3-minute read
It’s finally happened: You’ve decided to get general liability insurance for your LLC.
Let us be the first to tell you congrats, because even though we’re insurance nerds, we think that the decision to protect your LLC with business insurance should be celebrated.
And starting with GL insurance is a smart idea, since it can cover some of the more foundational risks you may face as a business owner.
So what exactly is general liability insurance for LLC? And what can you expect it to cover? Wonder no more - we’ve got the answers here.
When it comes to business insurance, general liability (GL) insurance is one of the most important (and popular) policies to get. This is especially true if your LLC works with customers or vendors. A GL policy can cover costs that may come with accidents, injuries, and damage to someone else or their property.
Because, let’s face it - accidents can happen to the best of us. And even if you do everything perfectly, you could still have a customer sue you and claim that you caused an accident or property damage (even when you know you didn’t).
Want more info? Let’s take a closer look at what general liability insurance can cover.
General liability insurance can usually cover:
Here’s how it can work. Imagine you’re running a carpet cleaning business. You’re cleaning a customer’s carpet when your machine’s fluid reservoir explodes. All of that liquid leaks through the carpet and damages the wood floor underneath. No way to sweep that under the rug.
Now imagine you had the foresight to get general liability insurance. Your policy could cover damages related to the wood floor, as well as legal fees if your customer sues you. Without it, you might have to clean out your bank account.
You don’t need to just operate heavy equipment or work on someone’s home to benefit from GL insurance. Let’s say you’re a massage therapist. Your biggest piece of gear is likely a padded massage table, so what could possibly go wrong there?
How about if, while setting up your table in a client’s home, you accidentally knock over and shatter an expensive antique vase? Turns out it was recently appraised for several thousand dollars. OK. Relax your muscles and breathe slowly. With general liability insurance, you’re covered for the damage.
Oh, and did we mention that general liability insurance can also cover your legal expenses if you’re ever brought to court over a claim?
That’s right: If a customer decides to sue you for damages related to your work, your insurance policy can cover the costs of an attorney to defend you in court.
Plus, if the customer is successful in suing you, your policy can pay out the cost of the claim (up to your policy limit).
That means the only thing you have to pay out is the cost of the deductible, which can be a grand total of $0, depending on the insurance provider you choose.
Ready to cover your LLC for as low as $22.50/month, with potentially no deductible? Get started here:
Get an affordable & customized policy in just minutes. So you can get back to what matters: Your business.
Start Here >Like with all insurance policies, there are a few things that won’t be covered by your general liability policy.
While every insurance provider has different exclusions, here’s an overview of what GL insurance typically doesn’t cover for LLCs:
It’s a good idea to go through your LLC insurance policy so you have a good understanding of what is and isn’t covered. Anything that’s not covered by general liability insurance can usually be covered by another type of policy, like professional liability insurance, workers compensation, and more.
Here at Simply Business, general liability policies can be found for as low as $19.58/month.
Not bad if you’re on a budget!
In order to calculate your GL costs, we’ll ask you for some information, like:
If you’re a contractor, you should expect to be asked the above questions; however, we may ask for a little more information, like:
If you’re still wondering how much does general liability cost for a small business, try our free quote tool to find out. It takes less than 10 minutes to use, plus you could see a range of policy options from the nation’s most trusted insurance providers.
Whether you just started your LLC or you’ve had it for a few years, taking out a general liability policy is a smart step to protect all of your hard work.
After all, having general liability insurance for LLC means that your business won’t be left financially vulnerable to accidental mistakes or particularly litigious clients. Plus, if you get a policy with a $0 deductible, you can enjoy premium protection without spending lots of money if a claim does happen.
So what are you waiting for? Protect your LLC with a general liability policy from Simply Business today!
*Monthly payment calculations (i) do not include initial premium down payment and (ii) may vary by state, insurance provider, and nature of your business. Averages based on January - March 2023 data of 10% of our total policies sold.
Written by
Mariah Bliss
I love writing about the small business experience because I happen to be a small business owner - I've had a freelance copywriting business for over 10 years. In addition to that, I also head up the content strategy here at Simply Business. Reach out if you have a great idea for an article or just want to say hi!
Mariah writes on a number of topics such as small business planning, contractor insurance, and business licenses.
This content is for general, informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Please obtain expert advice from industry specific professionals who may better understand your business’s needs. Read our full disclaimer
Simply Business1 Beacon Street, 15th FloorBoston, MA02108
*Harborway Insurance policies are underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company and reinsured by Munich Re, an A+ (Superior) rated insurance carrier by AM Best. Harborway Insurance is a brand name of Harborway Insurance Agency, LLC, a licensed insurance producer in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. California license #6004217.
© Copyright 2023 Simply Business. All Rights Reserved. Simply Business, LLC is a licensed insurance producer in all U.S. States and the District of Columbia. Simply Business has its registered office at Simply Business, 1 Beacon Street, 15th Floor, Boston, MA, 02108. In California, we operate under the name Simply Business Insurance Agency, LLC, License #0M20593. In Colorado, we operate under the name Simply Business, LLC DBA Simply Business Insurance Agency. In New York, we operate under the name Simply Business Insurance Agency. In Pennsylvania, we operate under the name Simply Business Insurance Agency, LLC. In Texas, we operate under the name, U.S. Simply Business, LLC. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.