FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015
If you run a business, the next customer entering your office door could be the next plaintiff in a lawsuit against your business. As consumers become increasingly aware of their legal rights, there has been a phenomenal increase in lawsuits. You cannot avoid this risk, but at least you can transfer this risk to your insurer through commercial general liability insurance (CGL).
A standard commercial general liability policy (also known as comprehensive general liability insurance) provides insurance coverage for lawsuits arising from injury to employees and public, property damage caused by an employee and injuries suffered by the negligent action of employees. The policy may also cover infringement on intellectual property, slander, libel, contractual liability, tenant liability and employment practices liability.
The CGL policy is tailor-made for any small or large business, partnership or joint venture businesses, a corporation or association, an organization, or even a newly acquired business. In this article we'll outline the characteristics of a comprehensive general liability policy and explain how it can benefit your business.
Coverage
Insurance coverage in a CGL policy includes bodily injury, property damage, personal and advertising injury, medical payments, and premises and operations liability. In case of lawsuits, insurers provide coverage for compensatory and general damages; punitive damages are generally not covered under the policy, although they may be covered if they are permitted by the jurisdiction of the state in which the policy was issued. The amount of risk associated with the business and the size of the business determines the total coverage.
The policy provides compensation for defending or investigating a lawsuit; court costs including attorneys' fees, police report costs and witness fees, any judgment or settlement resulting from the lawsuit, medical expenses for the injured persons, etc. Here, insurers retain the right to defend any suit against the insured company arising from bodily or property damages.
The most common coverage offered by an insurance company includes:
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Bodily Injury
In the event that a person is injured, gets sick or contracts a disease on the premises of a business, a CGL policy will compensate that person with the costs of loss of services, medical care and may even provide compensation for a death that results from the injury/illness.
However, claims for the insured and his or her employees are usually covered by workers' compensation insurance. CGL does not provide coverage in these cases.
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Property Damage
Under a CGL policy, the insurer reimburses the property owner for any damage to a tangible property that causes the loss of use of that property. (Note: The definition of bodily and property damage may vary from one insurer to another.)
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Fire, Lightning or Explosion Damage
Suppose that a fire erupts in your rented office and causes damage to your office as well as your neighbor's; a CGL policy would compensate your and your neighbor's business against these fire damages.
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Tenant's Liability
CGL policies also protect your business against claims of fire damage or other specified losses caused by your negligence to your rented business space.
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Premises and Operations Liability
Usually, CGL policies cover liabilities arising from business operations on the premises of the business. For instance, if a customer falls in your office and suffers leg injuries. As a result, your insurer will pay the medical expenses for that customer.
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Products-Completed Operations Liability
Many insurers provide insurance coverage for liabilities arising from a company's finished products or services. If the product or the services that your company offers is found at fault, your company is likely to be sued. In this case, the insurance company will compensate for the legal expenses and the consequential damages.
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Contractual Liability
The CGL policy covers liabilities that arise out of entering into a lease contract, any easement or license contract, elevator maintenance contract, etc.
- Personal and Advertising Injury Liability
The CGL policy provides insurance coverage against liability arising from slander, libel, malicious prosecution, violation of privacy, wrongful eviction, copyright infringement etc. Thus, if you are accused of injuring a business through verbal or written comments or advertising injuries or infringing another company's intellectual property, the policy will provide vital liability protection.
It is important to clarify the type and amount of coverage provided by your insurer. The above coverage alternatives may differ from one insurance company to another.
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