General liability
General liability insurance — $1M coverage, COI today.
The $1M policy your clients, landlords and general contractors require — issued with a certificate of insurance and additional insured the same day.
Office hours Mon–Fri 9am–5pm PT (closed major holidays) — please call during hours. After hours, text (310) 299-5555 or apply online anytime and we’ll follow up. Contact & office.
Availability, limits and terms are reviewed for your situation. A request does not bind insurance.
Let us shop it — or start your quote online right now
Let us shop it for you (usually worth the call)
Coterie is one of 40+ carriers we work with. When we run your business past several of them at once we can compare what each will actually offer — and that often turns up a better fit, especially if you’ve had a prior claim, run more than one location, or need endorsements specific to your trade. One call, no obligation, and we handle the certificates afterwards.
Or quote and buy online in minutes
Our partner Coterie writes general liability, professional liability and Business Owners Policies for most small business classes in all 50 states, on A-rated admitted paper. Answer a few questions, see a bindable price, and download your certificate yourself. Built for businesses under 50 employees and under $10M revenue at a single location — contractors up to 15 employees. Some classes and loss histories aren’t eligible.
Coterie is one of several carriers CoverToday works with, and we may earn a commission on policies placed through this link. Buying online means you skip our review — call us first if you want us to compare it against the other carriers we represent. Independent broker — coverage, eligibility, price and availability vary by carrier and policy and may not be available to everyone. (310) 299-5555 · covertoday.com/quote
The coverage that lets you start the job
Most contracts, landlords and GCs require a $1M general liability policy and a certificate of insurance before you can begin. We place GL for contractors, trades and small businesses across many carriers, add additional insured, and issue the COI the same day so the job doesn’t stall.
What it covers
Bodily injury
A third party is hurt because of your work or premises.
Property damage
You damage a client’s property on the job.
Products & completed operations
Claims arising after your work is finished.
Personal & advertising injury
Libel, slander and certain advertising claims.
Additional insured & COIs
Same-day certificates naming the parties your contract requires.
How much it costs
In California, general liability averages about $42/month for many small businesses, though it ranges with your trade, revenue and claims history — higher-risk construction trades pay more than low-risk consultants. A $2M aggregate costs only a little more than $1M and is often required. We compare carriers to find the right limit at a competitive price.
Figures are general market ranges — your exact rate depends on your profile. Call (310) 299-5555 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Who needs it
You need general liability whenever a client, landlord or general contractor requires proof of coverage — which is almost always for contractors, trades, vendors and service businesses. Standard limits are $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate, and you’ll often be asked to add the other party as additional insured on a certificate of insurance.
How it works
Tell us about your work
Trade or business type, revenue, and what the contract requires.
We shop carriers
We find the right GL limits and price for your class of work.
Get your COI same-day, where available
Additional insured added and certificate issued fast.
See how the pieces fit
Check the activity behind the certificate
Three topics to review with your agent. These are comparison prompts, not a promise of coverage.
- 01
Actual operations
Explain the work you do, where you do it and any subcontracted work.
- 02
Policy terms
Review limits, exclusions and endorsements against those operations.
- 03
Contract requests
Ask the agent to check additional-insured and other requested wording.
Before we talk
Make the first conversation useful.
You don’t need every detail ready. Start with what you know; an agent can help with the rest.
- What your business does and where it operates
- Employees and insurance requirements in contracts
- Existing coverage and your desired start date
Please keep Social Security numbers, financial details and documents out of the public request form. An agent can explain the appropriate way to provide them if needed.
Common questions
How much is general liability insurance?
In California it averages about $42/month for many small businesses, but it depends on your trade, revenue and claims history. We shop carriers for competitive options.
How fast can I get a certificate?
Same day — often within 15 minutes for existing clients, with additional insured added.
What limits do I need?
Most contracts require $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate. We confirm against your specific contract.
What does general liability cover?
Third-party bodily injury, property damage, products/completed operations, and personal & advertising injury.
What is an additional insured?
It extends your policy to protect another party (a client or landlord) for claims arising from your work. We add it on the COI.
Who needs general liability?
Contractors, trades, vendors and service businesses — anyone a client, landlord or GC requires to carry coverage.
GL vs professional liability — what’s the difference?
GL covers physical injury and property damage; professional liability (E&O) covers financial harm from your advice or service.
Can you cover new businesses?
Yes — we place GL for startups and newly licensed contractors.