GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
Cover claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage
Starting from
$ 15/MO
GENERAL LIABILITY BENEFITS
General liability insurance (GL), often called business liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance is coverage that is designed to protect you from a variety of claims such as an injury or property damage that may happen during or arise from your business operations.
General liability insurance quotes usually include:
Bodily injury and property damage liability
Personal and advertising injury
Medical payments
Products completed operations
Damage to premises rented to you
Without coverage, you’d have to pay for damages out of pocket, and these kinds of claims can become expensive for small businesses. Choco can help small business owners and contractors get the coverage they need with general liability insurance online.
Without coverage, you’d have to pay for damages out of pocket, and these kinds of claims can become expensive for small businesses. Choco can help small business owners and contractors get the coverage they need with general liability insurance online.
What does general liability insurance cover?
General liability insurance provides coverage for your costs to respond to a claim that your business caused damage or injury to a third party, during your normal business operations. ​
The general liability insurance can help you cover claim costs like:
Legal Defense
Medical Expenses
Repair costs
Judgments and settlements
The causes for the damage could be something physical such as someone hurting themselves at your store, or violation of data privacy, injury caused by your business' ads, or copyright infringement.
?HOW TO BUY GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
1
START
Digital Agent will ask you to enter your business details and get covered in less than five minutes.
2
ENTER DETAILS
In most casees you'll receive an instant quote. If your case is complex, it may take a few more days.
3
GET A QUOTE
We’re 100% digital. It couldn’t be easier, or faster.
4
GET COVERED
Your personal AI agent is available at your service 24/7, to help you with anything you need.
How much does General Liability Insurance cost?
The average monthly cost for general liability insurance is around $60. However, the cost of general liability insurance can be dramatically different for each business. Your business rate depends on the specific features of your business.
Your business is unique, and so are the risks. Therefore, the cost of your general liability insurance is based on your specific business needs.
Factors that can affect your general liability insurance cost include:
How does industry affect general liability cost?
Each industry buries a different level of risk that is used to determine general liability insurance costs. If your business is in an industry that is more prone to accidents and injuries then you can expect higher insurance premiums.
For example, a roofer who takes his tools to different locations is more likely to have an accident that would be covered by general liability than a graphic designer. That’s why general liability insurance is usually more expensive for roofers, and most handy work moree than most of any other desk work.
How does the coverage limit affect general liability insurance costs?
One of the crucial factors of general liability price is the insurance coverage limit amount. This is the maximum amount of insurance that you could claim from your general liability insurance policy. The higher your total coverage limit, the higher your general liability insurance costs.
How do deductibles affect general liability insurance costs?
Deductible and Cost of insurance usually have the opposite effect, meaning if you have a larger deductible, you’ll pay less for your general liability insurance.
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.
General liability insurance is often combined with property insurance in a Business Owners Policy (BOP), but it's also available as a stand-alone coverage through Choco.
As a contractor or small business owner, you need some form of business liability insurance to safeguard your livelihood.
A single accident could result in a lawsuit that you might not be able to handle. A great way to protect against this is to make sure you have liability coverage that matches your level of exposure.
Some employers or clients might also require you to carry a certain amount of general liability before you can work for them.
Each business is different, but you want to make sure you're covered. Examples of businesses that use general liability insurance are:
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Artisan contractors
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Small business owners
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Landscaping companies
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IT contractors
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Real estate agents
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Consulting
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Marketing
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Janitorial services
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And more...
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 helps protect your small business from the consequences of third-party claims for injury or property damage.
​General liability insurance for contractors
If you're a contractor, you might only want general liability - not a full BOP. For example, you might not own any commercial buildings that require property insurance or need to cover payroll or other operating expenses. However, you're still exposed to liability risks from your job.
You might be eligible to get general liability insurance, without the extra coverages in a BOP, through Choco.
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Does your company need a different type of liability insurance coverage?
