Who needs General Liability?
What's covered
Medical expenses, legal fees, and settlements if someone is injured on your premises or by your operations. For example, a customer slips on a wet floor in your store.
Costs to repair or replace property you damage while doing business. For example, a contractor accidentally damages a client's hardwood floors.
Protection against claims of libel, slander, copyright infringement in advertising, or invasion of privacy.
Immediate medical expenses for injuries on your premises, regardless of fault. Helps prevent small injuries from becoming lawsuits.
Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements, even if the lawsuit is groundless. Defense costs are typically covered in addition to your policy limits.
What's not covered
Examples by industry
A client slips on a wet floor in your salon and is injured; general liability covers their medical bills and any lawsuit.
A diner slips near your kitchen entrance and breaks a wrist; general liability pays the medical costs and legal defense.
While cleaning a client's office you knock over and shatter an expensive monitor; general liability covers the property damage.
A client visiting your office trips over a cord and is hurt; general liability covers the injury claim.
A shopper is struck by merchandise falling off a shelf in your store; general liability pays for their medical treatment.
A visitor is injured at your loading dock while picking up a shipment; general liability covers the bodily-injury claim.
A customer trips and is injured during an on-site demo at your office; general liability handles the medical and legal costs.
You accidentally damage a homeowner's hardwood floors while carrying equipment; general liability pays for the repair.
A social post you published accidentally uses a copyrighted image; general liability's advertising-injury coverage handles the claim.
A prospective buyer slips during an open house and is hurt; general liability covers the injury and any resulting suit.
Part of the Knack guide
Learn General Liability alongside every other coverage in our full guide.
Open in the full guideRelated coverages
Often purchased together
Need help deciding?
Upload your current policy and our AI will analyze your coverage gaps.
Analyze my coverage