What is "general liability insurance" designed to protect against?

General liability insurance is primarily designed to protect individuals and businesses against claims of bodily injury and property damage that may arise from their operations, products, or services. This type of insurance covers legal expenses and settlements associated with lawsuits filed by third parties claiming that they suffered injuries or damages due to the insured's activities. It addresses situations such as slip-and-fall accidents on a business's premises, damage caused by a product sold by the business, or if a service rendered results in harm to a third party’s property.

In contrast, health and life insurance claims pertain to medical expenses and life coverage, which are outside the scope of general liability. Intentional acts of harm by employees are generally not covered, as general liability focuses on unintentional acts. Finally, damages due to natural disasters typically fall under a separate type of coverage, like property insurance, rather than general liability. This highlights the specific purpose and application of general liability insurance in safeguarding against unintentional harm and financial loss from claims of bodily injury and property damage.