Being properly insured is critical to protecting your company. We're here to help. A few examples of companies that may be better suited to our other business insurance products:
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Your company provides professional services (e.g. education and training
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Rent or own a storefront
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Utilize vehicles to transport goods, yourself, or employees
Being properly insured is critical to protecting your company. We're here to help. A few examples of companies that may be better suited to our other business insurance products:
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Your company provides professional services (e.g. education and training)
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Rent or own a storefront
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Utilize vehicles to transport goods, yourself, or employees
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:
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You or your employees representing a client
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Meeting with clients face to face
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Working on or with another person’s property
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Using third-party locations for business activities
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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.
Does General Liability Insurance have a deductible?
Yes. You choose the amount of your general liability deductible when you get a quote. A deductible is a fixed out-of-pocket expense you agree to pay before your coverage starts to pay.
Is general liability insurance required by law?
State laws don’t usually require business owners to carry general liability insurance, but failing to carry general liability insurance could result in you having to pay for all the expenses related to a claim against your business. For example, while visiting your office a client slips on a rug and breaks their hip. Without general liability insurance, you could be solely responsible for all the medical bills and legal fees. So, even though it’s not required by law, it should be a priority for your business.
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.
​Does general liability insurance cover theft?
General liability insurance only pays for third-party damages, not yours. You’re considered the “first-party”. The “third-party” is the one that has a claim against you. This means general liability won’t cover your property or equipment against theft or damage.
To protect your property, we offer Business Personal Property coverage as a part of a Business Owners Policy.
Is general liability insurance tax deductible?
Yes. Since general liability premiums are considered “a cost of doing business”, they usually can be written-off at tax time. That said, it’s a good idea to consult a tax professional to make sure.
Does general liability cover professional mistakes?
No. General liability only provides coverage for claims against you by others for their bodily injuries or damage to their property. To protect from claims against you for professional neglect or mistakes, you need to have professional liability insurance.
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is an official document that lists all coverages and limits on an insurance policy. Essentially, it proves that you have insurance and details your policy coverages and limits.
​Can Choco help me get general liability insurance in New York?
​Yes. Choco can help you get business insurance, including general liability, in New York. Choco makes it easy to get a general liability insurance quote online.
Why is General Liability important?
You’ll get help paying for expenses after an accident if you’re held responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property. Commercial general liability can also help cover defense costs if you are accused of libel or slander.
Here are more details on what makes general liability insurance so important:
It may help you get more deals
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Business liability insurance shows that your business is reliable and trustworthy. It gives clients peace of mind knowing that you will take responsibility for your mistakes. It could give you a competitive advantage if your potential client has a choice between your business and another business that doesn’t have insurance. Many larger clients also require coverage before they’ll sign a contract with you.
It lets you run a legal business
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Some states and cities will only give you a business permit if you have active general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance. If your business is certified or accredited by a professional organization, you might also be required to keep your general liability insurance active.
Your commercial lease might require general liability insurance
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If you plan to lease commercial space, your landlord could also insist on seeing your general liability insurance certificate. Coverage is often required because it shows you will have the financial protection needed to cover expenses related to property damage or injuries related to your business at the leased space.
It lets you focus on growing your business
When you have general liability insurance, it gives you peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about what you would do if a client trips and falls or how you would pay for a new vase if you accidentally broke one in a client’s house.
Having business liability insurance means that instead of feeling nervous about what could happen, you can concentrate on growing your business.
How to get proof of insurance / certificate of insurance?
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With Choco, you can get covered in minutes and you’ll have immediate access to your general liability policy documents, including your certificate of insurance (COI).
When your coverage is active, you can access your documents and certificate of insurance (COI) from your Choco account dashboard at any time, from any device.
How do I make a General Liability insurance claim?
You can file a claim anytime and from anywhere, online or by calling us. You’ll be asked to tell us the details of what happened and to provide relevant photos and documentation. We strive to make claims decisions within 48 hours so you can get back to focusing on your work.
?HOW TO FILE A CLAIM
1
OPEN A CLAIM
Digital Agent will ask you to enter your business details and get covered in less than five minutes.
2
ENTER DATA
In most casees you'll receive an instant answer. If your case is complex, it may take a few more days.
3
CHAT
We’re 100% digital. It couldn’t be easier, or faster.
4
GET PAID
Your personal AI agent is available at your service 24/7, to help you with anything you need.