General Liability Lawyers Insurance – Protect Your Business From Costly Lawsuits
It can be costly to defend a lawsuit. But general liability insurance can protect your business from these costs. These policies cover injuries and losses that occur on your business premises or as a result of your operations. You should keep in mind that this insurance does not provide specific legal advice. The descriptions provided below are for general information purposes only and are not intended to vary from actual policy terms. Ultimately, the terms of your insurance policy to govern the coverage provided.
Costs
The cost of lawsuits can be astronomical, but there’s a way to avoid the costs. Purchasing a general liability insurance policy will protect your business against these lawsuits. Even a simple misstep could result in a lawsuit. It could cost you more than $100 per hour to hire legal counsel. Even if the lawsuit is dropped, the court costs could be upwards of $75,000 or more. Without a policy, your business could face bankruptcy or even lose clientele.
General liability insurance premiums vary greatly depending on the type of business you run. The higher your revenue, the higher the premiums. However, some types of businesses are considered “low risk,” such as office-based work with few clients and no physical products. Such industries are financial services, consulting, technology, and professional services. The higher your revenue, the higher the premiums for general liability insurance policies. So, whether you’re a professional or a sole proprietor, it’s worth checking out the costs of general liability insurance.
Exclusions
Many insurance policies exclude coverage for certain activities, but not others. The exclusions vary depending on the form of the policy, but the general idea is the same. Generally, these exclusions apply to injury claims resulting from “your work,” or from premises never rented, occupied, or held for rental. There are exceptions to these exclusions, however. Listed below are a few examples.
General liability policies typically have exclusions to avoid coverage for situations that are easily covered by another policy. For example, auto damages are excluded from general liability, which would reduce overlap between two policies. Employee injuries are also excluded. Professional liability coverage is not included under general liability policies, so you should separately underwrite or insure these types of coverage. In some cases, the exclusion may even be necessary. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate these coverage gaps.
Requirements
While attorneys aren’t generally required to carry general liability coverage, this type of insurance can provide cost-effective protection against common risks. While most of the communication between lawyers and clients is conducted through telephone, lawyers may need more coverage than the typical business owner’s policy. In addition to protecting their client’s personal assets and preventing unforeseen incidents, general liability insurance protects attorneys and law firms from third-party claims for professional negligence.
It’s advisable to obtain general liability insurance before opening your practice. Waiting to obtain coverage may leave you open to liability, and may create coverage gaps that could leave you vulnerable. However, if you have already started your practice, you can still obtain this coverage by presenting your application for the right type of insurance. Here are some tips to consider when selecting general liability insurance. This type of insurance is essential for attorneys who are just starting their practices.
Types
A general liability insurance policy protects a business from financial losses in the event of a lawsuit. It protects a business owner against claims made against them due to injuries or damages sustained by other parties. However, general liability insurance does not cover injuries sustained by employees, and this is a common misconception. In reality, a general liability insurance policy covers a business owner against all kinds of losses, including property damage and reputational harm.
General liability insurance is a must-have policy for any business. Without this policy, a business can be held financially liable for lawsuits that result from its actions. General liability insurance may cover the injuries of a client in the lawyer’s office, as well as potential claims relating to slang and libel. Moreover, legal malpractice insurance is a mandatory requirement for all lawyers to protect their business from claims of professional negligence.
Buying
Despite the fact that attorneys are not typically required by law to carry general liability coverage, general liability lawyers insurance offers affordable protection against the most common risks for a law practice. In some cases, this insurance may even be more cost-effective than a business owners policy. By purchasing general liability insurance for attorneys, you can avoid the high premiums associated with business owners policies and enjoy protection from third-party claims. Here are some of the main benefits of this type of insurance for lawyers:
First, general liability insurance covers injuries that occur outside of your premises. For example, your stockpile of two-by-fours may fall on a client during a walk-through, or a coffee spill might break a client’s laptop. But this kind of coverage doesn’t cover every scenario. Some policies have geographic restrictions. Finally, there are dollar limits for different kinds of situations. Nevertheless, general liability insurance is essential for any law firm.