Small business liability insurance is a type of business insurance that covers your business for accidental injuries and property damage caused to others. It also covers other problems such as advertising injury, copyright infringement, and reputational harm.
These types of claims may result from your company’s products, services, or operations. Without general liability insurance, you could end up paying out of your business’s income and, in a worst-case scenario, even go bankrupt.
Such policies cover any direct financial liabilities incurred, as well as any legal defense expenses.
Overview of small business liability insurance
Small business owners put their personal finances at risk in the event of a business-related lawsuit. Partnerships and sole proprietorships are particularly vulnerable to exorbitant expenses and are consequently in the greatest need of this type of insurance coverage. Even under the structure of a limited liability corporation (LLC), an owner may still be exposed to personal risk.
Business liability insurance protects against accusations that your business caused damages, injuries, or losses. It protects the financial interests of companies and business owners in the event that they face formal lawsuits or any third-party claims.
These can include medical costs incurred by a customer who gets hurt on store property, as well as any on-the-job injuries sustained by employees.
Business liability insurance is sometimes called “general liability insurance” or “commercial general liability insurance.”
What classifies as a small business?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) defines a small business as an independent business that has fewer than 500 employees. However, this definition can vary by industry.
It’s worth noting that the definition of a small business may differ among insurance providers, so it is essential to carefully review your policies and consult with your insurance providers to ensure you meet the specific requirements for coverage.
For insurance purposes, only small- to medium-sized businesses that meet certain requirements are eligible for a BOP, according to the III. Insurers may consider several factors when assessing whether a business is eligible for a BOP, which include:
Ownership structure
The ownership structure of a business can also impact its classification as small, according to the SBA. In some cases, insurance providers may consider factors such as whether the business is independently owned and operated or part of a larger corporate entity.
Number of employees
One of the primary factors used to classify a business as small is how many people it employs. Typically, businesses with fewer than a certain number of employees are considered small. The threshold is determined by the insurance provider and can range from a handful of employees to several hundred, depending on the industry and the specific insurance policy.
Annual revenue
In addition to the number of employees, the SBA considers the annual revenue of a business when determining its size. Similarly, insurance providers may set a maximum revenue threshold for small businesses.
Industry classification
Certain industries have their own unique standards for defining small businesses. For example, the SBA sets industry-specific size standards based on the number of employees or annual revenue. These standards help determine eligibility for government programs and contracts.
Types of small business liability insurance
Small business liability insurance protects businesses from legal claims and financial losses resulting from third-party injuries, property damage, or lawsuits. It covers legal defense costs, settlements, or judgments if the business is found legally liable for causing harm or injury to others.
This type of insurance is crucial for businesses that interact with customers, clients, or the public and helps protect their financial interests in case of accidents, injuries, or property damage claims.
General liability insurance
General liability insurance, also known as business or commercial liability insurance, is essential coverage for various claims, including bodily injury, property damage, personal or advertising injury, medical payments, products-completed operations, and damages to premises rented to you.
Virtually every small business owner or contractor should have some form of general liability insurance. When buying small business insurance and comparing policies, keep in mind that your rates will depend on your business’s specific features.
Professional liability insurance
Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects businesses that offer professional services. B2C businesses often use E&O coverage to protect against claims stating their services caused clients financial distress or bodily injury.
Doctors’ malpractice insurance is a common type of professional liability insurance. This insurance type is also essential for professional service providers like consultants and financial advisors. Costs for professional liability insurance will vary depending on the industry and profession. For example, a doctor would likely pay more than a CPA.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Small businesses with employees often benefit from employment practices liability insurance. This insurance type protects you if an employee files a claim against you for wrongful discipline or termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, negligent evaluation, breach of employment contract, mismanagement of employee benefits, or wrongful infliction of emotional distress.
Some insurers offer EPLI as stand-alone coverage, whereas others offer it as an endorsement to their BOP. Your policy’s terms and conditions will depend on the coverage you choose. Your business type, number of employees, and various risk factors all play a part in the cost of EPLI.
Product liability insurance
Product liability insurance provides more protection and security than a standard product warranty or guarantee. This coverage protects your business if a product causes damage or injury to a third party, or if your business faces a product-related lawsuit.
For example, if your product had a lithium battery that caught on fire, injuring the consumer, they could sue you. Product liability insurance covers you in this instance.
Management liability insurance
Management liability insurance is a combination of coverages used to protect private, public and nonprofit companies from various board-level exposures. It protects against the risks of managing a business and is purchased by organizations with a board of directors.
A typical management liability insurance package includes coverage for employment practices liability, fiduciary liability and D&O liability.
Contractors’ professional liability insurance
If your business is in the design-build or construction management industry, you are required to purchase some form of contractors’ professional liability insurance. This coverage protects professionals against construction errors or losses incurred when designing, engineering and constructing a building.
It can also protect you from errors made by third-party vendors associated with a project.
Business Owners Policy (BOP)
If you want general liability insurance and property coverage, you can package them together in a business owner’s insurance policy, also known as a BOP. A BOP provides liability coverage for customer injury, property damage, and product-related claims, in addition to commercial building and movable property coverage.
