Insurance protects against a possible eventuality. Liability insurance provides this protection for 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.

Certainly, an intentional violation of agreements or contacts and deliberate damages caused by the insured party would not be shielded by the liability insurance. Having said that, this type of insurance policy normally does include legal costs, unless specifically mentioned otherwise, and settlements for the insured, that is, the person or organization covered by a liability insurance policy. But this, in reality, means that the monetary compensation is paid on behalf of the insured, to the affected party.

Imperative for many professions, the liability insurance policy is beneficial especially for those who are purposely, by choice, 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 high. Medical practitioners, product manufacturers and most types of business entrepreneurs are the biggest beneficiaries of liability insurance policies. This can be explained with examples.

Any manufacturing industry or commercial business could cause physical hurt 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 individuals could have accidents in their kitchen that could cause physical impairment to their employees or the public. Or, a taxi driven by a company hired driver could injure a pedestrian. In both these cases, a liability insurance would help cover the legal costs involved in defending the insured and if found guilty, for enabling them to pay compensation for the accidental wrong done to a third party.

Liability insurance acts as a safety net to meet attorney’s fees and settlement claims, and most health care professionals use this policy to protect themselves from liability arising out of bodily injury or mental anguish allegations.