Liability · Insurance Term
General Aggregate Limit
Definition
The general aggregate limit is the most a general liability policy will pay for all covered claims during the policy year. Claims under a separate aggregate, such as products-completed operations, don't count toward it. Once it's used up, the policy pays nothing more for the rest of that year.
In Plain English
A common structure is $1 million per occurrence and $2 million general aggregate. The general aggregate covers bodily injury and property damage claims, personal and advertising injury, and medical payments. Products-completed operations claims usually have their own separate aggregate.
Owners with several properties on one policy may share a single aggregate across all of them. A per location aggregate endorsement gives each location its own aggregate, so a bad year at one property doesn't drain coverage for the others.
Lenders often require per-location aggregates for owners of multiple properties. Contractors use a per project aggregate for the same reason on construction jobs.
Not sure how your policy handles this? Have us review it, or get a quote.
Example
Hypothetical and simplified: An owner insures five strip centers on one general liability policy with a $2 million aggregate. Two large slip-and-fall claims at one center use up $1.8 million. Only $200,000 is left for the other four centers for the rest of the year, unless the policy has a per-location aggregate.
What to Watch For
- Check whether your general aggregate is shared or per location.
- Ask lenders and partners what aggregate structure they require.
- Make sure your umbrella responds if the aggregate is used up.
- Keep track of large claims during the policy year.
Common Questions
Does the aggregate reset?
Yes, usually at the start of each policy period. It doesn't reset mid-year after claims.
Do defense costs count against the aggregate?
Under the standard general liability form, defense costs are generally paid outside the limits. Some policies, especially in the surplus lines market, include defense within limits, so check yours.
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write