Commercial Insurance

Business Liability Insurance — Protection When It Matters Most

Commercial General Liability (CGL) is the cornerstone of nearly every business insurance program.

Get a CGL Quote Talk to an Advisor

What is Commercial General Liability Insurance?

CGL is the foundation of nearly every commercial insurance program. It protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury that happen in the course of your operations.

Bodily Injury

Covers medical expenses, legal costs, and settlements if a customer or visitor is injured on your premises or as a result of your operations.

Property Damage

Pays for damage your business causes to someone else's property — whether at your location, a client's site, or anywhere you operate.

Personal & Advertising Injury

Covers libel, slander, copyright infringement, and other claims arising from your advertising or business communications.

Products & Completed Operations

If you manufacture, sell, or install products, this covers claims that arise after the work is done or the product leaves your hands.

We know CGL:

Commercial General Liability is our most-written commercial product by policy count — we know this coverage inside and out across dozens of industries and carrier options.

Who needs a CGL policy?

Almost every business should carry general liability. It's frequently required by:

  • Commercial landlords (lease requirements)
  • General contractors (licensing)
  • Client contracts (certificate of insurance)
  • Government contracts and RFPs

What's Typically Covered — and What Isn't

General liability covers a broad range of third-party claims, but it's not all-encompassing. Understanding the boundaries helps you build the right total program.

Covered

Slip & Fall / Customer Injury

A customer slips in your store, a delivery driver is injured at your facility, or a visitor is hurt by your equipment. CGL covers medical bills and legal defense.

Covered

Damage to Client Property

Your crew accidentally damages a client's property while on the job. CGL covers the cost of repair or replacement and any legal proceedings that follow.

Covered

Advertising & Reputational Claims

Accusations of copyright infringement in your ads, libel, or slander arising from your business communications are covered under personal and advertising injury.

Not Covered

Your Own Property or Equipment

CGL only covers third-party property damage. Your own building, tools, and equipment need separate commercial property coverage.

Not Covered

Professional Errors

Mistakes in professional advice or services require Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. CGL does not cover professional liability claims.

Not Covered

Employee Injuries

Injuries to your own employees are handled by Workers' Compensation — not CGL. Both coverages are typically needed for a complete program.

Common Questions

  • CGL is not typically required by state law (unlike workers' comp or commercial auto). However, it's often required contractually — by landlords, clients, or licensing boards. Many contractors, fitness instructors, and service businesses need it to operate.

  • Most small businesses carry $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. Higher-risk industries or those working on large contracts often need $2M/$4M or more. We'll help you figure out the right limits based on your contracts and risk exposure.

  • A Business Owners Policy (BOP) bundles CGL with commercial property insurance at a discounted rate — it's designed for small to mid-sized businesses. CGL alone is just the liability component. If you own or rent a business space and have property to protect, a BOP is often the better value.

  • Probably yes. Your homeowners policy almost certainly excludes business-related liability. If clients visit your home, you deliver services, or you have business property, a CGL or home-based business policy closes that gap.

  • For most standard GL risks, same-day binding and certificate issuance is typical. If you need a COI to start a job or satisfy a contract requirement, call us — we move quickly.