Many BOPs also include business interruption coverage, which pays your lost revenues if you close for a covered claim. This coverage type is ideal for owners of small and midsize businesses like restaurants, retail stores, and wholesalers. Keep in mind that BOP insurance doesn’t cover your employees.
Directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance
If your business has a corporate board of directors or advisory committee, you want D&O insurance. This insurance protects your directors’ and officers’ assets if they are personally sued for wrongful acts in company management (e.g., failure to comply with workplace laws, fraud, theft of intellectual property, misrepresentation of company assets, or misuse of company funds).
Types of small businesses that benefit from liability insurance
The types of small businesses that typically buy liability insurance include:
- Consultants
- Real estate agents
- IT contractors
- Artisan contractors
- Janitorial services
- Marketing firms
- Landscaping companies
What does small business liability insurance cover?
Small business liability insurance covers a business from a variety of possible claims, which include:
- Property damage: This is a common liability claim. Your business may be legally responsible if a person’s property is damaged on your business premises. Property damage claims could include damage to a client’s home or other property if you are visiting them on business.
- Copyright infringement: These claims come about if you are accused of using someone else’s work in your business ad or other business marketing without their permission.
- Bodily injury: This is another common claim. For example, if someone comes to your place of business and is injured, a general liability policy would cover their medical costs. A bodily injury claim could be something as simple as a fall by a customer at a store or office.
- Reputational harm: This can occur, for example, if you’re being interviewed by a news outlet and you say something negative about another company that hurts their business.
- Advertising injury can happen if your business defames another person, business owner or company.
What does Business Liability Insurance not cover?
Business liability insurance covers a lot for a business, but it won’t cover business-related auto accidents. This also includes employee injuries and illnesses, damage to your business property, mistakes in professional services, claims that exceed your policy limit, or illegal acts by you or your employees.
For these kinds of problems, you’ll need different types of business insurance, including:
- Employee injuries and illnesses: You need workers’ compensation insurance to provide coverage for employee injuries.
- Auto accidents: For auto accidents while doing business, a commercial auto insurance policy financially protects you if you own the vehicle. A hired or non-owned auto insurance covers a personal car or a rented car for work.
- Professional mistakes. An errors and omissions insurance (E&O) policy provides coverage if you make mistakes in the course of your work. An E&O policy is sometimes called professional liability insurance.
- Theft and damage to your business property. General liability insurance won’t cover your business equipment or property against theft or damage. You need a commercial property insurance policy to cover these types of problems.
Also, note that insurance won’t cover intentional acts, such as a laptop you throw out the window. And general liability insurance won’t help if there are deliberate, illegal acts or wrongdoings by you or your employees.
Importance of small business liability insurance
Small business liability insurance provides crucial protection against the high cost of lawsuits. It also helps business owners secure leases and contracts.
Even if a business is not directly responsible, a customer could sue over an accident that happened at your shop or office. For example, if a customer slips on a wet floor at your business and gets injured, you could be held responsible for their medical expenses.
Legal defense costs and medical bills can devastate a business, even if you’re not to blame. That’s why certain types of insurance, particularly general liability insurance coverage, are recommended across all industries – especially those that welcome visitors.
Business liability insurance helps pay for:
- Accidental damage to customer property
- Mistakes that harm a client financially
- Customer injuries at your shop or office
- Advertising that damages a competitor
- Incidents related to alcohol consumption if you serve drinks
Cost of small business liability insurance
A business’ perceived risk levels will generally determine its coverage costs. Businesses that fall into the lower-risk category may want to consider a business owner policy (BOP), which combines general liability and property insurance at a more cost-effective rate.
Any new or additional business liability insurance policies should contain exclusion clauses to avoid duplication of coverage from competing insurance providers, thereby minimizing costs.
How to get the best Business Liability Insurance
Gather your information and documents
Before you start shopping for a general liability insurance policy, make sure you have all of the necessary information handy:
- Basic contact information.
- Information on what your business does.
- Number of employees and payroll.
- Details about your business location, including if you own or rent the building where your business is located.
- How long you have owned your business.
- Estimated business revenue for the upcoming year.
Compare liability insurance quotes
Whether you buy general liability insurance as a standalone policy or as part of a BOP, you’ll want to compare business insurance quotes from several insurance companies. This is because insurers don’t price their policies the same.
You can get free business insurance quotes online or by speaking with an independent insurance agent.
Consider a Business Owners Policy (BOP)
A general liability insurance policy is foundational coverage for your small business, but it won’t cover problems like theft, vandalism, fire, severe weather and lost income. If you want coverage for these types of issues, you’re going to need to buy additional coverage.
A good way to do this is by purchasing BOP, which bundles general liability insurance with commercial property insurance and business interruption insurance. It’s typically cheaper to buy a BOP than to buy all three policies as standalone policies.
Does small business liability insurance protect against property damage?
Business liability insurance provides protection when a business is held responsible for another person’s property damages or losses. Commercial property insurance is another type of insurance that protects your business property against theft, fire, vandalism, and other risks.
Most small business owners qualify for a business owner’s policy (BOP), which combines general liability insurance with commercial property insurance at a discount. A BOP can help pay to repair or replace your inventory, equipment, and other business property after damage or loss.
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