A Wyoming Business Owner’s Guide to General Liability Insurance

Introduction

Owning a business in Wyoming takes dedication and hard work. Whether you run a gas station in Cheyenne, a trucking company in Casper, or a small shop in Laramie, you spend your days focused on serving your customers and keeping things running smoothly. But even when you do everything right, accidents can happen.

What if a customer slips and gets hurt inside your store? What if one of your workers accidentally damages a client’s property? These situations can lead to expensive bills or even lawsuits—and without the right protection, your business could be left to pay those costs.

This is where general liability insurance comes in. This important type of coverage helps protect your business from common risks like injuries and property damage. In this guide, you’ll learn what general liability insurance is, why it’s important for Wyoming business owners, what it covers (and what it doesn’t), how much it might cost, and how Kelstar Insurance can help you find the right coverage for your needs.

Key Takeaways: 

1. General Liability Insurance Protects Against Common Business Risks
   
   

   • Covers third-party bodily injuries, property damage, and certain legal claims like slander or copyright infringement.
     
     

   • Helps pay for medical bills, repairs, legal fees, and court-ordered settlements.
     
     

2. Wyoming Businesses Face Unique Liability Challenges
   
   

   • Harsh weather, remote job sites, heavy equipment use, and high public interaction increase risk.
     
     

   • Contractors, gas stations, trucking companies, retailers, and hospitality businesses especially benefit from this coverage.
     
     

3. Some Clients and Landlords May Require Proof of Insurance
   
   

   • Certificates of Insurance (COIs) are often needed to secure contracts, leases, or licenses.
     
     

   • Many government bids and large projects require businesses to show active liability coverage.
     
     

4. The Right Coverage Amount Depends on Your Business Type and Risk Level
   
   

   • Typical coverage is $1 million per claim and $2 million total per year for small to mid-size businesses.
     
     

   • Higher-risk industries may need larger limits or umbrella policies for added protection.
     
     

5. General Liability Insurance Does Not Cover Everything
   
   

   • Excludes employee injuries (requires Workers’ Compensation).
     
     

   • Does not cover your business-owned property (needs Commercial Property insurance).
     
     

   • Vehicle accidents and professional errors require separate policies (Commercial Auto and Errors & Omissions).
     
     

6. Insurance Costs Depend on Your Business Operations
   
   

   • Prices range from $350 per year for low-risk businesses to $5,000+ for high-risk industries.
     
     

   • Factors like business type, revenue, payroll, claims history, and coverage limits all affect pricing.
     
     

7. Smart Policy Selection Requires Asking the Right Questions
   
   

   • Check if legal fees are inside or outside coverage limits.
     
     

   • Confirm subcontractor coverage and potential exclusions.
     
     

   • Ensure quick access to COIs for job bids or contract needs.
     
     

8. Kelstar Insurance Helps Wyoming Businesses Find the Right Coverage
   
   

   • Offers personalized guidance and policy options from over 50 insurance carriers.
     
     

   • Supports business owners with fast COIs, clear answers, and reliable service.

What Is General Liability Insurance?

General liability insurance is a policy that helps cover costs when your business is blamed for causing injury to someone or damaging their property. It also covers certain legal claims, like someone saying your advertising harmed their business.

For example, imagine a customer visiting your shop on a rainy day. They slip on the wet floor, fall, and break their arm. They might ask you to pay for their medical bills—or even take you to court. General liability insurance can help cover these kinds of costs, so your business doesn’t have to pay them all on its own.

What This Insurance Covers:

• Medical bills if a customer or visitor gets hurt at your business.
  
  

• Repairs or replacement if your business damages someone else’s property.
  
  

• Legal claims like slander, libel, or using someone else’s ideas in your advertising.
  
  

• Lawyer fees and court costs for covered claims.
  
  

What This Insurance Doesn’t Cover:

• Injuries to your employees (covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance).
  
  

• Damage to your own business property.
  
  

• Mistakes made while giving advice or professional services (covered by Errors & Omissions insurance).
  
  

• Accidents involving your business vehicles (covered by Commercial Auto insurance).
  
  

Why Wyoming Business Owners Need General Liability Insurance

Running a business in Wyoming means facing certain risks every day. Weather can be rough, job sites may be remote, and equipment problems can happen at any time. These risks aren’t just for big companies—they can affect any business, large or small.

Here’s an example: A contractor is working on a commercial building in Gillette. One of the workers drops a tool, which breaks a parked car’s window. Without insurance, the contractor might have to pay for the damage out of pocket. But with general liability insurance, the policy can help cover these costs.

