The Foundation of Business Protection.

General Liability is the first policy most businesses buy. It protects you against the most common lawsuits: injuries and property damage.

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What Does General Liability Actually Cover?

Many business owners think "General Liability" covers everything. It doesn't. But it does cover the accidents that happen most frequently.

At River East Insurance, we explain it simply: General Liability (GL) covers damage you cause to other people or other people's property.

If a customer slips on ice in your parking lot, that's GL. If you accidentally knock over a client's expensive vase while visiting their home, that's GL. It pays for the legal fees to defend you and the settlement if you are found liable.

Who Needs GL Insurance?

Virtually every business, including:

  • Contractors & Tradespeople
  • Retail Stores & Offices
  • Restaurants & Cafes
  • Landlords & Building Owners
  • Cleaning Services
  • Consultants & Freelancers

The 4 Pillars of Protection

Bodily Injury

The "Slip and Fall" coverage. If a customer, vendor, or passerby gets hurt on your premises or because of your operations, this covers their medical bills and your legal defense.

  • Slip & Fall Accidents
  • Customer Injuries
  • Legal Defense Costs

Property Damage

Covers the cost to repair or replace property belonging to others that you accidentally damage. Essential for contractors working at client sites.

  • Damage to Client Property
  • Fire Damage Liability
  • Accidental Breakage

Personal & Advertising Injury

It's not just physical damage. This protects you if you are sued for libel, slander, copyright infringement in your ads, or wrongful eviction.

  • Libel & Slander
  • Copyright Infringement
  • False Arrest/Detention

Completed Operations

Crucial for contractors. If you build a deck, and three months later it collapses and injures someone, this coverage protects you even after the job is done.

  • Product Liability
  • Workmanship Liability
  • Future Injury Claims

What General Liability Does NOT Cover

The biggest mistake business owners make is assuming GL covers everything. It has very specific exclusions you need to know about.

It does not cover injuries to your employees (that's Workers' Comp). It does not cover professional mistakes or advice (that's E&O). And it does not cover your own business property or tools (that's Property Insurance).

Review My Policy Exclusions

Common Liability Questions

What is a "Certificate of Insurance" (COI)?

It is a document that proves to your clients or landlords that you have active insurance. We can issue these for you usually within minutes of your request.

What is "Additional Insured" status?

Often required by contracts, this extends your liability coverage to a third party (like a General Contractor or Landlord) if they are sued because of your actions.

How much does General Liability cost?

It depends on your industry (risk) and your revenue (exposure). A consultant might pay $350/year, while a general contractor might pay much more.

Does this cover data breaches?

No. Electronic data loss and cyber theft are excluded from standard GL policies. You need a separate Cyber Liability policy for digital risks.

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