General Liability Insurance
for California Small Businesses
What is Commercial
General Liability Insurance?
Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects business owners against claims of liability for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury. Premises/operations coverage pays for bodily injury or property damage that occurs on your premises or as a result of your business operations. Products/completed operations coverage pays for bodily injury and property damage that occurs away from your business premises and is caused by your products or completed work.
Excess liability insurance pays for covered losses that exceed your CGL policy’s dollar limit.
Umbrella liability insurance is excess liability insurance coverage above the limits of automobile liability and CGL policies. The umbrella policy also provides liability coverage for exposures not covered under the primary CGL insurance policies and not excluded by the umbrella liability insurance policy.
Contractors & Small Businesses:
Our Specialty
Are you a small business owner or a contractor? Do you want to start your own business, but can’t find a carrier to insure you? Are most carriers asking for thousands of dollars a year to insure you? Don’t worry; just call us. We have programs designed just for small businesses. Our general liability policies start as low as $59/month. Our knowledgeable agents will help you through the process and will find you the most affordable insurance for your business.
From Everyday Risks and Claims
Commercial general liability insurance helps safeguard your business from financial losses related to accidents, injuries, or property damage. Whether a customer slips, a product causes harm, or unexpected claims arise, CGL coverage provides essential protection. It’s a foundational policy that supports long-term business stability and shields your operations from costly legal challenges.
Who Needs General Liability Insurance?
Any business that deals with customers, works in customers’ homes or works on job sites. Landlords, clients and general contractors often ask for proof of it before you can sign a lease or start a job. We insure:
- Contractors and handymen (see our insurance guide for contractors and tradesmen)
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Taco trucks and food trucks
- Cleaning and janitorial businesses
- Restaurants, cafes and bakeries
- Retail stores
- Hair and nail salons
- Shops and other mom-and-pop businesses
- Other service businesses and independent business owners
How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?
General liability insurance from MIS starts as low as $59 a month. Prices vary. Your price depends on the type of work you do, your sales or payroll, how many people work for you, the limits you choose and your claims history.
What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?
A general liability policy typically pays for:
- Bodily injury to other people: a customer or visitor who is hurt at your business or because of your work.
- Damage to other people’s property: something you or your crew break, burn or flood while working.
- Legal defense: attorney fees and court costs if you are sued, even when the claim has no merit.
- Personal and advertising injury: claims such as libel, slander or using someone else’s work in your advertising.
- Completed work and products: damage or injury that shows up after the job is finished or the product is sold.
What General Liability Does Not Cover
General liability is about harm to other people. These need their own policies:
- An employee hurt on the job: workers’ compensation.
- An accident in a work vehicle: commercial auto.
- Your own tools, equipment or building: property or equipment coverage.
- A client who says your professional advice cost them money: professional liability, also called errors and omissions.
When Is General Liability Required in California?
For most businesses, no state law says you must have it. In practice, many businesses cannot operate without it:
- Commercial landlords usually require it in the lease.
- Clients and general contractors often ask for proof of insurance before you start work.
- Contractors licensed as an LLC must carry liability insurance to hold the license. The Contractors State License Board requires at least $1 million for a company with five or fewer people on the license, plus $100,000 for each additional person, up to $5 million.
How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Start with what your contracts ask for. Many leases and job contracts require $1 million per claim, so that is where most small businesses begin. Then think about your own risk: the more people you deal with and the more damage a mistake could cause, the higher the limit you should carry.
Tell us what you do and who is asking for proof of insurance, and we will match the limits to it so you are not buying more than you need.
Ways to Save on General Liability Insurance
- Buy the limits your contracts require. Don’t pay for more coverage than your work calls for.
- Describe your work accurately. A business listed under the wrong trade can be charged a higher price.
- Choose a higher deductible. A higher deductible usually means a lower monthly price.
- Keep your claims down. Safe job sites and written contracts help keep your record clean.
- Let us shop for you. We compare several carriers so you don’t have to.
third-party injuries or accidental damage.
court costs related to liability claims.
claims such as copyright or reputational issues.
support businesses of all sizes and industries.
Why California Businesses Choose MIS
- Licensed California insurance agency since 2009 (License #0G55496)
- 4.9 stars from 3,100+ Google reviews
- We compare dozens of insurance companies for business insurance, and 149 across all lines
- Certificates of insurance the same day your policy is in place
- New business, tickets on your record or no prior insurance? We can still get you a quote.
- Se habla español
- Free quotes: call (800) 726-0640 or use the form at the top of this page
General Liability Insurance Questions and Answers
What is general liability insurance?
