How Business Owners Can Save Money with Commercial Liability Insurance

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes

There’s never a good time for an on-the-job error. Though, they tend to appear at the worst of times: during a seasonal peak, when you’re short-staffed, or right before payroll is due. Your new journalist accidentally uses a copyrighted photo, one of your carpenters installs a load-bearing beam incorrectly, or an employee damages a piece of machinery due to negilence… You think, “Why now?”

While your staff are only human, some mistakes can be financially unforgivable.

The consequences might be expected in certain situations. In other cases, the aftermath can end up being messier than you ever anticipated. Think, a scathing online review, hefty legal fees, or even having to temporarily cease operations. Yet, the entire time, you assume the mistake was minor and easily forgivable.

These situations are exactly what commercial liability insurance is for. It’s not used to excuse reckless behavior. It’s a back-up plan, something to protect small businesses like yours.

Think paying monthly premiums for this coverage is a waste of money? Think again. Here, we’ll talk about why commercial liability insurance is actually a financially sound option for business owners.

An Employee Mistake Can Be More Costly Than You Might Think

When something goes wrong, you attempt to calmly address the situation. In the back of your mind, though, you’re thinking, “How much is this mistake going to cost me?”

For equipment malfunctions, you consider the cost of replacing a part or having a tech come out for a repair. In situations where a customer was accidentally harmed, like accidentally given gluten when they mentioned they had an allergy, you consider the cost of a refund, and in severe situations, reimbursement of a medical bill.

Unfortunately, there are more costs that meet the eye.

1. Lost time (time is money)

Something bad happens on the clock, then next thing you know, time keeps moving while everything else seems to stop.

Maybe an employee gets injured and has to step away. A machine doesn’t get maintained properly by your team members, which leads to sudden failure. Or an employee accidentally damages a large shipment, which causes delayed order fulfilment. Situations like these can lead to longer wait times, lost sales or refunds, and unhappy customers. They may even force you to close for hours, days, or even months.

According to Brookings, over 75 million workdays are lost due to workplace injuries. In 2023, workplace injuries cost a whopping $176.5 billion, costing an average $1,080 per worker. Incidents like these aren’t always big and dramatic. Sometimes they’re tiny mistakes made by genuine humans.

2. Customer refund or reimbursement

Customers don’t just want a quick apology. They want the business to make things right, as would you if you were in their shoes.

Server accidentally knocks over a glass of wine onto a customer? The best response would be to replace their wine and pay for their laundry service. While you’re out of the cost of the spilt wine and the reimbursement for laundry service, this costly reaction can ultimately help save face.

Making things right with the customer when your company is at fault is the ethical thing to do. Plus, business owners often view it as “hush money” to keep them from leaving a bad review or spreading negative word of mouth. 

3. Legal fees

Not every mistake can be resolved one-on-one. Some situations are serious and complicated, resulting in the need for legal assistance. In other scenarios, the customer may turn to an attorney if they feel the business didn’t provide a fair resolution.

Yes, even small businesses can get sued, and they get taken to court more than you think. Somewhere between a third to 50% of American businesses deal with a lawsuit each year. While the legal costs can drastically vary, they can easily cost thousands of dollars.

Even if a wronged customer was fine with a business’ resolution at first, they may change their mind later and decide to take action.

4. Reputation damage

Bad word of mouth can spread like wildfire. A single fiasco with a customer can turn your reputation sour.

They may urge their family or followers on social media to avoid supporting your business. The incident might inspire them to write a nasty one-star. So, not only might an employee’s mistake lead to the permanent loss of a customer, but it can lead to dozens of lost sales. Even customers who didn’t know you existed now see you as a bad guy.

5. Insurance premium spikes

Many small employers try to avoid filing a claim with their insurance for fear they will get on their “bad side.” They worry their premium will greatly increase. As a result, they may attempt to resolve the situation by paying out of pocket.

Oftentimes, it’s the wrong move. Paying out of pocket can not only cost a business more in the end, but the customer may still be dissatisfied with the resolution. Thus, they may resort to legal action, costing you even more. Now you wished you filed with your insurance from the start.

