Glass Manufacturers Insurance Policy Information

Glass Manufacturers Insurance. Glass products such as tinted glass panes, glass blocks, and plate glass are manufactured using a float glass method, in which molten glass is floated on a bed of likewise molten metal.
Not only does this complex process require extremely high temperatures, the metals used for this purpose, such as lead and tin, are often toxic in nature. Expensive manufacturing equipment such as float glass lines, kilns, and machines that are essential to the cooling process are crucial in this line of work as well.
Non-glassware glass manufacturers produce glass blocks, plate glass, or tinted glass panes. Glassmaking is a highly automated process.
Silica (quartz sand) is combined with soda and lime, plus colorants and other additives to affect its appearance and qualities. The mixture is melted, released into a float bath tank, cooled, and conveyed onto a cutting area.
Because of the size of the float tanks and the cost of heating and processing, the operation is continual and not shut down until absolutely necessary.
Plate glass may be tinted, coated, tempered, or laminated, and cut to dimension. Glass block may be used in structural load-bearing applications, specialized tinted glass is used to filter out harmful rays from the sun, and non-silica glass is used extensively in fiber optics.
There is no doubt that manufacturers of glass products such as these play a vital role in the global construction industry, and their products are likewise used in vehicles of all kinds. However, the manufacture of glass products is unquestionably hazardous.
That is why it is clear that businesses in this industry need to look to arm themselves with the best possible glass manufacturers insurance coverage in case something goes wrong. What might that look like? This brief guide offers insights.
Glass manufacturers insurance protects your manufacturing business from lawsuits with rates as low as $57/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked glass manufacturing insurance questions:
- What Is Glass Manufacturers Insurance?
- How Much Does Glass Manufacturers Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Glass Manufacturers Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Glass Manufacturers Need?
- What Does Glass Manufacturers Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Glass Manufacturers Insurance?
Glass manufacturers insurance is a type of insurance coverage that is specifically designed for businesses that manufacture, process, or distribute glass products. This insurance protects the business against financial losses due to unexpected events such as property damage, product liability claims, employee injuries, and more. It may also cover losses related to theft, fire, and natural disasters, as well as any legal fees associated with defending against lawsuits.
The exact coverage provided by glass manufacturers insurance may vary depending on the policy, but it is designed to provide comprehensive protection for glass manufacturers against a wide range of potential risks.
How Much Does Glass Manufacturers Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small glass manufacturing businesses ranges from $57 to $79 per month based on location, size, revenue, claims history and more.
Why Do Glass Manufacturers Need Insurance?

Even when a company follows the strictest occupational safety rules and takes proactive steps to minimize risks, accidents can happen and circumstances beyond your control can have devastating consequences.
Glass manufacturers who invest in outstanding insurance refuse to let these pitfalls win, and will be able to recover from any setbacks they are confronted with much more easily.
Among the risks that threaten your company's financial health are hazards common to all fields of industry; theft and vandalism, and acts of nature like earthquakes and hurricanes are examples of these universal risks.
Glass manufactures also face industry-specific perils, however. Workers can become injured during the manufacturing process, but also suffer occupational illness after exposure to dust or toxic fumes.
In both cases, manufactures can be held responsible. Expensive equipment may break down and need repair or replacement, and third parties attending your premises, too, may get into accidents.
Should any of these threats, or others that you never saw coming, befall your company, it will be too late for prevention. With the right glass manufacturers insurance, however, you are protected - depending on your coverage, the costs you incur may be partially or even fully covered.
What Type Of Insurance Do Glass Manufacturers Need?
Because insurance plans need to be tailored to every company's unique needs, it is vital to have an in-depth consultation with an experienced and skilled commercial insurance agent who has insights into your company's inner workings.
The location of your manufacturing facility, your number of employees, what kind of machinery you own and use, and your exact production process all influence your insurance needs, alongside the cost of your coverage.
Some types of glass manufacturers insurance are indispensable for companies in this industry, however, and among them are:
- Commercial Property: Intended to protect your company from the financial consequences of calamities like earthquakes, fires, and theft, this type of insurance covers your physical assets. That means your physical manufacturing facility (building), but also machines, raw materials, computers, and finished inventory waiting to be shipped out. Each insurance plan is unique, and companies should be aware that serious floods are not always covered under this type of insurance.
