I never thought about insurance much when I started my little business, honestly. But one morning, a client slipped in my office and suddenly, I was rethinking everything. General liability insurance—or GLI, for short—is what covers stuff like that. Injuries, property damage, sometimes even advertising mistakes. Yeah, it’s broader than I first imagined.
Legally? Most of the time, you don’t have to carry it. Weird, right? I always assumed it was mandatory. But there are exceptions. Like, contractors? Tons of states won’t even let you get a license without it. Restaurants, daycares, certain shops? Often they need it too. And landlords—they sometimes make it a condition in your lease. So “optional” isn’t always really optional.
I remember signing my first big contract. They asked for proof of insurance before I could touch a single thing. No GLI, no deal. Simple as that. That’s when I realized legal requirements aren’t the only thing; clients and landlords can force your hand.
You don’t even want to know how expensive lawsuits can be. Even small claims can drain your bank account faster than you think. I saw someone break a vase in my shop once, and it could’ve been hundreds in damages. GLI would have covered it. Slip-and-fall, property damage, advertising snafus—it’s all in there.
Not that GLI is all you might need. Professional liability, errors and omissions? Yup, I have that too. Workers’ compensation, obviously, for my employees. Commercial property insurance? Definitely. If your business has different risks, mixing policies can save you from a disaster you don’t even see coming.
And let’s talk cost. I thought it would bankrupt me. Small businesses often pay $400–$1,500 a year. Mine was on the cheaper side, thankfully. Bigger or high-risk operations? Way more. But, honestly, compared to a lawsuit? Cheap. Very cheap.
Honestly, in practice, GLI feels mandatory even if the law doesn’t require it. I’d rather spend a little money upfront than risk everything later. Peace of mind counts for something, right? And, trust me, it’s worth it.
Would I skip it if I could? Absolutely not. It’s one of those things that seems optional until, well… it isn’t. Better safe than sorry. Way better.
Looking for the best home insurance coverage? InsureDirect has you covered. Getting a quote is fast and simple—just visit our website or reach out to our corporate office:
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania 19446
Email: contact@insuredirect.com
Phone: (800) 807-0762 ext. 602
Protect your home and enjoy peace of mind with reliable insurance from InsureDirect. Your home deserves the best—don’t settle for less.