General Liability GL
Offices, shops, and service businesses · Contractors who must give certificates to general contractors
Core protection if a third party alleges bodily injury or property damage arising from business operations.
View details
Commercial Lines
Professional Liability (E&O)
Protection against claims alleging professional mistakes, omissions, or negligent advice.
If a client says your advice, design, or professional service cost them money, general liability usually will not help. Errors and omissions coverage is the policy for that kind of claim.
How it works
General liability is about bodily injury and property damage. Professional liability is about financial harm from a mistake, a missed deadline, or advice that did not work out. Consultants, accountants, architects, insurance agents, IT firms, and many other practices need it — and many client contracts require it. The policy can pay to defend you and to settle covered claims. Limits and deductibles should match the size of the engagements you take on, not just the cheapest quote.
Who this is for
- Consultants, advisors, and professional firms
- Anyone whose contract requires E&O
- Practices that give written recommendations or designs
- Firms moving from a side hustle into formal client work
What it typically covers
- Claims that you made a professional mistake or omission
- Defense of those claims, as the policy provides
- Settlements or judgments for covered errors
- Often prior-acts or tail options when the practice changes
A simple example
A consultant misses a filing deadline and the client is fined. The client sues for the fine and lost business. That is an E&O claim, not a general-liability slip-and-fall.
Good to know
- General liability and E&O are complementary, not substitutes.
- Claims-made policies need attention when you retire, sell, or switch carriers.
Coverage, eligibility, and terms vary by location and underwriting.
Guides
Read this before you quote or apply.
Guide
What to review before renewing commercial liability
Limits, additional insureds, class codes, and the claims that actually blow through a $1 million GL policy.
Read guide