insurance for business unknowns
Business liability insurance you can count on
Ease your biggest fears with insurance protection that keeps your business running, provides rapid customer service, and delivers expert claims advice
How does liability insurance work?
Liability insurance covers claims made against your business for someone who experienced bodily injury or property damage. It can also provide coverage for injuries sustained from your product, claims for libel, slander or defamation, and claims filed by your employees or other 3rd-parties.
As you might imagine, a lot can happen in your business. A carefully crafted liability insurance program can help protect you should you ever need it.
Common claims against businesses today
You want to spend your time doing your work, rather than defending it. General liability insurance coverage can help protect everything you’ve worked for.
What is (and is not) covered by liability insurance?
There is not an insurance policy in the world that can protect you from everything. For that, we’d need a crystal ball. But understanding the coverages, limitations and exclusions can help you prepare for the unknown.
What is typically covered?
Injuries to someone else for an accident you cause
Damages to someone else’s property
Contractual liability (limited)
Coverage for your products (limited)
Advertising and personal injury coverage
Claims made against you by your employees (optional)
Pollution (optional)
Emergency medical payments (optional)
What is not typically covered?
Intentional bodily injury or property damage
Employee work-related illness or injuries
Claims made against you by your employees (optional)
Electronic data/cyber liability (optional)
Mistakes from your professional services or advice
Damages to or caused by company vehicles
Damages to goods being loaded to, or unloaded from a vehicle
Got liability insurance questions? We’ve got answers.
Liability insurance is one of the most important policies you can buy to protect your business. It’s also one of the most complicated. We’ll do our best to simplify it for you.
Do I need liability insurance?
Yes.
It really is that simple. Whether you are a sole proprietor operating under your personal name, an LLC, partnership, non-profit or corporation - you need business liability insurance. In today's litigious world, you never know what you could be sued for. And without the proper protection, you’d be left paying for a claim out of pocket.
To learn more, read What Information Do I Need for a Business Insurance Quote?
How much liability insurance do I need?
That’s a great question, and unfortunately the answer is, we can’t answer that for you. Only you can.
But what we do know is that typically the price for the “best” protection is nominal when compared to the price for “good” protection. We always recommend at least $1,000,000 of coverage to start. This might seem like a lot, but believe us when we say, you probably need to consider much more.
For more information, check out Commercial Umbrella Insurance.
How much does liability insurance cost?
Well, it depends. While you may think you should be paying the same as someone else in your industry, the fact of the matter is, you’re different. The cost of your liability insurance will depend on a variety of factors, including your business type, industry, location, gross revenues, gross payrolls, subcontractor labor costs, and more.
For more information, read How Much Does Business Insurance Cost?
How do I provide proof of liability insurance coverage?
Your clients, vendors or suppliers may ask you for a “certificate of insurance” or proof of insurance coverage. This is a one-page document that outlines what you have for insurance. Your independent insurance agent can generate this document for you.
For more information, read What is a Certificate of Insurance and Why Do I Need it?
Liability insurance to keep your business up and running
As soon as you started your business, you took on some risk. General liability insurance will be there to help absorb any financial burdens associated with those risks.
Contract requirements
Secure and comply with a new vendor, supplier, government or client contract. People are picky with who they hire. Having the right insurance means you’ll move to the top of their list.
Proof of coverage
These days, you won’t get hired without showing proof of insurance. Don’t get beat out by the competition by not having insurance.
Damages and injuries
Mistakes happen. And each employee you hire increases your chances of an accident occurring. Liability insurance can cover damages and injuries to others caused by you or your employees.
Employment issues
Speaking of employees ... what if one of them decides to sue you? A discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination claim could cripple your business, but not with the right liability coverage.
Simplifying liability insurance … one blog at a time
Find the answers to all your insurance questions through the helpful resources in our free online Learning Center.
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Our clients are like family. See what they are saying...
“[Berry Insurance has] always gone above and beyond for my company's insurance. They are thorough and answer all my questions with great detail and knowledge. They are also extremely responsive and a pleasure to work with.”
Elizabeth T., A Massachusetts Pollution Control District
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