General Liability Insurance In South Carolina

The cost of general liability insurance in South Carolina can vary greatly depending on the type of business and the level of coverage needed. For example, a small retail store may pay less for its policy than an engineering or construction firm. The size of your business and the amount of risk involved will also affect your rates.



Premiums for general liability insurance in South Carolina range from around $500 to more than $2,000 per year. In addition to the type of business and level of coverage needed, other factors such as your claims history and number of employees can affect your rates.

We are Southern Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency serving South Carolina businesses. We represent top-rated carriers and can help you find affordable general liability insurance that meets your needs.

From restaurants to contractors, we work with many types of small and medium-sized businesses to provide customized liability coverage at competitive rates. Our team of licensed agents will help you understand your options and choose a policy that gives you the coverage and protection you require.



Contact us today for a free quote on general liability insurance for your South Carolina business.

Standard general liability insurance policies in South Carolina typically include:

Bodily Injury Liability 

Bodily injury liability is usually included in general liability insurance. It can help pay for the medical expenses and legal costs of third parties who are injured by your business's operations, products, or premises. Some examples of items covered by bodily injury liability are:

• Ambulance fees and hospital bills
• Surgery and medication costs
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering damages
• Lost wages and future income
• Legal fees and court costs
• Settlements or judgments

Bodily injury liability does not cover injuries to your own employees, which are covered by workers' compensation insurance. It also does not cover damage to your own property, which is covered by commercial property insurance.

Property Damage Liability

Property damage liability can cover the cost of damage or destruction of third-party property resulting from your business's operations or negligence. For example, if a delivery truck hits and damages a customer's fence or if a malfunctioning piece of your equipment starts a fire that spreads to a neighboring building. Property damage liability typically has a lower coverage limit than bodily injury liability.

Personal Injury Liability 

Personal injury liability covers claims of false arrest, wrongful eviction, libel, slander, invasion of privacy, and other intangible injuries. It can help pay legal defense costs and settlements for lawsuits alleging your business caused harm to someone's reputation, civil rights, or ability to earn a living. Like bodily injury liability, it does not cover injuries to your own employees or damage to your own property.

Advertising Injury Liability 

Advertising injury liability provides coverage for claims that your business's advertising infringed upon someone else's trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights. It can help pay legal fees and other costs if a competitor or third party sues your business over the content of your marketing and promotional materials. This coverage is often included as an extension or optional add-on to a standard general liability policy.

Medical Payments 

Medical payments coverage can help pay for medical bills of people who are injured on your business's premises, even if you are not legally liable for the injury. It provides coverage regardless of fault and can be a good option if you have customers, clients, or visitors coming to your place of business. Medical payments is optional and coverage limits can vary based on your needs and premium costs.

Common Exclusions

General liability insurance does not cover every type of risk and peril. Common exclusions from most policies include:

• Intentional acts
• Professional services
• Liquor liability
• Pollution or environmental damage
• Employee injury (covered by workers' compensation insurance)
• Property damage (covered by commercial property insurance)
• Contractual liability
• Cyber liability
• Business interruption or loss of income
• Fines or penalties

It's also important to note that most general liability policies have exclusions related to pollution and environmental damage. If your business operates in an industry that has the potential to cause environmental harm, you may need additional coverage for those specific risks.

It's important to distinguish between general liability insurance and professional liability insurance. General liability covers non-professional activities and does not cover services that are provided or products that are sold. Professional liability, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, is designed to cover the risks associated with professional services and advice, such as malpractice or neglect.

For example, a lawyer providing legal advice would need professional liability coverage, while a janitorial service would need general liability insurance. Business owners who provide both services may need to carry both types of policies, depending on their specific operations.

The amount of general liability insurance coverage you need depends on your industry, the type of services or products that you offer, and the level of risk associated with your business operations. When considering how much coverage is right for you, factors to consider include:

• Your annual revenue and size of your business - The larger your business, the higher the risk.
• Your industry - Certain industries may be more prone to legal liabilities than others and may require higher levels of coverage.
• The limits and exclusions of your policy - Your policy should have limits that are high enough to cover any potential legal liabilities, as well as exclusions that protect you from any unexpected risks.
• Your Deductible - A higher deductible can lower the cost of your policy, but make sure you are comfortable with the amount before committing.
• Your business location and customers - If your business operates in a high-risk area or serves high-risk customers, you may need to purchase additional coverage.

By understanding your needs and assessing the potential risks associated with your business, you can ensure that you have the right amount of coverage in place to protect your business and its assets.

Business owners may be eligible for a variety of discounts on their general liability insurance policy. These can include:

• Multi-policy discounts: If you have multiple policies with the same insurer, such as property insurance or workers' compensation coverage, you may qualify for a discounted rate.
• Payment discounts: Many insurers offer discounts for customers who pay their premiums full or set up automatic payments.
• Industry-specific discounts: Depending on your industry, you may qualify for additional discounts or special coverage options.
• Loyalty discounts: Some insurers offer loyalty discounts for customers who have been with the company for a certain amount of time.

By taking advantage of available discounts, you can save money on your policy and ensure you have the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.