Coverage · Liability tower
General liability, the foundation.
General liability is the first policy most businesses buy and the base of the tower. It pays when a third party claims your operations hurt them or damaged their property.
- Primary$1 millionGeneral liability, $1M per occurrence
- First excess$5 millionFollows form above primary
- Second excess$10 millionShared across two markets
- Umbrella$25 millionBroadest terms at the top
What it covers
- Bodily injury to customers, visitors and other third parties
- Damage to property that belongs to someone else
- Personal and advertising injury, such as defamation or copyright in an ad
- Legal defense costs, which are paid in addition to or within the limit depending on the policy
What it does not cover
- Injuries to your own employees, which fall under workers' compensation
- Damage to your own property or your own defective work
- Professional mistakes and advice, which need professional liability
Fit
Who needs it.
Almost every operating business. Landlords and clients frequently require it in leases and contracts, often at a stated per-occurrence limit. If a customer or vendor ever visits your premises or works with you, you need it.
Questions
Straight answers.
What do the limits on a general liability policy mean?
A policy usually shows a per-occurrence limit and an aggregate limit. Per-occurrence is the most it pays for a single event, and the aggregate is the most it pays across the policy year.
Is general liability enough on its own?
For small risks it can be. As contracts and exposures grow, most businesses add umbrella or excess above it, plus separate cover for professional, cyber and employment risks.
What is an additional insured?
A party you add to your policy by endorsement so that it is also protected for claims arising from your work. Landlords and general contractors often require it.
Check your foundation.
We will read your current general liability policy and tell you what it excludes, what your contracts require and where the limit sits.