- Workers Compensation: If an employee suffers either an acute injury in the workplace or is affected by an occupational illness resulting from exposure to toxins, workers' comp takes care of their medical expenses, from emergent hospital visits to long-term care like occupational therapy. Lost wages are likewise covered for those employees who cannot return to work after an occupational injury.
- Commercial General Liability: This type of glass manufacturers insurance protects you in the case that a third party - in this instance essentially meaning someone who does not work for you - suffers bodily injury on your property in a situation for which you can be held liable. Should your company's activities lead to third party property damage (for example, environmental damage caused by byproducts of your production process), commercial general liability coverage can help you as well.
- Product Liability: This is a type of liability insurance that pertains to your products. Even long after sale, should a glass product lead to injury or property damage due to the product's malfunction, it is possible that you will be held responsible. The injured party could file a lawsuit, and product liability insurance protects you in that case, by covering the resulting costs.
Remember that your insurance needs are as unique as your company, as well as that each insurer offers slightly differing coverage.
Examine every possible risk together with a commercial insurance agent, so that you can focus on growing your business while knowing you have done everything you can to protect your interests with the correct glass manufacturers insurance program.
Glass Manufacturing's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are normally low due to limited access by visitors. If tours are given or if outsiders are allowed on premises, visitors may be injured by slips, trips, or falls. The storage of large quantities of raw materials such as silica, plus recycled salvage, can produce attractive nuisance hazards to trespassers, particularly children.
Fumes, dust, and noise from processing operations may affect neighbors. This can result in a high frequency of nuisance claims, but may also cause serious health problems due to the generation of silica dust.
Products liability exposure is low to moderate. There should be quality control procedures in place, with checks conducted to detect cracks, blemishes or other defects. The manufacture of bulletproof glass, structural (load-bearing) block, and similar special purpose glass increase the exposure due to the potential bodily injury or property damage loss should a product fail.
Environmental impairment exposure is moderate to high due to the potential for air, land and water pollution from dust and fuel storage tanks. Both the vapors and pollutants that can be released into the air are noxious and hazardous, as are the waste materials.
These chemicals should be handled by qualified, licensed material waste handlers. Disposal procedures must adhere to all EPA and other regulatory standards.
Workers compensation exposures are serious. Injuries from production machinery are common, as are minor cuts from flying and broken glass, burns from high-temperature processing and molten glass, slips, trips, falls, foreign objects in the eye, back injuries from lifting, hearing loss from noise, and repetitive motion losses. Workstations should be ergonomically designed.
Employees should be provided with safety training and protective equipment. Areas that generate dust require respiratory protection devices, as well as eye protection and eye wash stations. Exposure to silica may cause serious skin, eye, and respiratory irritations, and lead to occupational diseases such as Silicosis or Shaver's Lung.
Property exposures consist of office, production plant and warehouse for raw materials and finished goods. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating systems, high-temperature production machinery, storage of large amounts of fuels to operate them, and molten materials. Maintenance of equipment is critical to prevent wear and tear and overheating, which are potential fire hazards.
In the absence of well-maintained dust collection systems, cutting and buffing operations can generate dust which can catch on fire. Finished glass may be damaged by accidental breakage or by vandalism, but the raw materials are not susceptible to fire, water or smoke damage.
Interruption of utility services is a major concern because of the continual operation of the float baths. Business income loss exposure is high, because once a system is shut down, it is a major operation to start it up again.
Equipment breakdown exposures include malfunctioning production equipment, dust collection and ventilation systems, electrical control panels and other apparatus. These should be properly maintained. Breakdown and loss of use to the float baths, conveyors and other production machinery could result in significant loss, both direct and under time element. Production equipment may include CNC (computer-controlled) and custom-made machinery.
Crime exposure comes from employee dishonesty. Employees may act alone or in collusion with outsiders in stealing money, raw materials or finished stock. Background checks should be conducted on all employees. There must be a separation of duties between persons handling deposits and disbursements and handling bank statements. There should be security methods in place to prevent theft.
Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the manufacturer offers credit, computers (which may include computer-run production equipment), goods in transit, and valuable papers and records for customers' and suppliers' information.
Backup copies of all records should be made and stored off premises. Stock in transit may be highly susceptible to damage from breakage in a collision or overturn and possibly theft.
Commercial auto exposure may be high if the manufacturer picks up raw materials, especially large shipments of sand, or delivers finished goods to customers. The delivery of goods requires careful loading and tie-down to prevent glass products from shifting and toppling over. Manufacturers generally have private passenger fleets used by sales representatives.
There should be written procedures regarding the private use of these vehicles by others. Drivers should have an appropriate license and an acceptable MVR. All vehicles must be well maintained with documentation kept in a central location.
What Does Glass Manufacturers Insurance Cover & Pay For?

As with any manufacturing industry, glass manufacturers can potentially face several types of lawsuits, each with its own set of risks and implications. The insurance policies designed for manufacturers can provide financial protection by covering the expenses associated with these legal issues. Let's look at some possible reasons for lawsuits and how insurance can help:
1. Product Liability: If the glass products produced by a manufacturer cause harm or injury due to defects, the company could be sued for product liability. For instance, if a glass window shatters unexpectedly and injures a customer, the manufacturer could face a lawsuit.
Insurance Solution: Product Liability Insurance can cover the costs associated with such claims. This insurance can help pay for legal defense costs, settlements, and court awards. This type of coverage is typically included in a general liability insurance policy.
2. Worker Injuries: Manufacturing glass involves several risks to employees, such as cuts from broken glass, burns from molten glass, and injuries from heavy machinery. If a worker gets injured on the job, they could sue the manufacturer for not providing a safe working environment.
Insurance Solution: Workers' Compensation Insurance is designed to cover such risks. It can pay for the medical treatment of the injured worker, rehabilitation costs, and a portion of their lost wages while they're unable to work. In many jurisdictions, this coverage also provides an employer liability component, which can pay for legal defense if the employer is sued over the injury.
3. Property Damage: In the event of a fire, explosion, or other damaging incidents at the manufacturing facility, a manufacturer could face lawsuits from neighboring businesses or property owners for the damage caused to their property.
Insurance Solution: Commercial Property Insurance can cover the costs associated with property damage claims. It can also help replace or repair the manufacturer's own property, including buildings, equipment, and inventory, if they are damaged or destroyed due to a covered event.
4. Environmental Damage: Glass manufacturing processes could potentially lead to environmental pollution, for instance, by releasing harmful gases or disposing of waste improperly. If a manufacturer is sued for causing environmental damage, the cleanup costs and legal expenses could be substantial.
Insurance Solution: Environmental Liability Insurance, also known as Pollution Liability Insurance, can help cover the costs associated with pollution-related claims. It can cover legal defense costs, cleanup expenses, and any damages awarded by the court.
5. Business Interruption: A severe event such as a fire or natural disaster could halt production at a glass manufacturing facility, leading to significant financial losses. If customers or business partners sue the manufacturer for not fulfilling contractual obligations due to the interruption, the manufacturer could face substantial legal costs.
Insurance Solution: Business Interruption Insurance can provide coverage for lost income and operating expenses during the period of restoration. It can also cover legal costs associated with any lawsuits arising from the interruption of business.
In conclusion, insurance plays a crucial role in protecting glass manufacturers from the financial impact of lawsuits. An effective insurance program can help ensure the manufacturer's survival and continuity in the face of potentially crippling legal challenges.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 3211 Flat Glass, 3221 Glass Containers, 3231 Products Of Purchased Glass
- NAICS CODE: 327211 Flat Glass Manufacturing, 327213 Glass Container Manufacturing, 327215 Glass Product Manufacturing Made Of Purchased Glass
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 4101 Glass Manufacturing & Drivers, 4113 Glass Manufacturing - Cut, 4114 Glassware Manufacturing NOC, 4133 Glass Window Manufacturing - Stained
Description for 3211: Flat Glass
Division D: Manufacturing | Major Group 32: Stone, Clay, Glass, And Concrete Products | Industry Group 321: Flat Glass
3211 Flat Glass: Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing flat glass. This industry also produces laminated glass, but establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing laminated glass from purchased flat glass are classified in Industry 3231.
