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Small Business Insurance Policy Information

Small Business Insurance. If you own a small business, this article will help you understand some the of most common policies available. Commercial insurance helps protect your business and potentially your personal assets from lawsuits and settlements that can reach into the millions.

Having high enough limits in your commercial liability coverage should be a cornerstone of any business plan. Carrying adequate small business insurance to protect your business shouldn't be a question - it's a must if you want to make sure that you don't get put in a position where you have to lose your business or pay money out of pocket to cover expenses associated with a loss.

Learn about small business insurance requirements, costs and coverages including: Commercial General Liability, Commercial Property Insurance, Workers Compensation, Business Owner's Policy (BOP), Errors & Omissions (professional liability), Commercial Auto Insurance and more.

Below are some answers to commonly asked small business commercial insurance questions:

You can skip to the following types of small business commercial insurance using these links:

Small business insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed specifically for small businesses. It provides protection against various risks and liabilities that small businesses face, such as property damage, theft, legal liability, and employee injury.

It can also protect against specific risks related to the industry, such as product liability or professional liability. The insurance policy can be customized to meet the unique needs and requirements of a small business, providing financial security in the event of a loss.

Most states on the US only require two types of commercial insurance policies - and only under specific circumstances:

Any other policies and coverages are optional for the business to purchase. There is not one small business insurance policy that covers every risk. There are different commercial insurance policies that cover various accidents, damages and lawsuits that could financially devastate a small business without the right protection. Some of the most common risks businesses face are covered in these policies.

Following is a list of the main factors that determine the costs of small business insurance:

Click on the links below to read state specific small business insurance information, including information on types, coverages, policies, limits and more:

small business insurance needs, costs and coverages are different for each industry and region. While not an exhaustive list, to properly protect your business against lawsuits - consider these additional policies that fall under commercial property and/or casualty insurance:

The person injured in an auto accident may be a young child, a wage earner, a surgeon, or a homeless person. The costs of the accident may be relatively small or run into the millions of dollars, depending on the victim and his or her injuries. commercial auto insurance helps protect your business if you hurt a person or damage their property.

What Is Covered - Commercial auto insurance protects your assets in several ways:

To summarize, commercial auto is coverage for vehicles and their drivers owned by the business and/or used for business purposes, and covers these common claims:

Small business insurance offers coverage for business property and casualty exposures. Wouldn't it be great if you could get most or all of them in just one policy? If you qualify, the Business Owners Policy (BOP) may be exactly what you're looking for.

This single BOP package covers your buildings and business personal property, as well as liability imposed on you because of your premises, operations and products. In addition, it has numerous coverage extensions and optional coverages available.

Much like a general liability policy, the liability coverage offered by a BOP:

Buildings can be more than just a single building. The structure listed and described that has a limit of insurance on the declarations is covered, along with the following:

Business personal property (BPP) is more than just the contents of a building. The following business personal property is covered when a limit of insurance appears on the declarations and when it is in the described building and within 100 feet of the premises or building while in the open or in or on a vehicle:

To summarize, a Business Owners Policy (BOP) packages general liability and commercial property into one policy, and covers these common claims:

You don't have any control over the ultimate cost of injuries to a person injured because of your operations, products, or services. The person injured may be a toddler, a contractor, an accountant, or a homemaker. The cost of the injuries may be comparatively minor or run into the millions of dollars, depending on the person and the extent of his or her injuries. This is why you need the right amount of small business insurance.

Commercial general liability insures the bodily injury liability, property damage, and personal and advertising injury liability exposures of a variety of commercial businesses, enterprises, and ventures.

What Is Covered - general liability insurance protects your assets in several ways:

Each of these small business insurance coverages is subject to certain policy exclusions, conditions, and definitions. Following a few examples of how a CGL policy can cover third-party bodily injuries, third-party property damage, and advertising injuries;

To summarize, general liability is typically required for most commercial leases, and covers these common claims:

The primary goal of any small business insurance program is to protect the insured's real and business personal property. Tangible property usually represents a significant portion of its total assets, regardless of the size of the business.

Protecting your real and personal property is an important element of your insurance program. No matter the size of your business, a large percentage of your assets and resources are tied directly to your property. A commercial property program can provide the coverage you need if a loss should occur.

When there is a limit of insurance for building on the declarations, the building or structure listed and described is covered property. The following is also considered covered building property:

When there is a limit of insurance for personal property on the declarations, coverage applies to the following property if it is inside the building or structure at the designated premises. It is also covered if it is outside the building or structure but within 100 feet of the building or premises. Such personal property outside can be either in the open or in or on a vehicle.

Personal property of others is covered when there is a limit of insurance on the declarations but only when:

To summarize, commercial property insurance covers these common claim types:

Do you own, operate, or manage a business which includes at least one employee? Are you familiar with the laws of regarding workers compensation insurance coverage?

