Does general liability cover mistakes in my software?

No. General liability responds to bodily injury and damage to other people's property. A customer's financial loss from your product or service failing is what tech E&O exists for.

When does an AI or robotics startup need general liability?

Usually at your first office lease, customer contract, or on-site visit. Landlords and site owners ask for a certificate of insurance before you sign or set foot on their property.

Does it cover damage my robot causes at a customer site?

Damage your operations cause to property you don't own is the kind of claim this line is built for. What a specific policy actually pays is set by the carrier's wording, so the exclusions get read before you rely on it.

What limits do contracts usually require?

One million dollars per occurrence and two million aggregate is the most common contract ask. When a contract demands more, the extra limit usually comes from an umbrella policy rather than a larger primary.

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Coverage line

General Liability

Covers injuries at your business location or damage your work causes to someone else's property.

What it typically covers

Bodily injury to people outside your company
Damage your operations cause to property you don't own
Legal defense for covered claims, even weak ones
Personal and advertising injury, such as alleged defamation

A claim it answers

Your field engineer is installing a unit at a customer site and a falling bracket damages the customer's equipment. The customer bills you for the repair.

Where it fits

Nearly every operating business carries it, and most customer contracts, landlords, and site owners require proof of it before you can work.

Common questions

Does general liability cover mistakes in my software?: No. General liability responds to bodily injury and damage to other people's property. A customer's financial loss from your product or service failing is what tech E&O exists for.
When does an AI or robotics startup need general liability?: Usually at your first office lease, customer contract, or on-site visit. Landlords and site owners ask for a certificate of insurance before you sign or set foot on their property.
Does it cover damage my robot causes at a customer site?: Damage your operations cause to property you don't own is the kind of claim this line is built for. What a specific policy actually pays is set by the carrier's wording, so the exclusions get read before you rely on it.
What limits do contracts usually require?: One million dollars per occurrence and two million aggregate is the most common contract ask. When a contract demands more, the extra limit usually comes from an umbrella policy rather than a larger primary.

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Injuries and third-party property damage.

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This page describes a line of coverage in general terms. It is not an offer of insurance and not evidence of coverage. Carrier appetite, policy wording, licensing, and availability govern every quote and every claim.