Slip results in lawsuit against Starbucks, others
Starbucks and several other corporations were being sued in excess of $50,000 due to an incident in which a woman slipped and fell on liquid at the mall in 2015.
General Liability insurance
Embroker helps you get the right general liability insurance to protect your business against claims of property damage and bodily injury, covering your legal costs, associated medical costs, and eventual settlements.
Why it's essential
- Safeguards your business by covering costs related to bodily injury, property damage, and other claims
- Protects your hard-earned reputation
- Maintains business continuity in case of legal challenges
Why choose Embroker
- Deep industry expertise
- Tailored insurance solutions
- Efficient digital platform
- Exceptional customer service
What is General Liability insurance?
A commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policy protects your business assets from any third-party claims of injury or negligence related to your business.
Even if you didn’t do anything wrong, your business can still get tied up in a messy court case and lose a lot of money defending itself before your innocence is proven.
Commercial general liability insurance can cover legal defense costs and provide you with resources to keep your business operating even in the midst of a lawsuit.
It will help your business mitigate losses if the product or service that you provide could be held responsible for the property, bodily, and other damages incurred by a third party.
What's covered
- Third-party bodily Injuries: Covers any related medical costs resulting from an injury claim by another party.
- Third-party property damage: Pays for damages to someone else’s property if it was caused by your business.
- Operational costs: Covers any injuries that could occur as a result of your production/manufacturing process.
- Personal injury: Protects you if you’re sued for personally injuring someone, including claims of libel, slander, violating another person’s privacy rights, or unlawful eviction.
- Product liability: Covers against claims that your products damaged a person’s property or caused bodily injuries, no matter where they are at the time.
- Legal expenses: Pays for court costs, possible loss of income if your reputation is damaged, and settlements awarded by the court.
What's not covered
- Employee Injuries: Staff injuries or work-related illness is covered by workers compensation insurance.
- Professional Errors: You can’t depend on your general liability policy to cover you if you’re sued for failing to uphold a professional standard of care — that’s what your E&O insurance is designed to cover.
- Employment Practices Lawsuits: Proper employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) coverage will help you deal with these types of issues if they do occur.
- Property Damage: If you want to protect your commercial property from theft, fires, or any other weather-related damage, you need commercial property Insurance and specific policies like fire insurance coverage.
Your General Liability insurance partner
Embroker simplifies the process of securing General Liability insurance with quick quotes, tailored policies, and competitive pricing to protect your business.
Speed and efficiency
Quickly obtain quotes and purchase coverage through our digital platform.
Custom packaging options
Embroker can package general liability with other essential coverages, such as cyber liability.
Expert guidance
Benefit from our team's in-depth knowledge of common industry risks and insurance needs.
General Liability illustrated
Explore real-world scenarios of how this coverage has supported businesses
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Homeowners file lawsuits against NEXUS for property damage
Property owners in several Ohio counties filed lawsuits claiming the construction of the NEXUS Pipeline has damaged their properties.
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Woman slips in bathroom at J. Alexander's in Boca, sues
A woman sued J. Alexander's after she allegedly slipped and fell in the women's bathroom while at the restaurant.
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Federal lawsuit accuses 4 Detroit McDonalds of using Project Green Light for false advertising
The city of Detroit sued the owner of several McDonald's locations for false advertising. The locations all had all the signs that said they were Green Light partners, but the city of Detroit said they were kicked out of the program and ignored demands to take the signs down.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Embroker has published a bunch of great resources to help you on your insurance buying journey. Check out the Embroker Resource Hub for articles on coverage, guidance on insurance costs, and what you’ll need to get a quote.
You can also connect with a broker at any time to get help identifying your coverage gaps.
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The simplest answer to this question is because people like to sue each other.
A suit can be filed against your business for just about anything. It can be a claim of bodily injury, damage to property, or even libel and slander. CGL coverage can protect you if you are sued, help you pay for the legal fees associated with fighting the charges, and even with the money you need for a settlement if you don’t want to deal with the court case.
There are several obvious reasons, societal trends, that show us that general liability is needed now more than ever. One of them is violent events, especially the recent rash of shooting incidents across the country, with more than 50 percent of these tragic events over the course of 2016 and 2017 occurring in either commerce, government, or educational environments.
