Business insurance, explained.
Plain-language guides, a glossary of every term on your policy, and answers to the questions owners actually ask.
Start here
Three guides that answer most of what a new owner needs to know.
What business insurance does a small business need?
Most small businesses start with general liability, then add policies for what they own, the work they do and the people they employ. The right mix depends on your risks, your state and what your lease and contracts require.
How much does business insurance cost?
Business insurance is priced as a rate times your size, set by what you do, where you work, your payroll or sales, your limits and your claims. See what moves it.
What is a certificate of insurance?
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page summary that shows a landlord or client you’re insured. Learn each field, what it can’t do and how to check one.
Browse by topic
Seven shelves, from the first policy you buy to the claim you hope you never file.
Insurance basics
What business insurance is, how a policy works and what you’re required to carry.
12 articles
Coverage explained
How policies differ, where each one stops and what fills the gaps.
10 articles
Cost and pricing
What moves the price, how to choose limits and deductibles, and how to compare quotes.
10 articles
Certificates and contracts
Proof of coverage, additional insureds and the insurance clauses in leases and contracts.
8 articles
Claims
What to do when something goes wrong, and how to make a claim go smoothly.
5 articles
Employees and payroll
Workers’ comp, contractors and the insurance questions that come with hiring.
3 articles
Industry guides
The questions particular to restaurants, contractors, salons, auto shops, retail and firms.
15 articles
Glossary
Every term on a policy or certificate, defined in one sentence.
52 terms
Wherever you are
Guides for the moment you’re in: opening, buying or already covered.
01
Starting out
Opening a business, signing a lease or buying insurance for the first time.
02
Comparing and buying
Choosing policies, limits and deductibles, and meeting a contract’s requirements.
03
Already covered
Using your policy: claims, audits, renewals and changes.
Every term, in one sentence.
Browse all 52 termsAdditional insured
An additional insured is a person or company, such as a landlord or client, added to your liability policy so it can protect them from claims tied to your work.
Aggregate limit
An aggregate limit is the most a policy will pay for all covered claims combined during one policy period, no matter how many claims you have.
Waiver of subrogation
A waiver of subrogation is an agreement, usually added to your policy by endorsement, that stops your insurer from recovering claim payments from a specific client, landlord or contractor.
Retroactive date
A retroactive date is the earliest date of work or events a claims-made policy covers, so anything that happened before it isn’t covered, even if the claim is new.
Period of restoration
The period of restoration is the time business income coverage pays for after covered damage, from the end of the waiting period until your property should reasonably be repaired.
Experience modification rate
An experience modification rate (EMR) is a workers’ comp factor that raises or lowers your premium by comparing your past claims with those of similar businesses.
Latest articles
New guides as owners ask us new questions. Every one is written in plain language and lists its sources.
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