Types of Small Business Insurance

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What Types of Insurance Does a Small Business Owner Need?

Types of Small Business InsuranceIf you’re asking yourself “do I need insurance for my small business?" the answer is yes. Every business owner needs small business insurance to help protect their company from risk. But how do you choose the right coverages? At minimum, you should start with these types of small business insurance:
 
You’ll also want to think about what you use to keep your business running, like tools and equipment. Certain coverages can help protect these belongings. To learn more, call our specialists at 855-829-1683. They’ll help walk you through the right coverages and limits for your company.
 

Basic Business Insurance Needed for Small Business

Business Insurance for Small BusinessThe average customer injury or property damage claim is $30,000.1 That’s why a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) is helpful for many companies.
 
This policy combines business property and business liability insurance into one. We can then help you customize it to fill in any gaps that your BOP doesn’t cover. You can count on us to make sure you’re prepared for accidents, liability lawsuits and damaging weather that comes your way.
 

Types of Small Business Insurance Coverages

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance can help protect your business from claims of bodily injury or property damage. They can also help cover tortfeasor claims such as libel and slander.
 
For example, if a customer slips and falls while shopping in your store, this coverage can help pay for their medical bills. Without it, you’ll have to pay these costs out of pocket.
 

Commercial Property Insurance

Commercial property insurance helps protect your business’ physical location and other property, like your:
 
  • Tools
  • Equipment
  • Inventory
  • Furniture
For example, if a fire damages your office building, this coverage can help replace your equipment inside.
 

Business Income Insurance

Business income insurance helps replace lost income from fire, wind damage, theft and other covered losses. So, if you have to temporarily shut-down your restaurant due to a fire, this coverage can help pay your lost revenue.
 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance helps provide benefits to your employees if they have a work-related injury or illness. This coverage helps pay for:
 
  • Medical care
  • Lost wages if your employees need time off to recover
  • Disability benefits
  • Funeral expenses
So, if your employee lifts too many heavy boxes and gets tendonitis, this coverage can help pay for their medical treatment.
 

Commercial Auto Insurance

What Type of Insurance Does a Small Business NeedIf you have employees that drive for your business, you’ll want commercial auto insurance. This policy helps cover accidents if you or your employees are at-fault. For example, if your worker is using your company’s van for deliveries and accidently hits a customer’s car while leaving your business, this coverage can help pay for the damages.
 
This insurance is especially important if your business:
 
  • Has workers that drive leased, rented or owned company vehicles
  • Owns, leases or rents vehicles
  • Has employees that drive their own cars for their job

Professional Liability Insurance

If you or your employees make a mistake in the professional services you provide, professional liability insurance can help protect your finances. This coverage is also known as errors and omissions insurance.
 
For example, if your employee gives a client financial advice that causes them to lose money instead of gaining it, your customer may sue you for negligence. This coverage can help pay your legal fees.
 

Data Breach Insurance

Most small businesses store important personal information for their customers and clients. To help keep it safe from hackers, you’ll need data breach insurance. For example, if your computer gets a virus that steals important customer information, this coverage can help pay to:
 
  • Notify impacted customers, patients or employees
  • Hire a public relations firm
  • Offer credit monitoring services to data breach victims 

Do I Need Liability Insurance for My Small Business?

Every small business faces certain hazards and risks. To help protect your business, you’ll need to get the right liability insurance for small business, including:
 

Benefits of Packaging Different Types of Small Business Insurance

We can help you save money on business insurance costs by offering a packaged policy. For example, you can bundle these three insurance coverages into one with our Business Owners’ Policy (BOP):
 
  • General liability insurance
  • Business income insurance
  • Commercial property insurance
We also offer packaged policies for various industries. For example, if you want comprehensive coverage for your dental practice, we offer dental office insurance.
 

What Is a Small Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)?

Packaged policies, like a BOP allow you to protect your business from:
 
  • Property damage
  • Lost income
  • Liability claims
This policy gives small business owners a good start toward protecting the business they’ve worked so hard to build. The cost of insurance for a startup business will vary depending on a few factors.
 
We can help if you’re wondering, “What does compensation mean?” or “What is small business insurance?” Our specialists can walk you through all the types of business insurance coverages that are available. Get a small business insurance quote with us today.
 
 
Last Updated: August 14, 2023
 
1 Based on an analysis of five years of claims data (2010-2014) from more than 1 million Hartford Business Owner’s Policies.
 
Additional disclosures below.
Types of Small Business Insurance

What Are the Different Types of Small Business Insurance?

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6 Types of Insurance Your Business Needs Now
6 Types of Insurance Your Business Needs Now
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  • Basic definitions of the essential business insurance coverages.
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The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
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