Liability Insurance Coverage
Updated 11:43 AM EDT, Thu June 16, 2022
What Is Covered Under Liability Insurance?
- Property damage
- Bodily injury
- Employee injuries and illnesses
- Mistakes in professional services
Liability Insurance covers property damage or injuries from an accident where you or your business are at fault. Without this coverage, business owners would have to pay for damages out of pocket. And since claims can get expensive, your small business may not have the resources to do so.
We can help you get the right coverage for your business. Whether you’re asking “what is liability insurance coverage” or need to know what types of coverage you should have, our specialists can help.
Types of Liability Insurance Coverage
General Liability Insurance
A General liability insurance policy helps cover claims against your business, such as:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Reputational harm
- Advertising injury
If one of your clients trips and falls while visiting your office, they can sue your business for their medical expenses, plus pain and suffering. With this coverage, your insurance can help pay for their treatment costs. Without it, you’d have to cover the costs out of pocket.
Professional Liability Insurance
You may want to get this coverage if you offer professional services to customers. In some states, certain businesses may be required by law to carry this type of insurance. Check with your local laws to see if you need it.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance is required by law for employers in most states. This coverage gives benefits to an employee with a work-related injury or illness. It can help:
- Cover medical bills
- Pay for ongoing care
- Replace lost wages
Liability Car Insurance
You can also add optional auto liability coverages, like comprehensive coverage, or in some states, personal injury protection (PIP). And a higher liability limit can enhance your protection.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Cyberattacks and data breaches are on the rise. Any sensitive or confidential information that business owners store could be at risk. Data breach coverage and cyber liability insurance protect your business by helping you prepare, respond and recover from an attack. This coverage can help pay for:
- Expenses to notify impacted customers or employees of a cyberattack or breach
- Credit monitoring services for affected individuals
- Advertisements to try to improve your business’ reputation
- Judgments and settlements from a lawsuit
Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Current and former employees can sue business owners for discrimination, harassment or wrongful termination. To help cover this kind of claim, you’ll need employment practices liability insurance. Without it, you’d have to pay to defend your business or any judgments and settlements out of pocket.
Management Liability Insurance
Business owners that employ financial professionals face a variety of risks. Our management liability insurance includes five types of coverage to help protect these employees from financially devastating lawsuits:
- Directors and officers (D&O) insurance
- Employment practices liability insurance
- Fiduciary liability insurance
- Crime insurance
- Kidnap/extortion and ransom insurance
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
If a liability lawsuit exceeds your policy limits, your business would have to pay the difference. Commercial umbrella insurance can extend the liability limit for some of your policies. So, if a customer falls at your place of business and their medical bills exceed your general liability insurance limits, your commercial umbrella policy can help cover the rest of the costs.
How Does Liability Insurance Coverage Work?
What Type of Damage Does Liability Insurance Cover?
Liability insurance coverage can help protect your business by covering the cost of damages resulting from an accident.
- Bodily Injury Liability Insurance helps cover someone else’s medical bills that result from an injury or accident.
- Auto Liability Insurance helps pay for vehicle repairs or damages caused by a car accident.
- Property Damage Liability Insurance helps pay for damages you or your employees cause to someone else’s property.
Generally, if someone sues you or makes a claim that your company hurt them or damaged their property, your liability insurance policy can help cover the costs as long as your insurance company considers it a covered claim.
For example, one of your employees is making a delivery to a customer when he swerves off the road and crashes into someone’s fence. The homeowner sues your business for damages. Your auto liability insurance coverage can help cover the repair or replacement costs to fix the damaged fence. Without this property damage coverage, you’d have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
Common Questions About Liability Insurance
What Is the Recommended Liability Car Insurance Coverage?
Liability car insurance coverage comes in two primary forms: bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage. Most states have a minimum amount of liability coverage that drivers need to carry. Your commercial auto insurance quote will meet the minimum coverage amount your insurer is required to provide in your state. You can add more liability coverage if your business needs it. The higher your liability limit, the more protection you and your employees have on the road while driving for business.
Do You Need Liability Insurance if You Have an LLC?
Yes, you likely need liability insurance coverage even if you have a limited liability company (LLC). LLCs separate your personal assets from your business, but your company still faces liability risks. Without liability insurance, your LLC will have to pay for claims out of pocket, which can devastate your business.
Get a Quote for Liability Insurance Coverage Today
It can be hard to know which liability insurance coverage your business needs, but we can help. As an insurance company with more than 200 years of experience, we’ll explain all of the risks your small business faces and will work with you to get the products and services you need. Get a quote today to learn more.