Commercial General Liability
Providing the critical liability protection you need.
Commercial general liability insurance (CGL) is one of the most important types of business insurance for companies of any size. It protects you against claims due to bodily injury and property damage arising from your operations.
Interested in bundling your CGL and E&O insurance in minutes?
Acera Insurance offers EasyCover where you can get a quote online, bind your policy and pay online in only a few short minutes. Get comprehensive coverage and affordable rates quickly and easily.
Here are some of the benefits of EasyCover:
- Get free online quotes 24/7
- No long, confusing applications to fill out
- Purchase and manage your policy online at your convenience
- No need to speak with a broker
- Knowledgeable support by phone, email or chat
- Option to bundle with other liability coverages
Your guide to commercial general liability.
Commercial general liability covers a wide range of incidents involving physical injury or property damage to third parties. These include incidents at your business location, store or worksite, as well as at your client’s home or place of work. But keep in mind that there are some things not covered under a CGL policy.
These include:
- Expenses from claims related to intentional or criminal acts
- Claims stemming from professional advice given to clients (this requires professional liability also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance)
Supporting businesses across Canada.
Looking to connect with a dedicated broker? Get your commercial general liability by phone or in person at your nearest branch.
Common coverages to limit your exposure.
Our comprehensive coverages form a robust safety net to ensure your business is shielded from a spectrum of liability exposures that could jeopardize your operations and financial well-being.
Bodily Injury
This provides coverage if a person is injured on or away from your premises as a result of your business operations. This can lead to your business paying for expenses, such as medical bills or lost wages.
Property Damage
If your business causes damage to a third party’s property, such as a client’s home or office, while providing a service, this coverage helps with legal fees and restoring the damaged property if you are sued.
Product Liability
This is coverage for any injuries or property damage caused directly by a product you produce and/or sell. Product liability is included under a standard policy, however, the nature of these products may require further specialized coverage.
Personal and Advertising Injury
This is coverage for false arrest, wrongful eviction, slander, and copyright infringement. While slander or libel claims are less common, they can end up being costly.
Why choose Acera Insurance for commercial general liability?
You’ve worked hard to make your business what it is today. Acera Insurance supports small, medium and enterprise-level businesses across Canada. We have the expertise and resources to help protect your operations.
Top CGL Insurance Providers
Our commercial team has strong relationships with Canada’s top insurance providers. We leverage our industry knowledge to find you the highest quality insurance products and innovative risk-related solutions.
Your Trusted Insurance Guide
Our commercial general liability experts will not only assist you with selecting the right general liability policy for your business, but we also implement risk management techniques designed to mitigate your liability exposures.
National and Global Networks
Through our memberships in the Canadian Broker Network, Howden One and GBN Worldwide, we serve clients with a presence across Canada and the world. We ensure local legislation and regional nuances are taken into consideration.
Helpful tips from our advisors.
We help you build on your business success. As your trusted insurance guides, our expert advisors are here to help you choose what’s right for your business needs.
Answering your most common questions.
Is commercial general liability insurance mandatory in Canada?
No, CGL insurance is not a legal requirement for most businesses. However, commercial general liability insurance is one of the most important and highly recommended coverages for businesses of all sizes. The simple reason is because lawsuits are incredibly disruptive to any business. Not only do you incur costly legal fees, but you may also be responsible for damages awarded to the third party. All of this can be too much for many businesses to recover from.
Who needs commercial general liability insurance?
Businesses of all sizes may benefit from the protection that comes with securing a commercial general liability insurance policy. It really depends on your everyday risks and exposures.
If any of the following scenarios apply to you, your business would benefit from a CGL policy:
- You have clients who visit your workplace
- You provide goods or services to clients at their premises
- You manufacture products for sale to retailers
- You employee people to support your business operations
- You advertise your business
- You employee security personnel
- You rent out space for your business
Do specific industries need commercial general liability insurance?
Since CGL insurance provides a wide range of coverage, from bodily injury to property damage, many industries benefit from general liability insurance. Here are some of the common industries, which typically rely on a comprehensive CGL policy:
- Construction
- Digital/IT
- Energy
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
- Media
- Realty
- Recreation
- Retail
- Transportation
Do I need additional commercial general liability insurance?
At Acera Insurance, we work with businesses to address your specific insurance needs and offer coverage options according to your business and budget. Depending on your business/industry, you may also require additional insurance such as:
- Cyber Liability
- Commercial Auto
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Environmental Liability
- Equipment Breakdown Coverage
- Professional Liability
How much does commercial general liability business insurance cost?
The costs for general liability insurance can vary significantly since it is very customized to the unique scale, operations and exposures of your company. Pricing depends on key factors, including:
- Your industry
- Years of experience
- The size of your commercial enterprise / number of employees
- Annual and projected gross revenue
- The geographic location where your business operates
- The limits of coverage your company requires
- Your insurance history and previous claims
The actual cost of general liability insurance can range from just a few hundred dollars for a small business with limited exposures to over a hundred thousand dollars for large enterprises with higher risks.
What CGL policy limit is best for my business?
CGL limits can range from 2 million to over $10 million, as they depend on exposure, legislative requirements, and contractual agreements. It is important to discuss the details of your business operations with an insurance broker, who will be able to provide a thorough assessment of your risks to arrive at coverage options tailored to you. The idea is to never pay for more than you need, but ensure you have enough coverage for situations that are applicable to you.
Business insurance insights for your everyday.
-
Do I get to choose my own lawyer if I’m involved in a court case?
Generally you do not get to choose your own lawyer if you’re involved in a court case that’s covered by…
-
Liability Risks for Small Businesses in Alberta
In Alberta as in any other parts of country owning your own business is a dream come true for many.…
-
10 Ways to Protect Your Business from Liability Risks
A single lawsuit can sink a small business. Here are 10 ways to protect your business from liability risks: 1.…