Business/Commercial General Liability Insurance

Geo depth: Class C

General liability insurance protects a business against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury arising from its operations. It's often one of the first policies a small business obtains and is frequently required by landlords or client contracts.

Compare Business/Commercial General Liability Insurance rates

What is business/commercial general liability insurance?

General liability policies typically respond to three broad categories of claims: bodily injury to a third party, property damage to someone else's property, and "advertising injury" (like a claim of copyright infringement or defamation in your marketing). Coverage usually pays both the cost to defend a covered claim and any resulting settlement or judgment, up to the policy limit.

Many landlords and client contracts require proof of general liability coverage — often via a certificate of insurance naming them as an additional insured — before a business can lease space or begin work, which is one reason it's frequently the first policy a small business buys.

What affects your business/commercial general liability insurance cost

Typical costs vary significantly by state, provider, and personal factors — {{VERIFY: national average business/commercial general liability insurance premium not yet sourced}}. Rather than a single number, the factors below are what actually move your quote up or down.

Industry/business classification code
Annual revenue or payroll
Number of employees and locations
Coverage limits selected (per-occurrence and aggregate)
Claims history
The business's specific operations and risk exposures

How to compare business/commercial general liability insurance providers

Price is only one part of the decision. Before choosing a provider, compare each of the following side by side:

Coverage limits, and exactly what's included or excluded
Deductible options and how a higher or lower deductible changes the premium
Financial strength ratings from an independent rating agency (e.g., AM Best, S&P, Moody's) — an indicator of an insurer's ability to pay future claims
Customer service and claims-handling reputation, including complaint-ratio data where a state Department of Insurance publishes it
Available discounts and bundling options
Confirmation that the carrier is licensed to write this coverage in your state

Related calculators

General Liability Insurance Calculator

Explore business/commercial general liability insurance by state

Coverage requirements and licensed carriers for business/commercial general liability insurance vary by state. Here are a few popular starting points, or browse the full state directory below.

Business/Commercial General Liability Insurance FAQ

Is general liability insurance legally required?

There's generally no blanket state law requiring every business to carry general liability insurance, but landlords, client contracts, and some local licensing requirements frequently require proof of it. {{VERIFY: any specific licensing/local requirement for your business type}}.

What doesn't general liability insurance cover?

It typically doesn't cover employee injuries (that's workers' compensation), professional mistakes or negligent advice (that's professional liability/E&O), or your own business property damage (that's commercial property insurance) — these are usually separate policies.

What is a certificate of insurance?

It's a document your insurer provides that summarizes your current coverage and limits, commonly requested by landlords or clients as proof you carry general liability insurance before they'll sign a lease or contract with you.

Ready to see business/commercial general liability insurance options?

Compare providers side by side using the factors above, then see options tailored to your state and situation.