Liability Insurance in South Carolina: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re a business owner in South Carolina, you know that the state has strict laws when it comes to liability insurance. Liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects you and your business from financial loss if someone is injured or suffers damage due to your business activities. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about liability insurance in South Carolina.

What Is Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance is insurance that covers you if you’re held responsible for damages or injuries that someone else incurs. This can include property damage, bodily injury, or any other type of harm. Liability insurance can help protect you from financial loss if you’re sued as a result of your business activities. There are different types of liability insurance policies that you can purchase, depending on the size and nature of your business.

Types of Liability Insurance

There are several types of liability insurance that are available to business owners:

Type of Liability Insurance
Description
General Liability Insurance
Covers bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury claims against your business.
Professional Liability Insurance
Covers claims of professional negligence and errors and omissions against your business.
Product Liability Insurance
Covers claims of injury or damage caused by a product your business produces or sells.

It’s important to choose the right type of liability insurance policy for your business. This will depend on the type of business you have, the services or products you provide, and the level of risk associated with your operations.

Liability Insurance Requirements in South Carolina

South Carolina law requires businesses to have liability insurance to protect against claims of bodily injury or property damage. The amount of coverage you need will depend on the type of business you have and the level of risk associated with your operations.

Minimum Coverage Requirements

In South Carolina, the minimum liability insurance coverage required for businesses is:

Type of Business
Minimum Coverage Required
Automobile Dealers
Minimum of $50,000 per occurrence and $100,000 aggregate
Contractors
Minimum of $500,000
Health Care Providers
Minimum of $200,000 per occurrence
Liquor Liability
Minimum of $1,000,000
Manufacturers
Minimum of $1,000,000
Nursing Homes
Minimum of $1,000,000
Transportation Companies
Minimum of $1,000,000

If your business operates in a high-risk industry or you have more assets to protect, you may want to consider purchasing additional liability insurance coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need liability insurance?

Liability insurance can help protect you from financial loss if you’re sued as a result of your business activities. Without liability insurance, you could be personally responsible for any damages or injuries that someone incurs as a result of your business operations.

What does liability insurance cover?

Liability insurance can cover claims of bodily injury, property damage, and advertising injury against your business. The specific coverage will depend on the type of liability insurance policy you purchase.

How much liability insurance do I need?

The amount of liability insurance you need will depend on the type of business you have and the level of risk associated with your operations. South Carolina law requires businesses to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage, but you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage if you have more assets to protect or operate in a high-risk industry.

How do I purchase liability insurance?

You can purchase liability insurance from an insurance agent or broker. You’ll need to provide information about your business and the type of coverage you need. The cost of liability insurance will depend on the type of policy you purchase, the amount of coverage you need, and the level of risk associated with your operations.

What should I look for in a liability insurance policy?

When purchasing liability insurance, it’s important to consider the following:

  • The type of coverage provided
  • The amount of coverage provided
  • The cost of the policy
  • The level of risk associated with your operations
  • The financial stability of the insurance company

Conclusion

Liability insurance is an important way to protect your business from financial loss if someone is injured or suffers damages as a result of your business operations. South Carolina law requires businesses to have a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage, but you may want to consider purchasing additional coverage if you operate in a high-risk industry or have more assets to protect. By understanding the different types of liability insurance policies available and the minimum coverage requirements in South Carolina, you can make an informed decision about the right liability insurance policy for your business.