Liability Insurance

Liability insurance provides coverage in case your business is sued for something it did or didn't do that resulted in property damage or injury to someone

It covers the cost of damages awarded to the injured party, as well as the costs associated with your defense in a lawsuit. Consider these guidelines to determine the amount of coverage.

One way is to use a recent liability settlement in an industry related to yours as a guide. Another option is to base coverage on your business's total assets. Check with your trade association and your insurance broker before making final decisions.

Liability Insurance Claims

This type of claim is common these days, given the extensive number of lawyers offering contingency fees for their services (if they don't win, you don't pay).

One classic example is someone who slips and falls on your premises and sues for the loss of income (and possibly medical problems) while they were unable to work.

Liability Insurance Coverage

Many insurance companies offer broad coverage in a single policy by combining property and liability insurance coverage into a business owner's policy.

Unfortunately, it may not be adequate in some cases. For example, it may suffice for a two-person computer-consulting firm, while a restaurant with a lot of customer traffic may need more extensive liability coverage.

Other Aspects of Liability Insurance

The above coverage will not protect you against claims for nonperformance of a contract. That's covered by professional liability or " errors and omissions " insurance. If you're in the engineering consulting business, for instance, you'll want to look into this.

Wrongful termination of employees, sexual harassment and race or gender based lawsuits are generally covered by employment practices of the same.

Latest News on Liability Insurance