Quick answer
General liability covers claims that your business injured someone, damaged their property or harmed them through your advertising, including legal defense. Landlords and clients often ask for a certificate of insurance before you sign a lease or start a job, and Florida's contractor licensing rules require it for licensed contractors. It doesn't cover your employees' injuries, your vehicles or professional mistakes.
Coverage Overview
General liability is usually the first policy a business needs - and often the one a landlord or client requires proof of before you can sign a lease or start a job.
What general liability coverage typically includes
- Bodily injury and property damage claims from customers, vendors, or the public
- Products-completed operations coverage for claims arising after a product is sold or a job is finished
- Advertising injury coverage for claims like copyright or trademark disputes tied to your marketing
Carriers we compare
We shop general liability across biBERK, Hiscox, and Next Insurance for most small businesses, and through Attune when fast online quoting and binding matters for a time-sensitive contract requirement.
General Liability Insurance FAQ
Why does my landlord or client require a certificate of insurance?
It's their proof that you carry active general liability coverage at a specified limit before they're exposed to your business's risk - most commercial leases and many client contracts won't proceed without one on file.
What's the difference between per-occurrence and aggregate limits?
The per-occurrence limit caps what the policy pays for a single claim; the aggregate limit caps total payouts across all claims in the policy period. A busy year with multiple claims can exhaust the aggregate even if no single claim hit the per-occurrence limit.
Does general liability cover my employees' injuries?
No - employee injuries are covered by workers' compensation, a separate, required policy. General liability responds to third-party claims, not claims from your own employees.
What it usually doesn't cover
- Injuries to your own employees. Workers' compensation →
- Accidents in business vehicles. Commercial auto insurance →
- Financial loss from professional advice or services. Errors & omissions insurance →
- Damage to your own building and equipment. Commercial property insurance →
- Data breaches. Cyber liability insurance →
Every policy is different. Your declarations page and policy form decide what's covered.
Have this ready before you ask for a quote
- What the business does, and its NAICS code if you know it
- Annual revenue and payroll
- Number of employees and subcontractors
- Contract or lease requirements: limits, additional insureds, waivers
- Prior claims for the last three to five years
Don't have everything? Send what you have; an agent will ask for the rest. Coverage can't be bound or changed through this website.