- Building glass, flat
- Cathedral glass
- Float glass
- Glass, colored: cathedral and antique
- Glass, flat
- Insulating glass, sealed units
- Laminated glass, made from glass produced in the same establishment
- Multiple-glazed insulating units
- Opalescent flat glass
- Ophthalmic glass, flat
- Optical glass, flat
- Picture glass
- Plate glass blanks for optical or ophthalmic uses
- Plate glass, polished and rough
- Sheet glass
- Sheet glass blanks for optical or ophthalmic uses
- Skylight glass
- Spectacle glass
- Structural glass, flat
- Tempered glass
- Window glass, clear and colored
Description for 3221: Glass Containers
Division D: Manufacturing | Major Group 32: Stone, Clay, Glass, And Concrete Products | Industry Group 322: Glass And Glassware, Pressed Or Blown
3221 Glass Containers: Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing glass containers for commercial packing and bottling, and for home canning.
- Ampoules, glass Bottles for packing, bottling, and canning: glass Carboys, glass Containers for packing, bottling, and canning: glass Cosmetic jars, glass Fruit jars, glass Jars for packing, bottling, and canning: glass Jugs for packing, bottling, and canning: glass Medicine bottles, glass Milk bottles, glass Packers' ware (containers), glass Vials, glass: made in glassmaking establishments Water bottles, glass
Description for 3231: Products Of Purchased Glass
Division D: Manufacturing | Major Group 32: Stone, Clay, Glass, And Concrete Products | Industry Group 323: Glass Products, Made Of Purchased Glass
3231 Products Of Purchased Glass: Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing glass products from purchased glass. Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing optical lenses, except ophthalmic, are classified in Industry 3827, and those manufacturing ophthalmic lenses are classified in Industry 3851.
- Aquariums and reflectors, made from purchased glass
- Art glass, made from purchased glass
- Christmas tree ornaments, made from purchased glass
- Cut and engraved glassware, made from purchased glass
- Decorated glassware: e.g., chipped, engraved, etched,
- Doors, made from purchased glass
- Enameled glass, made from purchased glass
- Encrusting gold, silver, or other metals on glass products: made from
- Flowers, foliage, fruits and vines: artificial glass-made from
- Fruit, artificial: made from purchased glass
- Furniture tops, glass: cut, beveled, and polished
- Glass, scientific apparatus: for druggists', hospitals, laboratories-made
- Glass, sheet: bent-made from purchased glass
- Grasses, artificial: made from purchased glass
- Ground glass, made from purchased glass
- Industrial glassware, made from purchased glass
- Laboratory glassware, made from purchased glass
- Laminated glass, made from purchased glass
- Leaded glass, made from purchased glass
- Medicine droppers, made from purchased glass
- Mirrors, framed or unframed: made from purchased glass
- Mirrors, transportation equipment: made from purchased glass
- Multiple-glazed insulating units, made from purchased glass
- Novelties, glass: e.g., fruit, foliage, flowers, animals, made from
- Ornamented glass, made from purchased glass
- Plants and foliage, artificial: made from purchased glass
- Reflector glass beads, for highway signs and other reflectors: made
- Safety glass, made from purchased glass
- Silvered glass, made from purchased glass
- Stained glass, made from purchased glass
- Table tops made from purchased glass
- Technical glassware, made from purchased glass
- Tempered glass, made from purchased glass
- Test tubes, made from purchased glass
- Vials, made from purchased glass
- Watch crystals, made from purchased glass
- Windows, stained glass: made from purchased glass
- Windshields, made from purchased glass
Glass Manufacturers Insurance - The Bottom Line
Glass manufacturers insurance policies can differ a lot in coverage, costs and exclusions. To discover if your glass manufacturing operation has the best fit insurance policies - talk to an experienced commercial insurance broker.
Often they are able to save you on premiums and offer you better policy options than you currently have.
