5 Types of Insurance Every Business Should Have in Place

Before you even open, it’s imperative to have proper business insurance coverage. A single lawsuit or catastrophic event can wipe out a company before it even has a chance to get off the ground.

That said, there are many types of insurance out there, and some policies can be extraordinarily expensive, so it’s critical to know what specific risks your company faces and what types of insurance will best cover those risks.

The following insurance types are among the most-often needed for practically every business, no matter how big or small.

All businesses need general liability insurance, which covers lawsuits initiated by third parties (non-employees) for bodily injuries and/or property damage that are directly or indirectly related to your business. It’s important to note that such coverage—and indeed most coverage listed here—is needed even if you aren’t at fault. Remember: anyone can sue anyone for anything, and it’s the lawyer’s fees that will cripple your business, even if you are in the right. The right insurance will cover your legal fees.

Professional liability insurance covers lawsuits alleging your professional services and/or advice caused a client to suffer financial losses, arising from actions like negligence, mistakes and omissions, and violation of contract. Such coverage is applicable for a wide range of businesses—accountants, lawyers, real-estate agents, consultants, IT firms, among others.

Regardless whether you own or lease your office space, property insurance is a must. Such policies cover damage to equipment, furniture, and signage from events like fires, storms, and theft. Some natural disasters, like floods and earthquakes, may not be covered, so be sure to check with your agent to add additional coverage if you live in a disaster-prone region.

You may also want to consider business interruption insurance to protect your revenue if your company is unable to operate due to a natural disaster or another catastrophic event.

If you have any W2 employees, state law require workers’ compensation insurance, so it’s mandatory in many cases. Workers’ comp offers medical treatment, disability, and death benefits for employees. And even if your business is relatively low-risk, coverage is still needed for claims like slip-and-fall injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.

If your employees use a company-owned vehicle to conduct business, those vehicles should have comprehensive commercial auto insurance to protect against liability as well as any injury/damage to your employees, vehicles, products, and equipment. If your employees use their own vehicles, their personal insurance often covers them. But it’s a good idea to purchase “non-owned auto liability coverage” in case an employee fails to renew their insurance or has inadequate coverage.