Protect the business behind the vision.

In plain terms

General liability insurance can help respond when someone outside your business alleges you caused them bodily injury or damaged their property, along with certain advertising and personal injury claims. Depending on the policy, it may help with legal defense costs and covered settlements up to the policy limits.

Often considered by

• Businesses that serve customers or visit client sites
• Companies whose leases or contracts require proof of coverage
• Productions filming on location

Questions to ask

• What limits do my leases, clients or venues require?
• Do I need to name others as additional insureds?
• What does the policy exclude for my type of work?

In plain terms

A Business Owners Policy, or BOP, packages general liability and commercial property coverage, and often business income coverage, into one policy. It is designed for eligible small and mid-sized businesses, and eligibility depends on factors such as industry, size and operations.

Often considered by

• Small offices, shops and service businesses
• Startups building their first insurance program
• Professional practices with a physical location

Questions to ask

• Is my business eligible for a BOP?
• Which coverages are not included, such as auto, workers’ compensation or professional liability?
• Are my property values and income limits current?

In plain terms

Workers’ compensation can help pay medical costs and a portion of lost wages when an employee has a covered work-related injury or illness, and typically includes employer’s liability coverage. Requirements are set by each state and vary by business type and number of employees.

Often considered by

• Businesses with employees
• Productions hiring cast and crew
• Contractors whose clients require proof of coverage

Questions to ask

• What does my state require for my business?
• Are my workers classified correctly?
• How will payroll and job classifications affect premiums?

In plain terms

Commercial property insurance can help repair or replace buildings, equipment, inventory and furnishings after covered losses such as fire, theft or certain weather events. Many policies can also include business income coverage to help while operations are interrupted by a covered loss.

Often considered by

• Businesses that own or lease space
• Equipment-heavy operations
• Retailers and companies holding inventory

Questions to ask

• Is my property valued at replacement cost or actual cash value?
• Are flood and earthquake excluded, and do I need separate coverage?
• How long could I operate after a major loss?

In plain terms

Commercial auto insurance covers vehicles owned, leased or used by a business, including liability and physical damage options. Hired and non-owned auto coverage can address rented vehicles and employees driving their own cars for business. Personal auto policies may not cover business use.

Often considered by

• Businesses with vans, trucks or company cars
• Productions renting vehicles
• Employees running business errands in personal cars

Questions to ask

• Who drives for the business, and in which vehicles?
• Do I need hired and non-owned auto coverage?
• What are my state’s minimum requirements?

In plain terms

Professional liability, often called errors and omissions (E&O), can help respond to claims that your professional advice or services caused a client financial harm through a mistake, oversight or failure to deliver. It can include defense costs, which may apply even when a claim lacks merit.

Often considered by

• Consultants, agencies and advisors
• Creative, marketing and technology firms
• Any business paid for its expertise

Questions to ask

• Is the policy claims-made, and what is the retroactive date?
• Do my client contracts require specific limits?
• What happens to coverage if I change carriers?

In plain terms

Cyber insurance can help with costs after a covered data breach, ransomware attack or network interruption, such as forensic investigation, customer notification, legal support and certain liability claims. Coverage varies widely, and carriers often require security controls like multi-factor authentication.

Often considered by

• Businesses storing customer or payment data
• Remote and cloud-based teams
• Media companies with valuable digital assets

Questions to ask

• What security controls will the carrier expect?
• Is social engineering or funds-transfer fraud included?
• Who do I call first during an incident?

In plain terms

Some businesses and projects fall outside standard insurance programs, such as film and media productions, live events, high-value equipment, umbrella and excess liability needs, or higher-hazard operations. These risks may be placed with specialty or surplus lines markets where available, which often need more detailed underwriting information.

Often considered by

• Film, television and media productions
• Event producers and venues
• Businesses with unusual equipment or operations

Questions to ask

• Does my risk need a specialty market?
• Is surplus lines coverage available in my state?
• What information will underwriters need?