A Clear Guide for Business Owners in NY, NJ, and CT
General liability insurance protects your business from third-party risks that can lead to lawsuits, medical bills, or reputational harm. If you operate in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, understanding what’s covered, and what’s not, is essential to protecting your company.
What Does General Liability Insurance Typically Cover
General liability insurance covers four main areas of risk:
- Bodily injury: Injuries that happen to non-employees on your property or job site
- Property damage: Damage caused to a third party’s property by you or your operations
- Personal and advertising injury: Libel, slander, copyright infringement, or reputational harm
- Legal defense costs: Attorney fees, court costs, and settlements related to covered claims
These coverages help protect your business from claims that arise in the course of regular operations—whether you run a real estate firm, construction company, or professional services office.
Common General Liability Claims
Here are three common claim scenarios we see in the Tri-State area:
- A delivery driver slips on ice outside your leased storefront. Medical costs exceed $15,000.
- You or an employee accidentally knock over a client’s equipment during a site visit.
- Your business publishes an ad that unintentionally defames a competitor, resulting in a lawsuit.
In each case, general liability insurance can help cover both the damages and your legal expenses.
What Is Not Covered Under General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance does not cover every type of risk. It typically excludes:
- Professional mistakes or service errors (covered by Errors & Omissions Insurance)
- Employee injuries (covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance)
- Damage to your own business property (covered by Commercial Property Insurance)
- Intentional acts or criminal activity
Understanding these gaps ensures you can build a complete risk strategy around your business model.
Why Local Context Matters
In the Tri-State area, general liability requirements vary depending on your lease agreements, contracts, and industry:
- New York landlords often require $1M/$2M coverage limits with specific COI language
- Connecticut consultants may need general liability plus professional liability to qualify for public contracts
- New Jersey contractors must meet municipal insurance standards before obtaining permits
We help clients meet local compliance needs while ensuring appropriate protection.
How to Get Certificates of Insurance
Most vendors and landlords will request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before allowing work to begin. Common requests include:
- Additional insured endorsements
- Waiver of subrogation
- Primary and noncontributory wording
Refine Risk issues accurate, fast certificates to keep your operations on track.
Before You Go
General liability insurance is a foundational policy for any business operating in the Tri-State area. It protects against real-world risks and it’s often required to do business. At Refine Risk, we guide clients through the coverage they need with clarity, speed, and long-term thinking.
Next Step
Visit our General Liability Insurance page to learn more or request a consultation.