Some types of businesses that benefit from this coverage include:

• Construction companies and contractors.
  
  

• Gas stations and convenience stores.
  
  

• Trucking and delivery services.
  
  

• Retail shops and restaurants.
  
  

Having general liability insurance is one of the best ways to help protect your business from unexpected problems that could lead to big financial losses.

What General Liability Insurance Covers

This insurance helps cover many common risks that businesses face. Understanding what is included helps you know how your business is protected.

1. Injuries to Others (Bodily Injury)

If someone who doesn’t work for you gets hurt because of your business activities, this part of the policy helps pay for their medical care and related costs.

Example: A delivery person trips over a box left on the floor in your store. They break their wrist and file a claim for medical expenses. Your policy can help cover these costs.

2. Damage to Someone Else’s Property

If your business accidentally damages another person’s property, this part helps pay for repairs or replacement.

Example: A roofing company accidentally breaks a skylight while working on a building. The policy can help cover the cost of fixing it.

3. Personal and Advertising Injury

This part covers claims like slander, libel, copyright infringement, or wrongful use of someone else’s advertising materials.

Example: Your business uses a photo in an ad without getting permission from the photographer, who then sues your business. General liability insurance can help with the lawsuit.

4. Medical Payments

This section helps pay for small medical costs right away—even if your business wasn’t at fault. These quick payments can often prevent larger legal claims.

5. Legal Defense Costs

If someone sues your business for a covered reason, this part of the insurance helps pay for attorney fees, court expenses, and any settlements or judgments, up to the policy limits.

When Wyoming Businesses Might Need General Liability Insurance

While Wyoming law doesn’t always require general liability insurance, many businesses still need it. Often, landlords, licensing boards, or clients will ask you to show proof of insurance before you can work with them.

Common Situations Where Insurance Is Required:

• Renting commercial spaces like stores, offices, or warehouses.
  
  

• Getting a contractor’s license.
  
  

• Bidding on big jobs, including government contracts.
  
  

• Selling goods or services at public events, fairs, or markets.
  
  

In these situations, people may ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI), which proves you have an active policy. Kelstar Insurance helps businesses get COIs quickly, so you won’t miss out on jobs or opportunities.

How Much Coverage Does Your Business Need?

The right amount of coverage depends on the kind of work your business does and the risks involved. Some businesses only need basic coverage, while others need higher limits because their work carries more risk.

What Affects How Much Coverage You Should Get:

• The type of work your business does.
  
  

• How many employees you have.
  
  

• How much money your business makes each year.
  
  

• The amount of work you do on other people’s property.
  
  

• What your customers or contracts require.
  
  

Common Coverage Amounts

• Many small businesses in Wyoming choose $1 million per claim and $2 million total for the year.
  
  

• High-risk businesses like construction or trucking may need higher limits or extra protection through an umbrella policy.
  
  

Kelstar Insurance works with business owners to figure out the right amount of coverage based on your business needs and contract requirements.

What General Liability Insurance Does Not Cover

It’s important to know what this insurance doesn’t cover so you can make sure your business is fully protected. Other types of insurance may be needed to fill these gaps.

Things Not Covered by General Liability Insurance:

• Employee Injuries: Covered by Workers’ Compensation insurance.
  
  

• Damage to Your Own Property: Covered by Commercial Property insurance.
  
  

• Professional Mistakes: Covered by Errors & Omissions insurance.
  
  

• Vehicle Accidents: Covered by Commercial Auto insurance.
  
  

For example, if your business truck gets into an accident, general liability insurance won’t cover the damages. You would need a separate Commercial Auto policy for that situation.

Kelstar Insurance can help you combine these policies so your business has complete protection.

How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost in Wyoming?

The cost of general liability insurance depends on the size of your business, what you do, and how risky your work is. Other factors like your claims history and how much coverage you choose also affect the price.

What Can Affect the Cost:

• Your type of business and the services you offer.
  
  

• Your yearly revenue and payroll.
  
  

• How many people work for you.
  
  

• Whether you’ve had past insurance claims.
  
  

• The coverage limits and deductible you select.
  
  

Average Price Ranges in Wyoming:

• Low-risk businesses like consultants: $350–$750 per year.
  
  

• Medium-risk businesses like retailers and small contractors: $750–$2,000 per year.
  
  

• High-risk industries like construction or trucking: $2,000–$5,000 or more per year.
  
  

Kelstar Insurance works with more than 50 insurance companies to help you find the right policy at a fair price.