General liability insurance pays when your business is blamed for hurting someone or damaging their property. It covers the injury or damage and your legal defense, up to your policy limits.
What does general liability insurance cover?
Injuries to customers and other people, damage to someone else’s property, and your legal costs if you’re sued over either.
How much is general liability insurance in California?
General liability from MIS starts as low as $59 a month. Prices vary by the work you do, your sales or payroll, the limits you choose and your claims history.
Do I need general liability insurance for my small business?
If you deal with customers, work in customers’ homes or work on job sites, yes. Landlords, clients and general contractors usually ask for proof of it before you can sign a lease or start a job.
What does general liability insurance not cover?
Injuries to your own employees, which need workers’ comp, and accidents in your work vehicles, which need commercial auto.
How much general liability coverage do I need?
Start with what your lease or contract asks for. Many require $1 million per claim, so that is where most small businesses begin.
Is general liability insurance required in California?
State law doesn’t require most businesses to carry it, but landlords, clients and general contractors usually do.
What is the difference between general liability and professional liability?
General liability covers injuries and property damage. Professional liability covers money a client loses because of your advice, design or professional work.
Does general liability insurance cover customer injuries at my business?
Yes. If a customer or visitor is hurt at your business or because of your work, general liability pays for their injury and your legal defense, up to your limits.
Does general liability insurance cover property damage caused by my business?
Yes, when the property belongs to someone else. It covers things you or your crew break, burn or flood while working. It does not cover your own tools, equipment or building.
How do I get general liability insurance?
Send the quote form on this page or call (800) 726-0640. Tell us what you do and who is asking for proof of insurance. We compare several insurance companies and send your certificate once the policy is in place.
What affects the cost of general liability insurance?
The type of work you do, your sales or payroll, how many people work for you, the limits you choose and your claims history.
Does general liability insurance cover lawsuits and legal fees?
Yes. For a covered claim it pays your attorney fees and court costs, plus any settlement or judgment, up to your limits. It pays for your defense even when the claim has no merit.
What is the difference between general liability and a business owner’s policy?
A business owner’s policy bundles general liability with coverage for your own business property. See our business owner’s policy page. General liability by itself covers harm to other people, not your own tools, equipment or building.
Do I need general liability insurance if I work from home or run an online business?
Often, yes. Most homeowners policies exclude business activity, and you can still be sued over a product you sell or something in your advertising. A home-based or online business needs its own liability coverage.
How do I file a general liability claim, and how long does it take?
Call us or the insurance company on your policy as soon as something happens. Have the date, what happened and any photos ready. How long it takes depends on the claim.
I’m a one-person business. Do I need general liability insurance?
If you work in customers’ homes or on job sites, yes. One accident can cost far more than the policy.
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
The same day your policy is in place. We can send it to your landlord, client or general contractor. If they need to be named on your policy, tell us and we’ll set it up.
Does general liability cover my employees if they get hurt?
No. Employee injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, which California requires as soon as you have one employee.
Does my homeowners policy cover my home-based business?
Usually not. Most homeowners policies exclude business activity, so a home-based business needs its own liability coverage.
What insurance does a cleaning business need in California?
Most cleaning and janitorial businesses start with general liability, which pays if you damage a client’s home or office or someone gets hurt because of your work. If you have employees, California requires workers’ comp. If you drive to jobs in a company vehicle, add commercial auto. Many clients ask for a certificate of insurance before your first job.
Do restaurants need general liability or a business owner’s policy?
Most restaurants, cafes and bakeries are better off with a business owner’s policy, which combines general liability with coverage for your equipment, furniture and inventory. If you have employees, you also need workers’ comp.
What insurance does a retail store need?
General liability for customer injuries, like a slip and fall, plus coverage for your inventory and fixtures. A business owner’s policy combines both. Most landlords also require liability coverage in the lease.
What’s the most affordable way to get general liability insurance in California?
General liability from MIS starts as low as $59 a month. Prices vary. To keep it affordable, buy the limits your contracts require, describe your work accurately, keep a clean claims history, and compare companies. We compare dozens of insurance companies for you.
What is an additional insured?
A person or company added to your policy, like a landlord, property manager or general contractor, so your coverage also protects them for claims caused by your work. Many leases and contracts require it. Tell us who needs to be added and we’ll set it up.
MIS Insurance provides general liability insurance in all cities in California including: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Riverside, Stockton, Chula Vista, Irvine, Fremont, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana, Oxnard, Moreno Valley, Huntington Beach, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Oceanside, Garden Grove, Rancho Cucamonga, Santa Rosa, Ontario, Elk Grove