is the policy landlords, clients and venues ask to see proof of.
If people visit your premises, you work at other people's sites, or a contract asks for proof of insurance, you need it.
What it covers
Summaries only. The policy wording governs, and every insurance company's policy is different.
Injury to someone who is not your employee, caused by your work or your premises, including medical costs, settlements and lawyers.
What to watchInjuries to your own employees are covered by workers' compensation, not by this policy.
Damage you cause to property that belongs to someone else.
What to watchProperty you are looking after, such as rented equipment, is often excluded or limited. Rented gear needs its own coverage.
Claims that you damaged someone's reputation, invaded their privacy or copied their advertising.
What to watchExcluded for businesses in advertising, publishing, broadcasting or web design. They need media liability.
Injury or damage that happens after your work is finished or your product is sold.
What to watchHas its own yearly limit. Contractors should check it is not excluded.
Minor medical bills for a visitor hurt on your premises, paid without anyone suing.
What to watchA goodwill coverage with a low limit, often $5,000 or $10,000.
The ability to add a landlord, client or venue to your policy so it protects them too, with the extra wording their contracts ask for.
What to watchA certificate alone grants nothing. The change has to be written into the policy.
How we work
We are appointed with national and specialty companies, so your policy goes where it fits rather than where we happen to have a contract. See who we work with.
Send your current policy and we compare it with what we would offer: what we would keep, what we would change, and why, in writing.
No coverage starts and no policy changes until a licensed agent confirms it with you in writing. You always know what you have. How we work, in full.
Exclusions
General liability is designed to fit next to other policies. The gaps are where most surprises come from, and we name them before you sign.
How to get it
Most leases and client contracts ask for $1 million per incident and $2 million for the year. If you work for larger companies, cities or on film sets, requirements of $2 million or more are common, and an umbrella policy fills the gap.
It means the landlord is added to your policy so your coverage also protects them if they are sued over something connected to your work or your lease. Landlords, clients and locations ask for it. It has to be written into the policy, not just typed onto a certificate.
No. General liability covers damage you cause to other people's property. Your own gear belongs on a commercial property policy.
If clients visit, you work at their sites, or any contract asks for proof of insurance, yes. Homeowners policies exclude most business liability.
It is contract wording that makes your policy pay first, before the other party's own insurance, without asking theirs to chip in. It is a common requirement in leases and client contracts and has to be added to your policy.
Related
Bundles general liability, property insurance and lost income coverage into one policy for small and mid-size businesses.
Business owner's policyCovers your building, equipment, inventory and improvements after fire, theft, storm damage and other covered losses.
Commercial propertyPays medical care and lost wages for employees injured at work, as Minnesota law requires.
Workers' compensationThe online application takes a few minutes for standard business lines. If there is a wrinkle, call or email and we will tell you what we need.
