Get the right commercial insurance for your San Diego business
Which insurance policies are recommended for San Diego businesses?
San Diego is a hotbed for tech startups, advanced manufacturing, and small businesses. Protect your business with these common insurance products.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy pays for legal costs from customer accidents, along with defamation and copyright infringement claims. Commercial leases in San Diego 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 San Diego 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 and commercial property insurance together. It's recommended for all small, low-risk businesses in San Diego.
- Customer slip-and-fall injuries
- Damaged business property
- Theft and vandalism
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers’ comp covers medical bills and provides disability benefits for injured employees. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical bills that health insurance may deny.
- Medical bills from job-related injuries
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from injured workers
Commercial auto insurance
All vehicles owned by San Diego 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 San Diego business's building and its contents, including any computers and equipment. You can bundle it with general liability in a BOP.
- Fires
- Burst pipes
- 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 San Diego?
State laws often determine the type of coverage you need. These policies help you comply with San Diego business insurance requirements.
Workers' compensation insurance
California state law requires businesses with any employees, full-time or part-time, to carry workers’ comp insurance.
Additionally, all licensed contractors are required by law to have workers' comp starting in January 2028, even if they don’t employ anyone else. Contractors who already need this coverage include roof contractors, tree service technicians, and HVAC contractors.
Workers' comp covers medical bills for work-related injuries and illnesses. It also provides disability benefits for injured San Diego workers.
Commercial auto insurance
California state law requires commercial auto insurance for all vehicles used solely for work purposes. This insurance policy covers medical payments, legal costs, and property damage from accidents involving your commercial vehicle.
San Diego businesses must meet the state's requirements for auto liability coverage, which are:
- $30,000 in bodily injury liability or death liability per person
- $60,000 in bodily injury liability or death liability to more than one person
- $15,000 in property damage per accident
This amount of coverage is the least you need. It's worth considering higher limits, given the potential cost of a lawsuit. Trucking companies also may need more coverage to comply with regulations.
If you drive a personal, rented, or leased vehicle for business purposes, you may want to consider hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) instead.
How much does business insurance in San Diego cost?
Small businesses in San Diego don't have to pay a lot for commercial insurance. Here are a few average costs for California businesses, based on policy data from Insureon customers:
General liability: $42 per month
Workers' comp: $63 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $94 per month
The cost of business insurance depends on factors such as:
- Type of business
- Business operations
- Number of employees
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Claims history
Top professions we insure
FAQs about San Diego business insurance
Review answers to common questions about San Diego business insurance.
How do I get a certificate of insurance for my business?
Sometimes you need to get insured quickly to sign a contract, lease, or other agreement. With Insureon, you can get same-day insurance in three easy steps:
- Fill out our easy online application to get quotes from top-rated insurance companies.
- Choose a policy and pay for it online.
- Download a certificate of insurance (COI) by logging into your account.
Our licensed insurance agents will help you get coverage that matches your business needs and your budget. Most San Diego businesses can get 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.
California's data breach laws require San Diego businesses to notify any residents whose personal information is exposed in a data breach. Your business could also end up 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 San Diego insurance requirements?
Yes, the city of San Diego may require you to buy certain types of business insurance or bonds, depending on your profession. You may also need a business license or permit to operate in the city or do certain types of work.
Here are a few examples of local business requirements:
- All businesses in San Diego must register for a Business Tax Certificate.
- Contractors typically need to carry contractor general liability insurance, workers' comp, and a surety bond to comply with California's state licensing requirements. Contractors and subcontractors must be verified with the city of San Diego, and contractors who work for San Diego County need to be insured [PDF].
- Insurance agents and brokers must get a California license to work legally.
- Landscapers need to comply with the San Diego Municipal Code [PDF], which includes a brush management requirement to help prevent fires. Landscapers who use goats for this purpose must carry $1 million in liability insurance.
When running a business in San Diego, from a cleaning company to a cannabis dispensary to a restaurant, you need to be aware of laws and regulations for California, San Diego County, and the city of San Diego.
How can I get help starting a small business in San Diego?
From the defense industry to tourism, San Diego has a diverse economy dominated by small businesses. Though it can be hard to get a foothold, there's ample support to help you get started:
- The San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses in the area.
- The San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) works with local businesses free of charge to help them grow and develop.
- The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce provides networking opportunities for local businesses and supports business-friendly initiatives.
- SCORE San Diego will match you with a free San Diego business mentor. SCORE also offers webinars and networking events.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is a trusted source for small business loans with competitive rates and fees.
Keep in mind that many lenders will require you to first obtain business insurance coverage, which is yet another reason to insure your investment.
How can I save money on San Diego business insurance?
Small business owners can save money on insurance costs by comparing quotes from different providers. With Insureon, you can get free quotes from top-rated carriers by filling out one easy application.
There are a few other ways to save, such as:
- Bundle policies for a discount. The most popular option is a business owner's policy.
- Choose less expensive coverage options, such as lower limits or a higher deductible.
- Focus on workplace safety. Fewer accidents means fewer claims, which helps keep your premium low.
Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance.