Get the right commercial insurance for your Anchorage business
Which insurance policies are recommended for Anchorage businesses?
Anchorage is a growing hotspot for small businesses, with ample opportunities for new entrepreneurs. Protect your Anchorage business with these insurance products.
General liability insurance
General liability pays for legal costs from customer accidents, along with defamation and copyright infringement claims. Commercial leases in Anchorage often require this coverage.
- Customer accidents at your business
- Damage to a customer's property
- Slander and other advertising injuries
Professional liability insurance
A professional liability policy covers legal costs related to claims of negligence, such as advice that caused a client to lose money. It's sometimes called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Mistakes that cause financial loss
- Accusations of professional negligence
- Missed deadlines
Cyber liability insurance
Cyber insurance helps small businesses in Anchorage recover after a data breach or a cyberattack. Every business that handles customer information should have this coverage.
- Data breach notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- PR campaigns after a breach
Business owner’s policy
A business owner's policy, or BOP, is an affordable way to buy general liability coverage and commercial property insurance together. It's recommended for low-risk small businesses.
- Customer slip-and-fall injuries
- Damaged business property
- Theft and vandalism
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers' comp is required for Anchorage businesses with employees. It also covers work-related injuries for sole proprietors, which health insurance may deny.
- Medical bills from job-related injuries
- Disability benefits
- Legal fees from workplace injuries
Commercial auto insurance
All vehicles owned by Anchorage businesses must be covered by commercial auto insurance. This policy primarily covers injuries and property damage caused by your vehicle.
- Injuries from an auto accident
- Damage caused by your vehicle
- Lawsuits from an auto accident
Errors and omissions insurance
E&O insurance protects consultants and professional services against legal defense costs from dissatisfied clients. It's also called professional liability insurance.
- Errors and oversights
- Breach of contract
- Professional negligence
Commercial property insurance
This policy covers physical damage to a Anchorage business's building and its contents, including any computers and equipment. You can bundle it with general liability in a BOP.
- Burglaries
- Fires
- Storm damage
Commercial umbrella insurance
An umbrella policy provides coverage once the limit is reached on your underlying general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, or employer's liability insurance.
- Customer lawsuits
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Employee injury lawsuits
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Which business insurance policies are required in Anchorage, AK?
State and local laws determine the type of insurance solutions you need. These policies help you comply with Alaska business insurance requirements.
Workers' compensation insurance
Alaska state law requires all businesses with even just one employee to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This includes full-time and part-time employees with few exceptions, including commercial fishers, taxicab drivers working under contract, and seasonal agriculture workers.
While not required, Anchorage sole proprietors and independent contractors should also consider workers' comp to protect themselves from work-related injuries.
Workers' compensation insurance pays for medical costs from job-related injuries and illnesses. It also provides disability benefits for injured Alaskan workers.
Most workers' comp policies include employer's liability insurance, which protects employers against legal costs related to worker injuries.
Commercial auto insurance
From Juneau to Fairbanks, the state of Alaska requires commercial auto insurance coverage for all vehicles that are owned by a business. This auto policy pays for legal defense costs and property damage after an auto accident.
Alaska small businesses must meet the state's minimum requirements for auto liability coverage:
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
Keep in mind that this is the minimum you're required to carry. It's worth considering higher limits, given the potential cost of a lawsuit.
Trucking companies or businesses with vehicles that have an Alaska Department of Transportation serial number likely need additional coverage to comply with regulations.
If you need business insurance coverage for a personal, rented, or leased vehicle, you may want to consider hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) instead. Personal auto insurance typically will not cover if an accident occurs in a personal vehicle being used for business purposes.
How much does business insurance in Anchorage cost?
Small businesses in Anchorage don't have to pay a lot for commercial insurance. Here are a few average costs for small business owners, based on policy data from Insureon customers:
General liability: $45 per month
Workers' comp: $54 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $88 per month
The cost of business liability insurance depends on factors such as:
- Type of business
- Business operations
- Number of employees
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
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FAQs about Anchorage business insurance
Review answers to common questions about Anchorage business insurance.
How do I get a certificate of insurance for my business?
Sometimes small business owners need to get insured quickly to sign a contract or other agreement.
With Insureon, you can meet your business insurance needs and get same-day coverage in three simple steps:
- Fill out our easy online application to get quotes from top-rated insurance companies.
- Choose the insurance option that suits your coverage needs and pay for it online.
- Download a certificate of insurance by logging into your account.
Our licensed insurance agents will help you get the right coverage for your small Anchorage business that matches your specific needs and your budget. Most businesses receive their certificate of insurance within a few hours of applying for quotes.
Can my business be held liable for a data security breach?
Yes – that's why cyber insurance is so crucial. Small businesses are a common target of cyberattacks since they often have fewer security measures in place.
Alaska's data breach laws require Anchorage businesses to notify any residents whose personal information is exposed in a data breach "in the most expeditious time possible."
Your business could also end up paying a $500 fine as well as paying for a data breach investigation, a PR campaign, and other costs related to a breach or cyberattack.
Cyber insurance covers these costs and provides resources so you can get back to business fast.
Does my industry affect Anchorage insurance requirements?
Yes, the city of Anchorage may have special requirements for business insurance and bonds, depending on the type of work you do.
All Anchorage businesses are required to have a business license if they're operating within city limits. You may need an additional license depending on your industry.
Here are a few examples of businesses with other obligations:
- Contractors need commercial general liability insurance for contractors and a $25,000 surety bond to operate in Alaska. Residential contractors need a $20,000 bond and specialty contractors require a $10,000 bond.
- Real estate agents and brokers are required to carry errors and omissions insurance (E&O), sometimes called professional liability insurance, in order to operate.
- Notaries in Alaska are required to carry a $2,500 surety bond.
- Cannabis businesses are required to carry a Marijuana-Cannabis Surety Bond.
- Home-based businesses may want to consider commercial property insurance as homeowner's insurance and renter's insurance likely won't cover commercial property.
- Physicians aren't required by law to carry malpractice insurance, but you may need it to work in some healthcare facilities.
Check with your local laws and industry requirements before beginning operations within Anchorage.
How can I get help starting a small business in Anchorage, AK?
Anchorage's proximity to beautiful, wild nature and ample natural resources make it a fantastic place for new businesses to thrive.
To help you get started, here's a list of local organizations available to provide guidance and resources:
- Alaska Division of Commerce Small Business Assistance Center provides resources for obtaining licenses, financing, and other services.
- Alaska Small Business Development Center offers advising, tools, and workshops for local entrepreneurs.
- University of Alaska Anchorage Small Business Development Center has a dedicated resource center that provides low cost services for small business owners in the area, including workshops and advising sessions.
- The Small Business Administration Alaska District assists entrepreneurs with funding, certifications, counseling, and disaster recovery resources.
Many lenders will require you to first obtain several types of business insurance, which is yet another reason to insure your investment.
How can I save money on Anchorage business insurance?
Small business owners can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from different insurance companies. With Insureon, you can get free business insurance quotes from top-rated providers by filling out one easy application.
There are a few other ways to save, such as:
- Bundle policies for a discount. Insurance agencies often provide lower rates for bundles; the most popular is a business owner's policy.
- Choose less expensive policy options, such as lower limits or a higher deductible.
- Focus on workplace safety and risk management. Fewer accidents mean fewer claims, which helps keep your premium low.
Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance.