Commercial General Liability Insurance (2024)

What Is Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance?

Commercial General Liability Insurance (1)Commercial general liability insurance, or CGL insurance, helps protect your business from claims that it caused bodily injuries or damage to another person’s property. This coverage is also known as general liability insuranceor business liability insurance.

General liability insurance definitionscan get confusing. Insurance companies are often asked, “What is general liability insurance?” We can answer this question and help you understand this coverage.

What Is the Difference Between Commercial General Liability Insurance and General Liability Insurance?

There isn’t a difference between commercial general liability insurance and general liability coverage. Both of these terms refer to the same insurance.

What Does Commercial General Liability Insurance Cover?

Commercial general liability insurance covers claims arising from injuries or damage that your business caused, such as:

  • Damage to someone’s property
  • Bodily injury
  • Personal injury, like libel and slander
  • Advertising injury

These kinds of claims are more common than you think. In fact, they can come up during normal business operations.

If a customer sues you,, commercial general liability insurance coveragecan help pay for your:

  • Attorney and defense costs
  • Evidence and documents gathering
  • Medical payments
  • Judgments
  • Settlements

These expenses can add up, and your costs can rise if it takes a long time to resolve the case. Even if your customer drops their lawsuit, you’ll still have legal defense costs, like attorney fees. That’s why commercial general liability insurance is important.General liability insurancehelps small business owners navigate lawsuits and claims. Without it, your business and its assets are at financial risk.

Cost of Commercial General Liability Insurance (CGL)

Commercial General Liability Insurance (2)On average, the annual premium for general liability insurance costs $805, or about $67 a month.1 Keep in mind that every business has different needs for liability coverages. Your general liability insurance cost will vary based on several factors, such as your:

  • Type of business: The more risk your small business faces, the higher your rate can be.
  • Location: Less populated areas may mean your business faces less risk. So, this can reduce your rate.
  • Revenue: The higher your business’ annual revenue or sales, the more you may pay to obtain insured coverage.
  • Coverage limits: If you choose a higher limit for your CGL insurance policy, your rate will increase.

Who Needs Commercial General Liability Insurance?

Commercial general liability insurance is important for businesses of all sizes. It can help:

  • Sole proprietors
  • Small business owners
  • Large companies

We offer general liability insurance coverage to many industries, including:

  • Beauty shops
  • Independent contractors
  • IT firms
  • Marketing and consulting firms
  • Photography studios

Find More Insurance Solutions by Industry

Liability Coverages To Consider in Addition to Commercial General Liability Insurance

Commercial General Liability Insurance (3)Don’t forget that commercial general liability insurance doesn’t cover all claims. That’s why many businesses choose to get other liability coverages. This helps protect against risks not covered by CGL insurance. Some other types of insurance you can get include:

Professional liability insuranceto help cover claims arising from a mistake or omission in your professional services.

Employment practices liability insuranceto help cover claims of:

  • Discrimination
  • Wrongful termination
  • Harassment

Workers’ compensation insuranceto help your employees recover from a work-related injury or illness.

Product liability insurancefor businesses selling products to customers or clients. This coverage is part of a general liability insurance policy, but you can also get it as a standalone policy.

Commercial auto insuranceto help cover the costs of an auto accident that occurs while you or an employee are driving a company-owned car for business.

We also offer complex liability solutionsto help businesses facing “higher hazards,” like manufacturers or wholesaler-distributors.

Get a Commercial General Liability Insurance Quote

We’re here to help you every step of the way and can work with you to:

  • Get your commercialgeneral liability insurance online today
  • Request acertificate of liability insurance
  • Add an additional insured to your policy
  • Learn more aboutwhen is liability insurance needed

We’re backed by more than 200 years of experience and have helped over 1 million small business owners. We know how to meet your business’ unique needs and will help ensure you get the coverages that fit your business best.

Get a commercial general liability insurance quotetoday and find out how we can help protect your small business.

Last Updated: November 20, 2023

1 Premium amounts presented are based on monthly premium paid by The Hartford's Small Business customers between 1/1/22 and 9/14/23 for 12-month policies. Premium is derived from a number of factors specific to your business and may vary.

