General liability insurance for printers and copiers

General liability insurance is often the first policy that print shops and copy centers purchase. If an accident happens at your business, a customer could hold you responsible for an injury or damaged property. If the customer decides to sue, this policy can help pay for your legal defense and other related costs.

This policy provides liability coverage related to:

• Customer injuries at your shop
• Customer property damage
• Libel, slander, or copyright infringement

If you run a small printing or copying business, you may be able to bundle general liability insurance with commercial property insurance in a business owner’s policy. A BOP usually costs less than purchasing each policy separately.

Print shops and copy centers that are eligible for a BOP typically:

• Have fewer than 100 employees
• Have a small office or workplace
• Make less than $1 million in annual revenue
• Operate in a low-risk industry
• Need less than 12 months of business interruption insurance

Talk to a licensed Insureon agent to find out if a BOP fits your business.

If a customer or delivery person slips and falls at your shop, there’s a chance you could be blamed for the injury. If the person sues, you could end up paying for medical expenses – plus the cost of hiring a lawyer. General liability insurance covers:

• Medical bills
• Attorney’s fees
• Court-ordered judgments
• Funeral expenses in fatal incidents

This policy does not cover employee injuries. For that, you’ll need to purchase workers’ compensation insurance.

Accidents can be costly for a small shop with limited resources. General liability insurance safeguards you when customer property is damaged. For example, if a copy center employee drops a customer’s laptop, your general liability policy could cover the cost of repair or replacement. It also covers legal fees if the customer takes you to court.

While advertising your print or copy shop and its services, it’s possible to inadvertently copy a competitor’s slogan or mimic another advertising campaign. Accidental advertising injuries are covered by general liability insurance, including:

• Defamation, both libel (written) and slander (spoken)
• Copyright infringement

If you unwittingly use an unauthorized logo or don’t have the proper release for photos, this policy could protect your business in court.

While general liability insurance covers many common risks, it does not offer complete protection. Employee injuries or damage to business property can occur at any printing or copying business. Other printer insurance policies to consider include:

Workers’ compensation insurance: Required in almost every state for print shops and copy centers that have employees, workers’ comp can cover medical bills for work injuries and illnesses.

Business owner’s policy (BOP): This policy combines general liability insurance with commercial property insurance, usually at a lower rate than if the policies were purchased separately.

Errors and omissions insurance (E&O): Also called professional liability insurance, this policy can cover legal fees of lawsuits related to your printing or copying performance.

Cyber liability insurance: This policy helps pay for expenses related to a data breach or cyberattack, such as the cost of notifying affected customers.

Commercial auto insurance: Most states require this coverage for business-owned vehicles. It helps cover the cost of auto accidents and vehicle damage.