What is General Liability Insurance?
General Liability Insurance, also known as Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL), protects you from common risks you can expect to face in your day-to-day business operations, including third-party property damage or bodily injuries.
Should you be sued, CGL also typically covers legal defence costs, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit.
What does General Liability Insurance cover?
Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL) typically includes coverage for legal costs and damages related to the following coverage areas:
- Bodily Injury Liability: Coverage for injuries or damage to a third party person or property resulting from your business operations.
- Product Liability: Coverage for property damage or bodily injury caused by a product you sell or supply.
- Tenant’s Legal Liability: Coverage for the cost to repair or replace others’ property that you rent or occupy.
- Personal and Advertising Injury Liability: Coverage for costs associated with allegations of defamation, libel, slander, or false advertising.
Commercial General Liability Insurance typically does not provide coverage for:
- Contractual liability;
- Intentional criminal acts;
- Patent infringement; or,
- Professional services or advice you provide (for this, you need Professional Liability Insurance).
Who needs General Liability Insurance?
As a business owner, you come into contact with many third-parties, including clients, vendors, and other businesses, who may be involved in an accident or claim your business caused them loss or damage.
You need this insurance policy if:
- You have an office space or clients visit you at home.
- You visit your client’s office space or home.
- You have staff who conduct business off-site.
- You sell any physical goods or perform a physical service.
What is the cost of General Liability Insurance?
For a small to medium-sized business, you can anticipate spending $450.00 annually on a basic Commercial General Liability Insurance policy with a $2,000,000.00 limit.
When you fill out our online application, we will ask some questions about your business to better understand your needs. The following factors are taken into consideration when determining the best policy options for you:
- Years of Experience
- Annual and Projected Gross Revenue
- Number of Employees
- Previous Insurance Claims
We’ve partnered with over fifty insurance providers to offer you different options that suit your business needs at the best price.
Getting insured is quick and easy!
If General Liability Insurance is what you need, request a free quote now
Common scenarios where General Liability Insurance is useful
Problem: Your client slips on the stairs on their way into your hair salon, resulting in a broken wrist.
Outcome: The client successfully sues your business for bodily injury. Your CGL coverage covers the legal expenses and medical fees, totalling $25,000.
Problem: You are hired to renovate a kitchen and accidentally damage your client’s hardwood floors.
Outcome: Your CGL coverage policy covers the cost to repair the floors, totalling $10,000 in damages.
Problem: A customer suffers from severe food poisoning after dining at your restaurant.
Outcome: The customer successfully sues you for bodily injury. Your CGL policy covers the medical expenses and legal fees, totalling $15,000.
Which professions require General Liability Insurance
Regardless of the type of business you run, general liability insurance is critical:
Accountants
Accounting Firm
Actuaries
Advertising
Aerial and ground based Photographers / Videographers
Alternative Energy
Architects & Engineers
Appraisers
Bookkeepers
Broadcasters
Building Designers (Bill 124)
Business Consultant
Chiropodists
Civil engineers
Collection Agencies
Consultants
Chiropractors
Design Firms
Directors and Officers
Employment Agencies/Recruiters
Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Energy Audits & Assessments
Financial Advisors
Financial Planners
Foreign Legal Consultants
Holistic Professional
Hotel Consultant
Home Inspectors
Human Resources (HR) Consultant
Immigration Consultants
Information Technology & Computer Consultants
Interior Designers
IT Contractor
IT Specialist/Technician/Programmer
Independent Contractor
Product Designers
Professionals Liability
Lawyer’s Excess Professional Liability
Management Consultants
Medical Related
Medical Professionals (Malpractice Insurance)
Medical Students (Malpractice Insurance)
Multimedia designers
Mortgage Brokers
Naturopaths
Occupational Health and Safety Consultants
Quality Control Consultants
Placement Agencies
Podiatrists
Process Servers
Private Investigators
Project Managers
Property Managers
Paralegals
Publishers and Printers
Recruitment and Employment Agency
Recruitment Consultants
Safety Engineers
Service Organizations
Solar & Wind Farm Engineers & Consultants
Staffing Agencies
Structural Engineers
Sub Contractor
Surveyors
Therapist Professionals
Training Providers/Trainers
Travel Agencies
Travel Agents, Tour operators
Excess & Umbrella Liability
Web-Site Designers
Web Developers
Frequently Asked Questions about General Liability Insurance
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