General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance protects your business from the everyday risks that come with running a firm—like third-party property damage, bodily injury, or advertising-related claims. Whether someone trips in your office, a subcontractor causes damage on a job site, or a client claims your marketing misused their branding, general liability coverage helps shield your business from the legal and financial fallout.
At Strux, we provide general liability insurance built for the way architects, engineers, and builders actually work. From office-based consulting to field-based site visits, our coverage is designed to align with your operations, contracts, and exposure points. This foundational policy pairs seamlessly with professional liability E&O insurance, ensuring you’re covered from both professional risks and day-to-day incidents. With Strux, you get targeted protection without the complexity or cost of one-size-fits-all policies.
The FAQs of General Liability Insurance
What is general liability insurance?
General liability (GL) insurance helps cover claims from third parties alleging your business caused bodily injury, property damage, or certain personal/advertising injuries. It often includes defense costs for covered claims, but coverage details and exclusions vary by policy.
What does general liability insurance usually NOT cover?
Third-party bodily injury (e.g., a visitor slips in your office)
Third-party property damage (e.g., you damage a client’s property during a site visit)
Personal and advertising injury (e.g., certain defamation or copyright-in-advertising claims)
Legal defense costs for covered claims (often included, but how it’s applied varies by policy)
Is general liability the same as professional liability (E&O)?
General liability focuses on third-party bodily injury and property damage arising from premises/operations.
Professional liability (E&O) focuses on financial losses from professional services, like design errors, omissions, or negligent advice—often the bigger risk category for architects and engineers.
Do architects and engineers need general liability insurance?
Often yes, especially if you:
- Have an office where clients/visitors come on-site
- Perform site visits, walk-throughs, or field inspections
- Have leases or contracts that require GL
That said, GL does not replace professional liability (E&O), which is frequently the core coverage for design professionals.
When would an architect or engineer file a GL claim?
Examples can include:
- A client trips in your office and is injured
- You accidentally damage a client’s finished space during a site walk
- A sign or temporary setup at an event causes injury or property damage
GL claims are generally tied to premises/operations, not design outcomes.
Does general liability cover construction defects?
Usually not in the way many people assume. If the allegation is tied to professional services (design, specifications, engineering judgment), GL typically won’t respond. If there’s third-party property damage or injury related to operations, there may be coverage but construction defect scenarios are highly fact-specific and vary by policy language and jurisdiction.
Does general liability cover damage to property you’re working on?
Sometimes, but it depends on the details and policy language. Many GL policies have important limitations for “your work,” “your product,” or damage to property in your care/custody/control. For architects and engineers, this can matter during site visits or when handling client materials.
What is “personal and advertising injury” in a GL policy?
It typically refers to certain non-physical injuries like:
Libel or slander
Certain privacy violations
Wrongful eviction (more relevant to property managers/landlords)
Infringing someone’s copyright in your advertisement (narrowly defined)
It does not mean “any lawsuit about advertising.”
What are common general liability limits?
A frequent structure is:
$1M per occurrence
$2M aggregate
But the “right” limit depends on contract requirements, the type of work, client expectations, and risk exposure (e.g., higher foot traffic, larger projects, public agencies).
What does “per occurrence” vs. “aggregate” mean?
Per occurrence: the maximum paid for a single covered incident.
Aggregate: the maximum paid for all covered incidents during the policy period.
Some policies have separate aggregates for products/completed operations.
What is “products and completed operations” coverage?
It addresses claims arising after work is completed (common for contractors). For design professionals, it may be less central than for builders, but it can still be relevant depending on business activities and how a claim is framed.
How much does general liability insurance cost?
Cost depends on factors like:
Business revenue/payroll
Office location and visitor exposure
Nature of operations (office-only vs. frequent site visits)
Claims history
Required limits and endorsements
For architects/engineers, GL is often not the most expensive line compared to professional liability (E&O), but pricing varies widely.
What information do insurers typically need to quote GL?
Often:
Business description and services
Annual revenue and payroll
Number of employees/subcontractors
Prior claims/loss history
Office details (square footage, foot traffic)
Contract requirements (limits, additional insured, waivers)
What is a certificate of insurance (COI) for general liability?
A COI is a summary document showing your GL coverage, limits, and policy dates. Clients and landlords commonly request it before granting site access or signing a lease.
What does “additional insured” mean on a GL policy?
An additional insured (often a client, landlord, or project owner) gets certain protections under your GL policy for claims arising out of your operations typically limited by endorsement wording. It does not automatically cover that party for their own negligence.
What is a waiver of subrogation, and why do contracts ask for it?
A waiver of subrogation limits the insurer’s ability to pursue recovery from another party after paying a claim. Some project contracts require this, but it can affect coverage terms and may require a specific endorsement.
Does general liability cover subcontractors or independent contractors?
Not automatically. If you hire subcontractors (even for drafting, surveying support, or field services), your policy may require:
Written contracts
Proof they carry their own insurance
Being named as additional insured on their policies
The details matter and can impact claim outcomes.
Is GL required by law?
Usually not universally required by law (requirements vary by jurisdiction and industry), but it is commonly required by contracts, leases, and client/vendor onboarding processes.
What’s the difference between “occurrence” and “claims-made” policies for GL?
Most GL policies are occurrence-based (coverage is triggered by when the incident occurred). Professional liability (E&O) is often claims-made (coverage depends on when the claim is made and reported). Confirm your policy type because it affects how long you’re protected.
If I work from home, do I still need general liability?
Possibly. Even without a public office, you may still have exposure from:
On-site visits
Meeting clients at third-party locations
Advertising or marketing content
Some home-based professionals assume homeowners insurance covers business liability—it often does not.
What should architects and engineers watch for in GL contract requirements?
Common pitfalls:
Being asked to cover professional services under GL (usually not possible)
Overbroad additional insured language
High limits without matching scope
Indemnity clauses that go beyond insurance coverage
It’s often wise to review insurance requirements alongside legal counsel or a contract specialist.
Does GL cover mold, pollution, or asbestos claims?
Often limited or excluded without special endorsements. If your work involves older buildings, remediation coordination, or frequent exposure to environmental allegations, ask specifically about environmental/pollution exclusions.
What should I do immediately if there’s an incident that could lead to a claim?
Generally:
Document what happened (photos, notes, names, dates)
Preserve evidence
Notify your insurer/broker promptly per policy conditions
Avoid admitting liability before you have guidance
Policies have notice requirements, and late reporting can create coverage issues.
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