General Liability Insurance in Mount Prospect & Beyond
Essential Protection for Everyday Business Risks
General liability (GL) insurance is the cornerstone of business protection. It shields your company from costly claims involving injuries, property damage, or personal and advertising injury. If a customer slips and falls in your store, if a contractor accidentally breaks a client’s window, or if your business is sued over damages you’re alleged to have caused, GL coverage steps in to pay medical bills, repairs, and legal defense. For most industries — retail, restaurants, contractors, service providers, offices, and more — general liability is not optional. It’s required by landlords, vendors, and client contracts, and it’s often the first policy a business should secure.
What’s Included in General Liability Insurance
Bodily Injury & Property Damage
Covers medical expenses, legal fees, and repair or replacement costs if your business is responsible for injuries or property damage to others.
Personal & Advertising Injury
Provides protection against claims such as libel, slander, copyright infringement, or reputational harm caused in the course of business.
Legal Defense Costs
Your policy covers attorney fees, court costs, and settlements — even if a claim is groundless. Legal expenses alone can devastate small businesses without GL coverage.
Products & Completed Operations
For contractors or businesses that manufacture, sell, or distribute products, this coverage protects against claims related to product defects or completed work that causes damage later.
Additional Insureds & Certificates
Many leases and client contracts require landlords or clients to be listed as additional insureds. We provide certificates quickly and make sure your policy meets contract requirements.
Custom Coverage Limits
We help determine liability limits that make sense for your business — whether that’s $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate, or higher amounts based on contract obligations or higher-risk operations.
What to Expect From Our Team
We start by reviewing your daily operations, customer interactions, and service environment to identify liability exposures. Then we tailor your coverage by selecting appropriate limits, endorsements, and policy options. As an independent agency, we compare solutions from multiple top carriers to match your business’s size, risk level, and contractual requirements. Whether you need additional insured endorsements, certificates of insurance, or proof of coverage for bids, we make the process fast and reliable.
Understanding General Liability Coverage
Below is an overview of common GL protections and why they matter for Illinois businesses.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury | Customer injuries, slip-and-fall incidents | Most common source of business liability claims |
| Property Damage | Damage to someone else’s property | Essential for contractors and service businesses |
| Personal & Advertising Injury | Libel, slander, advertising mistakes | Helps protect your brand and reputation |
| Products & Completed Operations | Damages from sold products or finished work | Critical for manufacturers, contractors, and retailers |
| Legal Defense | Attorney fees, court costs | Can save businesses from severe financial loss |
Need clarity on your risks? We’re here to help you understand what coverage your business truly needs.
Common Questions About General Liability Insurance
Why does my business need general liability insurance?
GL insurance protects you from the most common and expensive liability claims — customer injuries, property damage, and lawsuits. Without it, even a single incident can create major financial strain.
How much liability insurance should a small business have?
It depends on your industry, customer interactions, and contract requirements. Many small businesses choose $1M per occurrence, while higher-risk or contract-driven work may require $2M or more.
Is GL insurance required?
Often, yes. Landlords, vendors, and clients frequently require proof of coverage and additional insured endorsements before doing business with you
Does GL cover employee injuries?
No — employee injuries are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. We can help you secure both policies.
Does GL include product liability?
Many policies include it or offer it as an endorsement. We review your operations to make sure your products and completed work are properly covered.
Protect Your Business From Costly Claims
One claim can be financially devastating. With the right general liability coverage, you can operate confidently and meet contract requirements with ease.
