Get the right commercial insurance for your Boston business
Which insurance policies are recommended for Boston businesses?
With more than 700,000 small businesses in Massachusetts, small businesses are the backbone of the Greater Boston economy. Protect your small Boston business with these common insurance products.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy protects Boston businesses from lawsuits related to customer accidents, defamation, and copyright infringement. Commercial leases often require this coverage.
- Customer injuries at your business
- Libel and other advertising injuries
- Product liability insurance
Professional liability insurance
This policy covers legal costs related to mistakes and oversights, such as a consultant's advice that leads to financial loss. It's also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O).
- Mistakes that cause financial loss
- Accusations of professional negligence
- Missed deadlines
Cyber insurance
Cyber liability insurance covers the costs of data breaches and cyberattacks. Every Boston business that handles credit cards or other personal information should carry this coverage.
- Customer notification costs
- Fraud monitoring services
- Data breach investigations
Business owner’s policy
A BOP bundles general liability coverage and commercial property coverage together at a discount. It's the policy most often recommended for small businesses in Boston.
- Customer injuries
- Damaged business property
- Business interruption coverage
Workers’ compensation insurance
All Boston businesses with employees are required to carry workers' comp. It also covers work-related medical bills for sole proprietors, which personal health insurance may not cover.
- Medical bills from employee injuries
- Disability benefits
- Workplace injury lawsuits
Commercial auto insurance
All vehicles owned by Boston businesses must be covered by commercial auto insurance. This policy covers auto accident injuries and property damage.
- Medical bills from an accident
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Auto accident lawsuits
Errors and omissions insurance
Consultants and professional services in Boston carry this coverage to protect against legal costs from clients harmed by your advice or services. It's sometimes called professional liability insurance.
- Errors and oversights
- Late or incomplete work
- Negligence accusations
Commercial property insurance
This policy covers the cost of repair or replacement of your building's physical structure and its contents. Bundle it with general liability coverage in a BOP for a discount.
- Storm damage
- Fires
- Theft and vandalism
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 Boston?
State and local laws can determine the type of insurance you need. These policies help you comply with Massachusetts business insurance requirements.
Workers' compensation insurance
Massachusetts state law requires all businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This includes full-time and part-time employees.
Businesses must either purchase a policy through an insurance company or get permission to self-insure their company.
Workers' comp pays for medical expenses from job-related injuries and illnesses. It also provides disability benefits for injured Boston workers.
Commercial auto insurance
Massachusetts small businesses, from Boston to Cambridge and Newton, are required by state law to carry commercial auto insurance for all vehicles that are owned by a business. This insurance policy pays for medical costs, defense costs, and property damage after an auto accident.
Boston businesses must meet the state's requirements for auto liability coverage, which are:
- $20,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $40,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $8,000 personal injury protection (PIP)
- $5,000 property damage liability per accident
- $20,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $40,000 uninsured motorist coverage 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 also may need more 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.
How much does business liability insurance cost in Boston?
Small businesses in Boston don't have to pay a lot for commercial insurance. Here are a few average costs for Massachusetts businesses, based on policy data from Insureon customers:
General liability: $44 per month
Workers' comp: $40 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $99 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
Top professions we insure
Other common questions about Boston business insurance
How do I get a certificate of insurance for my business?
Sometimes you need to get insured quickly to sign a contract 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 carriers.
- Choose the insurance option that suits your business needs 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 for your small Boston business that matches your risks and insurance needs. Most 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.
Massachusetts' data breach laws require Boston 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 Boston insurance requirements?
Yes, the city of Boston may have special requirements for business insurance and bonds, depending on the type of work you do. There are a few requirements for any Boston business [PDF], including having a business license through the city and the appropriate permit for your business.
Here are a few examples of businesses with additional obligations:
- Contractors and some handymen often need commercial general liability insurance for contractors or a surety bond to sign a contract or bid on a project. Having the right insurance and bonds helps you comply with state licensing requirements.
- Physicians and nurses are required to carry malpractice insurance, also called professional liability insurance, by state law. The policy must have a liability limit of $100,000 per-occurrence and $300,000 aggregate per year/policy period.
- Cannabis businesses in Massachusetts need to carry general liability insurance, product liability insurance, and a surety bond to operate legally.
When running a business in Boston, you need to be aware of laws and regulations for Massachusetts, Suffolk County, and the city of Boston.
How can I get help starting a small business in Boston?
The city of Boston has become a hub for business startups, and will only continue to grow and thrive. To help you get started, here's a list of local organizations available to provide guidance and resources:
- The Boston Public Library offers several resources for starting a small business in Boston.
- The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce enables networking opportunities and support for small business.
- The City of Boston provides small business owners and entrepreneurs with tools and guidance to start, grow, and build a business in Boston.
- Small Business Strong (SBS) is a Boston non-profit organization dedicated to providing pro-bono resources to small businesses.
- SCORE Boston offers free business advice and training, with support from experienced entrepreneurs from diverse industries and specialties.
- Boston Impact provides technical assistance, business coaching, connections, and education to support local businesses.
Keep in mind that many lenders will require you to first obtain business insurance, which is yet another reason to insure your investment.
How can I save money on Boston business insurance?
Small business owners can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from different insurance agencies. With Insureon, you can get free 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. The most popular option is a business owner's policy.
- Choose less expensive policy 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.