COMMERCIAL INSURANCE
General Liability Insurance
The foundation of nearly every business insurance program. General liability protects your business from third-party bodily injury and property damage claims, and it is the coverage clients, landlords, and contracts most often require. Fast quotes, competitive rates, same-day certificates.
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- General Liability Insurance
Quick Answer: General liability insurance covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury claims that arise from your everyday business operations. Most small businesses pay $40 to $150 per month, often packaged with property in a business owners policy. A $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate limit is the standard most leases, vendors, and clients require before you can do business with them.
No matter what industry you are in, your business is exposed the moment a customer, vendor, or member of the public interacts with it. A slip in your lobby, damage to a client's property, or an advertising claim from a competitor can each turn into a lawsuit that pays out long after the incident. General liability is the policy that responds. It is also a business requirement: landlords, commercial clients, and general contractors routinely demand proof of it before they sign. As an independent brokerage, Pro Insurance Group shops your general liability across 20-plus carriers so you carry the right limits at a competitive rate, with certificates issued the same day you need them.
What General Liability Covers
Bodily Injury
Pays for medical costs and legal claims when a customer or member of the public is injured in connection with your business, such as a slip and fall.
Property Damage
Covers damage your business or your work causes to someone else's property, including a client's premises or belongings.
Products and Completed Operations
Responds to injury or damage caused by a product you sold or a job you finished, even after the work is complete and you have left the site.
Personal and Advertising Injury
Covers claims like libel, slander, copyright infringement in your advertising, and similar non-physical injuries to a third party.
Medical Payments
Pays smaller medical bills for minor third-party injuries without a lawsuit, helping resolve incidents quickly and goodwill intact.
Legal Defense Costs
Covers attorney fees, court costs, and settlements when a covered claim is brought against you, even if the suit is groundless.
General liability does not cover everything. Employee injuries fall under workers compensation, professional mistakes under errors and omissions, vehicle accidents under commercial auto, and damage to your own building or contents under commercial property.
Which Businesses Need General Liability
Nearly every business does, but the right limits and endorsements depend on your industry. See coverage built for your type of business:
Do not see your industry? We write general liability for businesses of every kind. Request a quote and we will build the program around your operations.
How General Liability Fits Your Program
General liability rarely stands alone. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, most businesses need a layered program, and general liability is the base layer. Many smaller businesses combine it with property in a single business owners policy at a lower combined premium. When a large contract demands higher limits than your policy carries, a commercial umbrella stacks additional protection on top. And once you hire employees or put vehicles on the road, workers compensation and commercial auto round out the foundation. We build the full stack so there are no gaps between policies.
What General Liability Insurance Costs
| Business Profile | Typical Risk Level | Estimated Range |
|---|---|---|
| Low-risk office or service | Consultant, agency, tech firm | $40 to $70 / mo |
| Retail or hospitality | Foot traffic, food, premises risk | $70 to $150 / mo |
| Contractor or trades | Jobsite and completed-ops risk | $50 to $200 / mo |
| Bundled in a BOP | GL plus property together | Often lower combined |
Ranges are illustrative for a standard $1M / $2M policy. Your premium depends on industry, revenue, location, claims history, and the limits your contracts require. Request a quote for a firm number.
What Our Clients Say
Why Businesses Choose Pro Insurance Group
We Shop 20+ Carriers
Independent means we compare the whole market for your industry, not one carrier's rate.
Same-Day COIs
Certificates and Additional Insured endorsements delivered fast so you never miss a lease or contract deadline.
The Right Limits
We read your contracts and match the limits and wording they require, so you are never underinsured or overpaying.
One Point of Contact
A dedicated advisor who knows your business, not a call center that starts over every time.
General Liability Insurance FAQ
What does general liability insurance cover?
It covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, products and completed operations, personal and advertising injury, and the legal defense costs that come with those claims. In short, it responds when your business operations harm someone outside the business or their property. It does not cover your own employees, your own property, professional errors, or auto accidents, which are handled by separate policies.
How much does general liability insurance cost?
Most small businesses pay $40 to $150 per month for a standard $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate policy. Low-risk office and service businesses sit at the bottom of that range, while hospitality and contracting sit higher because of premises and jobsite exposure. Bundling general liability with property in a business owners policy often lowers the combined cost.
Is general liability insurance required by law?
It is generally not required by state law, but it is required in practice. Commercial landlords require it in leases, clients and general contractors require it in contracts, and many professional licenses and permits require proof of it. Most businesses cannot operate or win work without it, even though no statute mandates it.
What is the difference between general liability and professional liability?
General liability covers physical risks: bodily injury and property damage. Professional liability, also called errors and omissions, covers financial harm from your advice or professional services, such as a mistake, missed deadline, or failure to deliver. A consultant who damages a client's office needs general liability, while a consultant whose bad advice costs a client money needs professional liability. Many businesses carry both.
What limits of general liability do I need?
The most common requirement is $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate, which satisfies most leases and contracts. Larger commercial, municipal, and healthcare contracts often require higher limits, which you reach by adding a commercial umbrella rather than raising the base policy. We read your specific contract requirements and match the limits exactly.
Can you issue a certificate of insurance the same day?
Yes. Once your policy is active, most certificates of insurance, including Additional Insured and Waiver of Subrogation endorsements, are issued the same day, often within hours. Send us the requirement from your lease or contract and we will match the wording.
Get Your General Liability Quote
One broker, 20-plus carriers, and same-day certificates. Tell us about your business and we will find the right coverage at the right price.
Get My Quote Call 833-776-4671Reviewed by Neal Fusco, VP Commercial Lines
Neal leads commercial and specialty coverage at Pro Insurance Group, helping businesses across Illinois and 40-plus states secure the right protection at competitive rates.