Protect your business from claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury. The foundation of business insurance coverage that every Washington business needs.
When an incident occurs (customer injury, property damage, etc.), you report the claim to your insurance company immediately. Document the incident with photos, witness statements, and any relevant details.
The insurance company assigns a claims adjuster who investigates the incident, reviews the facts, and determines whether the claim is covered under your policy terms.
If the claim is valid and covered, your insurer handles negotiations with the injured party, pays for legal defense if you're sued, and covers settlements or judgments up to your policy limits.
Your only out-of-pocket cost is typically your deductible (usually $500-$2,500). The insurance company pays everything else up to your coverage limits, including attorney fees.
Even if a claim is frivolous or unfounded, your general liability policy covers the cost of legal defense. This protection alone can save tens of thousands of dollars.
Washington State does not legally require general liability insurance for most businesses. However, practical requirements make it essential for operating professionally.
Commercial landlords in Seattle, Tacoma, and most Washington cities require tenants to carry at least $1 million in general liability coverage and name them as additional insureds.
General contractors throughout Washington require subcontractors to provide certificates of insurance showing $1-2 million in GL coverage before allowing them on job sites.
Many Washington cities require proof of liability insurance for certain business licenses, permits, and special events. Seattle, for example, requires coverage for sidewalk cafes and street vendors.
If you bid on government contracts in Washington State, you'll typically need to show proof of general liability coverage meeting minimum requirements specified in the RFP.
Industry classification—different businesses have different risk profiles based on the nature of their work and claim history in that field
Annual revenue—more business activity generally means more potential exposure, which insurers factor into their assessment
Coverage limits—the amount of protection you choose affects your rate; higher limits provide more security for larger contracts
Claims history—your track record matters; businesses with clean histories are viewed as lower risk
Location—factors like local litigation trends and cost of living in your area can influence rates
Deductible selection—choosing a higher deductible means you take on more risk upfront, which can adjust your rate
Get a personalized quote to see exactly what general liability costs for your business.
Get Your QuoteSee how general liability protects Washington businesses in actual claim scenarios.
A customer at your Seattle retail store slips on a wet floor and breaks their wrist. They incur $15,000 in medical bills and sue for $50,000 including pain and suffering.
General liability covers the medical bills, legal defense costs, and settlement. Your only cost is your deductible. Without insurance, you'd face the full $50,000+ claim personally.
While cleaning a client's Bellevue office, your employee accidentally knocks over expensive computer equipment, causing $8,000 in damage.
Your GL policy covers the cost to repair or replace the damaged equipment. The client files a claim, your insurer pays, and your business relationship remains intact.
A contractor finishes a bathroom remodel. Three months later, a pipe fitting fails, causing water damage to the homeowner's finished basement—$25,000 in repairs.
The completed operations coverage within your GL policy covers this claim even though the work was finished months ago. This is why ongoing coverage is essential.
Several factors influence your GL rate: your industry classification (contractors have different risk profiles than consultants), annual revenue, the coverage limits you choose, your claims history, and your location within Washington. Each business is unique, which is why we provide personalized quotes based on your specific situation rather than one-size-fits-all pricing.
General liability is not legally mandated by Washington State for most businesses, unlike workers' compensation which is required if you have employees. However, it's practically mandatory because commercial landlords require it for leases, clients require it for contracts, and many city permits require proof of coverage. Operating without general liability exposes you to potentially business-ending lawsuits. A single slip-and-fall claim can easily exceed $50,000.
Most Washington businesses need at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate coverage—this is the standard that landlords and clients typically require. Contractors working on larger commercial projects often need $2 million per occurrence. Some enterprise clients require $5 million or more, which may require an umbrella policy. We can help you determine the right limits based on your contracts and risk exposure.
General liability covers physical incidents—bodily injury to others and damage to others' property. If a client trips in your office or you damage their property while working, GL covers it. Professional liability (E&O) covers financial harm from your professional work—errors, omissions, bad advice, or failure to deliver promised results. Many businesses need both: GL for physical risks and E&O for professional service risks.
Most Washington businesses can get same-day coverage through SmartInsured. Our online quote process takes just minutes, and once approved, your policy is active immediately. We can issue certificates of insurance the same day, which is essential when you need proof of coverage for a new contract, lease agreement, or permit application. No waiting days or weeks for coverage.
No, general liability does not cover employee injuries—that's what workers' compensation insurance is for. In Washington, workers' comp is managed through L&I (Department of Labor & Industries) and is required if you have employees. GL only covers injuries to third parties like customers, vendors, and visitors. If an employee is injured on the job, you need workers' comp coverage.
Get a free quote in minutes. Our Washington State insurance experts are here to help you find the right coverage at the best price.
