Commercial General Liability Insurance
When your business causes injury or property damage to others, protect yourself against the financial consequences.
Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance protects businesses against certain third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage and other liabilities arising from their business operations, premises, products or completed work.
Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance protects businesses against certain third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage and other liabilities arising from their business operations, premises, products or completed work.
We work with leading insurers
across General, Health and Life Insurance
What can Commercial General Liability Insurance cover?
Depending on the policy selected, cover can include:
Third-Party Bodily Injury
Claims arising when a third party suffers bodily injury due to covered business activities.
Third-Party Property Damage
Claims arising from accidental damage to property belonging to another person or organisation.
Premises Liability
Liability arising from accidents involving customers, visitors or other third parties at your business premises.
Operations Liability
Claims arising from your ongoing business operations away from your own premises.
Products Liability
Liability arising from products manufactured, sold, supplied or distributed by your business can be included depending on the policy.
Completed Operations Liability
Claims arising after work or services have been completed may be covered where applicable.
Legal Defence Costs
Legal expenses incurred in defending covered liability claims.
Advertising & Personal Injury
Certain liabilities arising from specified advertising or personal injury offences may be covered depending on the policy wording.
What could lead to a CGL claim?
Liability claims can arise from everyday business activities.
For example:
- A visitor slips and suffers an injury at your office or facility
- Your employee accidentally damages property at a client's premises
- Equipment used during your operations causes third-party damage
- A product manufactured or supplied by you causes bodily injury
- Completed work subsequently causes third-party property damage
- A customer alleges injury resulting from your business operations
- Your operations accidentally damage neighbouring property
Even when your business believes it was not responsible, defending a liability claim can involve significant legal costs.
Who should consider Commercial General Liability Insurance?
CGL Insurance can be relevant for:
- Manufacturers
- Retail businesses
- Hotels and restaurants
- Warehouses
- Contractors
- IT and technology companies
- Service providers
- Commercial offices
- Healthcare businesses
- Exporters
- Businesses operating at client locations
- Companies supplying products
- Businesses dealing with customers or members of the public
Essentially, any organisation whose activities could cause bodily injury or property damage to a third party should consider its liability exposure.
Why choose Commercial General Liability Insurance?
Protect against third-party claims
A single accident involving a customer, visitor or another business can result in a substantial liability claim.
Protect against legal costs
Even where liability is disputed, the cost of defending a claim can be significant.
Cover multiple liability exposures
A well-structured CGL programme can combine premises, operations and other specified liability exposures under one policy.
Meet contractual requirements
Clients, landlords and international business partners may require a company to maintain specified levels of liability insurance.
CGL vs Professional Indemnity – what's the difference?
These covers protect against different types of liability.
Commercial General Liability
Primarily covers specified third-party bodily injury and property damage arising from business operations, premises or products.
Professional Indemnity
Primarily covers claims alleging professional errors, omissions or negligence that cause financial loss to a client.
Many professional businesses may need both covers.
How much liability cover does your business need?
The appropriate limit depends on factors such as:
- Nature of business
- Annual turnover
- Number and size of locations
- Customer footfall
- Products manufactured or supplied
- Work performed at customer locations
- Maximum potential third-party exposure
- Contractual requirements
- Overseas operations
- Export exposure
- Previous claims
Our corporate insurance team can help you assess these exposures before deciding the appropriate limit.
Already have a CGL policy?
We can review your existing policy and help you understand:
- Limit of liability
- Premises and operations cover
- Products liability
- Completed operations
- Geographical limits
- Jurisdiction
- Defence costs
- Deductibles
- Major exclusions
- Contractual liability
- Vendor-related extensions
- Claims notification requirements
- Premium and insurer options at renewal
Share your existing policy with us and our corporate insurance team can review it.
Frequently Asked Questions
CGL Insurance protects businesses against specified third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage and certain other liabilities arising from business operations.
One liability claim can have a significant financial impact.
Our corporate insurance team can help you understand your third-party liability exposures and structure appropriate protection for your business.
Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the policy issued by the insurer.