Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance

Look to commercial general liability insurance for protection against claims of injury or property damage made by individuals outside your organization.

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Coverage at Westfield

What Is General Liability Insurance?

Commercial general liability insurance helps protect your company against lawsuits and other claims arising from injuries or damages involving customers, clients, vendors, or other individuals not employed by the business. Also called business liability insurance, this coverage can shield you from the expense of attorney fees, out-of-court settlements, and judgments awarded for covered claims— up to the limits of your policy.

People outside your organization can take you to court for many reasons. Without a general liability insurance policy, your business and its assets could be at financial risk.

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Need to File a General Liability Insurance Claim?

Call us at 800.243.0210, option 3, to report your claim as soon as you can — we’re here to help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

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Common Coverages

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?

Commercial general liability insurance addresses a broad range of claims, including property damage, bodily injury, personal injury, and advertising injury. Let’s take a deeper look at the types of general liability coverages* and explore possible claims scenarios.

Bodily Injury

A customer slips on a spilled product at your grocery store, fractures their wrist, and files a lawsuit against your business for negligence.

Property Damage

An employee of your furniture store accidentally puts a hole in a customer’s wall while delivering a couch, prompting a claim against you.

Legal Defense

Your public relations firm faces a lawsuit after a competitor of one of your clients alleges libel, requiring you to secure legal representation.

Medical Payments

A server at your café accidentally spills hot coffee on a customer who then requests reimbursement for their necessary burn treatments.

Reputational Harm

An employee of your advertising agency posts defamatory remarks about a client on social media, resulting in the client suing your agency.

Advertising Injury

You use a photo in a local advertisement without obtaining permission from the photographer who then sues you for copyright infringement.

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Who Needs General Liability Insurance?

Almost any business could benefit from a commercial general liability policy, but it is essential coverage for those that meet with clients, work off-site, and advertise their services. Here are just some of the businesses and industries that should consider business liability insurance:

Architects
Contractors
Engineers
Distributors
Financial services
Hospitality
Landscapers
Restaurants
Retail stores
Salons

Additionally, general liability insurance is sometimes required by clients, landlords, and business partners. For example, a contractor may need a certain amount of general liability coverage before they’re allowed to work on a construction project.

Hear From Our Customers

I’ve been with numerous insurance companies over my 46 years in business, and Westfield ranks at the top of the list.
– John D., Commercial Lines Customer

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Things to Consider

How Much General Liability Insurance Do I Need?

The amount of general liability insurance you need depends on things like your business size, business type, and number of employees. For example, a contractor will typically require a higher policy limit than a graphic designer who works from a home office.

When determining the amount of insurance you need, an agent will consider the following:

What type of work do you do? Assess if your work exposes you to significant risks that may require a higher policy limit.
What size is your company? The more employees, customers, and locations you have, the more liability insurance you may need.
Who are your customers? Companies that provide in-home services may need a higher policy limit.
Are you required to have coverage? Make sure your policy limit provides enough coverage to meet your contractual or regulatory obligations.

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Bundle Essential Coverages

SureStep® BOP

You can get commercial general liability insurance as a standalone policy, but many small businesses choose to get a business owners policy (BOP). Westfield’s SureStep BOP combines three essential coverages — property, business interruption, and liability — with additional coverages available, based on your industry. See if SureStep is right for your business.

Explore our BOP

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Pricing Factors

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all policy, so general liability insurance costs will vary. That’s because every business has different liability needs, and your premium depends on a variety of factors, including:

Type of business
Location
Revenue
Coverage limits
Claims history

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Customize Your Policy

Explore Other Add-On Coverage Options

Commercial Property

Coverage for your buildings, your business property, and the personal property of others.

Commercial Auto

Protection for the vehicles your business owns, hires, or borrows and the employees who drive them.

Business Interruption

Coverage that keeps the cash flowing and helps you meet your obligations while working to get back in business.

Commercial Cyber

Insurance that provides first- and third-party coverage against losses like data breaches, extortion, and ransomware.

Crime Insurance

Protection against theft of money or property inside or outside your premises under certain circumstances.

Equipment Breakdown

Coverage for the cost to repair or replace equipment and any property damaged by the equipment breakdown.

Inland Marine

Coverage for property that is movable or used in multiple locations, such as equipment, tools, and goods in transit.

Workers’ Compensation

Coverage that pays for the medical care, rehabilitation costs, and lost income of employees who are injured on the job.

Commercial Umbrella

Protection beyond the coverage limits of your business policy that is typically used for larger exposures.

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Find an Agent Near You

General Liability Insurance Quotes

As a business owner, you may be legally responsible if someone is injured, or their property is damaged while at your business or due to your actions. Add protection with commercial general liability business insurance. Contact a Westfield agent to get a quote.

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General Liability Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between general liability and professional liability?

Professional liability insurance is designed to help cover claims arising from an error or omission in the professional services you provide. On the other hand, general liability insurance typically offers protection against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal or advertising injury due to your business operations.

Not sure which coverage your business needs? Many businesses can benefit from both professional liability and general liability insurance. Talk to a Westfield agent for more information.

Is general liability insurance required by law?

General liability insurance is not typically required by law, but some states have minimum requirements for certain industries. Additionally, clients, landlords, or business partners may require you to have general liability insurance before doing business with you.

Even when not mandated, general liability insurance should be a priority for your company. As a business owner, you face risks every day that could jeopardize your financial stability. With general liability insurance, you gain a layer of protection against lawsuits and other claims involving injury or property damage that your business caused.

How do I purchase general liability insurance for my business?

You can purchase general liability insurance as a standalone policy or as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP). Westfield’s SureStep BOP combines three essential coverages — property, business interruption, and liability — into one convenient policy, with additional coverages available. A Westfield agent will work with you to find the coverages that fit your business’s specific needs.

Is commercial general liability insurance worth it?

We think so! No matter how careful you are, mistakes can happen. Without general liability coverage, these mistakes could result in expensive lawsuits or claims that significantly impact your business’s financial health. Even if someone decides to drop their lawsuit, there are still legal defense costs that must be paid. Therefore, it’s a good idea to invest in a general liability insurance policy that provides coverage for these events.

What is the difference between workers’ compensation and general liability insurance?

Workers’ compensation insurance focuses on injury claims from employees, while general liability insurance focuses on injury or property damage claims from third parties.

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*Please review your actual policy language to see applicable coverages, limits, and exclusions.