General Liability Insurance
Protect your business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury with comprehensive general liability coverage.
What is Commercial General Liability Insurance?
Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance is one of the most fundamental types of business insurance. It protects your company against financial loss from claims of bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury that occur during your business operations.
Whether a customer slips and falls at your business location, your product damages someone's property, or you're accused of slander in your advertising, general liability insurance helps cover legal fees, settlements, and medical expenses.
At Guidepost Insurance Services, we work with 50+ top-rated carriers to find you comprehensive CGL coverage at competitive rates. We can bundle your general liability with other coverages for even greater savings.
What Does General Liability Cover?
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Bodily Injury
Medical expenses and legal costs if someone is injured on your premises or by your operations
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Property Damage
Costs to repair or replace third-party property damaged by your business activities
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Personal & Advertising Injury
Claims of libel, slander, copyright infringement, or false advertising
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Products & Completed Operations
Injuries or damage caused by products you sell or work you've completed
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Medical Payments
Minor medical expenses for injuries on your premises, regardless of fault
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Legal Defense Costs
Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements or judgments
Real-World Example
Scenario: A customer slips on a wet floor in your retail store, breaks their hip, and requires surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- General liability covers $120,000 in medical expenses
- Legal defense costs of $35,000 are paid
- Settlement of $95,000 for pain and suffering is covered
- Your business continues operating without financial strain
Without General Liability
You'd pay $250,000+ out of pocket for medical bills, legal fees, and the settlement. Many small businesses can't survive a single uninsured liability claim of this size — it could mean bankruptcy and closing your doors permanently.
Average slip-and-fall claim cost: $50,000 - $300,000+
Who Needs General Liability Insurance?
Almost every business needs general liability insurance. Many clients, landlords, and contracts require it before you can do business with them.
Often Required by Contracts & Landlords
Many businesses require proof of general liability insurance before signing contracts. Landlords often require tenants to carry CGL coverage, and clients want to know you're protected before hiring you.
Our team can help you understand your coverage requirements and provide certificates of insurance to anyone who needs them — available 24/7 through your online portal.