General Liability
Who needs general liability insurance?
General liability insurance is often combined with property insurance in a Business Owners Policy (BOP), but it’s also available to many contractors as a stand-alone coverage through the Progressive Advantage® Business Program.
As a contractor or small business owner, you need some form of business liability insurance to safeguard your livelihood.
A single accident could result in a lawsuit that you might not be able to handle. A great way to protect against this is to make sure you have liability coverage that matches your level of exposure.
Some employers or clients might also require you to carry a certain amount of general liability before you can work for them.
General liability insurance for contractors
If you’re a contractor, you might only want general liability – not a full BOP. For example, you might not own any commercial buildings that require property insurance, or need to cover payroll or other operating expenses. However, you’re still exposed to liability risks from your job.
You might be eligible to get general liability insurance, without the extra coverages in a BOP, through the Progressive Advantage Business Program. We offer general liability, as well as Blanket Additional Insured Coverage to contractors who qualify.
Blanket Additional Insured Coverage extends your existing liability insurance to other entities as required by some contracts with employers.
General liability insurance cost
In 2017, the national average monthly cost for general liability insurance through the Progressive Advantage® Business Program was $52. Remember, this is only an average and isn’t necessarily what you’ll pay. Your rate depends on the specific features of your business.
Commercial Insurance vs Personal Insurance
Not sure whether you need a personal or commercial auto insurance policy? Here are some things to consider when deciding what kind of insurance policy you need.
Who Owns and Drives the Vehicle
If your vehicle is owned by a business, most likely, you’ll need a commercial auto insurance policy. If you’re a sole proprietor, you might only need a personal auto insurance policy. The type of policy you need also depends on how often the vehicle is used and what it’s used for.
How the Vehicle is Used
If you use your vehicle for business purposes, you’ll probably need a commercial auto insurance policy. If you’re a sole proprietor who only travels to 1 or 2 job sites a day, or just use your vehicle for commuting, you might only need a personal auto insurance policy.
The Type and Weight of the Vehicle
If the vehicle you drive is heavier than a normal size pickup or SUV, like a dump truck, tow truck, or semi truck and commercial trailer, you might require a commercial auto insurance policy. Heavy duty vehicles can cause more damage if they’re involved in an accident and sometimes require special insurance coverages.
Required Business Liability Limits
If your business vehicle requires higher liability limits, you will probably need a commercial auto insurance policy. Commercial auto insurance policies typically offer higher limits than personal auto insurance policies.