The Workers Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance Policy covers your statutory liability as an employer under workers compensation laws. It pays for medical treatment because of injuries and indemnity payments for employees disabled by work-related accidents. It also provides tort liability coverage for legal actions brought against you for bodily injuries to your employees that fall outside state workers compensation laws.

Workers' compensation is a form of insurance that protects a business owner from claims by employees who experience a work-related injury or illness-either sustained on business premises or due to business operations. Typically, workers' compensation covers the employee's medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and at least some portion of their lost wages. If an employee is killed on the job it also pays a funeral benefit.

Workers' compensation benefits are reviewed and voted on by state legislatures each year. The state department of labor has the responsibility of administering benefits for injured workers. In the case of severe injury, judges at the department of labor make rulings on the extent of disability and the amounts that insurance companies are required to pay injured workers.

There are times when the employed worker's injury is not compensable under workers compensation or occupational disease laws. In those cases, Employers Liability coverage responds to the injured worker's allegations of negligence on the employer's part, subject to its terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions. The coverage the basic policy provides may be broadened, restricted, clarified, or made to comply with specific state regulatory requirements by using a variety of available endorsements.

To summarize, workers compensation is required if businesses has any employees, even one part-time (in most states), and covers these common claims:

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O), is a type of liability coverage that protects your company against claims that a professional service you provided caused your client to suffer financial harm due to mistakes you made (errors) or because you didn't perform some service (omissions).

Professional liability can cover the legal costs of defending your company in a civil lawsuit and some damages if awarded, even if you haven't made a mistake. Eamp;O coverage is not included in a general liability insurance policy.

If your business:

you should probably purchase an errors and omissions policy. Common claims that E&O covers are negligence, misrepresentation, violation of good faith and inaccurate advice.

In the medical and legal professions, professional liability is called malpractice insurance.

To summarize, professional liability insurance helps protect professionals against liability incurred as a result of errors and omissions in performing their professional services, and covers these common claim types:

Accidents are unpredictable. Some accidents are very small. Others trigger catastrophic events in the lives of the injured parties. Are your policy limits sufficient to protect you if a person you injure must have multiple lifesaving surgeries or requires around the clock care for the rest of her life? If not, your business capital could be required to make up the difference.

Commercial liability umbrella is a stand-alone coverage that contains its own coverage, exclusions, and conditions. It provides excess limits over General Liability, Automobile Liability, Employers Liability, and other underlying liability coverage forms or policies. In addition, and because it is a stand-alone coverage form, it may include coverage that underlying coverage forms or policies do not include or provide.

To summarize, commercial umbrella is excess liability coverage that 'extends' the limits of a general liability and/or other liability policies, and offers:

The law in requires businesses to notify any residents when an unauthorized person accesses unencrypted personal information. Cyber liability insurance helps your business deal with the costs of data breach and recovery by helping to pay for:

To summarize, cyber liability helps cover a business' liability for a data breach in which their customers' personal information is exposed or stolen by a hacker or criminal, and covers these common claims:

Corporate directors and officers (D&O) have a duty to manage the company in their stockholders' best interests. They are bound to use due care and to be diligent in respect of the management and administration of the corporation's affairs and in the use of its property and assets. Accordingly, they are liable for losses or injuries that are caused by their breach or neglect of duty.

Recognizing the need to have competent directors and officers on executive boards, many corporations have put in their by-laws or charters certain resolutions undertaking to indemnify their directors and officers for legal expenses incurred by them in defending suits based on alleged wrongful acts in their capacities as directors and officers. Such indemnification provisions are permitted by most states' laws. Protection varies from state to state. In general, state statutes do not protect directors from claims brought by governmental agencies, or claims alleging violations of securities and exchange laws or other federal laws.

To summarize, directors and officers is a type of liability insurance that covers individuals for claims made against them while serving on a board of directors and/or as an officer, and covers these common claims:

Commercial property coverage forms specifically exclude most types of equipment breakdowns while the Equipment Breakdown Protection Coverage Form Insures only equipment breakdown - which covers loss or damage to your covered property that results when covered equipment breaks down.

This coverage includes inspection service as a part of the basic coverage because you can eliminate most equipment breakdowns with proper maintenance. These inspections also satisfy any obligation you have to conduct required governmental or statutory inspections.

Four types of equipment you may own or operate can be covered:

This small business insurance coverage also applies to your computer equipment, communications equipment, and equipment that generates, transmits, or uses energy.

To summarize, equipment breakdown is coverage for losses due to mechanical or electrical breakdown of nearly any type of equipment, and covers these common claims:

The current level of workplace morale, the state of the economy, and legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Medical Leave Act have all led to a marked increase in employment-related practices claims and lawsuits. Because these legislative and other legal changes have provided significant incentives for employees to file employment-related claims, employers such as you should be more aware of your susceptibility to such actions.

