What to know first
Business coverage should follow actual operations, property, employees and vehicle use. A personal policy is not automatically suitable for a business exposure. Available options depend on the business, carrier and state.
Describe the operation before choosing coverage
Provide your services, locations, equipment, employees and customer interactions. A landlord or customer contract may specify limits, but it does not necessarily identify every exposure. Let the team know about work across state lines and subcontractors.
Vehicles and property need their own review
Deliveries, employee driving, tools, leased equipment and jobsite work can create different requirements. Commercial auto should be considered separately from personal auto use. Ask about vehicles owned by the company and situations where employees use personal or rented vehicles for work.
Coordinate continuity and liability
General liability, business property, interruption protection and an umbrella can serve different purposes. Business owners may also want to discuss life protection for key people or ongoing obligations. Specific forms, limits and eligibility require a review of the operation.
Questions people ask
Can I cover business driving on a personal auto policy?
Discuss the actual use with the agency. Delivery, service calls and employee driving may require a different insurance arrangement.
Can you review a small business before renewal?
Yes. Have current policies, operation details and any customer or landlord requirements available for the conversation.