General liability insurance protects businesses from third-party claims. Coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and legal defense costs.
General liability insurance protects your business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury. It's the foundation of any business insurance program.
Coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering when a customer or third party is injured on your premises or due to your business operations. Includes liability for injuries occurring after the policy period ends (if discovered within the reporting period).
Covers repairs or replacement of third-party property damaged by your business activities. This includes damage to customer property, neighboring buildings, or rental premises.
Protection against claims of slander, libel, defamation, and violation of privacy rights arising from your advertising campaigns and marketing materials.
Retail Store Slip & Fall
A customer slips on a wet floor in your retail shop, breaking an arm. Medical costs total KES 250,000, and the customer sues for pain and suffering.
Property Damage Incident
Your delivery vehicle damages a customer's fence during unloading. Repairs cost KES 150,000 plus legal disputes.
Advertising Injury
A competitor claims your marketing materials contain defamatory statements, requiring legal defense costs of KES 500,000+.
Professional Service Error
A contractor's work causes damage to a client's property, resulting in claims exceeding expected repair estimates.
Costs vary based on industry, location, claims history, and revenue.
General liability insurance is essential for virtually all businesses, but especially critical for:
These industries face elevated liability risks and higher premiums:
Construction
High injury and property damage risk
Hospitality
Restaurants, bars, hotels with public access
Healthcare
Doctors, clinics, wellness services
Beauty & Wellness
Salons, spas, massage therapists
Transportation
Logistics, ride services, delivery
Events & Entertainment
Venues, concerts, exhibitions
Standard general liability policies typically do NOT cover:
Professional Services
Requires separate professional indemnity insurance
Employee Injuries
Covered under workers' compensation insurance instead
Intentional Acts
Damage caused deliberately or with malicious intent
Motor Vehicles
Requires separate commercial auto insurance
Contractual Liability
Limited coverage for liabilities assumed under contracts
Cyber & Data Breaches
Requires cyber insurance coverage
Average claim processing time: 2-8 weeks depending on complexity
Choose coverage limits based on these factors:
High-contact businesses (retail, hospitality) need higher limits than low-contact operations
Coverage should protect your business income and personal assets. Rule of thumb: at least 3x annual revenue
Many commercial leases, contracts, and clients require minimum coverage amounts (often KES 5-10 million per occurrence)
Consult industry associations for recommended coverage levels for your specific business type
Quick Assessment
When in doubt, opt for higher coverage limits. The cost difference is minimal, but the protection is substantial during claims.
Q: Can I combine general liability with other policies?
A: Yes, most insurers offer Business Owner's Policies (BOP) bundling general liability with property and other coverages, often at discounted rates.
Q: What if a customer claims injury weeks after an incident?
A: General liability policies typically cover claims made during the policy period, regardless of when the injury occurred (claims-made basis).
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