Do I Need to Have Business Owners Liability Insurance for My Company?

Owning your own business can be a lucrative and liberating way to make a living. However, as a business owner, you’ve tied your personal finances to those of a commercial venture. This can amplify the extensive risks and exposures that businesses must already account for regardless of size or sector, making appropriate liability insurance necessary.

What Is Business Owners Liability Insurance?

Business owners liability insurance may not always be available as a specifically named product from all insurance companies. Rather, this term may refer to a component or multiple pieces of an overall coverage portfolio intended to provide financial protection following incidents for which your business may be at fault.

How to Get Business Owners Liability Insurance? 

Your liability coverage needs may vary significantly depending on your company’s situation and specific circumstances. Consider the following types of insurance and how they may assist with establishing suitable liability coverage:

• Business owners policy (BOP) insurance—These policies can offer multifaceted coverage for business owners, often including crucial general liability coverage. However, eligibility for BOPs may be restricted depending on your company’s size and industry.

• General liability insurance—Also available as a standalone product, this type of policy can financially protect your business from third-party losses arising from incidents for which you are at fault, such as bodily injuries, property damage and reputational harm.

• Professional liability insurance—This coverage, also known as errors and omissions insurance, can render aid if your business is liable for causing financial losses due to professional mistakes, negligence or inadequate services.

• Employer’s liability coverage—Typically included in workers’ compensation insurance, this coverage can provide financial aid if your employees are injured on the job or develop work-related illnesses.

• Commercial auto liability coverage—Legally required for most businesses that use motor vehicles, this component of commercial auto insurance may play a critical role in managing the aftermath of automobile incidents.

• Cyber liability insurance—These policies may be essential after data breaches or other cyber incidents. Coverage often includes resulting damages and expenses, including costs related to investigating the incident, managing legal ramifications and recouping business interruption losses.

• Commercial umbrella insurance—While the aforementioned insurance products can often provide ample coverage for liabilities, there may be times when your business requires additional financial security. This type of insurance casts a secondary layer of coverage that can provide further financial assistance should losses exceed the limits of other policies.

Why Is Insurance Important?

Regardless of how careful or responsible you may be in managing your business, incidents may be inevitable. If you’re deemed responsible for accidents or errors affecting other parties, litigation could have far-reaching ramifications and may even lead to insolvency. Additionally, certain types of liability insurance may be legally required, such as commercial auto liability coverage. Noncompliance could mean significant consequences, including fines or being forced to shut down your business altogether.

We’re Here to Help

Contact the team at Zenitram Insurance Agency LLC to learn more about ideal liability coverage for business owners.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.