The Definitive Guide to General Liability Insurance for NY Businesses

Caroline VegaBusiness Insurance

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General liability insurance is very important for companies working in New York. It protects your business from claims of people getting hurt, things getting broken, and problems with how your company talks about itself. Without this coverage, one big lawsuit could close your business for good.

Key Takeaway: General liability insurance shields NY businesses from costly claims related to third-party bodily injuries, property damage, and personal/advertising injuries. It’s a crucial safety net that every business needs, regardless of size or industry.

What is general liability insurance, and why do NY businesses need it?

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Business insurance protects your company from claims made by others. This kind of insurance is often called commercial general liability or CGL. It guards against things like:

  • Bodily injury – If a customer slips and falls at your store or office, general liability insurance can cover their medical expenses and your legal fees if they decide to sue.
  • Property damage – Let’s say one of your employees accidentally damages a client’s property while working on their premises. General liability insurance can pay for repairs or replacement costs.
  • Personal and advertising injury – This coverage protects against claims of libel, slander, copyright infringement in your marketing materials, and other personal/advertising injuries that could lead to lawsuits.

Without general liability insurance, your business in New York would have to pay for lawyer fees, settlements, and what courts say to pay from covered problems – costs that could easily make you go bankrupt.

How much does general liability insurance cost in NY?

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The price of protection against claims in New York depends on a few things, including:

  • Industry – Businesses in higher-risk industries like construction typically pay more for coverage.
  • Location – Rates tend to be higher in urban areas like New York City due to increased risks and litigious environments.
  • Coverage limits – Policies with higher liability limits cost more than those with lower limits.
  • Deductibles – Lower deductibles mean higher premiums, and vice versa.
  • Claims history – Businesses with frequent past claims usually face higher rates.

Most small companies in New York pay between $500 to $1500 each year for general liability insurance that covers $1 million in losses with an initial cost of $2000 per incident. But, some businesses have to pay a lot more for insurance. Companies that do work like building and construction usually have higher insurance costs.

To get the right price for your business insurance in New York, it’s best to talk to an insurance broker who knows about business insurance. They can look at what could go wrong for your business and suggest the right amount of insurance to buy at a good price.

Key general liability coverages for NY businesses

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Most insurance plans for companies in New York usually include these things:

Premises and operations coverage This covers third-party bodily injuries and property damage arising from your normal business operations, whether at your own location or a client’s site. For example, if a vendor delivering supplies slips and falls at your office.

Products and completed operations coverage This protects against injury or property damage claims caused by products you sell, manufacture, or install once your work is complete. For instance, if a customer is injured by a defective product you sold them.

Personal and advertising injury coverage As mentioned earlier, this portion covers claims of libel, slander, copyright infringement in your ads, and other personal/advertising injuries that result in lawsuits.

Some insurance companies let you add other types of protection to a basic policy. Things like cyber protection, workplace legal help, and alcohol coverage can be included.

Who needs general liability insurance in NY?

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Any business in New York City that works with people, has employees working elsewhere, makes things, or tells people about what they do should really think about getting general liability insurance.

Some good examples of New York businesses that need general protection insurance include:

Small businesses and self-employed people in New York can benefit from general liability protection against claims from people who are not involved in the business.

Many property owners, building managers, and customers need proof of insurance before letting companies or workers do jobs on their properties.

Does your NY business qualify for a business owner’s policy (BOP)?

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Some insurance companies let businesses in New York combine their general liability insurance with commercial property insurance into one policy called a business owner’s policy or BOP. This can provide more protection and save money.

A safety tool keeps your private information safe.

  • General liability exposures (third-party bodily injury, property damage, personal/advertising injury)
  • Business property like buildings, equipment, inventory, and furniture
  • Business income if you must temporarily close due to a covered loss

To qualify for business insurance, companies usually want your New York company to:

  • Is a small or medium-sized, low-risk operation
  • Has less than 100 employees and $1M in annual revenue
  • Operates in an eligible class like retail, service, office, or apartment rental

Small businesses in New York can get a better deal on insurance. By bundling important protections together, companies can provide a more complete and affordable option for covering their needs.

Data on general liability claims against NY businesses

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The information below from trusted business groups shows why it’s important to have enough general liability insurance for companies working in New York.

Claim Type Average Cost
Slip/fall accident (premises liability) $20,000
Reputational injury (libel/slander) $300,000
Product liability (defective product) $500,000+

Source: Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agents

Almost 6 out of every 10 small business owners said they had a claim made against them in the past year, based on a survey by ConstructionCoverage.com.

Most financial advisors suggest that companies in New York get protection of at least $1 million for each bad thing that happens and $2 million total to protect against really big problems that cost a lot of money. This is because statistics show why getting coverage for at least this much is a good idea.

