Insurance that covers claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury that your business causes to others.
General liability insurance covers the everyday accident risks of operating a business: a customer slips in your shop, your crew damages a client's property, or a competitor claims your marketing copied theirs. The policy pays for legal defense, settlements, and judgments for covered claims, up to the policy limits.
For most small businesses this is the foundation policy. Landlords commonly require it before signing a lease, clients ask for a certificate of insurance before work starts, and many licenses and contracts set minimum coverage amounts. It is often purchased as part of a business owner's policy (BOP), which bundles it with commercial property coverage at a lower combined price.
General liability has clear boundaries. It does not cover injuries to your own employees (workers' compensation), claims that your professional advice or work product caused financial harm (errors and omissions), damage to your own property, or auto accidents. Knowing where the policy stops is as useful as knowing what it covers, because the gaps are where surprises come from.