Your liability policy is designed for unexpected accidents, so use it as needed. As long as you don’t make excessive or fraudulent claims, your premium shouldn’t increase or will only increase by a small amount.

Waiting too long to file, however, can lead to a huge spike due to the increased severity of the claim. Not using your insurance at all can avoid a higher insurance premium but lead to more risk and costs in the end.

Real Stories of Costly Employee Errors

Mistakes are unfortunate, but they’re something we learn from.

The following stories can give entrepreneurs a better idea of how a mistake can turn costly and how having commercial liability can be a saving grace.

Slipped Ladder

An Arizona-based handyman was repairing a gutter when his ladder slipped. As a result of this minor mistake, the client’s siding was damaged.

Luckily for this man, he was covered under liability insurance in the same state he was working. His insurance accepted his claim, paying for the repair of the siding.

Ad Copy Fail

A contractor of a digital marketing agency mistakenly used a competitor’s slogan in their client’s ad. After finding out, the competitor took the marketing agency to court.

The contractor’s liability insurance covered their legal fees, as well as the settlement. 

Ceiling Fan Fiasco

A malfunctioning ceiling fan was being replaced by a maintenance man. The ladder wobbled under the worker’s feet, causing him to drop the old fan. This resulted in scraped ceiling plaster and a broken piano, which was sitting right below the fan.

The ceiling looked inexpensive and quick to repair. As for the piano, what seemed like a minor crack resulted in thousands of dollars in restoration.

The maintenance worker chose to pay out of pocket. It came back to bite him later when the piano’s crack resurfaced months later, causing him to have to pay out of pocket again for repair.

Spilt Hot Coffee

A busy waitress was rushing out an order when her ankle rolled, causing a hot mug of coffee on her tray to splash onto a customer. The customer was startled but didn’t seem mad or injured. The waitress apologized profusely and promptly cleaned up the spill. She also brought out a replacement drink.

Weeks go by, and the diner gets hit with thousands of dollars in medical and legal fees. The customer developed a bad burn that required medical attention.

Thanks to their liability policy, the diner was able to get coverage for this otherwise costly situation. Without insurance, they would have struggled to get by.

A Spraying Plumbing Pipe

A plumbing technician was called to replace a damaged pipe in the kitchen of an older home. The homeowner claimed they already turned the water line off. The tech didn’t double check and dove straight into the job.

One slice into the pipe, and the entire kitchen became soaked. The stove and dishwasher got wet. Puddles quickly formed on the laminate flooring. The real-wood cabinets were drenched.

A water damage restoration company had to be called out to the scene.

Ultimately, the error led to $20,000 in damages, which commercial liability ended up covering.

Even the tiniest of employee mistakes can lead to great expenses.

Liability Insurance Decreases Costs, Not Creates Them

Insurance might seem like something that you regularly pay for and get nothing in return. In reality, it provides a backup plan for when something does happen.

Here’s how liability insurance can financially save you:

1. It covers the unexpected costs

Most small business owners struggle when faced with medical bills, legal fees, and lost wages.

Liability insurance can help business owners cover the cost of property damage, customer injuries, and many other costs associated with workplace errors.

Not only are mistakes not uncommon, but they can quickly add up. What you thought might cost just a couple thousand dollars can easily cost triple or more.

One claim paid out of pocket can sometimes cost significantly more than what you pay annually for insurance premiums. For a startup or small business that’s barely profitable, these costs can be significant.

2. It helps protect you legally

Let’s face it; lawyers aren’t cheap. Plus, winning still results in paying for legal representation.

The good news? Having commercial liability can provide coverage for legal fees, as well as the settlement if you end up having to pay the other party. This peace of mind ensures you can get the proper legal defense you deserve.

3. It allows you to secure bigger projects

Proof of insurance is often necessary before tradesmen, like welders and carpenters, can work on a project.

Lacking liability insurance can, otherwise, result in lost contracts. Fewer projects means less revenue and fewer opportunities for company growth.

4. It preserves cash flow

Even when a business owner can afford to pay out of pocket for a mistake, it doesn’t mean they won’t suffer. An unexpected, big bill can lead to months or even years of financial struggles, leaving the business trying to play catch up.

