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General Liability Insurance - Let us find your best coverage - liability protection for any business
General liability covers injuries and property damage your business causes to others, and carriers price it on your class of business, revenue or payroll, and claim history. Send us a few details and we will shop 50+ carriers for your best rate – no cost, no obligation. Prefer to talk? Call 800-616-3490.
Commercial General Liability Quote Request
Applicant Information:
Have these handy
- Description of operations
- Revenue and payroll
- Sample customer contracts
- Subcontractor certificates
- Five years of loss runs
Related coverage
Coverage details
What General Liability coverage includes
Commercial general liability (CGL) is the foundation of almost every business insurance program. It pays for injuries to customers and the public, damage you cause to other people's property, and claims arising from your products or finished work, including the cost of defending a lawsuit. Most leases, client contracts and permits require proof of it.
- Bodily injury - Injuries to customers and the public from your business.
- Property damage - Damage you cause to someone else's property.
- Products and completed ops - Claims from products you sell or work you finished.
- Personal and advertising - Libel, slander and advertising injury claims.
- Medical payments - Small medical bills paid regardless of fault.
- Damage to rented premises - Fire and other damage you cause to space you rent.
- Contract endorsements - Additional insured, waiver of subrogation and primary and non-contributory wording.
Good to know: many contracts require additional insured, primary and non-contributory and waiver of subrogation wording. Send us the contract so we can match it before you sign.
Not covered: your own employees' injuries (workers comp), autos (commercial auto), professional errors (E&O), pollution, and damage to your own property. Each is available as a separate policy.
Insurance Application:
Commercial General Liability
Required forms
Commercial General Liability Supplemental Application (PDF)
Commonly paired coverage (add any that apply)
Business Owners Policy (BOP) (PDF)
Excess / Umbrella (Commercial) (PDF)
Professional Liability (E&O) (PDF)
Download, complete and email to info@societiesinsurance.com, or attach them with your quote request. More options are listed below.
Contact details
Prefer to talk?
- Toll-Free: 800-616-3490
- East Coast: 706-550-4418
- West Coast: 206-755-0101
- info@societiesinsurance.com
- Mon-Fri 8:00am - 6:00pm, Sat 9:00am - 12:00pm
General liability explained
How general liability works
A CGL policy has separate limits for different types of claims. A typical policy is written at $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
Bodily injury
A customer slips in your store or a visitor is hurt at your job site.
Property damage
Your crew damages a client's floor, or a product you sold damages someone's property.
Products and completed operations
Claims that show up after the sale or after the job is finished.
Personal and advertising injury
Libel, slander, false arrest and copyright claims from your advertising.
Medical payments
Small medical bills for injured members of the public, regardless of fault.
Legal defense
Attorney fees and court costs, usually paid in addition to your limits.
Occurrence vs. aggregate: the per-occurrence limit is the most the policy pays for one incident. The aggregate is the most it pays for all claims in the policy year. Products and completed operations usually have their own aggregate.
Pricing
What affects your general liability rate
Rating factors
- Your industry class code and the work you actually perform
- Annual revenue or payroll, depending on the class
- Use of subcontractors and whether they carry their own insurance
- Years in business and prior claims
- Limits, deductible and contract endorsements
- States and locations where you operate
Ways to lower your risk and premium
- Collect certificates of insurance from every subcontractor
- Use written contracts with indemnity and insurance requirements
- Keep premises clean, lit and inspected
- Document safety training and incident reports
- Package GL with property in a BOP when eligible
Audits: many GL policies are rated on estimated revenue or payroll and audited at year end. Estimate accurately and keep records organized to avoid a large audit bill.
Commercial options
Coverage that pairs with general liability
Start with the general liability application, then add any coverage that fits your business.
Core business coverage
Business Owners Policy (BOP)
GL and property packaged for small businesses.
Get a quote Supplemental application (PDF)Products Liability
Standalone products liability for manufacturers and sellers.
Get a quote Supplemental application (PDF)Other liability
Employees and vehicles
This is a general overview. Coverage, availability and pricing vary by state, carrier and policy, and the policy itself controls. Questions? Call 800-616-3490.