Business Insurance in Washington, D.C.

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Get the right commercial insurance for your Washington, D.C. business

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Learn about Washington, D.C.'s business requirements

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Which policies are recommended for Washington, D.C. businesses?

Small businesses in Washington, D.C. often buy these types of insurance.

General liability insurance icon

General liability insurance

This policy is important for all Washington, D.C. businesses. It covers common risks, including customer property damage and injuries. Most commercial leases require this coverage.

BEST FOR
  • Customer injuries at your business
  • Damaged customer property
  • Libel and other advertising injuries
Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Workers’ compensation insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance is required for Washington, D.C. businesses that have one or more employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.

BEST FOR
  • Employee medical expenses
  • Disability benefits
  • Lawsuits from employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance icon

Commercial auto insurance

This policy is required for business-owned vehicles in Washington, D.C. It covers injuries and property damage in an accident, along with vehicle theft and certain types of damage.

BEST FOR
  • Accidents involving business vehicles
  • Theft of a business-owned vehicle
  • Damage to a company vehicle
Business owner’s policy icon

Business owner’s policy

This policy bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for a business in Washington, D.C.

BEST FOR
  • Customer injuries
  • Damaged customer property
  • Damaged business property
Professional liability insurance icon

Professional liability insurance

This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), protects professionals whose work depends on their expertise. It covers lawsuits over mistakes and missed deadlines.

BEST FOR
  • Work mistakes and oversights
  • Professional negligence lawsuits
  • Late or incomplete work
Errors and omissions insurance icon

Errors and omissions insurance

E&O, sometimes called professional liability insurance, is common with professional services in Washington, D.C. It can cover the cost of lawsuits related to your work performance.

BEST FOR
  • Missed deadlines
  • Accusations of negligence
  • Errors and oversights
Cyber insurance icon

Cyber insurance

This policy helps Washington, D.C. businesses survive data breaches and cyberattacks by paying for client notification costs, legal fees, and other related expenses.

BEST FOR
  • Data breach lawsuits
  • Client notification expenses
  • Fraud monitoring costs
Umbrella / excess liability insurance icon

Commercial umbrella insurance

Umbrella insurance boosts coverage on your general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, and employer's liability insurance when the underlying policy reaches its limit.

BEST FOR
  • Customer lawsuits
  • Auto accident lawsuits
  • Employee injury lawsuits
Commercial property insurance icon

Commercial property insurance

This policy covers the value of a business's physical structure and its contents, such as inventory, equipment, and furniture. Bundle it with general liability coverage in a BOP for savings.

BEST FOR
  • Fire
  • Theft and vandalism
  • Weather damage
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.

How to get insurance for your Washington, D.C. business

View video transcript.

We're on top of your small and medium-sized business insurance needs. We'll help you find policies that protect what you've worked so hard to build. Start here.

Tell us about yourself. Questions? We've got your back. The info you share is secure. We'll double-check it and a pro with experience in your field will be in touch.

Fast? You can compare quotes from leading insurance providers in seconds and get a certificate of insurance the same day.

Always online, always on your side. Helping protect your business.

When you are ready to get insurance for your Washington, D.C. business, you can complete Insureon's easy online application to get quotes from top-rated insurance companies.

Which business insurance policies are required in Washington, D.C.?

Regional laws often affect business insurance requirements. These policies are required in Washington, D.C.

Purple check mark

Workers' compensation insurance

Laws in Washington, D.C. require [PDF] businesses with one or more employees to carry workers’ comp insurance.

Sole proprietors can purchase workers’ comp for themselves, but are not required to unless they have employees. This policy covers medical payments for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Purple check mark

Commercial auto insurance

All business-owned vehicles in Washington, D.C. must be covered by commercial auto insurance. This policy covers the cost of accidents involving your work vehicle.

Washington, D.C.'s car insurance requirements are:

  • $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $10,000 property damage liability
  • $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
  • $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
  • $5,000 uninsured motorist property damage

Trucking companies may need additional business insurance coverage to comply with regulations.

Though it's not required, personal vehicles driven for work purposes should be covered by hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA), as personal auto policies usually exclude business use. It can be added to general liability insurance or a business owner's policy.

How much does small business insurance cost in D.C.?

A small business owner calculating their small business insurance payments

Commercial insurance can be affordable for small business owners. Average premiums in the District of Columbia are:

General liability: $42 per month
Workers' comp: $53 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $97 per month

Factors that influence business insurance costs include:

  • Type of business
  • Business operations
  • Number of employees
  • Policy limits and deductibles

FAQs about Washington, D.C. insurance

Review answers to frequently asked questions about business insurance in Washington, D.C.

How do I get a certificate of insurance for my business?

Insureon's licensed agents can help you find policies that fulfill Washington D.C.'s requirements and protect against financial loss. Once you've purchased insurance with us, you can download a certificate of insurance by logging into your account.

Can my company be held liable for a data security breach?

Yes – that's why cyber insurance is so crucial. Hackers are three times more likely to target small businesses, as they often have fewer resources to combat a threat.

Washington, D.C.'s data breach laws require businesses to report security breaches to affected residents, and the costs can escalate quickly. Cyber liability insurance lessens the financial impact by paying for notification costs, legal fees, and fines.

Does my industry affect regional insurance requirements?

Yes, your region may have special requirements for business insurance and bonds for your industry. You may also need a license depending on the work you do.

Contractors often need to carry general liability insurance or surety bonds to perform certain types of work. Having the right insurance and bonds helps you comply with regional licensing requirements.

Real estate agents and brokers and other professionals who offer advice or services sometimes need errors and omissions insurance to get licensed in their area.

Cities, counties, and states may also have their own laws.

How can I save money on Washington, D.C. business insurance?

As with any purchase, shopping around is one of the best ways to find an affordable option. With Insureon, you can compare quotes from top-rated providers by filling out a free online application.

Other ways to save include bundling policies for a discount, and choosing less expensive policy options, such as lower limits or a higher deductible. Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance.

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