General liability insurance is required by the state of Illinois for the majority of business owners. The purpose of IL GL coverage is to protect business owners from direct or indirect damages to third parties. Your liability insurance helps pay for losses resulting from the activities of your company or its workers.
Certain insurance coverages are obligatory for business owners in Illinois. Employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance. In addition, the state mandates that firms provide unemployment and disability insurance for some employees based on how much they work and are compensated.
If you're requested to provide proof that you have specific forms of insurance, you'll need a certificate of insurance (COI). As a policyholder, you can easily and quickly obtain a COI online. You can also receive a certificate of insurance after obtaining a quote and policy.
Commercial liability insurance (also known as business liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance) safeguards your Illinois business against financial loss resulting from claims of injury or damage caused by you or your workers to third parties. Typically, a policy covers:
| Bodily Injury | Physical damage to a non-employee at your business premises and injuries caused by you or staff at a client's residence or place of business |
| Property Damage | You or an employee committed property damage to another individual |
| Personal Injury | Acts such as libel, copyright infringement, slander, invasion of property or privacy, unlawful eviction, and false arrest that cause harm to a person's reputation or rights |
| Advertising Injury | Losses resulting from your advertising |
| Legal Defense and Judgments | Expenses to defend against legitimate and frivolous lawsuits and judgments, up to the coverage limit. Note that this does not often include punitive damages for negligence or intentional misbehavior |
General liability insurance in Illinois pays for property damage and injury to customers, guests, and subcontractors. Insurance deductibles and policy limits within coverage are customizable for Illinois business owners.
