Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance is a type of insurance coverage that provides financial protection to businesses and organizations against a wide range of liability risks. It helps cover costs associated with legal claims and lawsuits brought by third parties (such as customers, clients, or the public) for bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury that occurs as a result of the business's operations, products, or premises.

Key points about Commercial General Liability Insurance:

1. Coverage: CGL insurance covers various liability exposures, including:
   • Bodily Injury: Physical harm or injury suffered by someone else due to your business activities or products.
   • Property Damage: Damage to someone else's property caused by your business operations or products.
   • Personal and Advertising Injury: Claims related to defamation, libel, slander, copyright infringement, and false advertising.
2. Legal Defense: CGL insurance helps cover legal defense costs, including attorney fees, court expenses, and settlements or judgments, if your business is sued for covered claims.
3. Limits and Deductibles: Policies have coverage limits, which represent the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for a claim. Deductibles are the amount you need to pay before the insurance coverage kicks in.
4. Occurrence vs. Claims-Made Policies: CGL policies can be structured as either "occurrence" or "claims-made" policies. Occurrence policies cover claims that arise from incidents that occurred during the policy period, regardless of when the claim is filed. Claims-made policies cover claims that are made and reported during the policy period.
5. Exclusions: CGL policies may have exclusions that outline certain situations or risks that are not covered. It's important to review these exclusions to understand the limitations of coverage.
6. Additional Coverages: Some CGL policies offer endorsements or additional coverages that can be added to the base policy to provide specialized protection, such as coverage for employees' actions, data breaches, or liquor liability.
7. Risk Management: CGL insurance is a fundamental component of a business's risk management strategy. It helps protect against unexpected financial losses that could result from legal claims.
8. Industry Variations: Different industries and businesses may have unique liability risks. As a result, CGL policies can be tailored to the specific needs and risks of different types of businesses.

Commercial General Liability Insurance is essential for businesses of all sizes and industries. It provides peace of mind knowing that if a customer, client, or member of the public sues your business for alleged harm or damage, you have insurance coverage to help address the potential financial impact of such claims. Businesses should work with insurance professionals to ensure they have appropriate coverage levels and understand the terms of their policy.

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