GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Foundational protection for everyday business risks

General Liability insurance is one of the most fundamental forms of coverage for any business. It is designed to protect your company against common third-party claims that arise from normal business operations — including bodily injury, property damage, and certain personal or advertising injuries.

While often viewed as a basic requirement, General Liability is a critical layer of financial protection that helps shield your business from lawsuits, legal expenses, and unexpected claims that could otherwise disrupt operations or threaten long-term stability.

What General Liability Insurance Covers

General Liability insurance typically responds to claims alleging:

Bodily Injury
Injuries to third parties, such as customers, vendors, or visitors, that occur on your premises or as a result of your operations.

Property Damage
Damage your business causes to property owned by others.

Personal & Advertising Injury
Certain non-physical claims, including libel, slander, copyright infringement in advertising, or wrongful eviction.

Legal Defense Costs
Attorney fees, court costs, and settlement expenses associated with covered claims — often paid in addition to the policy limit.

What It Does Not Cover

While General Liability provides broad protection, it is not all-inclusive. Common exclusions include:

• Professional errors or advice

• Employee injuries (covered under workers’ compensation)

• Damage to your own property

• Intentional or criminal acts

• Cyber incidents or data breaches

• Auto-related claims
  

These risks typically require separate, specialized policies.

Who Needs General Liability Insurance?

Most businesses — regardless of size or industry — benefit from General Liability coverage, including:

• Retailers and restaurants

• Contractors and trades

• Professional offices

• Property owners and real estate investors

• Manufacturers and distributors

• Service-based businesses
  

In many cases, General Liability is contractually required by landlords, lenders, clients, or vendors.

How Coverage Is Structured

General Liability policies are generally written on an occurrence basis, meaning coverage applies to incidents that occur during the policy period, even if the claim is filed later.

Policies are issued with:

• Per-occurrence limits (the maximum paid for a single claim)

• General aggregates (the maximum paid during the policy term)

• Products-completed operations limits, when applicable
  

Coverage terms, limits, and endorsements should be tailored to your operations, contracts, and risk profile.

Real-World Claim Examples

• A customer slips and falls at your business location

• A contractor accidentally damages a client’s property

• A business is sued for advertising-related copyright infringement

• A vendor is injured while visiting your premises
  

These types of claims are common — and often expensive without proper coverage.

Why Proper Placement Matters

Not all General Liability policies are created equal. Coverage can vary significantly based on:

• Industry classification

• Policy endorsements

• Exclusions and sublimits

• Admitted vs. non-admitted placement

• State-specific regulations
  

Improperly structured policies can leave critical gaps in coverage or result in denied claims.

Our Approach

At Cory Washington & Co., we view General Liability as more than a checkbox. We evaluate how your business operates, review contractual requirements, and structure coverage to align with real-world risk — not just minimum limits.

Our goal is clarity, confidence, and protection that actually performs when it matters most.

Disclaimer

All insurance descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or insurance advice. The information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or scope of any insurance coverage. Actual coverage is determined solely by the specific policy language issued by the insurer and remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds coverage, or alters any existing policy. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC or another qualified insurance professional, and always review your policy documents in full.