General Liability vs. BOP: Which Does Your Business Need?

Confused about general liability vs. a business owner's policy? Learn the key differences and which one is right for your business.

Coverage Explained | 4 min read | 2026-02-01

Two of the most common commercial policies — and most business owners don't know the difference. Here's what each covers, what it doesn't, and when you need both.

General liability (GL) is the foundation of commercial insurance. It covers third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal/advertising injury. If a customer slips in your store, if your work damages someone's property, or if you're sued for slander — GL responds.

In This Article

• What General Liability Covers
• What a BOP Covers
• When GL Alone Is Enough
• When You Need a BOP
• The Bottom Line

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