Employment-Related Practices Liability Coverage provides broad insurance protection from employment-related practices claims and lawsuits that are brought against your company, managers and directors and officers. It covers such things as age and gender discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discipline and termination and negligent decisions involving hiring, promotion, and compensation. It also applies to breach of employment contract, employment-related emotional distress, and mental anguish, invasion of privacy, libel, and slander.

Claims can come from both current and former employees and even from job applicants you didn't hire! The procedures that you use or don't use in hiring, firing and managing your employees can translate into huge defense costs and legal awards to plaintiffs for your errors or oversights even if they were unintentional.

Allegations are made by employees who claim to have suffered various types of financial loss or emotional injury because of their employers' acts (or failure to act). The list of allegations involves wrongful termination, demoting an employee without justification, failure to hire or promote a worthy employee, unwarranted discipline or abuse (particularly sexual harassment).

Many of these offenses are said to be the result of illegal discrimination on the basis of age, gender, religion, race, nationality, or sexual orientation. Other offenses are claimed to be a violation of the individual's civil rights, or the failure to accommodate a mental or physical limitation or disability.

Sexual harassment by the employer's management or supervisory staff, or by fellow employees, has grown to include allegations of same-sex harassment. In addition to injuries involving sexual abuse, physical, mental or emotional abuses are also being claimed with more frequency.

To summarize, Employment practices liability is coverage for claims made by workers that their legal rights as employees of the company have been violated, and covers these common claims:

Most theft losses are comparatively small, fall under the deductible, are excluded, or are uninsured. However, larger ones can put a company out of business as quickly as an uninsured fire. small business insurance - specifically business personal property coverage forms and policies written on an All Risks or Special Causes of Loss basis usually cover theft of property and merchandise by outside parties.

However, they usually exclude losses due to employee dishonesty, theft of money and securities, computer fraud, safe burglary, extortion, and related criminal acts. This is why every business needs a sound program of crime coverages for employee theft and other types of criminal and fraudulent activities.

Types Of Coverage - The ISO Commercial Crime Coverage Form offer seven types of protection:

To summarize, commercial crime insurance is coverage for any dishonest acts of your employees including damage to your property, fraud or theft of a customer's property, and covers these common claims:

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is the U.S. standard-setting and regulatory support organization created and governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer review, and coordinate their regulatory oversight.

NAIC staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally. NAIC members, together with the central resources of the NAIC, form the national system of state-based insurance regulation in the U.S.

According to the NAIC, "The mission of the NAIC is to assist state insurance regulators, individually and collectively, in serving the public interest and achieving the following fundamental insurance regulatory goals in a responsive, efficient and cost effective manner, consistent with the wishes of its members:

Small businesses can be sued for a variety of reasons, and each presents its own unique risks and challenges. However, with the appropriate insurance coverage, many of these challenges can be mitigated. Here are some common reasons small businesses might be sued, along with how insurance can protect them:

1. Personal Injury: A customer or other third party may sue a small business if they get hurt on the premises, claiming that the business was negligent in maintaining a safe environment. General Liability Insurance can protect against this. This type of insurance policy typically covers bodily injuries and property damage caused by your business operations or on your business premises. If a lawsuit is filed, the insurance company can help pay for legal defense costs, any settlements, and judgments.

2. Product Liability: If a business sells a product that causes harm or injury, they can be sued for damages. Product Liability Insurance is designed to cover these types of claims. This insurance can cover legal fees and any awarded damages related to the product that caused harm, whether it's due to product design, manufacturing defect, or failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions.

3. Breach of Contract: Small businesses can be sued by clients or other businesses for not fulfilling the terms of a contract. Professional Liability Insurance, also known as Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance, can provide protection in these cases. This insurance helps cover defense costs and damages related to failure to deliver services as promised.

4. Employment Practices: Claims for wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, or other employment-related issues are common sources of lawsuits against businesses. Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) can help to cover the costs associated with these types of lawsuits. This insurance can cover legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments related to employment practices claims.

5. Intellectual Property Infringement: If a business is accused of infringing on another's trademark, copyright, or patent, they could face a lawsuit. Intellectual Property Insurance can cover the cost of defending against these claims and any associated judgments or settlements. Some policies can even help with the costs of enforcing your own intellectual property rights.

Remember, the specifics of what is covered will depend on the individual policy and provider. Always read the terms carefully and consult with an insurance professional to ensure you understand what protection your business has. Having the right insurance can provide peace of mind and significant financial protection in the event of a lawsuit.

Speak with an experienced insurance broker who understands small business insurance to find the best fit coverage for your business.

Small Business Insurance By Industry And/Or Type

Select the general industry or small business insurance type link below to find more detailed information on coverage, costs, exclusions and more:

Learn about media liability insurance - a specialized form of professional liability insurance policy that provides protection for legal claims brought by third parties.

Learn about small business agribusiness insurance - a type of commercial insurance protects farmers against loss of, or damage to crops or livestock.

Read up on small business arts and recreation insurance.

Read about auto sales, service & repair insurance, which provides protection for damages done to customers vehicle's and other property as well as injuries resulting from the work done.

Learn about aircraft and aviation liability insurance - a specialized form insurance that provides coverage for hull losses as well as liability for passenger injuries, environmental damage and third-party damage caused by aircraft accidents.

Learn about surety and fidelity bonds which are types of insurance that are used to protect against damage or loss in commercial transactions.

Discover what business insurance policies cover for children and pet related small businesses.

Read up on commercial property insurance coverage, including how business property insurance protects your company's building's and/or their contents from damage, destruction, theft and vandalism.

Learn about construction contractors insurance, including how much the premium costs and what is covered - and how liability insurance can help protect your construction business from lawsuits.

Learn about contractor's insurance, including what it covers, how much it costs - and how business insurance can help protect your small business from lawsuits.

Learn about insurance for educators that helps protecting your professional reputation and other legal liabilities arising from your educational services.

Discover the types of commercial insurance that banks, finance companies and other financial institutions need to protect their asset management, deposit, lending, investment and other operations.

Learn about restaurants, bars, liquor stores insurance coverages. See how food service insurance help protect against accidents, oversights and lawsuits resulting from business operations.

Learn about small business health and beauty insurance coverages that help protect tattoo artists, salons, spas, estheticians, cosmetologists, barbers, hairdressers, nail salons and more from legal liability.

Learn about IT technology insurance policies that help protect IT businesses, consultants & subcontractors from the unique risks that small tech businesses face when they work.

Discover what types of commercial insurance government entities need.

Find out what types of business insurance that hotels, motels and other lodging places should have to protect their varied operations.

Learn all about manufacturing insurance. Manufacturers face many unique risks such as product liability and/or product recall exposures due to the nature of their business operations.

Learn about marine, boat and watercraft insurance - a specialized form insurance that provides coverage for hull losses, cargo losses as well as liability for passenger injuries, environmental damage, and third-party damage caused by watercraft accidents.

Discover small business insurance for medical and dental professionals. Medical malpractice insurance is a type of professional liability policy that protects health care professionals from liability causing in bodily injury, medical expenses and property damage.

Find informative articles on miscellaneous businesses including the types of insurance policies and coverage they need, costs and other considerations.

Find useful articles on business insurance for non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, charities and associations.

Get informed about professional services insurance, including Professional liability, aka errors and omissions (E&O insurance), that protects your small business against claims that a professional service you provided caused your client financial loss.

Learn about real estate insurance coverages including liability and commercial property policies for realtors, mortgage companies and more.

Read valuable retail insurance policy information. In a retail business, you need to have the right type of business insurance coverage so that your store, employees, and inventory are protected.

Learn about commercial auto insurance which includes liability and physical damage protection for vehicles that are used for business purposes.

Protect your company and employees with insurance coverage. Read informative articles on small business insurance policies - and how they can help shield your company from legal liabilities.

Learn about sports & fitness insurance policies and what they cover so that your customers, employees, and equipment are protected.

Learn about warehouse and storage insurance - which protects storage and warehouse facilities and protects their inventory from property damage from fire and weather, vandalism and theft and liability coverage as well.

Read informative articles on wholesale distribution insurance. Distributors and wholesalers face specific risks including fire, flood and weather damage that can destroy products in the distribution center - and every part of the supply chain including late supplier shipments to unpaid invoices - can effect the entire operation.

Learn about workers compensation insurance - a policy provides medical, wage and other benefits to employees who are injured or become ill at work.

Small Business General Liability Insurance Information

Your small business faces many potential disasters including: fire, floods, theft, equipment breakdown, lawsuits from clients or customers and current & former employees. Any many other risks you haven't even thought about.

A small business commercial insurance program should provide protection for both larger and smaller disasters. The obvious things like fire, flood and theft most business owners think about... but what if a hacker infects your computers with a virus - and files containing private customer information like credit card and Social Security numbers are stolen?

Who is going to pay to fix your customers credit rating etc...? Will your insurance pay for the cost? You need to know that.

Your commercial insurance program should cover events that can close down your company, or cause it to lose revenue. Anything less than that is not enough coverage. Commmercial insurance doesn't cover everything, and all policies have exclusions and limits.

You need a written plan that allows you to get your operations back up and running as quick as possible.