I used to think general liability insurance was one of those things people talked about to sound grown-up.
Like wine notes.
Or retirement accounts.
Or “my accountant said…”
Not me. I was freelancing out of Queens, working from my apartment, wearing sweatpants I absolutely should’ve retired years ago, thinking: What could possibly happen?
Spoiler: stuff can happen. Not dramatic Netflix-documentary stuff. Just annoying, expensive, life-interrupting stuff.
And that’s where the question comes in—
do you need general liability insurance?
I asked myself that question exactly one week before a client asked me that question.
Bad timing. Always bad timing.
The Moment I Realized I Might Be Clueless
Quick flashback.
Client emails me:
“Before we move forward, can you send over your general liability insurance details?”
I reread the sentence three times.
Checked if it was meant for someone else.
It was not.
So I did what any calm, responsible adult would do.
I Googled “do you need general liability insurance if you work alone” and spiraled.
Every article was either:
- Way too formal
- Clearly written by insurance companies
- Or yelling at me in bold font
None of them sounded like a human who once wore two different shoes to school. On a Monday. In 8th grade. Not on purpose.
So here’s the version I wish I’d read back then.
What General Liability Insurance Actually Is (In Normal Language)
General liability insurance is basically “oops” coverage.
It helps if:
- Someone gets hurt because of your business
- You accidentally damage someone else’s property
- Someone claims your business caused them harm
That’s it. No mystery. No secret handshake.
It’s not about your work quality—that’s a different thing. This is about existing in the world as a business and occasionally bumping into it.
Literally. Sometimes physically.
“But I Work From Home… Do I Still Need It?”
I said this out loud once. To a friend. She looked at me like I had just suggested microwaving foil.
Here’s the thing.
Working from home doesn’t make you immune.
You might:
- Meet clients in person
- Visit their office
- Work at a coworking space
- Attend events
- Have someone stop by
All it takes is one awkward moment.
Someone trips over your bag.
Coffee spills on expensive flooring.
A laptop gets knocked off a table.
Boom. Suddenly you’re having a conversation you didn’t plan on having.
The Stuff General Liability Insurance Usually Covers
Let’s break it down without sounding like a textbook.
Bodily Injury
Someone gets hurt. Slips. Trips. Falls. Twists an ankle dramatically.
Property Damage
You break something that belongs to someone else. On accident. Obviously. Nobody wakes up choosing chaos.
Legal Fees
Even if a claim is silly, defending yourself is not free. Lawyers don’t accept exposure as payment.
That last one? That’s the quiet killer.
What It Does Not Cover (Important, Annoying Detail)
General liability does not cover:
- Your bad advice
- Missed deadlines
- Work mistakes
That’s professional liability (different post, different spiral).
This confused me at first. I assumed “liability” meant everything. It does not. Insurance loves categories.
Who Almost Always Needs General Liability Insurance
I’ll make this easy.
If you:
- Meet clients face-to-face
- Work on-site
- Handle equipment
- Attend events
- Sign contracts with bigger companies
Then yes. You probably need it.
Clients love it.
Landlords love it.
Event organizers require it.
It’s basically a backstage pass that says, “I’m legit.”
Who Might Be Able to Skip It (For Now)
I’ll be honest. Some people can delay it.
Maybe you:
- Work 100% online
- Never meet clients
- Don’t handle physical stuff
- Are just starting out
Even then… I say delay, not ignore forever.
Because the minute you grow—or want to—you’ll run into it.
The Emotional Side Nobody Talks About
This surprised me.
Once I had general liability insurance:
- I stopped stressing about “what ifs”
- I felt more confident signing contracts
- I didn’t panic when clients asked questions
It wasn’t just protection. It was peace of mind.
Quiet. Subtle. Underrated.
A Very Real Conversation I Had
Me: “What happens if someone sues me?”
Agent: “For what?”
Me: “I don’t know. Existing incorrectly?”
We both laughed. Then she explained it. Then I bought the policy.
If an insurance company can explain things without making you feel dumb, that’s a green flag.
Places I Went for Real Opinions (Not Sales Pages)
If you want honesty with a side of chaos:
- Reddit’s r/smallbusiness
- Failory (startup disasters that make you feel better about life choices)
Sometimes reading worst-case scenarios makes your own situation feel manageable.
So… Do You Need General Liability Insurance?
Here’s my very unscientific answer.
If losing a few thousand dollars would seriously mess up your life—
you probably want it.
If you’re trying to grow, work with better clients, or sleep at night—
yeah. Same.
General liability insurance isn’t exciting. It’s not sexy. You can’t post about it on Instagram (please don’t).
But it’s one of those quiet, adult decisions that future-you will appreciate.
Turns out, it was easier than I made it.
If you’re on the fence right now, staring at your screen thinking, “I should probably deal with this,”—that’s your sign. Not to panic. Just to start.
And if you want help figuring out whether you actually need it, or what kind makes sense for your business? I’ve been there. Still there, honestly.
Now excuse me while I reheat my coffee and pretend I enjoy responsible decisions.
