General liability insurance for Illinois businesses
Illinois doesn't require general liability for most businesses, but landlords, clients, municipalities and licensing agencies usually do. We help Illinois companies carry the right limits and get certificates of insurance out the door quickly.
- Home services agency licensing
- $1M / $3M
- Per occurrence / aggregate, under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 245.90.
- Common contract limit
- $1M
- Per occurrence, often with a $2M aggregate.
- Who asks for proof
- COI
- Landlords, clients and municipalities request certificates of insurance.
When Illinois businesses need general liability
- Your lease requires it, often with the landlord named as an additional insured
- A client contract or bid asks for a certificate of insurance
- You're licensed as a home health, home nursing or home services agency (minimum $1M per occurrence and $3M aggregate)
- You work in customers' homes or businesses, where property damage and injuries happen
What it covers
- Bodily injury to customers and visitors
- Damage to property that belongs to others
- Personal and advertising injury, such as libel or copyright claims in an ad
- Defense costs, settlements and judgments for covered claims
What it doesn't cover
Employee injuries (workers' compensation), mistakes in professional services (professional liability), vehicle accidents (commercial auto; Illinois requires at least $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury and $20,000 property damage on business vehicles) and your own property (commercial property or a business owner's policy).
Bundling to save
Many small businesses buy general liability inside a business owner's policy (BOP), which adds property coverage. Healthcare agencies usually buy a combined general and professional liability policy built for their industry. We'll compare both.
Frequently asked questions
Is general liability insurance required in Illinois?
Not for most businesses by state law, but leases, contracts and some licenses require it. Illinois home services, home health and home nursing agencies need at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate to be licensed.
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
Once a policy is bound, we can usually issue certificates the same business day.
Does general liability cover my employees' injuries?
No. Employee injuries are covered by workers' compensation, which Illinois requires from your first employee.
Sources: 77 Ill. Adm. Code 245.90; Illinois Secretary of State minimum auto liability requirements.
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