Small business insurance

Small business insurance online: BOP, general liability, professional liability

Coverage for salons, cleaning companies, accountants, small shops, photographers and freelancers. Where it is available, you can see the price and buy online from the insurance company. If you prefer a person, leave a request and a licensed producer will help you choose. Service in Russian and English.

Check your price online Call (315) 871-0833

NEXT Insurance. You buy and pay on the partner's secure page; an insurance company issues the policy. Questions about the policy: your licensed producer.

Who it is for

  • Beauty salons and independent stylists
  • Cleaning companies
  • Accountants and consultants
  • Small shops
  • Photographers and videographers
  • Fitness trainers
  • IT pros and freelancers
  • Small offices

What it can cover

  • Claims from customers and the public: someone slips in your salon or you damage someone else's property, plus the cost of defending the claim
  • Your equipment, furniture and inventory, including in a rented space (BOP)
  • Lost income if a covered event, such as a fire, forces you to close for a while (BOP)
  • Claims that a mistake in your work cost a client money, or that a beauty or fitness service injured a client (professional liability)
  • A certificate of insurance (COI) for your landlord or client, and additional insured status for them when the policy allows it

Get a small business quote

A few questions, no documents needed. A licensed producer will contact you to go over the details.

By sending, you agree that we may contact you about this request by phone, text or email.

Three ways to insure a small business

Pick the one that fits. Not sure? Choose "Not sure, help me choose" in the form and we will sort it out together.

Business Owner's Policy (BOP)

A package for businesses with a space, equipment or inventory: general liability plus coverage for your business property and, usually, lost income after a covered loss.

  • Injuries to visitors and damage to other people's property
  • Your equipment, furniture and inventory
  • Business income: lost revenue if a fire or another covered event closes you for a while
Check your price online

Coterie. You buy and pay on the partner's secure page; an insurance company issues the policy. Questions about the policy: your licensed producer.

General Liability

Core liability coverage for when your business hurts someone or damages their property. Landlords and clients often ask for proof of it before you sign a lease or start work.

  • Bodily injury and property damage to others
  • Personal and advertising injury, such as libel or slander
  • A COI for your landlord, client or venue
Check your price online

NEXT Insurance. You buy and pay on the partner's secure page; an insurance company issues the policy. Questions about the policy: your licensed producer.

Professional Liability (E&O)

For people who sell advice and services: when a client says your error or oversight cost them money or, in beauty and fitness, that the service itself injured them.

  • Accountants, consultants, IT pros, marketers, photographers, salons and trainers
  • Legal defense for covered claims
  • Often claims-made: it covers claims made while the policy is active, so avoid gaps in coverage
Check your price online

NEXT Insurance. You buy and pay on the partner's secure page; an insurance company issues the policy. Questions about the policy: your licensed producer.

How it works

  1. 1

    Tell us about your business

    Type of business, state, number of employees and what you need: a BOP, general liability, professional liability, or you are not sure yet.

  2. 2

    Choose the coverage

    A licensed producer goes over the details with you, explains what the policy covers and what it does not, and helps you pick limits. Where it is available, you can also see the price and buy online from the insurance company.

  3. 3

    Get the policy and your COI

    The insurance company issues the policy under its own rules. Then we help you get a COI for your landlord or client and, if your lease requires it, add them as an additional insured.

The basics in one table

What a BOP includes (ISO form BP 00 03)Business property, liability to others and business income (lost income after a covered loss) in one policy
What general liability coversBodily injury and property damage to others, personal and advertising injury (libel, slander), legal defense
What professional liability (E&O) coversClaims of errors, negligence or malpractice in your services, plus legal defense
Certificate of insurance (COI)A summary of your policy for a landlord or client, issued for information only. It does not change, add to or extend the coverage (ACORD 25)
Additional insuredHas to be in the policy itself: an endorsement or an additional insured provision. A name on the certificate as certificate holder gives no coverage
A client's property in your handsThe standard BOP liability section excludes damage to property in your care, custody or control and to the part of property that must be redone because your work was done wrong
Not covered by the standard BOPInjuries to your own employees (workers' compensation), business vehicles (commercial auto), professional services such as accounting, advertising, grooming and health services (professional liability)

Based on the standard ISO businessowners form (BP 00 03), the standard ACORD 25 certificate of insurance and NAIC and Triple-I consumer materials. Exact terms, limits and exclusions are set by the policy the insurer issues.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a BOP and general liability?

General liability covers harm you cause to other people and their property. A BOP adds coverage for your own business property, such as equipment, furniture and inventory, and for lost income if a covered event like a fire forces you to close for a while.

Do I need general liability or professional liability?

If a client could get hurt or you could damage their property, that is general liability. If your risk is advice, numbers or a service where a mistake costs the client money, you need professional liability (E&O). Accountants, consultants and IT pros often carry both; for contractors, such as electricians, plumbers or remodelers, we have a separate general liability page.

I run a salon or train clients. Will a BOP cover a client hurt by my service?

Usually not on its own. The standard ISO BOP excludes injuries caused by professional services, including grooming and appearance services and health or therapeutic treatment or instruction, so salons, stylists and trainers usually add professional liability for their trade. A client who slips on a wet floor is a different case: that is general liability.

What is a COI and who asks for it?

A certificate of insurance (COI) is a short summary showing that your policy is in force, with its limits and dates. Landlords, property managers, clients and event venues often ask for one before you sign a lease or start work. It is issued once the policy is in place and does not change your coverage.

My landlord wants to be an additional insured. What does that mean?

It means your policy also protects the landlord against covered claims that arise from your business. That status has to be in the policy itself, through an endorsement or an additional insured provision: putting the landlord's name on the certificate does not create it. Send us the insurance section of your lease and we will check what exactly is required.

I work alone from home. Do I need business insurance?

Often yes. A typical homeowners or renters policy covers little or no business equipment and usually excludes business liability, so a client injury or a claim about your work may not be covered.

Is business insurance required by law?

General liability and a BOP are often not required by law: a lease, a client contract, a lender or a license for your trade usually asks for them. Workers' compensation is different: most states require employers to carry it, with different thresholds (in Florida, for example, from four employees outside construction and from one in construction). A BOP and general liability do not cover injuries to your own employees.

How much does small business insurance cost?

It depends on your type of business, state, revenue, number of employees, property values and claims history. We do not publish prices: the insurance company sets the exact premium from your details.

Need a COI for your lease or a client?

A licensed producer places policies in 22 states, and your business needs to be in one of them. Leave a request or call: we will help you choose a BOP, general liability or professional liability and explain what the policy covers and what it does not.

Check your price online Call (315) 871-0833

Policies are issued by insurance companies, which set the terms, the price and whether to offer coverage. Your policy is placed by Dmitry Borovoy, a licensed property and casualty insurance producer (NJ license 3004390206, NPN 22313558), whose commission comes from the insurance company. About the license