Insurance is defined as, “a thing providing protection against a possible eventuality.” Liability insurance protects individuals and companies against the possible eventuality of having legal charges levied against them and held lawfully responsible for things such as malpractice, injury, negligence or mismanagement.

Liability insurance will not provide cover for an intentional violation of agreements or contracts and deliberate damages caused by the insured party. This type of insurance policy usually includes legal costs, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, and settlements for the insured, that is, the person or organization covered by a liability insurance policy.

Imperative for many professions, a liability insurance policy is especially beneficial for those who are purposely involved in activities that endanger others. Although there is no planned motivation to cause injury or loss, the relative probability of some harm happening because of their line of work is quite high. Medical practitioners, product manufacturers, and most types of business entrepreneurs are some of the people who need liability insurance policies.

Any manufacturing industry or commercial business could cause physical harm to people or damage properties belonging to the public, owing to their wide range of business activities. For instance, a restaurant in a mall frequented by many people could have accidents in their kitchen that could physically impair their employees or the public. Or, a taxi driven by a company-hired driver could injure a pedestrian. In both these cases, liability insurance would cover the legal costs involved in defending the insured, and if found guilty, it would enable the company to pay compensation to a third party for the accident.

Liability insurance is of paramount importance as a safety net to meet an attorney’s fees and settlement claims. Most health care professionals find this policy quite useful to protect themselves from liabilities arising out of allegations of bodily injuries or mental anguish.