General Liability for Employers

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General Liability Insurance (GLI), also known as Commercial General Liability (CGL), protects your business from a variety of common risks, including:

• Bodily injury (e.g., a customer slips and falls on your premises) 
• Property damage (e.g., an employee accidentally damages a client’s property) 
• Personal and advertising injury (e.g., claims of libel, slander, or copyright infringement) 
• Legal defense costs for covered claims
   

It’s one of the most essential forms of business insurance, especially for employers with physical locations, customer interactions, products or field service operations.

GLI typically includes protection against:

Bodily Injury A delivery person slips on your office floor and breaks an arm.

Property Damage An employee damages a client’s window while working on-site.

Medical Payments A client receives minor treatment for an injury on your premises without needing to file a lawsuit.

Personal and Advertising Injury You’re sued for allegedly copying another company’s slogan.

Legal Defense and Settlements Covers attorney fees, court costs, and settlements for covered claims.  

General Liability policies do not cover every kind of risk. Key exclusions include:

Employee Injuries These are covered under Workers' Compensation, not GLI.

Professional Errors Mistakes in services or advice are covered by

Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Covered with separate insurance.

Intentional Acts Damages caused intentionally by the business or its employees.

Contractual Liabilities Liabilities assumed under certain contracts unless specifically covered.

Employment Practices Claims like wrongful termination, harassment, or discrimination require Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)

Auto Accidents Covered under Commercial Auto Insurance, not GLI.

Pollution or Environmental DamageTypically excluded unless specifically endorsed.

Cybersecurity Incidents Data breaches or cyberattacks require Cyber Liability Insurance.  

• Coverage Limits: Policies have per-occurrence and aggregate limits. Once those are exhausted, you’re liable for additional costs. 
• Geographic Scope: Most policies cover incidents within the U.S. or specified territories. International coverage may need special endorsements. 
• Claims-Made vs. Occurrence: Some policies only cover claims made during the policy period (claims-made), while others cover incidents that occurred during the policy period regardless of when reported (occurrence-based).
   

Having General Liability coverage:

• Protects your business assets from potentially devastating lawsuits. 
• Builds credibility with clients and partners. 
• May be required by landlords, vendors, or clients before contracts can be signed.