The importance and dominance of technology in today’s society and the concept of a shared economy with businesses collaborating more and more are also two things that are blurring the lines when it comes to liability and trying to figure out the right type of coverage for your business that is going to protect it thoroughly.
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Most businesses should start looking into purchasing some type of general liability coverage right away, as soon as they are founded. The reason for doing it right away is not just because you should be protected from the start, you can also be asked to show your proof of coverage when signing contracts with larger companies, signing office leases, and even applying for a professional license to work legally.
Having general liability coverage offers reassurances to companies and clients that are interested in working with you and shows them that your finances are fairly secure.
Clients and businesses want to work with companies that are secure and stable, not with companies that could go bankrupt as the result of one liability lawsuit, which is exactly what could happen to any burgeoning business that gets sued without having purchased coverage beforehand.
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When you are applying for commercial general liability coverage, the insurer will want proof of the fact that investing in your business is not a risky proposition.
Before you get the insurance, the prospective insurer will no doubt look at your business’s past history of claims and evaluate the type of products or services that you provide to determine what potential threats and risks exist in your line of work.
Generally, you’re not going to get a lot of pushback, and getting a CGL policy should be no problem unless your business poses a very obvious and serious risk to you and your customers. But unless you’re giving tightrope-walking lessons with no safety net, you should be able to get the right CGL coverage easily. You can get an instant general liability insurance quote in just a few minutes with Embroker.
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If you are a business owner who deals with and employs other people in some way, you need commercial general liability insurance. Even if you think you’re unlikely to face a lawsuit, insurance is always a wise (and fairly affordable) investment. Few people regret buying insurance but many people regret not buying it.
General liability insurance is absolutely for everyone, not just big businesses. Even if you are working as an independent consultant, contractor, or tradesperson you should have this type of coverage.
As a business owner of any type, you have enough to worry about. Business general liability insurance can give you peace of mind by helping you manage your business risks.
The type of coverage you need depends on your industry, so it’s important to talk to someone who understands your industry and your business’s specific needs.
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You are not required by law to carry general liability insurance. However, keep in mind that local governments will typically require that you have a GL policy to be issued a business license. Additionally, most venues and office spaces require that you carry liability insurance.
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One of the biggest factors that determine the cost of general liability insurance is your specific industry and business. If you’re a freelance contractor who works from home, chances are you interact with far fewer people than a convenience store owner. In general, the construction industry tends to pay some of the highest rates for insurance because they usually do work on other people’s properties.
Your business is unique and your coverage needs are as well. The types of services you offer, how many employees you have, and the types of risks your customers face all contribute to the cost of your premiums. If you want a general liability insurance policy with a high coverage limit then you should expect to pay more for it.
According to research performed by Liberty Mutual, the largest expenses associated with GL claims today are legal fees, adding that there are several litigation trends that are actively contributing to higher claims costs, including litigation funding (outside investors fronting legal fees in exchange for a percentage of the potential settlements of judgments), traumatic brain injuries (an increased number of plaintiffs’ lawyers alleging traumatic brain injuries at the onset of claims), and escalating verdicts (larger trial verdicts).
General Liability insights
Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in General Liability insurance through our curated resources.
A Complete Guide to Commercial General Liability Insurance Class Codes
Commercial general liability class codes are assigned to businesses by insurance companies based on industry to represent some of the most common hazards and risks that are associated with that industry.
General Liability vs. Professional Liability Insurance Coverage
If you’re curious about the difference between general liability versus professional liability insurance, continue reading to learn about the nuances of each, how they’re similar, and how they differ.
How to Protect Your Business with Slip and Fall Insurance
How do slip and fall injuries most commonly occur? What can be done to minimize the chances of these injuries occurring in the workplace? How can businesses protect themselves in the event that they do occur?
What is the Significance of an Insurance Grace Period?
Have you ever thought about what happens if you don't pay your insurance bill on time? What happens next? Do you lose your coverage? That's where insurance grace periods come into play.
What Is Contingent Business Interruption?
Contingent business interruption insurance covers lost income in case your company is forced to close due to a third-party disaster.
Taking Advantage of Tax-Deductible Business Insurance Premiums
While tax season can certainly be a stressful time of the year for business owners, putting in the time and effort to take advantage of every tax deduction opportunity available always pays off.