General liability on a commercial insurance policy can help protect against financial loss such as property damage or bodily injury from negligence, personal injury, advertising injury, etc. This includes libel, slander, defamation of character, copyright infringement, and many other “damages”. Some of the ways this coverage would benefit a business owner are:
- Defense, court, and settlement costs
- Actual damages
- Judgments awarded by the court
- Investigation and attorney fees
- Bonds
- Medical expenses for non-employees (where workers comp is not applicable
The situations in which general liability would not extend coverage are:
- Auto accidents (commercial auto policy would have liability coverage)
- Employe injury (as mentioned above, this would be work comp)
- Professional liability (for your opinion, advice, service, etc is under more of an E&O coverage)
- Damages or injuries caused by intentional acts
General liability can typically be purchased as a standalone coverage or as part of a Business Owners Package (BOP) policy. This is one of the very most important coverages your business should have, especially given the increase in litigation in our society. You can avoid uncertainty in the event of a tragic situation by being protected now.
What drives the cost of general liability insurance?
General liability premiums are built from your business’s own details. The biggest factors are:
- What your business does. Insurance companies group businesses into classes, and each class has its own rate.
- Your revenue or payroll. Many general liability policies are rated on one of these; others use measures such as square footage or number of units. As a business grows, its premium usually grows with it. Many policies are audited at the end of the term.
- Where you work and how many locations you have.
- Subcontractors. Whether you hire them, and whether they carry their own insurance. Uninsured subs can be added to your premium at audit.
- Contract requirements. Additional insured endorsements, waivers of subrogation and primary and non-contributory wording your customers ask for.
- Claims history. Usually the last three to five years.
- For package policies, your property. Building values, construction and roof age.
Market context (CIAB Q2 2026 data, published Aug. 18, 2026): In its second-quarter 2026 survey, the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers reported average U.S. renewal premium changes of +1.8% for general liability, −6.3% for commercial property and +5.3% for umbrella. These are national averages, not Florida figures, and they don’t predict what any one business will pay. In Florida, general liability rates and rates for commercial property other than residential buildings are exempt from the state’s standard rate-filing review. Insurers report their changes to the state after they take effect, so there’s no single statewide approved rate change to point to (section 627.062(3)(d), Florida Statutes).
We can’t give a price without a few details. Here’s what we need.
How to get a quote
What we’ll need:
- What your business does, and where in Florida you work
- Years in business
- Estimated annual revenue and payroll
- Whether you use subcontractors, and whether they carry their own insurance
- Your current policy and its expiration date
- Recent loss runs, if you have them
What happens next: A licensed member of our team will review your request and contact you by phone or email.
Why it isn’t instant: We compare options from multiple insurance companies, and coverage isn’t in place until it’s bound.
Request a quote: Request a quote · Call (352) 371-7977 · Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
McGriff-Williams Insurance · 3501 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607
General information, not legal or coverage advice. Coverage depends on the policy’s terms. Market figures change; they were checked October 19, 2026.
Sources
- The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (CIAB), Commercial Property/Casualty Market Index, Q2/2026 (full report, released Aug. 18, 2026; the general liability figure appears in the report’s results by line): general liability +1.8%, commercial property −6.3%, umbrella +5.3%. Release: https://www.ciab.com/resources/q2-2026-pc-market-survey
- Insurance Journal, “CIAB Survey: Overall Soft Market Conditions Continue in Q2” (Aug 20, 2026): https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/08/20/882240.htm
- Florida Statutes s. 627.062(3)(d) (exempt lines: general liability, nonresidential property, nonresidential multiperil; insurers notify OIR within 30 days after a change), 2026: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/627.062
