13 Types of Business Insurance for Small Businesses

Are you confused about which business insurance you should be choosing for your business? There are multiple types of business insurance available in the market, but small businesses should choose them wisely. Here’s a list of all the important business insurance for a small business.

What is Business Insurance?

In simple language, business insurance is a form of protection that safeguards businesses from financial losses due to unforeseen events or risks. It provides insurance coverage for property damage, liability claims, business interruptions, and other potential risks specific to a particular industry or business type.

Do not risk your business with standard general liability insurance. Though you have had to pay a few bucks extra, this will help you to stay tension-free. Anything can happen, so it’s better to be prepared. As they say, prevention is better than cure, you may have no care for your mistake, and eventually may have to lose it all.

So, why risk it?

Here’s a complete list of all the important types of business insurance for protecting your venture from an unfortunate event in the future.

List of 13 Types of Business Insurance for Small Businesses

1. Property Insurance

This will help you against any damage to the property. Whether you own a place or run a business at a rented place, property insurance covers damages to inventory, furniture, equipment, and signage. This also covers damages against fire, theft, or storm.

The Acts of God, such as floods or earthquakes are generally not covered. Though, you can additionally cover it under a different policy.

2. Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance can be used against claims. If your business fails to perform a specified duty or makes a big mistake causing damage and settle such claims. Some companies cover it under Errors and Omission (E&O) Insurance.

You have to define the nature of the work involved, the processes involved, and other additional information under the policy.

3. Data Breach

Digital information takes up a huge portion of any business today. While data theft can turn out to be heinous, it’s better to keep sensitive data and information protected. You can also include data related to daily functioning.

Data breach insurance can help you against any such mishap in the case of data theft or breach.

The insurance covers damages and costs incurred due to the data breach.

4. Compensation Insurance

It covers medical treatment, disability, and death benefits if an employee meets with an accident. If something happens to any employee while working, the workers’ compensation insurance will help you compensate the employee’s family with a lump sum amount.

5. Product Liability Insurance

Companies dealing with products should ensure that they have product liability insurance. Whether you manufacture or outsource your products, having product liability insurance protects you against lawsuits and claims.

If any damage is caused by your product or found faulty, your company will have to bear all the costs. Product liability insurance covers such claims and costs incurred by such kinds of products.

6. Business Interruption Insurance

It’s handy when your work or business is hit by an unfortunate accident. If the work is interrupted, this insurance will compensate for the losses that occurred during these days. It’s a must for businesses that operate out of a fixed physical location like a retail store or factory.

The insurance company will compensate for the lost income due to an unexpected interruption.

Read: Top Small Business Loans to Fund Startups

7. Business Owner’s Policy

This is a tailor-made insurance policy. It varies from business to business and depends on one carries out its business. Some call it a master policy, as the BOP includes several other important business insurances like Business Interruption Insurance, Property Insurance, Vehicle Coverage, Liability Insurance, Crime Insurance, and more.

One can choose to customize a Business Owner’s Policy depending upon their needs and type of industry.

8. Renter’s Insurance

A must for those who rent out their property to others for commercial or private use. If a business owner has no insurance and your property is damaged by a mistake by your renter, this insurance will cover it. Renter’s Insurance protects against damage to any kind of physical property.

The policy also includes the contents of the property or personal injury within a property.

9. General Liability Insurance

If you don’t want to take up different business insurances to cover several liabilities, it’s better to opt for general liability insurance. It’s recommended for small businesses as well. General Liability Insurance covers damages in case a product, employee, or service is caused.

General Liability Insurance also protects against any harm or damage caused to a third party.

10. Personal Automobile Insurance

Personal Automobile Insurance is recommended for businesses that have active transportation involved. It covers all kinds of road vehicles and protects against physical damage and bodily injury. These types of business insurance will protect your business against any liability arising due to an accident.

It also covers different vehicle repairs and third-party damage.

11. Directors And Officers Insurance

It’s not exactly for small businesses, but medium-sized enterprises should go for it. If a company’s director or any of the officers gets involved in a lawsuit and their actions or decisions have affected the company in any way or its profitability, the director’s and officer’s insurance will compensate for such losses.

It also covers the damage caused by such action by any director or officer of the company.

Primarily covering legal losses, the insurance compensates losses or damages done to the company by any directors or officers.

12. Commercial Auto Insurance

If your business has any owned vehicle, having it insured can help you stay safe against liability claims. This can be related to an accident and third-party damages. Commercial Auto Insurance also covers damages to the vehicle as well.

Apart from third-party damage and vehicle damage, it covers vehicles used by delivery personnel with goods or if offering any service.

13. Cyber Liability Insurance

In the present digital age, almost all businesses face the risk of cyber threats and data breaches. Cyber liability insurance helps cover the costs associated with data breaches, legal expenses, customer notifications, and credit monitoring services.

Don’t wait. Stay covered. A small mistake may lead to the end of your business. Buy all the appropriate insurance as soon as possible!