General liability is the coverage most businesses think of first, and for good reason — it's usually the foundation of a commercial insurance program. Here's what it actually does, in plain language.
Commercial general liability (GL) covers claims made by third parties — customers, vendors, or members of the public — for bodily injury or property damage caused by your business operations. A classic example: a customer slips and falls at your location, or your crew accidentally damages a client's property while on a job.
It also typically covers "personal and advertising injury" — things like libel, slander, or copyright infringement in your marketing — and the legal defense costs of covered claims, even if the claim turns out to be groundless.
GL is not a catch-all. It generally doesn't cover injuries to your own employees (that's workers' compensation), professional mistakes or negligent advice (that's usually professional liability / errors & omissions), damage to your own vehicles (commercial auto), or damage to property you own or are working on directly in some cases (often addressed separately, e.g. through builder's risk or inland marine coverage).
It also doesn't cover intentional acts, or contractual liabilities you've taken on beyond what the policy defines — which is why the specific wording of your policy matters more than the general category name.
Beyond the direct protection, many commercial leases, client contracts, and municipal or commercial bids require proof of general liability coverage — often at specific limits — before you can even sign or submit. Not having it, or not having enough of it, can quietly cost you work.
That depends on your industry, contract requirements, and risk exposure — there's no single right answer, and we don't think it's honest to pretend otherwise without knowing your business. This is exactly the kind of thing we go over on the call after you submit a quote request.
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