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Professional Services CGL Cost in Canada (ex‑QC)

Introduction

Canadian professional services (consulting, marketing, accounting, design, and similar office-based firms) most often buy Commercial General Liability (CGL) at either $1M or $2M limits to satisfy leases and client MSAs. This page summarizes current Canadian price anchors outside Quebec, what drives cost, and when to step up to $2M, with links to deeper coverage detail and E&O (errors & omissions) considerations. For what CGL covers and common exclusions, see Summit’s Commercial General Liability.

Quick cost anchors (Canada, excluding Quebec)

Typical premiums shown are for low‑risk professional services with modest client foot traffic. Real quotes vary by province, operations, and claims history.

CGL limit Typical annual premium (professional services) Notes Example sources
$1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate $360–$780/year; many quotes cluster near ~$500 National consumer data shows small‑biz GL at $30–$65/month; Canadian broker guidance often sees ~$500/year for $1M GL on low‑risk services. HelloSafe, Zensurance GL cost
$2M per occurrence ~ $650/year (IT consultant example); many professional firms see a modest uplift from $1M Canadian broker example for IT consultants lists ~$650/year for $2M CGL; marketing and management consultants with similar risk profiles often price in a comparable band. Zensurance IT consultant

Mini‑cases with $2M anchors (Canada ex‑QC)

  • Consulting firms (management, IT, strategy)

  • Anchor: $2M CGL commonly requested in MSAs and facilities contracts; Canadian broker examples show ~ $650/year for IT consultants at $2M. See Zensurance IT consultant.

  • Why $2M: multi‑site client visits and contract language requiring $2M per occurrence; $1M may be insufficient for defense + settlement in bodily injury or third‑party property claims.

  • Pair with: E&O for advice‑related financial loss; see Summit’s Professional Liability (E&O).

  • Marketing consultants/agencies

  • Anchor: $2M CGL is frequently specified in SOWs; pricing typically lands in the same band as other low‑risk consultants (see the $1M/$2M anchors above).

  • Why $2M: client premises visits, event activations, and advertising‑injury exposure (e.g., defamation).

  • Pair with: E&O for negligence/missed deliverables and media liability; see Summit’s Professional Liability (E&O).

  • Accountants and bookkeeping firms

  • Anchor: $2M CGL often required by landlords and some commercial clients; costs typically track other professional services bands shown above.

  • Why $2M: steady client flow to offices and third‑party property damage exposures.

  • Pair with: E&O (may be mandatory for certain public‑practice activities); start with Summit’s Professional Liability (E&O).

What drives CGL price for professional services

  • Exposure profile: client foot traffic, frequency of site visits, subcontractor usage, and any events you host.

  • Limits and deductibles: moving from $1M to $2M usually adds a modest premium uplift relative to the base.

  • Territory and premises: address‑level fire/theft/crime factors and provincial claims trends.

  • Revenue, years in business, and claims history.

  • Bundling: combining CGL with property (a package/BOP) can lower total premium. For coverage scope and FAQs, see Summit’s Commercial General Liability. For Canada‑wide price context, see HelloSafe’s small‑business cost ranges and Zensurance’s GL cost guidance.

When to choose $2M over $1M

  • Your lease or client MSA explicitly requires $2M.

  • You host clients on site regularly or work in shared workplaces where slip‑and‑fall frequency is higher.

  • You need room for defense costs plus potential settlement without exhausting the limit. If contracts are mixed (some at $1M, others at $2M), many professional firms standardize at $2M to avoid mid‑term changes.

Related coverage: Professional Liability (E&O)

CGL does not cover financial loss from your advice/services. Pair CGL with E&O to address negligence, error/omission, or breach‑of‑duty allegations. Start here: Summit’s Professional Liability (E&O).

How Summit helps you lower total cost of risk

  • Market access without carrier exclusivity: we shop multiple insurers to fit your operations and contract limits.

  • Transparent compensation: review Summit’s How We Get Paid.

  • Policy curation: matching limits, endorsements (additional insureds, waiver of subrogation), and deductibles to your real exposures.

  • Responsive service and dedicated account management.

What to prepare for a fast quote

  • Legal name, address(es), and years in business.

  • Gross revenue and headcount (employees/contractors).

  • Description of services and percent of time at client sites.

  • Current/past insurance and any claims in the last 5 years.

  • Contractual requirements (e.g., $2M CGL, additional insured wording).

Notes on scope