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Business Insurance in California
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What are the requirements for small business insurance in California?
State laws can affect which insurance policies you need for your small business. These policies are required for California businesses.
Workers' compensation insurance
California state law requires businesses with any employees, full-time or part-time, to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers medical bills for work injuries and illnesses.
Commercial auto insurance
All business-owned vehicles in California must be covered by commercial auto insurance. California requires $5,000 property damage liability per accident, $15,000 bodily injury / death liability per person, and $30,000 bodily injury / death liability to more than one person.
Though it's not required, personal vehicles driven for work purposes should be covered by hired and non-owned auto insurance, as personal auto policies usually exclude business use. It can be added to general liability insurance or a business owner's policy.
Recommended insurance policies for small businesses in California
General liability insurance
This policy is important for all California 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 or slander lawsuits
Professional liability insurance
This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance, protects professionals whose work depends on their expertise. It covers client lawsuits over mistakes and missed deadlines.
BEST FOR
- Work mistakes and oversights
- Professional negligence lawsuits
- Late or incomplete work
Cyber liability insurance
This policy helps California 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
Business owner’s policy
This policy bundles property insurance and general liability insurance in one plan. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for a California business.
BEST FOR
- Customer injuries
- Damaged customer property
- Damaged business property
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers’ compensation insurance is required in California for every business that has employees. It can cover medical costs for work-related injuries.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Partial missed wages
- Lawsuits over employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance
This policy is required for business-owned vehicles in California. It covers injuries and property damage in an accident, along with vehicle theft, vandalism, and weather damage.
BEST FOR
- Accidents involving business-owned vehicles
- Theft of a business-owned vehicle
- Damage to a company vehicle
Looking for different coverage? See more policies.
Find policies for your profession
Photographers, nurses, and lawyers need different insurance coverage. Insureon offers policies for the following California professions and more:
Don't see your profession listed? Find more professions.
How much does small business insurance cost?
Commercial insurance can be affordable for a small California business. Factors that influence the cost include:
- Your industry and risk
- Coverage limits
- Location
- Number of employees
Insureon specializes in California business insurance
In California, insurance agents, agencies, and brokers are licensed by the California Department of Insurance. Insureon is licensed in California as BIN Insurance Holdings LLC (NPN 15752926; license 0G11129) for property and casualty insurance and for surplus lines. Verify our licensure with the California Department of Insurance License Number Search.
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