General Liability
How the CGL policy works: coverages, endorsements, additional insureds, and the forms behind them.
Guides
Event Vendor Insurance in California: What Venues RequireCalifornia event organizers usually require vendors to show general liability with the organizer as additional insured. Coverage, costs and alcohol rules.October 1, 2026
Janitorial Insurance and Bonds in California: What to KnowCalifornia janitorial businesses must register yearly with the Labor Commissioner and list their workers' comp. The insurance and bonds cleaners need.October 1, 2026
Landscaping Insurance in California: Licenses and PesticidesCalifornia landscapers who apply any pesticide need a DPR license with proof of liability cover. What insurance you need and which programs take tree work.October 1, 2026
Plumber Insurance in California: Coverage, Programs and CostCalifornia plumbers need liability, workers' comp and tools cover. Which programs take plumbing, what they exclude (sewer, medical gas) and pricing.September 30, 2026
Roofing Contractor Insurance in California: What's RequiredCalifornia C-39 roofers must carry workers' comp even with no employees. Which liability programs take roofers, their exclusions, and pricing.September 29, 2026
Contractor General Liability Cost in California (2026)California contractor general liability starts at published minimums of $350 to $500 a year for $1M/$2M. What sets your price and what taxes add.September 28, 2026
Handyman Insurance in California: The $1,000 Rule and CostsUnlicensed California handymen may take only jobs under $1,000 with no permit or employees. What insurance you need and the published minimum premiums.September 28, 2026
Cannabis Insurance in California by License Type: What Growers, Makers, Distributors, Retailers and Labs NeedCalifornia's cannabis rules set one insurance minimum, $1M per loss and $2M aggregate general liability for distributors, on top of the $5,000 DCC bond every annual license needs. What each license type (cultivation, manufacturing Types 6, 7, N, P and S, distribution, retail, microbusiness, testing) should insure, and what the programs cost, from $500 monoline GL (Blitz) to a $1,200 minimum (Carma).September 27, 2026
Contractor General Liability After a Non-Renewal or Decline in California: Where to Go NextA California contractor who was non-renewed or declined still has markets. Admitted programs (RLI Contrac Pac, CNA Best Choice) and surplus lines programs (Brivado through BTIS, Blitz, from $500 minimum premium) write $1M/$2M contractor GL, some for new ventures with 2 years of experience. Your rights on a non-renewal notice, which trades are placed by hand, and what to prepare.September 27, 2026
How Much Does Vacant Land Insurance Cost in California? Real Quotes, Limits and TermsVacant land insurance in California is liability coverage, and a September 2026 request for a 1–10 acre parcel drew two real quotes of about $980 and $1,018 a year for $1 million of liability, taxes and fees included. What goes into the price, who writes it (USLI through BTIS, Green Shield), acreage limits of 250 to 1,000 acres, and short terms.September 27, 2026
Wedding Liability Insurance in California: What Venues Require and What It CostsMost California wedding venues ask for $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate of liability with the venue named as additional insured, as California State Parks does. Host liquor vs. a cash bar under ABC rules, primary and waiver wording, certificate deadlines (14 days at Crystal Cove), and published starting prices from event programs such as Blitz ($65 plus taxes and fees) and LIO ($1M/$3M with host liquor included).September 27, 2026
Hold Harmless Agreements in California: The Three Forms, What the Law Allows, and How Insurance Backs ThemHow limited, intermediate and broad form hold harmless agreements differ, what California Civil Code sections 2782 and 2782.05 make unenforceable, and how contractual liability coverage and additional insured status stand behind the promise.September 23, 2026
One-Day Event Insurance in California: What It Covers, Who Requires It, and How to Get It in TimeOne-day event insurance is short-term general liability for a single event, usually $1 million per occurrence. What it covers (injuries, host liquor, damage to the rented venue, the venue as additional insured), what it leaves out, what California venues and cities such as San Diego require, and how far ahead to buy it.September 23, 2026
Self-Insured Retention vs Deductible: Who Pays First, Who Defends, and What ErodesHow a self-insured retention (SIR) differs from a deductible on a liability claim, with a side-by-side table, a worked example, how an umbrella SIR works, California's insolvency rule, and what to negotiate.September 23, 2026
Waiver of Subrogation: What It Is, Why Contracts Require It, and What It CostsWhat a waiver of subrogation does, why owners and general contractors demand one, which endorsements deliver it on GL, workers' comp and auto policies, and how blanket and scheduled waivers differ.September 23, 2026
