Find an Agent Claims Contact Us Agents & Producers MY ACCOUNT Auto Home Business Employee Benefits About The Hartford Insurance Business Insurance General Liability Insurance What Is General Liability Insurance? General liability insurance (GLI), sometimes called business liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance, helps protect your business from claims of bodily injury and property damage. These kinds of claims can come up during normal business operations. Without coverage, you’d have to pay for damages out of pocket. Start a Quote Online What Does General Liability Insurance Cover? General liability insurance helps cover your costs to respond to a claim that your business caused property damage or bodily injury. It can help pay for: A customer or client’s medical expenses if they slip and fall in your business Repair costs to fix a wall that your employee accidentally damaged while working at a customer’s home Legal costs to defend your business in a lawsuit Judgments and settlements from a customer or client’s lawsuit General liability insurance can help cover claims of: Bodily injury or property damage that your business causes. Reputational harm resulting from malicious prosecution, slander, libel, wrongful eviction, violating a person’s privacy and more. Advertising injuries, such as copyright right infringement from your business’ ads. Medical costs if your customer or client hurts themselves while visiting your business. Damage to rented property caused by a covered loss such as fire, lightning or explosion. Who Needs General Liability Insurance? Four out of 10 small business owners are likely to experience a property or general liability claim in the next 10 years.1 Claims range from unexpected incidents, like a burglary, to unforeseen accidents, such as a customer getting injured after slipping and falling. Read More About the Most Common General Liability Claims How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost? Your general liability insurance cost depends on several factors. One factor is your type of business. Companies in higher risk industries pay a higher cost compared to lower risk businesses. For example, construction companies are likely charged a higher rate than consulting companies. Other factors that can affect your general liability insurance cost include your company’s: Years of experience Location Size Building condition Policy details, like coverage limits and deductibles Insurance claims history2 The best way to find out your commercial general liability insurance cost is to get a quote. You can tailor your policy to fit your specific needs. Get a quote today to find out how to get liability insurance to protect your business. Looking for General Liability Insurance Coverage? The Hartford makes it easy to get a general liability insurance quote online. Start Quote Why Do You Need General Liability Insurance? Many business owners wonder why they need general liability insurance. The answer is simple. As a small business owner, this insurance helps protect you from costly liability claims. It can help you if a claim comes up during common business situations, such as: You or your employees representing a client Meeting with clients face to face Working on or with another person’s property Using third-party locations for business activities Advertising your business You may also need this coverage if you have clients that request it. Many clients want to confirm you have this coverage before they sign a contract with your business. You can prove you have general liability insurance with a certificate of insurance. Get even more protection for your business with general liability umbrella insurance to cover you, your employees, and the vehicles you operate, lease, rent or own. Is General Liability Business Insurance Required by Law? State laws don’t usually require business owners to carry general liability insurance. But, it’s still a good idea to have this coverage. If a customer sues your business and you don’t have coverage, it can put your business’ finances and your personal assets at risk. It’s important to understand your state’s insurance laws. Work with a local insurance agency or our dedicated small business insurance team who can help you make the right decisions when choosing business liability insurance. Get Added Coverage With Professional and Limited Liability Insurance You can extend your business’ liability coverage with limited liability insurance and professional liability insurance. Forming a limited liability company (LLC) separates your personal assets from your business. However, you’re still exposed to liability claims that can put your business at financial risk. A limited liability insurance policy can help protect your LLC and cover claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage. A professional liability insurance policy helps protect your business if you’re sued for a mistake in the professional services you’ve provided. This coverage is also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. What Are Complex Liability Solutions? Our complex liability solutions help protect businesses that are vulnerable to higher-hazard liabilities, such as: Manufacturers Wholesaler-Distributors Importers As a top multinational carrier, we handle catastrophic exposures every day. We’ll work with you to lessen the impact to your business when you have a claim. Learn More About Complex Liability Solutions Extended Business Liability Insurance Coverage & Risk Engineering Extending Your Coverage If a contract requires you to add individuals to your business liability policy, we make it easy to add them. Improving Safety & Reducing Risk Our Risk Engineering team can help keep your employees safe with one-on-one risk management consultations and safety seminars. Get a General Liability Insurance Quote Not all insurance companies are the same. It’s essential you work with one that you can trust and rely on. We have over 200 years of experience in helping business owners protect their companies. Whether it’s getting a quote, understanding a general liability class code, or help filing a claim, we have your back. Ready to Tailor Your Business Insurance? Our specialists are here to help ensure you have the right kind of business insurance, tailored to your company’s unique needs. Start Quote Find Out More About General Liability Insurance What Does General Liability Insurance Cover? What Is General Liability Insurance? Independent Contractor Liability Insurance General Liability Insurance Definition Additional Content Is Your Business at Risk? Learn how to avoid the lawsuit that could end your business. Need Liability Coverage? Read about general liability and professional liability insurance. Addressing a Lawsuit Find out what to do if you’re sued and how to reduce the threat. Other Business Coverages The Hartford offers insurance coverages for companies large and small. Select Coverage Business Owner's Policy General Liability Insurance Workers' Compensation Insurance Business Income Insurance Commercial Auto Insurance Commercial Flood Insurance Commercial Property Insurance Commercial Umbrella Insurance Cyber Insurance Employment Practices Liability Home-Based Business Insurance Loss Sensitive Solutions Management Liability Insurance Marine Insurance Multinational Insurance Professional Liability Insurance Risk Engineering Surety & Fidelity Bonds Last Updated: October 5, 2021 1 According to The Hartford’s analysis of five years of small business claims from more than 1 million Hartford Business Owner’s policies. 2 Only in certain cases. Additional disclosures below. 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In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation. Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. In TX, this insurance is written by Sentinel Insurance Company, Ltd., Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Lloyd’s Insurance Company, Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company and Hartford Fire Insurance Company. In Arizona, New Hampshire, Washington and California, the insurance is underwritten by Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Hartford Lloyd’s Insurance Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Maxum Casualty Insurance Company, Maxum Indemnity Company, Navigators Insurance Company, Navigators Specialty Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Property and Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford, Sentinel Insurance Company, Ltd., Trumbull Insurance Company and Twin City Fire Insurance Company. The Hartford® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Hartford Fire Insurance Company. The Hartford® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its property and casualty subsidiaries, including Hartford Fire Insurance Company. 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