General Liability vs. Professional Liability: What’s the Difference?

As a business, you’re likely aware that you may require several forms of insurance to form a suitable coverage portfolio and maintain appropriate loss control measures. But how are you to distinguish exactly which types of insurance you may need? One particularly common source of confusion may be understanding various forms of liability coverage. That’s where the team at All Insurance Multiservices is prepared to step in with comprehensive guidance regarding general liability insurance and professional liability insurance.

What Is General Liability Insurance?

General liability insurance, also known as commercial general liability insurance, is among the most common facets of businesses’ overall coverage. These policies can typically assist with losses and expenses involving third parties, such as the following:

• Bodily injuries—If a customer, passerby or other party is harmed as a result of your business operations, your insurance may assist with medical expenses and other financial losses.
• Property damage—This part of your policy can offset repair, replacement or restoration costs should your company be at fault for an incident that inflicts damages or destroys someone else’s property.
• Personal and advertising injuries—If your company or its employees are allegedly at fault for slander, libel, copyright infringement, false advertising or other personal and advertising injuries, your insurance may assist with losses and legal costs.

What Is Professional Liability Insurance?

Also known as errors and omissions insurance, these policies can also compensate other parties for losses for which your business is at fault. However, while general liability insurance focuses on the aforementioned incidents, professional liability insurance is equipped to assist with other parties’ financial losses arising from a policyholder’s mistakes or inadequacies. The exact details of coverage may vary, but many professional liability insurance policies can render financial aid for third-party losses and legal expenses in response to the following allegations:

• Professional errors
• Incorrect advice
• Negligence
• Omissions
• Oversights
• Misrepresentations
• Missed deadlines
• Breaches of contract

What Types of Coverage Do I Need?

In many cases, your business may require both of these types of insurance to ensure suitable coverage against liability risks. General liability insurance is not usually required by law, but any business that operates out of a physical office or dispatches employees to other parties’ locations should strongly prioritize having it. Meanwhile, professional liability insurance may be legally mandated depending on your business’s unique circumstances. For example, medical malpractice insurance is a specialized form of professional liability coverage and is typically required by law. Even in the absence of such obligations, any company that provides professional services or advice should highly prioritize retaining coverage.

We’re Here to Help

Contact All Insurance Multiservices today to learn more about liability coverage options and compare personalized quotes.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.