
Insurance for your business
What is insurance for business owners?
Business-owned insurance provides a one-time payout to your company if you, your business partner or key employees die. It can help cover business debt, overhead expenses or a partner buy-out.
What insurance do you need?
Well, it depends. If you have a new business, term insurance can help cover your loans and overhead costs. But if you have an established business with a few revenue-driving employees, disability insurance or critical illness insurance can help protect your success if something
Get business insurance – Small Business Administration
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Protect your successInsure top employees to help maintain success in case of a disability or serious illness. |
Life insurance for business owners
Life insurance for your business can be a flexible way to help maintain your business’ success. You can use it to protect yourself, your business partner and the future of your business. In some cases, it can also help your business access cash value from certain policies.
Short-term when you need it most
Term life insurance for your business can help cover essential costs, especially for a new business with debts to pay. It can be an ideal way to protect your young business as well as your partners and family.
Health insurance for business owners
Planning ahead can help your business continue to thrive, whatever may come your way. Disability and critical illness insurance can help maintain your business’ success if you, your business partner or one of your key employees experiences an injury or serious illness.
Disability insurance
A disability policy owned by your company can provide a monthly payment. It can help keep your business running smoothly and cover expenses if an illness or injury keeps you from working.
Critical illness insurance
Critical illness insurance can give your business a tax-free payment if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition. Your contract will define which conditions you’re covered for, but some examples include cancer, heart attack and stroke.
Building a benefits, retirement and savings plan
Let’s take a deeper look into the world of benefits, retirement and savings.
Benefits options
You have the flexibility to offer a plan that works for your employees at a price that makes sense for you. Usually companies choose from a group of base benefits and then tailor their plan from there.
View benefits options
Retirement and savings options
Help your employees reach their financial goals while they’re working and prepare for retirement. Choose from a range of products and services tailored to meet the needs of your business and employees.
Get business insurance – Small Business Administration
Get business insurance
Business insurance protects you from the unexpected costs of running a business. Accidents, natural disasters, and lawsuits could run you out of business if you’re not protected with the right insurance.
Pick the type of business insurance you need
The protections you get from choosing a business structure like a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation typically only protect your personal property from lawsuits, and even that protection is limited.
Business insurance can fill in the gaps to make sure both your personal assets and your business assets are fully protected from unexpected catastrophes.
In some instances, you might be legally required to purchase certain types of business insurance.
The federal government requires every business with employees to have workers’ compensation, unemployment, and disability insurance.
Some states also require additional insurance. Laws requiring insurance vary by state, so visit your state’s website to find out the requirements for your business.
Six common types of business insurance
After you purchase insurance that’s required by law, you can find insurance to cover any other business risk. As a general rule, you should insure against things you wouldn’t be able to pay for on your own.
Speak to insurance agents to find out what kinds of coverage makes sense for your business, and compare terms and prices to find the best deal for you. Here are six common kinds of business insurance to look for:
Insurance type | Who it’s for | What it does |
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General liability insurance
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Any business
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This coverage protects against financial loss as the result of bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments.
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Product liability insurance
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Businesses that manufacture, wholesale, distribute, and retail a product
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This coverage protects against financial loss as a result of a defective product that causes injury or bodily harm.
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Professional liability insurance
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Businesses that provide services to customers
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This coverage protects against financial loss as a result of malpractice, errors, and negligence.
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Commercial property insurance
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Businesses with a significant amount of property and physical assets
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This coverage protects your business against loss and damage of company property due to a wide variety of events such as fire, smoke, wind and hail storms, civil disobedience and vandalism.
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Home-based business insurance
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Businesses that are run out of the owner’s personal home
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Coverage that’s added to homeowner’s insurance as a rider can offer protection for a small amount of business equipment and liability coverage for third-party injuries.
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Business owner’s policy
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Most small business owners, but especially home-based business owners
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A business owner’s policy is an insurance package that combines all of the typical coverage options into one bundle. They simplify the insurance buying process and can save you money.
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Four steps to buy business insurance
- Assess your risks. Think about what kind of accidents, natural disasters, or lawsuits could damage your business. For example, if your business is located in a commercial area that is at risk from seasonal events such as fire or hail storms, commercial property insurance will help protect against loss.
- Find a reputable licensed agent. Commercial insurance agents can help you find policies that match your business needs. They receive commissions from insurance companies when they sell policies, so it’s important to find a licensed agent that’s interested in your needs as much as his or her own.
- Shop around. Prices and benefits can vary significantly. You should compare rates, terms, and benefits for insurance offers from several different agents.
- Re-assess every year. As your business grows, so do your liabilities. If you have purchased or replaced equipment or expanded operations, you should contact your insurance agent to discuss changes in your business and how they affect your coverage.
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