General liability generally refers to a business's legal responsibility for bodily injury, property damage, and related harm arising from its operations, premises, or products. General liability disputes can involve accidents on business property, damage caused by business activities, and negligence claims brought by third parties.

CGL insurance is a common business policy that covers third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and certain personal and advertising injury. When a claim is made, the policy may provide both a legal defense and indemnification up to policy limits, subject to the policy's terms and exclusions.

General liability covers physical risks such as bodily injury and property damage arising from a business's operations. Professional liability (errors and omissions) covers claims arising from professional services or advice — such as mistakes, negligence, or failure to perform professional duties. Businesses often need both types of coverage.

Under California law, an insurer's duty to defend is broader than its duty to indemnify. If a claim potentially falls within the scope of coverage, the insurer generally must provide a defense — even if it later turns out there is no obligation to pay. Disputes over the duty to defend are common in liability matters.

Premises liability claims arise when someone is injured due to an unsafe condition on a property. Business and property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises and to warn of known hazards. Failing to do so can result in liability for resulting injuries to customers, guests, or other visitors.

An additional insured endorsement extends a party's liability coverage to another party — commonly required in contracts between businesses, landlords and tenants, or contractors and subcontractors. These endorsements determine who is protected under a policy and frequently become a focal point in liability disputes.

A business should promptly notify its insurer, preserve all relevant records and evidence, avoid making statements that could be construed as admissions, and consult an attorney. Timely notice to the insurer is critical, because late notice can jeopardize coverage under many liability policies.

A business should consult an attorney when reviewing insurance coverage, drafting contracts that allocate liability, responding to a claim or lawsuit, or evaluating risk before launching new operations. Proactive legal review can reduce exposure and ensure appropriate contractual and insurance protections are in place.