Questions & answers · Business insurance

If someone gets hurt or sick because of my business, which business insurance pays?

Business insuranceWho paysChecked Nov 6, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Workers' compensation insurance coverage verification · page text View original ↗

In short

Workers' comp is for workers hurt on the job.
General liability is for claims by other people.
Ask your insurer in writing which one applies.

What this means

Each business policy pays for different people. A workers' comp policy gives lost pay and medical help to workers hurt on the job [1]. Commercial general liability (CGL) protects a business from claims of injury or damage [2]. CGL pays for injury that happens on your property or from your business work [3].

Whether you must carry workers' comp depends on your state. In Texas, private employers can choose to carry it. Most are not required to [4]. Other states may differ.

These sources do not say if CGL pays when a worker is hurt. Your policy words decide. Ask your insurer in writing before you need to file.

Your next step

Find your business policies. Read the part on who is covered and what is left out. Write to your insurer and ask which policy fits your case. Report any injury to your insurer fast. The sources give no deadline.

Check it yourself

Your policy words and your state insurance office show which rules apply. The Texas pages are one state's example. The sources do not say if CGL covers your workers or how illness is handled — "Don't know yet".

Where this comes from (4)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Workers' compensation insurance coverage verification · page text · checked 2026-11-06
A workers' compensation insurance policy provides lost wages and medical benefits to employees injured on the job.
[2] Texas Department of Insurance · Commercial general liability insurance · page text · checked 2026-11-06
Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance protects business owners against claims of liability for bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury
[3] Texas Department of Insurance · Commercial general liability insurance · page text · checked 2026-11-06
Premises/operations coverage pays for bodily injury or property damage that occurs on your premises or as a result of your business operations.
[4] Texas Department of Insurance · Workers' compensation insurance coverage verification · page text · checked 2026-11-06
In Texas, private employers can choose to carry workers' compensation insurance coverage (subscribers), but it is not required in most cases.

How we found this

We matched your question to 4 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

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