Smart Questions to Ask Before Buying a Policy

Before you choose your insurance plan, it’s important to ask the right questions. These questions will help you understand what you’re buying and how it protects your business.

Helpful Questions to Ask:

• Are lawyer fees paid separately from my policy limits?
  
  

• Does my policy cover subcontractors?
  
  

• Are there any limits or rules that could affect my type of work?
  
  

• How quickly can I get a Certificate of Insurance when I need one?
  
  

The team at Kelstar Insurance takes time to answer these questions clearly so you can feel confident in your choice.

Conclusion

Running a business in Wyoming takes hard work and smart planning. You put in the time and effort to serve your customers and grow your company. But sometimes, accidents or unexpected problems happen—even when you’ve done everything right.

General liability insurance helps protect your business from the costs of these situations. Whether it’s a customer who gets hurt or damage to someone else’s property, the right insurance can help cover the bills so your business doesn’t have to.

Kelstar Insurance is here to help you find the right coverage for your Wyoming business.
Visit https://www.kelstarinsurance.com/contact/
Or call us at 307-316-8240 to and get started on protecting the business you’ve worked hard to build.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Liability Insurance for Wyoming Business Owners

1. What is general liability insurance, and why do I need it for my Wyoming business?

General liability insurance helps protect your business if someone claims that your work caused bodily injury, property damage, or personal/advertising injury. In Wyoming, where many businesses operate in industries like construction, transportation, and retail, these risks are common. This coverage helps pay for medical bills, legal fees, and repair costs if your business is found responsible for an accident or damage.

2. Is general liability insurance required by law in Wyoming?

General liability insurance is not always required by state law. However, many landlords, clients, licensing agencies, and project contracts will require you to have this coverage before they agree to work with you. Having insurance also shows that your business is responsible and prepared.

3. What does general liability insurance cover?

This policy covers several important areas, including:

• Bodily injuries to third parties (like customers or visitors).
  
  

• Property damage caused by your business activities.
  
  

• Personal and advertising injury (such as slander, libel, or copyright infringement).
  
  

• Medical payments for minor injuries.
  
  

• Legal defense costs, including attorney fees and court expenses.
  
  

4. What is not covered by general liability insurance?

General liability insurance does not cover:

• Injuries to your employees (covered by Workers’ Compensation).
  
  

• Damage to your business-owned property (requires Commercial Property insurance).
  
  

• Accidents involving company vehicles (requires Commercial Auto insurance).
  
  

• Errors, mistakes, or advice-related claims (requires Errors & Omissions insurance).
  
  

5. How much general liability coverage does my Wyoming business need?

The amount of coverage you need depends on the type of work you do, the size of your business, and your contract requirements. Many small businesses in Wyoming choose $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Higher-risk industries like construction or oilfield services may need higher limits or umbrella policies for extra protection.

6. How much does general liability insurance cost in Wyoming?

The cost of general liability insurance can range from $350 to $5,000 or more per year, depending on:

• The type of business you operate.
  
  

• Your annual revenue and payroll.
  
  

• Number of employees.
  
  

• Claims history.
  
  

• Coverage limits and deductibles.
  
  

Kelstar Insurance works with over 50 carriers to help you find the best coverage at a fair price.

7. What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI), and why might I need one?

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document that proves your business has active insurance coverage. Many clients, landlords, or project owners will ask for a COI before allowing you to start work. It gives them confidence that your business can handle claims if something goes wrong.

8. Does general liability insurance cover subcontractors working for my business?

Some general liability policies may cover subcontractors, but not all do automatically. You should always confirm with your insurance agent whether your policy includes subcontractor coverage or if you need to require your subcontractors to carry their own insurance.

9. How fast can I get a Certificate of Insurance from Kelstar Insurance?

Kelstar Insurance provides fast and reliable service, including quick turnaround for Certificates of Insurance. In many cases, you can receive your COI the same day, helping you stay on schedule with projects or lease agreements.

10. Why should I work with Kelstar Insurance for my general liability coverage?

Kelstar Insurance is an independent agency with strong local knowledge of Wyoming industries. We work with more than 50 insurance carriers, allowing us to find coverage that fits your business—not a one-size-fits-all solution. Our team provides personal service, expert advice, and quick support when you need it.

This article has been a collaboration between Kelstar Insurance and OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Created on April 28, 2025, it combines AI-generated draft material with Kelstar Insurance's expert revision and oversight, ensuring accuracy and relevance while addressing any AI limitations.