Buy Business Liability Insurance

Business liability insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed to protect a business from financial loss resulting from lawsuits or claims made by third parties for bodily injury or property damage. This type of insurance covers the costs of defending against a lawsuit, as well as any damages or settlements that may be awarded.

The purpose of business liability insurance is to protect the assets and financial stability of the business in the event of a lawsuit or claim.

This type of insurance is particularly important for businesses that interact with the public, such as retailers, service providers, or manufacturers.

The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 Business Liability Insurance policy for small businesses ranges from $27 to $59 per month based on location, industry, payroll, sales and experience.

The business liability insurance can help protect businesses by covering legal claims. Policies can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the business by adjusting coverage amounts, deductibles and varying the dollar limits of the coverage. By adjusting deductibles and coverage amounts you will find a policy to meet your needs while staying within your budget.

Each claim can result in a devastating financial cost to a small business. Customer slip and fall claims have the highest rate of occurrence in business liability. Some estimates have the average payout for these types of claims at well over $30,000. These happen more often than you can imagine. The injured party generally has to show that the business was negligent, but sometimes that is not the case. An employee mops the floor and forgets to put the "wet floor" sign up and a customer slips and gets injured. Another example is a customer tripping over a sidewalk crack outside the business.

One such slip and fall accident in resulted in a $250,000 pre-trial settlement to the claimant for an injury in small grocery store. The individual walked down the aisle of the store and slipped on some spilled liquid laundry detergent. This resulted in a significant injury to the claimant, requiring medical attention and loss of work.

Ranked next is a customer injury and damage claim which often costs the business in excess of $40,000. Very similar to slip and fall, the customer has been injured through an act either through an action or through negligence. Recently in, a female was awarded $300,000 after she was injured during a robbery. It was determined that the business was negligent in the provision of security in a high crime area and that they were liable for the customer's injuries.

Reputational harm claims are also among the most frequent business liability insurance claims in with an average settlement of $50,000. In this internet age, reputational harm cases are on the rise. The unauthorized use of a picture that can negatively impact a person or business reputation is an example of this. A negative, hostile online reaction by an employee to a review or blog could be another example. In cases where a lawsuit is filed, the average can run up to $100,000 with legal fees and court costs. In, jury awards can be even higher due to the legal atmosphere. Though most defamation cases have historically centered on the media, claims against employers have been made with significant awards made to former employees. Former employees proving that employers make false statements that negatively impact their earning potential are among these cases.

The bodily injury and property damage liability portion of the general business liability insurance policy generally covers physical injury to a person other than an employee at your place of business.

It also covers physical injury caused by you or your employee in the course of business on another person's property. Medical payments for such injury are often part of the settlement. Also the coverage includes damage caused by you or an employee to another person or entity's property.

The general business liability insurance policy also includes coverage for libel, slander and copyright infringement by employees acting on behalf of the business. It also covers the invasion of property or privacy and wrongful eviction and losses caused by your advertising. These instances involve damage that is alleged to be caused by you or an employee against an individual or another.

Lastly, the typical business liability insurance coverage provides protection for legal defense and judgement which generally includes costs of defense against lawsuits and judgement limited to coverage liabilities. This part of the policy can be invaluable when settling lawsuits. Legal representation to handle the matter provides a sense of security in dealing with these matters.

Following are some examples of business liability insurance claims and the coverages that help pay for them:

1. Slip-and-Fall Incident: Suppose a customer slips on a wet floor at your retail store and sustains injuries. This customer then decides to sue your business for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. A Business Liability Insurance policy can help cover these costs. The policy would pay for your legal defense, including attorney's fees, court costs, and any settlements or judgments against your business, up to the policy's limit.

2. Product Liability Claim: Let's say your business manufactures a toy that a child chokes on, leading to severe injury. The child's parents decide to sue your company for the harm caused. In this case, your Business Liability Insurance would kick in, covering the legal defense costs and any settlements or damages awarded by the court, up to your policy limit.

3. Professional Negligence: If you're a consultant and your advice leads to a client's financial loss, they may file a lawsuit against you. The Business Liability Insurance would provide funds to help cover legal defense costs, and if you're found liable, it would pay for the damages, again up to your policy's limit.

4. Defamation or Slander: Imagine an employee of your business posts a false statement about a competitor on social media. The competitor may sue your business for defamation. A Business Liability Insurance policy can help cover legal defense costs and potential damages if your business is found at fault.

5. Property Damage: If your business operations accidentally cause damage to a client's property, they might sue you to recover the costs. For example, if you run a painting business and accidentally spill paint on an expensive piece of furniture, your Business Liability Insurance policy would cover the legal costs and any damages awarded up to the policy's limit.

Remember, each insurance policy may have different inclusions and exclusions, and the specifics of coverage can vary. It's always important to thoroughly read your insurance policy and understand its terms and conditions.