A dip in cash flow for a business can make a big impact. Less inventory may be available, hours may need to be cut, and fewer workplace upgrades will take place.

This is where liability insurance comes in. That unexpected bill due to an employee error? They cover it, so you can retain money for the things your business needs, like paying the electric bill and running payroll.

Why are Employees Making More Mistakes Today?

There are several reasons why liability claims are becoming increasingly common in the U.S.:

More Distractions

Between customer interactions, chatty co-workers, managing digital systems for work, and their personal smartphone, employees of all ages deal with several distractions when working. They’re also expected to multitask more than ever before, especially with the cost of labor increasing. More distractions leads to more workplace mishaps.

Higher Customer Expectations

Expectations from customers are on the rise, regardless of the industry you work in.

The increasing use of technology leads customers to:

• Compare prices online
• Want their order instantly
• Turn to social media or Yelp when things go wrong
• Quickly find alternative businesses online

In turn, employees feel more pressured than ever before to work faster, even if it means setting themselves or customers up for risk.

Surge in Small Entrepreneurship

In the United States, there are over 32.5 small businesses, which make up 99.9% of all businesses in the nation.

Small businesses, especially new ones, are usually composed of small team members. One call out can lead to overworked staff and, in turn, more mistakes.

Inflated Costs

Inflation takes time to adapt to. Sadly, it keeps steadily increasing, making it hard for small businesses to get caught up.

From higher labor costs to increasing cost of goods, one claim can hit a small business owner hard. This makes liability insurance more valuable than ever before.

Preventing Avoidable On-the-Job Errors

Liability insurance protects you financially, but it doesn’t stop mistakes from happening. The best route is to cut out mistakes when you can.

Here’s how you can prevent as many employee errors as possible:

1. Create Simple Reminders

Written checklists or printed policy reminders can help staff stay on top of important compliance and general safety procedures

Little things like reminding your crew to wear certain protective gear can make a difference in preventing mistakes. At the very least, they can reduce the severity of an error.

2. Remind Your Staff that Mistakes Happen

Staff don’t like to admit when they’ve messed up. They fear there will be consequences, such as reduced hours or even termination.

Make sure your staff understand that mistakes happen and can be learned from. However, they need to speak out when something occurs.

3. Reiterate the Importance of Communication

Communication plays a crucial role in just about any situation. Skipping over important steps or failing to ask questions, on the other hand, can lead to big errors.

4. Supply Staff with the Proper Materials and Equipment

Worn, broken, or ill-maintained equipment or materials can lead to injury. Make sure your staff have the proper tools and safety gear they need to safely get the job done.

5. Annually Review Your Insurance

The level of coverage your company needs may change over time. Annually reviewing your insurance and making changes as needed is important if you want to prevent coverage gaps.

Understanding What Commercial Liability Covers

Many business owners skip over the written details of their commercial liability policy. This is because a lot of the terminology they use is confusing.

It can be beneficial, though, for business owners to know the basics of liability insurance, so they know what they can rely on it for. It can provide coverage for:

1. Bodily Injury
   Reimburses for client or customer injuries that happen at your workplace
2. Property Damage
   Covers damage to property you don’t own. Can include your client’s home or customer’s car
3. Medical Payments
   Pays for the medical cost of minor injuries that happened at your business, even if you were at fault
4. Personal and Advertising Injury
   Protects against defamation, invasion of privacy, trademark infringement, and false advertising

While general liability insurance can cover many things, there are certain things it can’t help with, such as:

• Employee sickness or injuries (covered by workers comp)
• Business property damage (covered by commercial property insurance)
• Commercial auto accidents (covered by commercial auto insurance)
• Claims of negligence or failure to deliver services as expected (covered by professional liability insurance) 

Business owners should always review their policy contract carefully to understand coverage details, exclusions, and conditions.

Paying Out of Pocket is Costlier Than Liability Insurance

So, how much does commercial liability insurance really cost? And is it cheaper just to pay out of pocket?

Let’s talk numbers.

Average Annual Premium for a Small Business:

Small businesses can expect to pay about $500–$1,000 in annual premiums for this type of insurance. Low-risk businesses, such as consulting firms or tutoring services, might even pay as little as $20 a month.

