When I first launched my business, insurance wasn’t exactly on my radar. I mean, between logos, websites, hiring people, coffee-fueled all-nighters… the last thing I thought I’d need was general liability coverage. But then a friend got sued — just for someone tripping over a cable in his office. That shook me.

Let me walk you through what I learned, so you don’t make the same mistake.

So, What’s General Liability Insurance Anyway?

Some folks call it GLI, others just say “business liability,” either way—it’s your first line of defense against the wild stuff that can (and will) go wrong when you’re running a company.

Now, it ain’t covering everything, but what it does cover matters: someone getting hurt at your place, damage to someone else’s stuff, legal messes because of something you said in an ad.

It’s sorta like your business’s bodyguard, but invisible—and not wearing sunglasses.

Why Bother With It as a Startup?

Honestly? Because you never know. The world is weird.

You could be the most careful person in the room and still get slammed with a lawsuit because someone tripped on your welcome mat. That’s why having general liability insurance makes sense. It’s peace of mind… or something like that.

Also, people—clients especially—like seeing that you’ve got it. It builds trust.

And you may find yourself in a situation where a landlord or client won’t even work with you if you don’t show proof of insurance. Happened to me once. I scrambled last-minute.

Pro tip? Don’t wait till then.

Here’s What It Covers (In Plain Language)

Let me break it down without the boring terms. If any of these happen, and you’ve got general liability insurance, you’re most likely covered:

A customer gets hurt in your workspace (yeah, even if it’s your apartment)
You accidentally break someone else’s property (oops)
Your ad ticks off another company (copyright stuff, or you shade a competitor too hard)
You get sued and need a lawyer (even if you didn’t do anything wrong)

Stuff adds up fast. Trust me on that one.

But… It Doesn’t Cover Everything

Here’s what general liability won’t help you with:

Your own employees getting hurt (that’s Workers’ Comp)
You messing up professionally (you’ll want something called E&O for that)
Business-owned car accidents
Any damage to your own stuff, like your laptops or furniture
Purposely causing harm or acting shady (obviously)

So yeah, it’s not a magic bubble. More like a decent raincoat.

What’s This Gonna Cost Me?

I’m not gonna lie: it varies. A lot.

When I called around, some companies quoted me $350 a year. Others wanted $1,200. I was like, “What is this, flight pricing?”

Here’s what changes the price:

What kind of startup you’ve got
Where you’re based
Your revenue
If you’ve had any previous claims (they check)
How much coverage you want

On average, most early-stage startups pay somewhere between $300 to $1K per year, but don’t quote me on that. It depends.

Finding a Good Policy Without Losing Your Mind

I went through this, so let me save you time.

First, figure out your risk. Are clients visiting you? Are you working with other people’s data or equipment? Are you posting a lot of ads? Then start reaching out for quotes.

I had good luck with 📍InsureDirect.com — real people answered the phone, and they weren’t pushy. You can email them at 📧 contact@insuredirect.com or even call 📞 (800) 807-0762 ext. 602. They’re based at 618 South Broad Street, Lansdale, PA if you’re the kind of person who still likes mailing stuff.

Also, compare a few offers. Don’t just take the first one. Look at what’s included. Some look cheap but give you almost nothing in a claim.

And hey—read the fine print. Even if it’s boring.

Story Time: When I Was Glad I Had It

This one’s painful.

A potential client came into my office (aka my coworking spot), tripped over my backpack strap, and busted their knee. I was mortified. They sent me a $3,200 medical bill.

Thanks to my GLI, I didn’t have to pay a cent out of pocket. Zero. Not even a deductible, weirdly enough. That coverage? Lifesaver.

Another time, I ran a cheeky Facebook ad that mentioned a competitor—turns out, you can get sued for that. Thankfully, I was covered under the advertising injury part. The lawyer fees alone would’ve sunk me.

When Should You Get It?

Yesterday. But since we can’t do that, then today works.

Seriously—don’t wait until you “make it.” Lawsuits don’t care about your revenue. Even side hustles can get sued. I’ve seen it.

Final Thoughts (Because You Probably Skimmed to Here)

If you’re running a startup and don’t have general liability insurance, you’re basically playing business on hard mode with no saves.

Get insured. Even if it’s basic coverage. Even if it’s just so you can land that big client or lease that office.

It’s one of those things you hope you never use, but when you do—you’ll thank yourself a thousand times over.

Need help getting started? I vouch for 🔗 InsureDirect.com, straight up. They’re good folks. You can call 📞 (800) 807-0762 ext. 602, shoot an email to 📧 contact@insuredirect.com, or even visit them at 📍618 South Broad Street, Lansdale, PA. Tell ’em the stressed-out founder sent ya.

P.S. If you’re still thinking, “Eh, I probably don’t need this” — let me remind you: Neither did I… until I did. 🧠