General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance (GLI) helps protect your business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, reputational harm, and advertising errors. Without it, you could face expensive lawsuits and out-of-pocket costs that threaten your business's financial stability.
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What Paychex General Liability Insurance Provides You
Affordable Coverage
We'll help you find comprehensive coverage at the most competitive price.
Simple Management
A streamlined process helps with obtaining and managing your business insurance policies.
Comprehensive Protection
Coverage for a wide range of third-party claims that could arise during normal business operations.
Expert Guidance
Licensed agents provide personalized assistance to help you get exactly what you need.
Understanding Your Coverage: What's Included and What's Not
What General Liability Insurance Covers
- Bodily injury: Medical expenses and legal costs if someone is injured on your business premises
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace third-party property damaged by your business
- Product and completed operations: Claims arising from products you sell or services you complete
- Employee-caused damage: Damage caused by your employees to third parties during business activities
- Advertising injury: Claims of libel, slander, copyright infringement, or reputational harm in your advertising
- Medical payments: Immediate medical expenses for minor injuries, regardless of fault
What General Liability Insurance Doesn't Cover
- Intentional damage: Deliberate acts or injuries caused intentionally are excluded
- Employee injuries: Injuries to your own employees are covered by workers' compensation, not general liability
- Your own property: Damage to your business property, equipment, or inventory requires commercial property insurance
Protection That Keeps Your Business Running
General liability insurance from Paychex Insurance Agency provides coverage that meets your needs while protecting your bottom line:
- Meet client requirements – Many customers and partners require liability coverage before doing business with you
- Protect your assets – Avoid selling business assets to cover legal fees, settlements, or judgments
- Safeguard your business – Cover costs for third-party bodily injury, property damage, and other liabilities
- Reduce risk and stress – Helps cover accident-related expenses so you can focus on running your business
Get Covered in 3 Steps
Consult With a Licensed Agent
Our experts will research top carriers and present the best coverage options for your specific business.
Get Coverage
Select your ideal coverage and begin protecting your business from third-party claims.
Insurance Solutions That Work Together
Build complete protection for your business with integrated insurance solutions that work seamlessly with Paychex payroll and HR services.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Add extra liability coverage beyond your standard policy limits for major claims.
Commercial Property Insurance
Guard your physical assets with tailored coverage for fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Required in most states, it covers medical costs and lost wages if employees are injured on the job.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Protect business vehicles, drivers, and your company from accident-related losses and liability when employees are on the road.
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
Protect against claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment from current or former employees.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Protect your business from the financial cost of data breaches and cyberattacks.
Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O)
Coverage for claims of professional mistakes, negligence, or failure to deliver services as promised.
Resources for You
General Liability Insurance FAQs
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What Are the Four Types of Business Insurance?
What Are the Four Types of Business Insurance?
The four most common types of business insurance are:
- General liability insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
- Workers' compensation insurance
These foundational policies protect different aspects of your business operations. Learn more about how bundling these coverages can save you money while providing comprehensive protection.
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What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?
What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?
General liability insurance protects your business against third-party claims including:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Advertising injury
- Medical payments
- Legal defense
Without this coverage, your business would pay these expenses out of pocket, which could threaten your financial stability.
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How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?
How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?
General liability insurance costs vary based on several factors like location, industry, risk level, number of employees, desired coverage limits and claims history. Small businesses with relatively low risk can often secure affordable monthly premiums, especially when bundling general liability with other policies like commercial property or workers' compensation for additional savings.
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What’s the Difference Between Professional Liability and General Liability?
What’s the Difference Between Professional Liability and General Liability?
The key difference is what risks each policy covers:
General liability insurance protects against physical risks like bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury that occur during normal business operations.
Professional liability insurance (E&O) covers financial risks from professional mistakes, negligence, errors, or failure to deliver promised services. This includes claims that you provided inadequate advice, missed deadlines, or made costly mistakes in your professional work.
Many businesses need both coverages for complete protection — general liability for physical incidents and professional liability for service-related claims.
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Do Small Businesses Need General Liability Insurance?
Do Small Businesses Need General Liability Insurance?
Yes, small businesses should strongly consider general liability coverage, even though it's not legally required. Here's why:
- Financial protection: Without coverage, you're personally responsible for legal fees, settlements, and judgments if a customer sues
- Client requirements: Many clients and partners require proof of general liability insurance before doing business with you
- Business credibility: Having coverage demonstrates professionalism and financial responsibility to potential customers and partners
The relatively low cost of general liability insurance makes it one of the smartest investments for protecting your small business.
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What Is General Liability Insurance for an LLC?
What Is General Liability Insurance for an LLC?
Even though an LLC structure separates business and personal assets, your business still faces liability risks. General liability insurance protects your LLC against third-party claims including:
- Bodily injury to customers or visitors
- Property damage caused by your business operations
- Advertising injury and reputational harm claims
- Legal defense and settlement costs
Depending on your industry, general liability coverage may be required by clients, landlords, or lenders before they'll work with your LLC. It's essential protection that helps prevent lawsuits from threatening your business's survival.