Ultimately, the cost of your premium will depend on the type of business you run and where you’re located. Getting quotes will help you get a better idea of what you will pay.

Average Cost of a Single Claim:

The cost of a claim depends greatly on the circumstances involved.

A general liability claim can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000. This single claim can cost significantly more than your annual liability insurance’s premium.

Why Smaller Businesses Need Liability the Most

Some business owners, particularly new ones, think they’re too little for liability insurance. The truth is, they could benefit from it more than an established business. This is because small businesses have limited financial resources to turn to when something strikes.

They also tend to have high employee turnover, fluctuating cash inflow, and have a higher impact of mistakes.

One incident can quickly wipe out a bank account. And then some. In cases where a business’ bank account can’t cover an accident, and there’s no insurance to turn to, the owner often pays out of pocket from their personal account.

In most cases, general liability isn’t required. Nonetheless, it’s still a highly recommended solution for small businesses and startups to have as a means of protection.

Insurance Does More Than Just Save You Money

Saving your business from financially collapsing due to a workplace mistake is important. It’s equally as important to keep your reputation up.

Liability insurance can do both. It covers what would have been your expense. At the same time, it proves professionalism on your part, avoids media attention, and limits bad customer reviews or negative social media posts.

By doing the latter, it’s clear that liability insurance is more than just a financial protection but also a protector of your reputation.

Growing Your Business with Liability Insurance

Did you know that having liability insurance can give your small business the potential to grow? It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s true.

Here’s how:

Clients Often Want You Insured

Having liability coverage is crucial if you want to work with certain clients, especially the clients who pay the best. These may include event organizers, medical clients, government agencies, tech companies, and construction clients.

Lenders May Even Require it

Getting financing is often an important step for business owners. This is true whether they’re just starting out or looking to expand.

Lenders may require you to have coverage if you want to finance things like vehicles or commercial equipment.

It Gives You the Confidence to Take on Risky Jobs

Without risk, there’s no reward, as they often say. With liability insurance, however, business owners can enjoy the reward while being protected from the risks of certain jobs.

When you take on higher risk jobs, you have the potential to boost your revenue and expand faster in the world of business.

It Helps You Avoid Price Increases

The more a business has to pay out of pocket, the more likely they will have to increase the costs of their products or services to make up for the loss. Not raising their prices could otherwise result in their business closing its doors.

In the end, liability insurance can help keep you in business, all while giving you room to expand.

Helping Your Team Prep for Filing a Claim

Employees don’t typically know how to respond when a claim needs to be filed. Educating them on the basics can make a world of difference.

Here are some tips:

1. Guide staff on what to do when things go wrong

Teach your team members to stay calm when an incident occurs. Show them how to secure the area and properly respond to the customer(s) involved. Let them know they also need to contact you right away.

2. Briefly document what happened

You don’t need an essay of what happened. Even a bullet list of the situation, when it occurred, the witnesses involved, and the damage that took place can be useful when filing a claim.

3. Keep things factual, not emotional

Focus on who, what, when, and where. Keep your language and tone neutral, professional, and free from opinion or blame.

4. Don’t wait to contact your insurance company

Waiting too long to contact your insurer can result in a denied or reduced claim. It can also complicate the investigative process.

Employee Mistakes are Becoming More Expensive

Not only are employee mistakes becoming more common, but they’re also getting more expensive. This is true regardless of the industry you work in.

Commercial liability insurance can give you extra peace of mind when it comes to inevitable, unexpected mistakes. It helps protect you legally and financially while also protecting your reputation, preserving the viability of your business, and even encouraging expansion.

Five Key Takeaways

1. There’s more than what meets the eye with employee mistakes, including hidden expenses.
2. A commercial injury policy can protect from costly expenses, like legal fees.
3. An insurance premium can be more affordable than a single claim.
4. Workplace mistakes are becoming more common today.
5. Insurance doesn’t hold small businesses back; it helps them grow.

How USA Business Insurance Can Help

Here at USA Business Insurance, we work with numerous small businesses like yours, including those in the trades.

We offer nationwide commercial liability insurance with affordable pricing and realistic policies to suit business owners across different industries.

Contact us today to get quotes for policies most relevant for your needs.

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