Insurance for Product Liability
Product Liability Insurance provides solid protection for your business relating to manufacturing or selling products, foods, medicines or other items to the public. It is typically found under the Products-Completed Operations Insurance extension as part of the Commercial General Liability (CGL) Policy.
This coverage protects against liabilities for losses due to injuries caused by malfunctions or manufacturing defects in the products your business sells. This includes design defects or a failure to warn consumers about the dangers of using a product.
What Is Product Liability Insurance?
Product liability insurance is a crucial business insurance that protects a business owner against product liability claims and product liability lawsuits arising from the products your business manufactures, sells, or distributes. Some businesses that can benefit from product liability insurance include:
- Manufacturers
- Food & Beverage Manufacturing
- Retailers
- Restaurants
- Nutritionists
- Dietitians
- Warehouses
- Furniture Stores
- Glass Distributors
- Amazon, Wayfair, Etsty etc. retailers
Damages covered usually arise from defects such as a design defect or the incorrect labelling of the products. Product liability insurance helps your business cover legal fees, court costs, medical bills, and settlement rewards.
Real Claims Scenarios | How Product Liability Insurance Coverage Helps
Here are three examples of common situations that product liability insurance coverage is designed to respond to:
- Manufacturing or production flaws that cause unreasonably unsafe defects in the product. For instance, there may be traces of dangerous chemicals in your product, which could be toxic to those using it.
- Design defects that make the product unsafe for use by the public.
- Failure to provide adequate defect warnings or instructions for using the product. These claims arise when products are not properly labelled or have warnings that are not explanatory enough to reduce consumer risks while using the product.
Depending on the outcome of the case, money may be awarded to the party that filed the claim for compensatory loss (including medical costs, economic damages and attorney’s fees) or punitive damages (designed to deter the defendant from repeating the action that caused the damage). At times, these serious product liability insurance claims have and can put organizations out of business because the awarded damages are so large.
Regardless of the outcome, your business will incur significant legal expenses defending a product liability claim.
It’s important to know that your product liability insurance coverage will also cover defence costs.
What Does Product Liability Insurance Cover?
Product liability insurance only covers third-party bodily injury or property damage arising from the products you sell, manufacture, or distribute. This includes a defective product that causes someone to be injured, suffer an illness, or have damages to their belongings.
What Is Not Covered By Product Liability Insurance?
Product liability insurance only covers liability claims and lawsuits arising from a third-party injury or property damage incident because of the product you sell or manufacture. It doesn’t cover any damages your employees incur or other damages to a third party unrelated to the product you sell and manufacture.
For example, if customers suffer an allergic reaction from a vitamin you sell, product liability insurance covers the costs related to the bodily injury. However, if a customer suffers a slip-and-fall accident on your premises, product liability insurance doesn’t cover the medical expenses and settlement awards.
Product liability insurance also doesn’t cover claims associated with negligence or failure to provide the service as promised.
How Much Does Product Liability Insurance Cost?
It depends on the type of product liability coverage you have and how much coverage you have. A comprehensive product liability insurance policy will be more expensive than a basic package. You might also pay more for professional liability insurance if your business is bigger. It’s important to know that a commercial general liability insurance policy might not always include product liability insurance, so checking with your insurance company first is essential.
Factors that impact insurance costs include:
- The scope and type of products you sell
- Your business location
- Location of the customer you are selling to
- Annual and projected revenue
- Years of experience
- Historical insurance claims
- Your deductible
Why Purchase Product Liability Insurance?
Even if you do not physically manufacture a product, you may be at risk for litigation and need product liability insurance. The actual manufacturer is not the only party that can be held liable for product flaws, defects, and failures; retailers and wholesalers can also be found negligent. The logic here is that there is a stream of commerce that a product goes through from its inception to the hands of the consumer. If your organization had any part in that stream, you can be held liable for any problems.
The Basics of Product Liability Insurance Coverage
- Generally, there is a limited and aggregate amount of product liability insurance protection under a typical commercial general liability insurance policy. Yet, there may not be enough professional liability coverage to protect your business adequately. It is wise to discuss your exposure and product liability insurance limits and coverage in-depth with an ALIGNED Advocate.
- Product liability insurance premiums are based on the type of products sold, the volume of sales, where the products are sold, and your organization’s role in the stream of commerce.
- Properly disclosing all products sold to your insurer through your broker will ensure adequate product liability insurance protection at a fair price.
Limiting Product Liability Risk
Organizations should consider implementing these techniques to limit product liability risk:
- Develop a quality control program and distribute it to your employees. It should outline procedures for product safety, design, testing and inspection. It should also include information regarding traceability, guidance regarding customer complaints and a product recall program.
- Place serial or batch numbers on all products to ensure that they are traceable in case of a recall.
- Keep records of all information about your products, including testing, product performance, component percentages and complaints.
- Ask a legal professional to review warning labels, assembly and operating instructions, disclaimers and any other information distributed to consumers. If you need additional assistance, consult a product safety specialist.
- Ask a legal professional to periodically review contracts and hold-harmless agreements for use with your customers and subcontractors. Ensure that these contracts limit your liability for a quality product. Also, consider obtaining certificates that evidence product liability insurance is carried by suppliers of components, parts and/or finished goods is recommended.
We Are Here To Help You Get The Best Product Liability Insurance in Canada
Risk happens when you least expect it. This is why if you are in the manufacturing, wholesale, distributing and/or retailing industries of any/all products, you need product liability insurance that will deliver.
Across Canada, ALIGNED Insurance brokers know the product liability insurance marketplace. We work with more than 65 of the top insurance companies in Canada to get you access to the best options for your business. Contact us to help you find the best value and options for product liability insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can product liability insurance benefit small businesses?
Product liability insurance protects small businesses from financial devastation due to product-related claims. It covers legal fees, medical costs, and damages, allowing small businesses to continue operations without facing bankruptcy.
How does product liability insurance interact with other types of insurance?
Product liability insurance complements commercial general liability (CGL) policies by covering product-specific risks not typically included in CGL. It ensures comprehensive protection for product-related incidents.
What factors influence the cost of product liability insurance?
The cost is influenced by the type of products sold, business location, annual revenue, years of experience, historical claims, and the chosen deductible. Businesses with higher risks or a history of claims might pay more.
What are some specific industries in Canada that need product liability insurance?
Notable at-risk industries include:
- Baby Product Manufacturers: Despite commitments to health and safety, companies are liable for accidents or injuries, even if they didn’t directly cause the defect. Baby product liability insurance covers legal costs associated with lawsuits.
- Pet Product Manufacturers: This includes pet food, medications, toys, and comfort products. Companies may be held liable for defects or inadequate warnings, and pet product liability insurance helps manage these risks.
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