Insurance for lawyers in California

Learn about business insurance requirements and the most common policies for lawyers in California.

Which policies are required for California lawyers?

If you have a commercial lease, your property manager may require you to purchase general liability insurance. Commonly purchased by lawyers in California, general liability insurance can protect your business from expenses associated with common mishaps, such as client property damage and injuries.

State law in California requires every small business with employees to provide workers’ compensation insurance, which covers medical bills for work injuries. Businesses that own a vehicle must purchase commercial auto insurance and meet state requirements for auto liability coverage.

Compare insurance quotes for lawyers from trusted U.S. carriers

What are the most common insurance policies for California lawyers?

California lawyers most often buy these insurance policies. You may need some or all of these policies depending on the specifics of your business, such as the number of employees and requirements outlined in contracts and leases.

Business owner's policy (BOP)

Small law firms often qualify for a business owner’s policy. This package helps your business save money by bundling commercial property insurance with general liability insurance at an affordable rate.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance is the foundation of a lawyer’s business protection, with coverage that extends to client injuries, client property damage, and advertising injuries. Most commercial leases require you to have this coverage.

California workers' compensation

If you own a law firm in California that has employees, you are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. This policy covers medical treatment for work injuries, and also provides disability benefits.

If you are a sole proprietor, the coverage is optional. However, if you slip and break an arm in your office, or develop carpal tunnel syndrome after years of working on a computer, you could turn to a workers’ comp policy to help pay your medical bills and provide partial wages.

Commercial auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance is required for business-owned vehicles, while hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) covers vehicles that your business uses but does not own. This policy covers the cost of accidents involving a law firm's vehicle, including property damage and medical expenses.

Cyber liability insurance

Cyber liability insurance helps lawyers recover financially from data breaches and cyberattacks. This policy covers client notification costs, fraud monitoring services, and other related expenses.

What do lawyers in California pay for insurance?

The typical lawyer in California can expect to pay equal to or more than the national median for business insurance, according to data from Insureon's small business customers.

For example, the median annual cost of workers’ compensation insurance for a lawyer in California is $1,754, significantly more than the national median of $1,054. On the other hand, the median annual premium for a business owner’s policy is $1,000, which is exactly the national median.

Median insurance costs for California lawyers.

Save time and money with Insureon

Insureon’s industry-leading technology helps lawyers in California save time and money shopping for insurance by comparing policies from top U.S. carriers. Start a free online application to review quotes for the policies that best fit your business. Our insurance agents are licensed in California and can answer your questions as you consider coverage.

To make the application go quicker, have this information ready: