Business Insurance

What is Business Insurance?

Business insurance is insurance for a business. In fact, it is one of the most important investments a business owner can make. Business insurance is crucial in protecting a business from potential loss caused by unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. 

A business owner who chooses to operate a business without insurance puts his or her enterprise at risk of losing money and property in the wake of an unfortunate event. In some situations, a business owner may even place personal money and property at risk by failing to secure adequate commercial insurance.  

The Business Owner Policy or BOP, is a combination of both building and/or personal property insurance and liability insurance. A BOP can save money for you by combining most of your insurance needs in a single policy. Much like a homeowners policy, no business owner should be without this basic coverage.

Although our agency can procure insurance for nearly 1500 business classes, some of the most competitive include:

Dentists Retail Stores Lessors Risks Beauty Salons & Barbers Gift Shops Auto Body & Repair Accountants Dental Offices Pet Grooming Services Muffler Shops

Medical Offices Insurance Agencies Travel Agencies Veterinary Clinics Web Development/Design Bakeries Appliance Stores Coffee Shops Janitorial Services Churches

Lawyers Laundry & Dry Cleaning Funeral Services Dance Studios Liquor Stores Deli's Tailors Engineering Firms Homeowner Associations Lawn care Services

Printers Restaurants Real Estate Agents Ophthalmologists Self Storage Units Photographers Copy Centers Apartment Building Condo Associations Mortgage Brokers

 

Check out our Appetite Guide for a comprehensive list of commercial classes that we can place for you. The Appetite Guide includes eligibility guidelines, state availability, target markets, and more.

Commercial Auto policies are specifically designed to cover trucks, vans, and private passenger vehicles owned by and/or operated in business operations.  A basic rule of thumb: if the vehicle is registered in the name of a business or corporation, commercial auto coverage is probably the right way to go.

The workers compensation (WC) policy provides coverage for employees who are injured on the job and/or in the course of their employment.  This coverage is mandatory in most states for businesses that have one or more employees.  While sole proprietor businesses (an owner/operator, no employees) are generally exempt from being required to carry worker's compensation, in some states, sole proprietors can opt to buy this coverage for themselves.

In the world of commercial insurance, this policy protects directors & officers of the entity against claims of wrongful acts such as poor judgment or harmful acts in which they might be found negligent. This type of insurance protects the officers' and directors' personal assets.  

Also known as malpractice coverage or errors and omissions (E&O) coverage; covers liability for damages arising from the rendering of or failure to render professional services.

The business umbrella policy provides catastrophe liability protection. It provides insureds with peace of mind by adding another layer of protection above three main coverages: Business liability, automobile liability and employers liability.

The Builders policy is purely a property coverage that is employed when either a residential or commercial structure is under construction or, in some circumstances, undergoing significant renovation. 

In addition, a builders risk policy can also be employed as an installation floater, where a significant system within the structure is being newly installed or replaced.  An example of this might be replacing the heating system or installing a swimming pool.

The term “inland marine” is a rather misleading name for a type of property insurance coverage used to protect high risk and often mobile property. This coverage in certain classes can be endorsed on a business owners policy (BOP) or be written as it’s own separate policy.

A business crime policy typically provides several different types of crime coverage such as employee dishonesty; forgery or alteration; computer fraud; money and securities; and money orders/counterfeit money coverage. A minimal amount of coverage is usually included in a business owners policy (BOP) ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the carrier. However, a separate policy can be written to accommodate the need for higher limits.

Helps cover the cost to repair or replace equipment, such as air conditioners, phone systems, circuit breakers, pumps and motors from loss or damage caused by mechanical breakdown or artificially generated electrical current. A minimal amount of coverage is usually included in a business owner policy (BOP) ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 depending on the carrier; however, a separate policy can be written to accommodate the need for higher limits.

Covers a business owner for lawsuits arising out of his or her employment practices. Some examples of these can include, but are not limited to: discrimination based on race, gender, religion, wrongful termination, failure to promote or hire,  or sexual discrimination. Recent studies show an employer is more likely to have a EPL claim than a general liability or property claim. A minimal amount of coverage is usually included in a business owner policy (BOP) ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the carrier; however, a separate policy can be written to accommodate the need for higher limits.