Understanding General Liability Insurance in Michigan

As a business owner in Michigan, it’s important to protect your business from potential risks and liabilities. One way to do this is through general liability insurance. This type of insurance is designed to provide coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury claims that may arise from your business operations. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into what general liability insurance is, how it works, and what you need to know about it as a business owner in Michigan.

What Is General Liability Insurance?

General liability insurance is a type of insurance that provides coverage for a wide range of risks that businesses may face. Some common examples of risks that may be covered under general liability insurance include:

Risks Covered by General Liability Insurance
Bodily injury to third parties
Property damage caused by your business operations
Personal injury claims, such as libel, slander, or false arrest
Advertising injury claims, such as copyright infringement or defamation

General liability insurance is typically one of the first types of insurance policies that businesses purchase. It’s considered to be a foundational type of insurance that provides broad coverage for a wide range of risks. This type of insurance is also required by many businesses in order to comply with state and local regulations.

How Does General Liability Insurance Work?

General liability insurance works by providing coverage for claims that arise from your business operations. If a third party (such as a customer, vendor, or member of the public) is injured on your business premises, for example, your general liability insurance policy may provide coverage for any medical expenses or damages that the third party incurs as a result of the injury.

General liability insurance works on a claims-made basis, which means that coverage is provided for claims that are filed during the policy period. If a claim is filed after the policy expires, it may not be covered. Therefore, it’s important to maintain continuous coverage to ensure that you’re protected against any potential claims.

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover in Michigan?

In Michigan, general liability insurance policies typically provide coverage for:

  • Bodily injury and property damage claims
  • Personal injury claims, such as libel, slander, or defamation
  • Advertising injury claims, such as copyright infringement or false advertising
  • Products and completed operations
  • Medical expenses and legal fees associated with covered claims

It’s important to note that general liability insurance policies typically do not provide coverage for intentional acts. If you or one of your employees intentionally causes harm to a third party, for example, your general liability insurance policy may not provide coverage for any resulting claims.

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost in Michigan?

The cost of general liability insurance in Michigan can vary depending on a number of factors, including:

  • The size of your business
  • The type of business you operate
  • The level of risk associated with your business operations
  • The amount of coverage you need

On average, general liability insurance policies for small businesses in Michigan may cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per year. However, the cost can be higher for businesses with higher levels of risk or larger operations.

Do I Need General Liability Insurance in Michigan?

If you operate a business in Michigan, it’s generally recommended that you carry general liability insurance. This type of insurance can provide important protection against potential risks and liabilities that may arise from your business operations. In addition, many landlords and clients may require that you carry general liability insurance in order to work with them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is covered under general liability insurance?

A: General liability insurance provides coverage for a wide range of risks that businesses may face, including bodily injury, property damage, personal injury, and advertising injury claims.

Q: How much does general liability insurance cost in Michigan?

A: The cost of general liability insurance in Michigan can vary depending on a number of factors, but on average, policies may cost between $500 and $1,500 per year for small businesses.

Q: Do I need general liability insurance as a Michigan business owner?

A: It’s generally recommended that businesses in Michigan carry general liability insurance to protect against potential risks and liabilities that may arise from their operations.

Q: What is a claims-made policy?

A: A claims-made policy is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage for claims that are filed during the policy period. Claims that are filed after the policy expires may not be covered.

Q: Does general liability insurance provide coverage for intentional acts?

A: No, general liability insurance policies typically do not provide coverage for intentional acts.