Start with how the operation works
Manufacturers need coverage that considers production equipment, product liability, suppliers, employees, and costly downtime. For general liability, general liability planning starts with how customers, vendors, tenants, and the public interact with the operation.
Operating details to document
- Property, machinery, inventory, and income values
- Products, end uses, customers, and quality controls
- Critical suppliers, utilities, equipment, and continuity plans
Coverage details to review
- Premises and ongoing operations liability
- Products and completed operations where applicable
- Contractual requirements and additional insured obligations
- Defense costs, occurrence limits, aggregates, and deductibles
Prepare the Operation Before a Claim
A useful review goes beyond selecting a policy name. It connects current information to eligibility, policy structure, and the consequences of a significant loss.
- Keep policy and emergency contact information accessible
- Preserve photographs, contracts, inventories, receipts, and incident records
- Know who reports the claim and protects property from further damage
Equipment failure and production stoppage
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Product defects and recalls
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Supply-chain and cyber disruption
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Premises and ongoing operations liability
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Products and completed operations where applicable
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Contractual requirements and additional insured obligations
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Defense costs, occurrence limits, aggregates, and deductibles
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Information to have ready
- Property, machinery, inventory, and income values
- Products, end uses, customers, and quality controls
- Critical suppliers, utilities, equipment, and continuity plans
- Annual revenue and a clear description of operations
- Customer-facing activities and off-premises work
- Contracts, leases, and certificate requirements
- Currently valued loss history when available
Questions for the coverage review
Which machine, supplier, or utility is a single point of failure?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
How are products traced and quality issues handled?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
How long would equipment replacement and production recovery take?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Do all disclosed activities fit the policy classification?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Which contracts require special limits or endorsements?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Who should use this manufacturing general liability guide?
Business owners and insurance buyers can use it to prepare for a focused review of claims readiness. It is educational guidance, not a quote or a substitute for policy terms.
What information should a manufacturing account gather first?
Start with property, machinery, inventory, and income values, products, end uses, customers, and quality controls, critical suppliers, utilities, equipment, and continuity plans, plus currently valued loss information when available.
Coverage descriptions are general. Eligibility, availability, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy terms vary by risk and market. Review actual policy documents with an appropriate insurance professional.