Lawsuits don’t care how small your business is.
Protect the Empire From the “What Ifs”
General liability insurance helps protect your business from everyday risks—like accidents, property damage, or claims—that can turn into costly lawsuits if you’re not covered.
Required by Contracts & Clients
Often required for:
- Leases
- Commercial contracts
- Government or corporate work
What it covers:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Legal defense
General Liability Insurance Questions, Answered
Lawsuits don’t care how small your business is. Here are the questions contractors, shop owners and service businesses in Illinois and Indiana ask us most about general liability insurance.
What does general liability insurance cover?
General liability insurance helps pay when your business is blamed for injuring someone or damaging their property. Think of a customer slipping in your shop or a crew member damaging a client’s floor. It also covers personal and advertising injury, such as a claim of libel, and it pays for your legal defense, even if the claim turns out to be groundless.
What doesn’t general liability cover?
It doesn’t cover injuries to your own employees (that’s workers’ compensation), damage to your own building or equipment (that’s commercial property or a business owner’s policy), accidents in vehicles (that’s commercial auto), or mistakes in professional advice or services (that’s professional liability, also called E&O). We’ll help you spot the gaps.
Is general liability insurance required?
There’s usually no state law requiring it for every business, but it’s often required in practice. Landlords, general contractors, corporate clients and government agencies commonly ask for proof of general liability insurance before you sign a lease or start a job. Some permits and licenses require it too.
How much general liability coverage do I need?
A common setup is $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, and many contracts ask for exactly that. If you do higher-risk work or larger contracts, a client may require more, which you can add with an umbrella policy.
How much does general liability insurance cost?
Price depends on your type of business, revenue or payroll, the limits you choose and your claims history. A consultant’s risk looks very different from a roofer’s. Bundling general liability with property coverage in a business owner’s policy, called a BOP, often costs less than buying them separately.
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance, or COI, is a one-page document that proves your business has coverage. Clients often ask for one before work starts, and some want to be named as an additional insured on your policy. We issue certificates quickly so you don’t lose the job.
Do I need general liability insurance if I work from home?
Often, yes. A homeowners policy usually provides little or no coverage for business activity, so a client who trips during a home visit, or damage you cause at a client’s site, may not be covered. If you see clients, sell products or work on other people’s property, general liability insurance closes that gap, often for a modest premium.
Why use an independent agency for general liability insurance?
An independent agency compares several insurance companies, matches your coverage to your contracts, and handles certificates when clients ask. Merrill Insurance Agency is licensed in Illinois and Indiana, and a licensed agent reviews every request personally.
Ready to protect your business? Get a general liability quote, try our free business assessment, or call a licensed agent at 815-230-1914.