Excess Liability Insurance: When Your Business Needs ItExcess liability insurance adds limits above your general liability, auto and employers liability policies. When you need it, how limits stack, and cost.July 13, 2026
CG 00 01 Explained: How the CGL Coverage Form WorksHow the ISO CG 00 01 general liability form works: Coverages A, B and C, defense costs paid outside the limits, and the two aggregate limits.July 10, 2026
Named Insured vs. Additional Insured Under CG 00 01Named insured vs additional insured under CG 00 01. The three insured status tiers, first named insured duties, and where endorsement status runs out.July 10, 2026
Umbrella vs. Excess Liability: What Is the Difference?Both add limits above your primary policies, but only an umbrella can drop down to pay claims they exclude. Follow form, SIRs and which to buy.July 10, 2026
What Is Professional Liability Insurance?Professional liability (E&O) pays when a client says your work or advice cost them money. How it differs from general liability, who needs it and cost.July 10, 2026
Additional Insured Endorsements, ExplainedWhat additional insured endorsements do, CG 20 10 vs. CG 20 37, blanket (automatic) forms, primary and noncontributory wording, and the traps.July 9, 2026
Occurrence vs. Claims-Made: Which Policy Pays a Claim?Occurrence policies cover harm during the policy period, claims-made policies cover claims made during it. Retroactive dates, tail and switching.July 9, 2026
What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?General liability covers injury and damage you cause others, plus defense. CGL Coverages A, B and C, the main exclusions, cost, and endorsements to watch.July 9, 2026
Related forms
Browse form references →ACORD 126Commercial General Liability SectionWhat the ACORD 126 general liability application section asks, how classifications and exposures set CGL premium, and why the subcontractor answers matter.ACORD 131Umbrella / Excess SectionLearn what ACORD 131 collects for a commercial umbrella or excess application, including underlying policies, limits, locations, vehicles, and exposures.ACORD 211Schedule of HazardsLearn how ACORD 211 extends a liability hazard schedule with class codes, exposure bases, locations, rates, premiums, and what an owner should verify.ACORD 25Certificate of Liability InsuranceWhat the ACORD 25 certificate of liability insurance shows, why it confers no rights on the holder, and how to read the operations and certificate holder boxes.ACORD 815International Liability Exposure SupplementLearn when ACORD 815 supports a commercial liability application and how to organize foreign operations, payroll, and loss information.ACORD 83Personal Umbrella ApplicationLearn how ACORD 83 organizes umbrella limits, underlying home and auto policies, drivers, properties, watercraft, and other personal liability exposures.CG 00 01Commercial General Liability Coverage FormWhat the CG 00 01 Commercial General Liability Coverage Form covers, how its three coverage parts work, and who automatically counts as an insured under it.CG 04 37Loss of Electronic Data Resulting from Physical Injury to Tangible Property Liability Coverage - Subject to Cyber Incident ExclusionLearn when CG 04 37 can cover electronic data loss caused by physical injury to tangible property, which limit applies, and why it is not cyber insurance.CG 20 01Primary and Noncontributory: Other Insurance ConditionWhat the CG 20 01 primary and noncontributory endorsement does, how it changes the other insurance condition, and when construction contracts demand it.CG 20 10Additional Insured: Owners, Lessees or Contractors (Scheduled Person or Organization)What the CG 20 10 additional insured endorsement does, why upstream parties demand it on construction contracts, and how its editions differ.CG 20 11Additional Insured: Managers or Lessors of PremisesLearn how CG 20 11 adds a landlord or property manager to a tenant's CGL policy, what premises claims it covers, and why the edition matters for lease reviews.CG 20 12Additional Insured: State or Governmental Agency or Subdivision or Political Subdivision: Permits or AuthorizationsLearn how CG 20 12 covers a government entity that issues your permit, which operations qualify, what the form excludes, and what proof to send correctly.CG 20 15Additional Insured: VendorsLearn how CG 20 15 protects a scheduled vendor for claims tied to the named insured's products, which vendor activities are excluded, and what to verify.CG 20 18Additional Insured: Mortgagee, Assignee or ReceiverLearn how CG 20 18 gives a scheduled mortgagee, assignee or receiver limited premises-related status, its construction exclusion, and the key items to check.CG 20 24Additional Insured: Owners or Other Interests from Whom Land Has Been LeasedLearn how CG 20 24 protects a scheduled owner or other interest that leased land to