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General Liability Insurance
Get liability insurance for your small business
What is general liability insurance?
General liability (GL) insurance protects against lawsuits and other claims connected to your operations. Also called business liability insurance, it covers a wide range of risks that small business owners face.
What does general liability insurance cover?
General liability protects your business from everyday third-party claims, including public liability. It can help with costs if you accidentally hurt someone or damage their property. A GL policy includes five core coverages:
- Bodily injury and property damage
- Personal and advertising injury
- Medical payments
- Products-completed operations
- Damage to premises rented to you
For example, if you leave your tools out at a job site and a customer slips and falls, general liability for businesses could help with their medical bills. It could also cover your legal fees if they decide to sue.
Learn more about GL coverages and how they can protect your business.
Who needs general liability insurance?
A commercial GL policy is a good fit for businesses that work with clients, sell products, advertise, and more. Even though it's not legally required, general liability is the most common type of business insurance because it protects against a variety of claims involving customers, vendors, and other third parties.
Some examples of professions that typically purchase general liability insurance include:
In some cases, employers or clients might have general liability insurance requirements and expect you to carry a certain amount of coverage before you can work for them. Review your contracts carefully to make sure you select the right limits when getting a quote.
General liability insurance for contractors
Contractors typically need some form of business liability insurance to protect against accidents, injuries, or property damage that can happen while working. GL helps with legal costs and other expenses so you can stay focused on the job.
For example, if a pedestrian trips over tools a landscaping company left on the sidewalk, a general liability insurance policy can help pay their medical expenses and the business's legal costs.
You can buy general liability insurance for contractors through Progressive Commercial. Our in-house agents can also help qualifying contractors get blanket additional insured coverage, which extends your existing liability insurance to other entities. Some contracts and employers require this general liability endorsement.
How much is general liability insurance?
In 2025, the national median cost of general liability insurance through Progressive Commercial was $55 a month, with the average monthly price of $79.
Most customers' monthly premium is closer to the median price because expensive outliers drive up the average cost. Your rate will depend on specific features of your business, such as your profession and number of employees.
Explore information on how much general liability insurance costs and learn money-saving tips to help find the right combination of price and protection for your business. Call us or start a quote online to get a customized general liability policy.
Get it all in a BOP
A business owners policy (BOP) that packages liability and property coverages might be a better choice if you own or rent property.
Small and medium businesses, such as restaurants and retail stores, can benefit from the added protection a BOP offers. It can help cover costs related to damaged equipment, lost inventory, and more. See how a BOP differs from a general liability policy.
Common questions about general liability insurance
Is general liability insurance required by law?
No, general liability insurance isn't required by law. But if you don't have it, you might have to pay expensive claims yourself. GL can help protect your business from costly legal and medical bills related to covered events.
Does general liability insurance have a deductible?
Yes. You'll choose your general liability deductible when you get a quote. A deductible is the fixed out-of-pocket amount you agree to pay before your insurance starts covering costs. Learn more about how insurance deductibles work.
Does general liability insurance cover theft?
No. General liability doesn't cover theft. It helps if you accidentally cause harm to someone else or their belongings, but it won't protect your own stuff. For that, you can get a business personal property coverage as part of BOP.
Is general liability insurance tax deductible?
Yes, business insurance premiums can be tax deductible. Since general liability premiums are considered a cost of doing business, they usually can be written off at tax time. But it's a good idea to consult a tax professional to make sure.
Does general liability cover professional mistakes?
No, you'll need professional liability insurance to protect against claims related to mistakes and bad advice.
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 outlines your policy coverages and limits. Your customers and partners may ask to see proof of GL coverage on a COI.
Can Progressive Commercial help me get general liability insurance in my state?
Yes. We offer business insurance, including general liability, in all states except Hawaii. Browse business insurance by state to see what's available. Our experts can help you build a policy that's right for you.
Can high-risk businesses get general liability insurance?
Yes. High-risk businesses can get GL in a specialty market called excess and surplus lines (E&S). E&S insurance provides coverage for businesses the standard market doesn't protect.
Does a limited liability company (LLC) need general liability insurance?
It depends. While not legally required, LLCs might need general liability insurance to fulfill certain contracts, such as a lease. Regardless, it's a good idea to have a GL policy to protect against lawsuits and expensive claims.
Explore other types of business insurance for LLCs.
Get general liability insurance with Progressive Commercial
Progressive Commercial offers experience, flexible options, and competitive rates. That's why we're trusted by more than 1.2 million small businesses. Start a quote for general liability insurance and protect what you've worked so hard to build.
More information
- General liability insurance cost
- General liability insurance coverage
- General liability vs. business owners policy
- General liability vs. professional liability
- General liability vs. workers' compensation
- Benefits of commercial general liability insurance
- What is the difference between a claims-made and occurrence form of coverage?
- What is product liability insurance?
