General Liability
GL is foundational for almost every small business — covers slip-and-falls, damage at a customer site, and many marketing-related claims.
Coverage that actually covers.
- Premises liability
- Products and completed operations
- Personal and advertising injury
- Tenants legal liability
Premises
Customers hurt on your property.
Products
Claims arising from your products after delivery.
Ad injury
Libel, slander, copyright infringement claims.
What it is, and why businesses carry it
General liability helps protect your business when someone outside it, like a customer, a visitor or another company, says your business injured them or damaged their property. It can help pay for your legal defense and for damages you are found responsible for, up to the policy's limits. Many landlords and clients ask for proof of it before you sign a lease or start a job.
- It responds to claims from people outside your business, not your own team.
- It can include the cost of a legal defense, not just a settlement.
- Landlords, clients and contracts often ask to see proof of it.
- It is often combined with property coverage in a business owners policy.
Situations general liability may help with
A slip at your shop
A customer slips on a wet floor in your shop and is hurt.
Damage at a client's site
Your crew accidentally damages a client's property while working on site.
A product injury claim
Someone says a product you sold caused an injury.
An advertising claim
Another business says your advertising used its copyrighted material.
What general liability typically doesn't cover
Your own employees' injuries
Those are generally handled by workers' compensation.
Your own building and equipment
Damage to your own property is generally covered by commercial property insurance or a business owners policy.
Business vehicles
Accidents in vehicles used for work are generally covered by commercial auto.
Professional mistakes
Errors in professional advice or services are usually covered by professional liability insurance.
Every policy is different
The examples on this page are general. Whether a claim is covered depends on the policy's terms, limits and exclusions and on the facts of the claim. Requirements and options can also vary by state, and your advisor can walk you through what applies where your business operates.
Business insurance, explained first
More than one option
We compare policies from more than one insurance company, so you can see options side by side instead of a single offer.
One dedicated advisor
The same licensed advisor helps you from your first question through your renewal.
Answers before paperwork
Learn what a policy is for and ask your questions before you share details about your business.
Local to the DMV
Based in Rockville, Maryland, and licensed in MD, VA, DC, OH, NC and PA.
Answers, in plain English.
- Do I need a separate policy or BOP?
- Most small businesses combine GL with property in a Business Owners Policy (BOP).
Pair it with
All coverage →Commercial Auto
Coverage for vehicles used for business — from a single van to a fleet.
ExploreWorkers' Comp
Mandatory in most states for employees — medical, wage replacement, and disability.
ExploreBusiness Owners Policy
General liability and commercial property bundled into one policy, usually cheaper than buying them separately.
ExploreReady to secure your General Liability?
EnsuranceMax LLC is a licensed insurance agency (NPN 14306621) authorized to operate in (MD), (VA), (DC), (OH), (NC), & (PA).