What is General Liability insurance coverage?
Florida’s economy is powered by small businesses. In fact, 99.8% of all businesses in the state fall into this category. Small businesses employ 3.6 million Floridians, which accounts for over 41% of the state’s employees.
If you’re a small business owner in Florida, you need the right insurance. One of the most common — and most important — policies for small businesses and self-employed professionals is general liability insurance (also known as commercial general liability, or CGL).
With general liability insurance, you’ll be protected from a number of risks your business faces every day, like property damage and third-party injuries. This insurance is important to have in the event of an unexpected accident, such as:
- A passerby gets hurt when a roofing company’s ladder falls over in Fort Lauderdale.
- A painter in Tampa accidentally drips paint on an expensive sofa.
Rather than paying for these expenses out of pocket, your general liability insurance can cover the costs up to your policy limit. It also provides coverage if you need to defend yourself against an accusation of libel or slander.
Is General Liability insurance required by law in Florida?
There is no state law that mandates general liability insurance in Florida. However, cities and counties across the state may require additional insurance. All Florida business owners should check with their nearest government offices or city clerk to learn more about local business insurance requirements.
Although there are no statewide Florida general liability insurance requirements, most businesses still choose to carry general liability insurance. Florida business owners should consider these potential advantages when deciding what insurance coverage they need.
Business finances
General liability coverage helps protect your business financially in the event of customer or other third-party injuries, damage to someone’s property or accusations of slander or libel. In addition, some banks or lending institutions may require this type of Florida business insurance.
Work contracts
Some clients require proof of coverage in your contract before they’ll agree to work with you. Without general liability insurance, you might lose out on potential jobs.
Lease agreement
If you need to rent a space for your business, you’ll find that commercial property leases often require commercial general liability insurance. Florida landlords may even request a specific level of coverage before agreeing to rent a space to you.
Licenses and permits
You may need general liability coverage to get certain business licenses and permits. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation or the Department of Agriculture, for example, may include additional insurance coverage for certain licensing requirements.
NEXT offers a simple and affordable way to get general liability insurance for small businesses. Florida business owners can complete the entire process online in minutes. We also have U.S.-based insurance advisors available to answer any of your questions about insurance coverage.
Start a free online instant quote to explore Florida general liability insurance options.
What types of businesses might need General Liability in Florida?
There are a wide variety of business owners who need general liability insurance in Florida. In fact, this type of insurance is can benefit almost every single industry, from construction to retail to financial services, due to the important protections it provides.
Generally, in professions that involve a higher level of physical risk, higher coverage is recommended. (Of course, the amount of coverage you want depends on your appetite for risk.) For example, Florida requires contractors to get general liability insurance in the following amounts before issuing a license:
- General and building contractors: $300,000 public liability, $50,000 property damage
- All other contractors: $100,000 public liability, $25,000 property damage.
To learn more, check out our guide to Florida general contractor license and insurance requirements.
Even if you’re not in a very risky line of work, you can still benefit from general liability insurance coverage. A client might trip over a cord in your real estate office and get hurt, or your assistant might accidentally spill coffee on someone’s leather briefcase, for example. Plus, your clients may require proof of general liability coverage before they’ll do business with you.
How does General Liability work in Florida?
With general liability insurance, Florida small business owners will have protection from costs related to bodily injury, damage to other people’s property or advertising injury.
For example, if you own a house cleaning business in Jacksonville, you’ll get coverage if one of your employees accidentally knocks over an expensive vase and you need to have it repaired or replaced.
Similarly, a fitness instructor in Miami would be covered if a client injured their back during an exercise class. General liability insurance helps pay for medical bills and, if necessary, legal fees.
This type of insurance also provides coverage from accusations of libel, slander and defamation. It helps with legal fees and settlements if you’re sued.
General liability is often bundled with professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O), which provides protection if you make a mistake on the job. If a client claims that a Tallahassee accountant made errors that led to a significant financial loss, for example, professional liability insurance would cover the costs to remedy the problem or to defend against the accusations.
How much is General Liability insurance in Florida?
When it comes to general liability insurance, Florida costs can vary based on where your business operates and the type of work you do. In addition, your past claims history, your policy limits, and how many employees you have influence your insurance premiums.
For cheap general liability insurance, Florida business owners can turn to NEXT. 50% of our customers pay less than $25 to $45 per month on general liability insurance*. With our custom policies, you get the coverage you want so you don’t overpay.
How NEXT Insurance helps Florida businesses
NEXT offers convenient insurance options for all kinds of small businesses in Florida.
Using our online portal, you’ll be able to apply for coverage, review policy options, purchase insurance and get a certificate of insurance in only about 10 minutes.
Start an instant quote online for general liability insurance in Florida today.
If you need any assistance, just reach out to our team of licensed insurance advisors based in the U.S.