the named insured, when coverage ends, and which work is excluded.CG 20 26Additional Insured: Designated Person or OrganizationWhat the CG 20 26 additional insured endorsement does, when it fits better than CG 20 10, and why municipalities, venues, and event sponsors request it.CG 20 28Additional Insured: Lessor of Leased EquipmentLearn how CG 20 28 gives a scheduled equipment lessor limited additional insured status, when that status ends, and why property coverage is separate.CG 20 32Additional Insured: Engineers, Architects or Surveyors Not Engaged by the Named InsuredLearn how CG 20 32 covers scheduled architects, engineers or surveyors not engaged by the named insured, and why professional services remain excluded.CG 20 33Additional Insured: Owners, Lessees or Contractors: Automatic Status When Required in a Written Construction Agreement With YouLearn how CG 20 33 grants automatic additional insured status under a written construction agreement, when coverage ends, and what gaps remain in practice.CG 20 37Additional Insured: Owners, Lessees or Contractors, Completed OperationsWhat the CG 20 37 completed operations additional insured endorsement covers, why contracts pair it with CG 20 10, and how long you must keep it in force.CG 20 38Additional Insured: Owners, Lessees or Contractors: Automatic Status for Other Parties When Required in Written Construction AgreementLearn how CG 20 38 reaches direct and upstream parties required by a written construction agreement, when status ends, and which gaps remain in practice.CG 20 39Additional Insured: Owners, Lessees or Contractors: Automatic Status When Required in Written Construction Agreement with You: Completed OperationsLearn how CG 20 39 automatically grants completed operations status to a direct contracting party, its written-agreement trigger, limits, and key gaps.CG 20 40Additional Insured: Owners, Lessees or Contractors: Automatic Status for Other Parties When Required in Written Construction Agreement: Completed OperationsLearn how CG 20 40 automatically covers direct and upstream parties for completed operations, what triggers status, and which important limitations remain.CG 21 39Contractual Liability LimitationLearn how CG 21 39 narrows contractual liability coverage, which insured contracts remain, and why contractors should review indemnity obligations now.CG 21 44Limitation of Coverage to Designated Premises, Project or OperationLearn how CG 21 44 limits liability coverage to scheduled premises, projects, or operations and why the edition and completed schedule both matter today.CG 21 53Exclusion - Designated Ongoing OperationsLearn how CG 21 53 excludes injury or damage from scheduled ongoing operations, how location wording changes its reach, and what owners should review.CG 21 65Total Pollution Exclusion With a Building Heating, Cooling and Dehumidifying Equipment Exception and a Hostile Fire ExceptionLearn how CG 21 65 broadly excludes pollution liability while retaining narrow exceptions for building equipment emissions and certain hostile fires now.CG 22 79Exclusion - Contractors - Professional LiabilityLearn what CG 22 79 excludes from a contractor's CGL policy, how it treats hired design professionals, and what its construction-methods exception preserves.CG 22 80Limited Exclusion - Contractors - Professional LiabilityLearn how CG 22 80 excludes a contractor's professional services while preserving construction operations and how it differs from the broader CG 22 79.CG 22 92Snow Plow Operations CoverageLearn how CG 22 92 addresses completed snow plow operations under a CGL policy, what the auto policy covers, and which limits and exclusions remain in a claim.CG 22 94Exclusion - Damage to Work Performed by Subcontractors on Your BehalfLearn how CG 22 94 removes the subcontractor exception from the CGL damage to your work exclusion and why contractors should review it at renewal today.CG 24 04Waiver of Transfer of Rights of Recovery Against Others to Us (Waiver of Subrogation)Learn how CG 24 04 waives an insurer's recovery rights after a covered loss, whose interests it protects, and what it does not change about insured status.CG 24 17Contractual Liability: RailroadsLearn how CG 24 17 changes insured-contract treatment for a scheduled railroad and job site, what it does not replace, and what to verify before work begins.CG 24 26Amendment of Insured Contract DefinitionLearn how CG 24 26 narrows contractual liability under a CGL policy, what the causation and legality tests mean, and what businesses should review today.CG 25 03Designated Construction Project(s) General Aggregate LimitLearn how CG 25 03 creates a separate general aggregate for designated construction projects and what it does not change for completed operations on claims.CG 25 04Designated Location(s) General Aggregate LimitLearn how CG 25 04 applies a separate general aggregate at designated locations, what remains shared, and which policy details owners should verify now.