What is Product Liability Insurance?

If your company manufactures or sells any kind of product, it is strongly recommended that you have some form of liability coverage. Even products that are widely regarded as ‘safe’ can malfunction in a way that causes harm to the user, and defending against a lawsuit is usually expensive enough that many companies (and claimants) prefer to simply settle out of court. Product liability insurance can reimburse you for expenses (including defense costs and settlements) that occurred during this process.

Product liability cases that go to court are among the most expensive forms of personal injury cases, and as of 2013 these cases had an average payout of more than $6 million. All companies that obtain this type of coverage are encouraged to have a policy limit higher than the median payout—anything less makes it likely that your company will suffer significant losses if a jury decides against you.

Don’t forget to talk to your agent on a regular basis as your business continues to grow. Larger businesses often face larger risks than smaller ones (including, among other things, increased exposure as a result of having more customers who could potentially file a lawsuit). A plan that suffices for a small company may not be enough to protect a large one.