Business liability protection
General liability insurance for small businesses
A customer slips in your shop, or your crew damages a client’s property. General liability insurance helps pay for claims like these so one accident does not put your business at risk. Kaufman Insurance Group compares general liability options from multiple companies.
- Protection for bodily injury and property damage claims
- Help with legal defense costs for covered claims
- Certificates of insurance for customers and contracts
Personal & Commercial · Quick Quotes – Good Rates · Great Companies
As an independent agency, we compare general liability insurance from the companies we work with. The companies that can quote you depend on your type of business, your operations, where you work, and each company’s own rules.
These logos show some of the insurance companies Kaufman Insurance Group may be able to quote as an independent agency. Showing a logo does not mean the company endorses us. Which companies can offer you coverage depends on the type of insurance, where you live, and each company’s own rules.
The basics
What general liability insurance is
General liability insurance, sometimes called commercial general liability or CGL, protects your business when someone outside the company says your business caused them harm. It is usually the first policy a small business buys.
It focuses on three main types of claims: bodily injury, such as a visitor tripping over a cord; property damage, such as a worker breaking a client’s window; and personal and advertising injury, such as a claim that your ad copied someone else’s work. It can help pay for settlements, judgments, and the lawyers who defend you.
General liability does not cover everything. It does not cover your own property, injuries to your employees, your vehicles, or mistakes in professional advice. Those risks are handled by other policies, which we can help you put together.
What it is built for
Claims from customers, visitors, and others that your business caused injury or damaged their property.
What it is not built for
Your own building and equipment, employee injuries, vehicles, and professional errors.
Know what you are choosing
What general liability typically covers
Coverage depends on the policy wording and the company. These are the core parts of most general liability policies.
Bodily injury
Helps pay if someone who is not an employee is hurt because of your business operations.
Property damage
Helps pay if your business damages someone else’s property.
Products and completed operations
Helps with claims that arise after your work is finished or from products you sell, depending on the policy.
Personal and advertising injury
Helps with claims such as libel, slander, or copying someone else’s advertising.
Medical payments
Helps pay small medical bills for someone hurt at your business, regardless of fault.
Legal defense
Helps pay for lawyers and court costs to defend covered claims.
Is it right for you
Who needs general liability insurance
Almost every business that deals with the public, visits customers, or works on other people’s property should consider it. Many leases and contracts require it.
Contractors and trades
General contractors and customers often require proof before you start work.
Shops and offices
Customers and visitors come to your location every day.
Service businesses
You work in customers’ homes and businesses.
Businesses signing a lease or contract
Landlords and clients often require specific limits and additional insured status.
Need a certificate of insurance for a new job or lease? An agent can help you get covered.
How Kaufman helps
How we help you get general liability coverage
We compare general liability from multiple companies and help you decide whether a stand-alone policy or a business owners policy is a better fit.
Tell us about your business
Share what you do, where you work, your revenue or payroll, and any contract requirements.
We compare options
An agent reviews options from the companies we work with and explains limits and exclusions.
Get your certificate
Choose your coverage. We can issue certificates of insurance for your customers and landlord.
We focus on Ohio and North Carolina, and we can also help small businesses in most other states. If you also need property coverage, a business owners policy may combine both.
Common questions
General liability insurance questions
What does general liability insurance cover?
It helps pay for claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage to others, plus certain personal and advertising injury claims, including legal defense for covered claims.
Does general liability cover my employees if they get hurt?
No. Employee injuries are typically covered by workers compensation. In Ohio, that coverage comes from the state. For employees in other states, we can help with workers compensation as it comes up.
Is general liability required by law?
It is usually not required by law, but leases, contracts, customers, and some licenses often require it.
What is the difference between general liability and a business owners policy?
A business owners policy, or BOP, usually packages general liability with commercial property coverage. General liability alone covers only liability.
How much does general liability cost?
Price depends on your type of business, revenue or payroll, location, claims history, and the limits you choose. We can compare options for your business.
Related coverage
Coverage that works with general liability
Business owners policy
A package that combines property and liability coverage for many small businesses.
Explore business owners policiesCommercial property insurance
Protection for your building, equipment, and inventory.
Explore commercial propertyCommercial auto insurance
Coverage for the trucks, vans, and cars your business uses.
Explore commercial autoCommercial insurance hub
See all the business insurance we can help with, from liability and property to vehicles and contractors.
Explore commercial insuranceReady to protect your business?
Start a general liability quote online, or contact us with questions. An agent will help you compare your options.
Prefer to talk? Call (330) 486-8404.