Connecticut Product Liability Insurance

Yes.

Absolutely yes. Even if you didn’t manufacture the product, Connecticut’s strict liability laws mean you can still be sued and held liable. Anyone in the supply chain faces potential liability under Connecticut law. Manufacturers. Wholesalers. Distributors. Retailers. Importers. Everyone.

The Connecticut Product Liability Act applies to all sellers in the distribution chain.

Courts have consistently held distributors liable for defective products. Our coverage protects you regardless of where you fit in that chain. Whether you’re importing products from overseas, distributing manufacturer goods throughout New England, or operating a retail storefront in Connecticut, you need protection. Real protection.

General liability covers injuries and property damage from your business operations and premises.

Slip-and-fall accidents. Damage during installation. Operations-related injuries. Product liability specifically covers injuries and damages caused by products you make, distribute, or sell. Different coverage. Different purpose.

Most commercial general liability policies include product liability coverage as a standard component.

But it’s important to verify your coverage limits are adequate for your exposure. A small retailer might have sufficient coverage under a standard policy. A manufacturer with significant revenue and complex products likely needs higher limits or standalone product liability coverage. Much higher limits.

Connecticut insurance regulations require clear disclosure of coverage limits and policy exclusions.

During your consultation, we’ll review your existing coverage and identify any gaps requiring additional protection. We find what’s missing. We fix it.

Fast.

Very fast. Once we complete your consultation and you select your coverage, we can often activate your policy within 24-48 hours. We understand you need protection now, not next month. Not next quarter. Now.

Our streamlined insurance underwriting process and relationships with multiple carriers allow us to move quickly.

For standard risks with straightforward coverage needs, same-day quotes are common. More complex manufacturing operations might require additional underwriting review, but we expedite the process whenever possible. Speed matters. We deliver it.

We work with Connecticut businesses that need coverage immediately.

Perhaps you’re launching a new product. Maybe you’re responding to a customer contract requirement. Whatever your timeline, we’ll work to get you protected as quickly as possible. Urgency understood. Urgency addressed.

Standard product liability policies typically don’t cover recall costs.

However, product recall insurance is available as separate coverage. This specialized insurance covers the expense of recalling defective products from the market—including notification costs, logistics, replacement expenses, and lost revenue during the recall period. Comprehensive coverage. Separate policy.

Product recall insurance makes sense for businesses with wide distribution networks, high-volume production, or products where defects could trigger mandatory recalls.

Connecticut manufacturers in food production, medical devices, children’s products, and automotive components should strongly consider recall coverage. High exposure? High need.

We can discuss whether product recall insurance makes sense for your business during your consultation.

We’ll evaluate your products, distribution channels, and recall risk to determine if additional coverage is warranted. Some businesses need it. Others don’t. We’ll help you make the right decision for your situation. Your unique situation.

Connecticut product liability law recognizes three types of defects.

Each covered under standard product liability insurance.

Design defects occur when a product’s design is inherently dangerous, even when manufactured perfectly according to specifications. These are flaws in the product concept itself. Courts evaluate whether a safer alternative design was feasible and whether the product’s risks outweigh its benefits. Design matters.

Manufacturing defects happen during the production process when a product deviates from its intended design.

A single defective unit in an otherwise safe product line can trigger liability. Connecticut’s strict liability standard doesn’t require proof of negligence—only proof that a defect existed and caused injury. Simple test. Harsh consequences.

Marketing defects, also called “failure to warn,” involve inadequate safety warnings, instructions, or labels.

Even perfectly designed and manufactured products can create liability if they lack proper warnings about known risks. Connecticut law requires clear, conspicuous warnings that alert users to non-obvious dangers. Warn them. Properly.

Our coverage protects you against all three defect types.

We handle legal defense costs from the first claim through final resolution, including settlements and judgments if you’re found liable. Complete protection. Start to finish.

Most Connecticut manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can obtain product liability insurance.

However, some high-risk products face limited markets or require specialized coverage. Products like asbestos, certain pharmaceuticals, explosives, and firearms often require specialized insurers with expertise in those specific risks. Niche markets. Specialized carriers.

Businesses producing unregulated supplements, CBD products, or experimental technologies may face higher premiums or more limited coverage options.

Insurance underwriting guidelines vary by carrier, which is why working with an independent insurance broker in Connecticut provides advantages. We access multiple carriers to find coverage even for challenging risks. Multiple options. Better results.

During your consultation, we’ll discuss your specific products and identify the best coverage options available.

If standard markets won’t provide coverage, we have relationships with surplus lines carriers specializing in hard-to-place risks. We find solutions where others might simply say “no.” Persistence pays off.

Connecticut applies a pure comparative negligence standard.

This means injured parties can recover damages even when they’re partially at fault for their injuries. If a plaintiff is 80% responsible for their injury, they can still recover 20% of damages from you. Most states use modified comparative negligence, barring recovery above certain fault thresholds. Connecticut is different. More plaintiff-friendly.

Connecticut follows strict product liability standards.

You can be held liable for defective products without proof of negligence. The injured party must only prove the product was defective and caused their injury. This creates broader liability exposure than negligence-based systems. Much broader. Much riskier.

The state’s three-year statute of limitations gives injured parties substantial time to file claims.

The clock typically starts when the injury occurs or should have been discovered. For latent injuries appearing years after product use, this extended timeline creates long-tail liability exposure. Years of exposure. Decades sometimes.

Connecticut law also allows joint and several liability in many cases.

If multiple parties are liable, any single defendant can be forced to pay the entire judgment, then seek contribution from others. This makes distributor and retailer protection especially important—you could pay for a manufacturer’s defect. Their mistake. Your bill.

Understanding these Connecticut-specific legal standards is exactly why working with insurance brokers who know Connecticut law matters.

We structure coverage that protects you under Connecticut’s specific legal framework. Local knowledge. Local expertise. Local protection.

Contact your insurance broker immediately.

Time matters in product liability situations. Notify your insurance carrier as soon as you become aware of a potential claim, even before a lawsuit is filed. Most policies require prompt notification of potential claims. Immediate notification. Required notification.

Document everything.

Preserve the allegedly defective product if possible. Collect all related records—manufacturing specs, quality control data, distribution records, and any customer complaints. This documentation becomes critical in legal defense. Absolute critical.

Do not admit fault or make statements about the defect to anyone except your insurance broker and attorney.

Well-intentioned explanations can create legal problems. Big problems. Let your insurance carrier and their legal counsel handle communications with injured parties and their attorneys. Silence protects you.

Follow your insurance carrier’s claim process procedures.

They’ll assign a claims adjuster and, if necessary, legal defense attorneys. Most policies give carriers the right to control the legal defense, which protects both you and the insurer. Trust the process. Follow the process.

If the defect affects multiple products in the market, consult with your insurance broker about whether a voluntary recall makes sense.

While recall costs aren’t typically covered under standard product liability insurance, a proactive recall can limit injury exposure and potential litigation. Minimize damage. Minimize liability.

Our Connecticut product liability insurance specialists guide clients through the entire claims process.

We’ve handled countless claims. We know what works. We protect your interests every step of the way. Experience matters. Expertise matters. Results matter.

Call (440) 826-3676 anytime you have questions about coverage, claims, or potential product liability exposure.