Okay, so I never thought I’d say this, but general liability insurance is kinda important. You think you’re careful, right? But accidents happen. Trust me, even tiny mistakes can turn into huge legal headaches. That’s why I got curious about CGL insurance—Commercial General Liability. Fancy name, but simple idea.
So, what is it? Well, it’s basically coverage for the usual chaos: someone gets hurt, property gets damaged, or your ad accidentally offends somebody. Yeah, it sounds dramatic, but lawyers love this stuff. My first reaction was, “Do I really need this?” Spoiler: yes, yes I do.
Why I Personally Care About It
Honestly, before I knew better, I thought nothing bad would happen. Famous last words. A client slipping on a wet floor, a piece of furniture accidentally broken, or a tiny copyright mistake in your marketing—it happens. And it costs money. Lots of it.
Plus, some clients actually require you to have liability coverage. I didn’t know this at first. Kinda frustrating, but that’s business. So having insurance is not only about avoiding disasters—it’s also about being credible.
What’s Covered
Bodily Injury – Someone falls, trips, bumps their head? Insurance can handle medical bills, legal fees… all that.
Property Damage – Accidentally break a client’s expensive vase? Yep. Insurance covers repairs.
Personal or Advertising Injury – Slander, copyright issues, libel… all scary words, but insurance has your back.
Legal Defense Costs – Even if the claim is bogus, lawyers don’t work for free. Insurance pays for that.
I had to read this section like three times. Seriously.
What It Doesn’t Cover
Don’t get too comfortable though. There are gaps.
Mistakes in professional advice? Professional liability handles that.
Employee injuries? That’s workers’ comp.
Intentional acts? You’re on your own.
Car accidents? Commercial auto insurance, not this one.
Basically, it covers accidents and unexpected things, but not every possible mess.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
I asked my insurance agent, “How much is enough?” They said $1 million per occurrence, $2 million total for small businesses. If you’re bigger or riskier, you might need more. Honestly, it depends on your business type, size, and location.
Picking the Right Policy
Here’s my approach, it might help:
Identify Risks – Write down everything you can think of. Weird ones too.
Compare Companies – Don’t just pick the first provider. Read reviews, check policies.
Consider Add-Ons – Cyber liability, product liability, etc. Could save you later.
Read the Fine Print – Yeah, boring. But crucial. Missing something here could cost a fortune.
How I Saved a Bit on Premiums
A few tricks I learned:
Keep a safe workplace—accidents drop premiums sometimes.
Bundle multiple policies for discounts.
Pay annually, not monthly, if you can.
Higher deductible? Cheaper monthly premiums, but you pay more if something happens.
Wrapping It Up
I used to think insurance was boring. Now? I get it. General liability insurance is like a helmet on a bike—you don’t know how much you need it until you actually fall. Protecting your business is smart, not just optional. Lawsuits are expensive and pop up when you least expect.
Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Get covered. Your future self will thank you. Trust me.
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