General Liability 101 For Business

We understand all businesses are unique. Just because you are a small or medium sized business does not mean you are exempt from litigation. All businesses need General Liability Insurance to protect your organization from unforeseen events. General Liability Insurance should be the foundation of your insurance program.

General Liability Insurance provides the following coverage:

• Bodily Injury- Bodily Injury to a third
  party.
• Property Damage- Damage to a third parties property (equipment building etc.).
• Personal Injury- Injury to the mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property.
• Advertising Liability- Damages arising out of advertising, libel, slander and invasion of privacy.
• Products & Completed Operations- Liability arising out of the Nonprofits products or business operations and services conducted, excluding Professional
  services.
• Premises-Covers liability arising out of injury to third parties while on your premises.
• Medical Payments- A general liability coverage that reimburses others, without regard to the insured's liability for bodily injury while on your premises.

General Liability Insurance is designed to cover defense costs as well as judgments. It is an important part of your insurance program that we recommend for your nonprofit organization.

Claim Examples:

• A visitor to the office tripped and fell down a flight of stairs. An investigation revealed that a broken hand rail contributed to the accident. Total medical bills of $2,570 were paid to the claimant.
• A business recently held a private event at the home of a manager, where food was provided by the employees and client. A attendee got sick the next day and it was traced back to the food provided at the event. The insurance company paid the medical bills of $650 and compensation for three days of lost work time.

Call us today for more information on a complete business insurance program.  

Should Employees Drive a Company Vehicle Home? 

There is no doubt commercial auto insurance can be tricky, especially as it relates to personal use. Do you allow your employees to use a company vehicle for personal use? If so, keep reading. If your employee injures a third party while driving a company vehicle for any reason, in most cases and in most states, your company will be on the hook, even if you did not give permission to use the vehicle.

Here are a few examples of what can happen: 

• An employee uses the company vehicle to transport their child's soccer team to a game.
• An employee's teenager takes your vehicle for a joy ride.
• Your employee allows the neighbor to use your company vehicle. 

We agree there may be good reasons to allow key employees to use company vehicles for personal use. However, we propose you consider these risk management techniques to help reduce your risk. 

Consider the following:

1. Obtain proof of, and review, the motor vehicle records of the employee and all household drivers.
2. Complete proper training of the use of the company vehicle.
3. Complete vehicle safety inspections.
4. Complete drug and alcohol testing of all employees - including management.
5. Create driving standards and stick to them.
6. Do post-accident reviews.
7. Have annual MRV checks.
8. Prohibit cell phone usage while driving.
9. Only allow your employee and his/her household to drive the vehicle.
10. Require the employee never keep company property inside the vehicle, even if locked.