Additional disclosures below.

Commercial General Liability Insurance (2024)

FAQs

What are the 3 forms of commercial general liability? ›

CGL coverage is categorized into bodily injury and property damage, advertising and personal injury, and medical payments, each addressing specific aspects of potential liabilities.

How much is a $2 million dollar insurance policy for a business? ›

On average, an insurance policy that offers coverage for up to $2 million can cost about $30 a month in premiums.

What is the difference between general insurance and commercial insurance? ›

General liability insurance helps protect you from claims that your business caused bodily injury or property damage. It can also protect you if someone sues you for advertising injury. Commercial property insurance covers your business' physical location and equipment, whether you own or lease it.

Is commercial general liability insurance the same as professional liability? ›

Only general liability insurance can spare your business from lawsuits over a visitor slipping and falling on your commercial property. And only professional liability insurance can shield you from the high cost of alleged professional mistakes that cause a third party financial losses.

What is not covered under a CGL policy? ›

CGL policies do not provide coverage for property that you own. A separate property insurance policy is needed to insure buildings, equipment, vehicles, and other assets your business owns. CGL insurance only covers liability for third-party property damage, not damage to property you own or control.

How many limits are found in a CGL policy? ›

The CGL policy lists on the declarations six different limits. While the limits are separately listed, it is important to recognize that the limits are all interrelated. That is, payment of damages on one limit will also affect another limit.

How much does $250,000 in liability insurance cost? ›

Here are some typical premiums for different amounts of coverage: $250,000 per occurrence/$250,000 aggregate range from $500 to $1,000 on average. $1 million per occurrence $2 million aggregate range from $1,000 to $3,000.

How much does a $1000000 liability insurance policy cost? ›

On average, Insureon customers pay $42 per month, or about $500 annually, for a $1 million general liability insurance policy. Additionally, 29% pay less than $30 per month, and 40% pay between $30 and $60 per month. Customers who need more coverage will likely pay a higher premium.

How much is $5 million liability insurance? ›

So, the estimated annual premium cost for a policy with a $5 Million coverage limit would be approximately $1125.

Why do I need commercial general liability insurance? ›

You can protect your business from a variety of risks, including the risk of a lawsuit arising from everyday business activities, with the purchase of a commercial general liability policy. CGL policies cover property damage, bodily injury, and other types of claims.

Why is commercial insurance so expensive? ›

Why are insurance prices out of control? It's a combination of bad luck and bad policy. California's vulnerability to natural disasters like wildfires exacerbates the issue. But rising retail theft is also driving up costs, leaving businesses in a lurch.

Is commercial general liability the same as a business owners policy? ›

You can think of it this way: General liability insurance only covers certain liability losses. BOP covers those same liability and some losses to property that your business owns.

What is commercial general liability insurance best described as? ›

Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects business owners against claims of liability for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury (slander and false advertising).

Is commercial general liability the same as comprehensive general liability? ›

Comprehensive general liability insurance is an outdated term for general liability insurance. Another common name for general liability coverage is commercial general liability (CGL) insurance. It helps protect your business from claims that it caused: Bodily injuries.

What is general liability insurance also known as? ›

Also known as business liability insurance, general liability insurance protects you and your business from “general” claims involving bodily injuries and property damage. Almost every business has a need for general liability insurance.

What are the three major classification of liability? ›

Liabilities can be classified into three categories: current, non-current and contingent.

What are the 3 separate coverages provided in the standard commercial general liability CGL ISO form? ›

Commercial General Liability (CGL) is the standard commercial liability policy used to insure businesses. There are three primary coverage sections that make up a CGL policy: premises liability, products liability and completed operations.

What are the three aspects of liability? ›

Liabilities often have three characteristics: They happen as a result of a previous transaction or occurrence. It establishes a present liability for future cash or service payments. Liabilities are an unavoidable burden.

What are the three bases of legal liability? ›

Types of Liability

The liability of licensees and their employees falls into three areas of law: criminal, administrative, and civil. One situation that could potentially result in all three types of liability is the sale of alcohol to a minor.

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