General Liability Insurance in Texas
Business liability coverage for Texas small businesses, contractors and trades: customer injuries, damage to someone else's property and advertising injury claims. Plus what your license, lease or contract may require.
En español: seguro de responsabilidad general para negocios en Texas
Quick Answer: Does A-LA Write General Liability in Texas?
Yes. A-LA writes general liability insurance for Texas small businesses. No single state law requires every business to carry it, but many Texas licenses, leases and client contracts do; TDLR, for example, requires it for licensed electrical and A/C contractors. General liability covers third-party bodily injury, property damage and personal and advertising injury claims. It does not cover your vehicles; that is commercial auto. An A-LA agent compares the options available for your operation and quotes by phone; eligibility depends on your type of business and history.
Call (866) 252-6116 for a quote, or contact an agent.
What General Liability Covers
The Texas Department of Insurance describes commercial general liability as protection against claims of liability for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury. In plain terms:
Bodily injury
A customer slips in your shop, or someone is hurt by your work at a job site, and claims you are responsible.
Property damage
Your crew damages a client's floor, wall or equipment while working on site.
Personal and advertising injury
Claims such as slander or false advertising arising from your business.
Premises and operations
Injury or damage that happens on your premises or as a result of your business operations.
Products and completed operations
Injury or damage away from your premises caused by a product you sold or work you finished.
Certificates of insurance
Proof of coverage for landlords, general contractors and licensing agencies, issued once your policy is active.
Is General Liability Required in Texas?
Not for every business. In Texas the requirement usually comes from a license, a lease or a contract. Two examples from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which requires A/C contractors to keep the coverage in force while the license is active and sets minimums for electrical contractors:
| TDLR license | Per occurrence | Aggregate | Products and completed operations aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/C and refrigeration contractor, Class A | $300,000 | $600,000 | $300,000 |
| A/C and refrigeration contractor, Class B | $100,000 | $200,000 | $100,000 |
| Electrical contractor | $300,000 | $600,000 | $300,000 |
Per occurrence and aggregate limits are for bodily injury and property damage combined. Source: TDLR license application pages. Other trades, cities, landlords and clients set their own requirements, so check yours.
- Leases. Commercial landlords commonly require tenants to carry liability coverage and name the landlord on a certificate.
- Client contracts. General contractors, property managers and larger customers often ask for a certificate with specific limits before you start work.
- Peace of mind. Even when no one requires it, defending a single injury claim can cost more than a small business can absorb.
What General Liability Does Not Cover
Your vehicles
General liability is not auto insurance. Accidents in a truck, van or car your business owns or uses are insured on a commercial auto policy.
Your employees' injuries
That is workers' compensation. In Texas, private employers can choose whether to provide it. Coverage generally limits an employer's liability if an injured employee sues; employers who opt out don't get that protection and lose certain common-law defenses in injury lawsuits.
Bond obligations
A license or contract bond is a guarantee, not insurance for your business. If you need one, see surety bonds in Texas.
Ask whether your policy is occurrence or claims-made. TDI explains that occurrence policies cover injury or damage that happened while the policy was in force, while claims-made policies require the claim to be reported during the policy period too. Every policy also has exclusions, so read yours with your agent.
What to Have Ready for a Quote
- Business basics: name, structure (sole owner, LLC, corporation) and years in business.
- What you do, and where: your own location, customer sites or both.
- Size: number of employees and an estimate of annual revenue or payroll.
- Required limits from any license, lease or contract, and who must be named on the certificate.
- Claims history and any current or prior policy.
General Liability Insurance FAQ
Still have a question? Call (866) 252-6116 or contact us.
Related Coverage for Texas Businesses
Reviewed by the A-LA Auto Insurance editorial team · Last updated October 2026. Sources: Texas Department of Insurance commercial general liability guide, workers' compensation non-subscriber guidance and workers' compensation employer page; TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration and electrical contractor license pages. Coverage varies by policy.
Get Your Business Covered
Tell us what your business does and what your license, lease or contracts require, and an A-LA agent will walk you through the options by phone.