Additional Resources For Manufacturing Insurance
Learn all about manufacturing insurance. Manufacturers face many unique risks such as product libility and/or product recall exposures due to the nature of their business operations.
- 3D Printing
- Adhesives
- Alarms
- Audio & Video Equipment
- Auto Parts
- Bottling Plants
- Boxes
- Bricks
- Brooms & Brushes
- Buttons
- Cabinets
- Camping Equipment
- Canned Fruit & Vegetables
- Cans
- Canvas Products
- Caskets
- CBD Oil And Hemp
- Cement
- Ceramics
- Chemical
- Clock & Watch
- Clothing
- Coffee
- Commercial Air Conditioning
- Commercial Electronics
- Communications Equipment
- Computers
- Condoms
- Construction Equipment
- Cork Products
- Cosmetics
- Cutlery
- Dairies & Creameries
- Down And Feather Products
- Dry Ice
- Dyes & Pigments
- Electronic Toys & Games
- Electroplating
- Elevators
- Engines
- Exercise Equipment
- Farm Equipment
- Feed & Grain
- Fences
- Fertilizer
- Fireworks
- Flavoring Extracts
- Frozen Foods
- Fruit Juice
- Fur Garment
- Garage Door
- Gears
- Glass
- Glasswear
- Gypsum Products
- Hosiery
- Ice Cream
- Industrial Equipment
- Ink
- Insecticides
- Iron & Steel Foundries
- Jewelry
- Lawn Mowers
- Leather Apparel
- Leather Goods
- Lighting & Wiring
- Lumber & Wood Products
- Machine Shop
- Major Electrical Appliances
- Manufacturing
- Marijuana Products
- Mattresses & Box Springs
- Metal & Plastic Furniture
- Metal Heat Treating
- Metal Toys
- Millwork
- Monuments
- Musical Instruments
- Nanotechnology
- Nonferrous Foundries
- Ornamental Metalwork
- Paint
- Paper & Allied Products
- Pesticides
- Pet Food
- Pharmaceuticals
- Plastic & Rubber Toys
- Plastic Goods
- Plastics
- Plastics Molding, Forming & Extruding
- Pottery
- Product Liability
- Prosthetics
- Psychedelic Drugs
- Pulp & Paper Mills
- Refractory
- Residential Air Conditioning & Heating
- Rubber Goods
- Rugs
- Sawmills & Planing Mills
- Screw Machine Products
- Sheet Metal
- Soap & Detergent
- Shoes
- Small Electrical Appliances
- Sporting Goods
- Springs
- Stone Products
- Tanneries
- Textiles
- Textiles Finishing & Coating
- Tires
- Tobacco
- Tool & Die Shops
- Vegetable Juice
- Vending Machines
- Watercraft
- Wire
- Wire Rope
- Wood Furniture
- Woodworking
- Writing Instruments
- Yarn
- Specialty Manufacturing
- Specialty Product Liability

The manufacturing industry is a vital part of the economy and plays a significant role in the production of goods and services. However, it is also an industry that is prone to risks and accidents, which can result in costly damages and lawsuits. Therefore, it is essential for businesses in the manufacturing industry to have insurance to protect them against potential losses.
Business insurance can cover a wide range of risks, including property damage, liability, and worker injuries. For instance, if a fire were to break out in a manufacturing facility and destroy equipment or inventory, commercial insurance could cover the costs of replacing or repairing the damages. Similarly, if a worker were to be injured on the job, business insurance could cover medical expenses and lost wages.
In addition to protecting against physical damages, insurance can also provide financial protection against legal liabilities. If a customer were to sue a manufacturing business for a faulty product, the commercial insurance could cover the costs of legal fees and settlements.
Overall, insurance is essential for the manufacturing industry as it helps to mitigate risks and protect against unexpected costs. Without it, businesses in the industry could face financial ruin in the event of an accident or lawsuit.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income with Extra Expense, Equipment Breakdown, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Goods in Transit, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits Liability, Environmental Impairment Liability, Umbrella Liability, Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Flood, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices Liability, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage and Stop Gap Liability.