Can I Get General Liability Insurance for a Home-Based Business?

Introduction: Why Home-Based Businesses Still Face Liability Risk

Many home-based business owners assume their homeowners or renters insurance will protect them if something goes wrong. In reality, personal insurance policies usually offer limited or no coverage for business-related liability. If a client is injured, property is damaged, or a lawsuit arises from your work, your personal policy may not apply.

This article explains whether you can get general liability insurance for a home-based business, what it covers, and why it’s often essential.

Can Home-Based Businesses Get General Liability Insurance?

Yes. Home-based businesses can absolutely get general liability insurance. Most insurance carriers offer general liability policies specifically designed for small and home-based businesses.

This coverage applies to business-related claims—even if your business operates entirely from your home.

What Does General Liability Insurance Cover for Home-Based Businesses?

General liability insurance typically covers:

• Bodily injury to clients or visitors
• Property damage caused by your business activities
• Legal defense costs and settlements
• Certain advertising or personal injury claims

Coverage applies whether the incident happens in your home, at a client’s location, or as part of your business operations.

Why Homeowners or Renters Insurance Isn’t Enough

Personal insurance policies are designed for personal living risks—not business activity. Common limitations include:

• Exclusion of business-related injuries
• Limited coverage for business equipment
• No coverage for client lawsuits

Relying on a personal policy can leave significant gaps in protection.

Do Home-Based Businesses That Never See Clients Still Need It?

Often, yes. Even if clients never visit your home, you may still face liability risks such as:

• Accidentally damaging a client’s property
• Causing injury while working off-site
• Facing claims related to advertising or online activity

General liability insurance follows your business, not just your location.

Is General Liability Insurance Required for Home-Based Businesses?

General liability insurance is not required by law for most home-based businesses. However, it may be required by:

• Clients or contracts
• Vendors or marketplaces
• Landlords or homeowners associations

Even when not required, it’s strongly recommended.

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost for a Home-Based Business?

Costs vary based on industry, services, and risk level. Many home-based businesses qualify for affordable general liability coverage due to lower exposure and limited foot traffic.

How eWay Insurance Helps Home-Based Businesses Get Covered

At eWay Insurance, we help home-based business owners:

• Identify whether general liability insurance is needed
• Compare policies from multiple carriers
• Secure affordable coverage tailored to home operations
• Meet client or contract insurance requirements
• Avoid unnecessary coverage or costs

Our goal is to make business insurance simple and accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add general liability coverage to my homeowners policy?
Usually no. Business liability typically requires a separate commercial policy.

Does general liability cover online businesses?
Yes. It can cover certain risks related to advertising and third-party claims.

Is professional liability also needed?
If you provide services or advice, professional liability may also be important.

Can freelancers get general liability insurance?
Yes. Freelancers often carry general liability to meet client requirements.

How quickly can I get coverage?
Coverage can often be secured quickly, depending on the business type.

Final Thoughts

Running a business from home doesn’t eliminate liability risk—it simply changes it. General liability insurance helps protect home-based business owners from claims that personal insurance policies often won’t cover.

eWay Insurance helps home-based businesses get the right general liability coverage without overpaying. If you’re unsure whether your current insurance protects your business, now is the right time to review your options and secure proper coverage.