Factors affecting general liability rates in NY

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Some things that can affect how much general liability insurance costs for companies in New York are:

  • Industry class and associated risk level
  • Number of employees
  • Years in business
  • Gross annual revenue
  • Claims history
  • Location (higher rates in NYC)
  • Selected liability limits
  • Bundling with other coverages like property insurance

A small clothing shop in Buffalo with 5 workers and $500,000 in yearly sales likely pays around $600 each year for a general liability insurance policy that covers up to $1 million in damages and $2 million total. However, a contractor in New York City with 20 employees and $2 million in money earned might pay over $5,000 for comparable coverage. This is because there are more chances for things to go wrong.

To make sure you are getting a good price, ask for estimates from several well-thought-of companies that provide insurance for businesses in New York.

How to get general liability insurance for your NY business

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There are a few main ways to buy general liability insurance in New York.

Major insurance companies like The Hartford, CNA, and Chubb sell their coverage directly to companies.

  • Through an independent insurance agent or broker – These licensed professionals can compare policies and rates from multiple insurers to find the right fit. Enforce can help!
  • From an online commercial insurance marketplace – Platforms like CoverWallet, Next, and Huckleberry allow NY businesses to get quotes and purchase coverage 100% online.

The best choice depends on what you like and how at ease you feel picking and choosing business insurance plans by yourself.

Many business owners prefer working with an experienced insurance person who is not tied to any one company. This agent can make sure you have the right types of insurance and help explain what the policies really mean. However, owners who like using technology may choose the convenience and clear information of shopping online.

Be sure to get commercial insurance from a company that has a good reputation for being trustworthy and helpful. Make certain the company is allowed to legally sell policies for businesses in New York State.

Additional coverages NY businesses should consider

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While general protection is one of the most important insurance policies, most companies in New York need extra protections as well, such as:

  • Workers’ compensation insurance – Required for NY businesses with employees to cover costs if workers are injured or become ill on the job.
  • Commercial auto insurance – Covers vehicles owned by your business in case of accidents, theft, vandalism, etc.
  • Cyber liability insurance – Provides protection against data breaches, cybercrime, and related expenses.
  • Professional liability insurance – Covers claims of negligence, errors, and omissions in your professional services.
  • Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) – Protects against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other employee disputes.

An experienced insurance person can look at the dangers and problems for your company to make a full plan to insure it.

Industry-specific coverages NY businesses may need:

Some types of work need special kinds of insurance. For example:

  • Contractors and construction – General liability, workers’ comp, tools/equipment coverage, installation floater, etc.
  • Restaurants and food service – Liquor liability, food contamination, spoilage coverage, etc.
  • Manufacturers – Product liability, product recall, equipment breakdown coverage, etc.
  • Retailers – Employment practices liability (EPLI), cyber liability, crime/fidelity insurance, etc.

Having an insurance company that focuses on your type of work can help you get the right protections at a price you can afford.

Top general liability insurance providers for NY businesses

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Some of the top general responsibility protection firms for companies situated in New York include:

  • The Hartford
  • CNA
  • Chubb
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Travelers
  • AmTrust
  • Nationwide
  • Progressive
  • Next Insurance
  • CoverWallet

When choosing insurance companies, look for ones with:

  • Strong financial ratings from AM Best (A or higher)
  • Experience insuring businesses in your industry
  • Comprehensive policy options with flexible limits/deductibles
  • Competitive rates and discounts
  • Excellent claims handling and customer service

It’s also a good idea to read reviews from other companies in New York and look at what independent groups like J.D. Power say about how well an insurance company does its job.

Resources for NY business owners

A smartly dressed young man carrying a briefcase walks down a street in New York City's financial district, surrounded by taxis, pedestrians, and historic office buildings.

It’s important to follow good guidelines and work with trusted insurance experts to make sure you get the correct general liability insurance for your business in New York at a fair price.

Conclusion

Businesses in New York need to have general liability insurance. This insurance protects a company from expensive claims of injury, property damage, or personal harm that happen because of what the business does. It covers costs if someone gets hurt or their things get broken and they want payment from the company. Insurance is very important to have in case something bad happens that the business has to pay for.

Many small businesses in New York pay between $500 to $1500 each year for insurance that covers up to $1 million in costs from accidents and injuries. The exact price depends on things like what kind of work the business does, where it is located, and how much protection is needed. Businesses that do jobs like construction usually pay a lot more since those types of work can sometimes lead to expensive accidents.

To make sure you have strong protection and fair prices, get estimates for general coverage from several well-thought-of insurance companies. An agent who works with different companies (like Enforce Coverage) can offer good advice to people running businesses who are not sure what kinds of coverage they require.

It’s important to protect your business with the right insurance. Get general liability coverage to keep your business in New York safe from problems that could cost a lot of money. Don’t let one mistake ruin all your hard work – make sure insurance is a big priority. Give us a call today for a free quote.