Business insurance
Business insurance for California and many other states
We help small and mid-size businesses compare coverage. Health insurance is California only. Business insurance is available in many states, as licensed.
Coverage options
General Liability
Coverage for certain third-party injury, property damage and liability claims.
Workers’ Compensation
Required by law in California if you have employees.
Commercial Auto
Coverage for vehicles used for business.
Professional Liability
Coverage for certain claims involving professional advice or services.
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
Combines property and liability coverage for eligible businesses.
Umbrella
Additional liability limits above eligible underlying policies.
Bonds
Bonds to help meet certain contract or licensing requirements.
How it works
- 1.
Tell us about your business.
- 2.
We check options with insurance companies we work with.
- 3.
You decide, no obligation.
Business insurance questions
What insurance does my small business need?
It depends on what you do. Most small businesses start with General Liability. If you have employees in California, you need Workers' Compensation by law. Add Commercial Auto if vehicles are used for work. Professional Liability fits businesses that give advice or services. A Business Owner's Policy (BOP) can combine property and liability for some businesses.
How much does business insurance cost?
The price depends on your type of work, payroll or revenue, number of employees, location and claims history. That is why two similar businesses can pay very different amounts. I need a few details to give you a real number.
Is General Liability insurance required by law?
For most businesses, no law requires it. But landlords, clients and contracts often require it. Workers' Compensation is different: if you have employees in California, it is required by law.
What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI)? Is "Additional Insured" enough?
A Certificate of Insurance is a one-page summary of your coverage. It is proof for a client or landlord. It is only a summary. What counts are the actual endorsements and what your contract requires. Send me the full insurance section of your contract and I will check it.
How do I check that a contractor is really insured?
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance before work starts. Check the policy dates, the limits and who the insurance company is. For a California contractor, also check the license on the state contractor license site. If the contract requires special wording, ask your broker to check the endorsements.
A client wants $1M or $2M liability limits. What do I do?
Do not agree until you read the full requirement. Send me the whole insurance section: limits, additional insured wording, endorsements and other conditions. A screenshot or one paragraph is not enough to judge your coverage. Then I will tell you what changes are needed.
Why does my quote ask about payroll, subcontractors and revenue?
Insurers set the price from your payroll, revenue and type of work. Workers' Compensation is priced on payroll and job type, and workers paid on 1099 can count too. At the end of the year the insurer may audit and adjust the price. Honest numbers now mean fewer surprises later.
Do I need Commercial Auto insurance?
If a vehicle is used for your business, a personal auto policy may not cover accidents during work. Commercial Auto is built for that use. Send me what the business does, who drives, how far, and how the vehicles are used.
Coverage, price and eligibility depend on the insurance company's underwriting. Not a guarantee of coverage.