Does general liability cover a product after you ship it?
A CGL policy can include products-liability and completed-operations terms for bodily injury or property damage arising from goods or finished work. Your declared products, exclusions, and aggregate limits determine the scope to check before shipping.[1]
Ask the broker to identify your product, completed installation work, territories, and relevant exclusions in the proposed terms. The general-liability label by itself does not establish that every product or activity is covered.[1]
Do not assume products liability pays to repair your own product or fund a recall. Ask separately whether any recall expense form is available and what costs, triggers, and exclusions it includes.[1]
Read the Industrials Insurance Buying Guide
Sources and Further Reading
- Commercial Insurance Guide — California Department of Insurance. Commercial Insurance Guide, revised June 14, 2024: purchasing coverage, commercial property, inland marine, boiler and machinery, commercial general liability, and workers compensation.
California guidance on broker exposure review, commercial property, inland marine, equipment breakdown, general liability, commercial auto, umbrella, and workers compensation.
- Hazardous Waste Generator Regulatory Summary — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Introduction; Summary Table, monthly quantity categories and state regulatory agency note.
EPA summary of federal hazardous-waste generator volume categories and state variation, relevant if your process may generate hazardous waste.
Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this guide and works in the commercial insurance market. This is general buyer education; policy terms and state-specific obligations determine coverage and requirements.
Updated 2026-09-28. Editorial Policy
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