If you own a business — any business — general liability insurance is the foundation of your risk management strategy. Yet many business owners either skip it entirely or carry limits that are dangerously low. Here’s what you need to know.
What General Liability Insurance Covers
General liability (GL) insurance protects your business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. If a customer slips and falls at your location, if your employee accidentally damages a client’s property, or if a competitor claims your ad copy infringed on their brand — GL insurance responds. It covers legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments up to your policy limits.
Who Needs It
The short answer: everyone. Whether you run a construction company, a retail boutique, a cannabis dispensary, or a tech startup, general liability is the policy that protects you from the everyday accidents and claims that can derail an otherwise healthy business. Many commercial landlords, clients, and government contracts require proof of GL coverage before you can even sign a lease or land a contract.
How Much Coverage Is Enough?
Most small businesses carry a $1 million per-occurrence / $2 million aggregate policy. However, if your business operates in a high-risk industry — construction, food and beverage, cannabis, or specialty manufacturing — you may need higher limits or an umbrella policy layered on top. At Bozzuto Group, we analyze your specific operations before recommending limits, so you’re never over-insured or dangerously under-insured.
Common Gaps to Watch For
General liability does not cover your employees (that’s workers’ compensation), your professional mistakes (that’s E&O), or your digital assets (that’s cyber liability). Understanding what GL does and doesn’t cover is critical. A comprehensive business insurance program stacks multiple policies together to close every gap.
The Bottom Line
General liability insurance is not optional — it’s the price of doing business responsibly. At Bozzuto Group, we make the process of finding the right GL policy straightforward, whether you’re a startup seeking your first policy or an established business looking to upgrade your coverage. Contact us today for a customized quote.