Get the right commercial insurance for your Houston business
Which insurance policies are recommended for Houston businesses?
Houston leads the nation as a hotspot for Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike. Protect your small Houston business with these common insurance products.
General liability insurance
A general liability policy protects Houston businesses from lawsuits related to customer accidents, defamation, and copyright infringement. Commercial leases often require this coverage.
- Customer accidents 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 Houston 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 insurance together at a discount. It's the policy most often recommended for small businesses in Houston.
- Customer injuries
- Damaged business property
- Business interruption coverage
Workers’ compensation insurance
Workers' compensation helps pay for medical costs when an employee at your Houston business is injured. 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 Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston?
State and local laws can determine the type of insurance you need. These policies help you comply with Texas business insurance requirements.
Workers' compensation insurance
Unlike most other states, Texas does not mandate workers' compensation insurance for businesses. However, employers without coverage must notify the state and their employees.
Even when it's not required, workers' comp is a wise investment for protection against work-related injuries and illnesses. For example, a cleaning company employee becoming sick from cleaner fumes, or a line cook at a restaurant getting burned by the grill. Your personal health insurance likely won't cover medical bills that are related to your job.
Workers' comp also provides disability benefits for injured Houston workers, and usually includes employer's liability insurance for protection against workplace injury lawsuits.
Commercial auto insurance
Texas state law requires commercial auto insurance for all vehicles that are owned by a business. This insurance policy pays for medical bills, legal costs, and property damage after an auto accident.
Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas 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
- $25,000 in property damage 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 may also 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 insurance cost in Houston?
Small businesses in Houston don't have to pay a lot for commercial insurance. Here are a few average costs for Texas businesses, based on policy data from Insureon customers:
General liability: $43 per month
Workers' comp: $34 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $91 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
FAQs about Houston business insurance
Review answers to frequently asked questions about Houston 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 providers.
- 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 for your small Houston business that matches your risks and your budget. 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.
Texas' data breach laws require Houston 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 Houston business insurance requirements?
Yes, the city of Houston may have special requirements for business insurance and bonds, depending on the type of work you do. There are four main requirements for any business operating in Houston, including obtaining a Texas sales and use tax permit.
Here are a few examples of businesses with additional obligations:
- Contractors, carpenters, handymen, and other construction professionals may need contractor general liability insurance 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.
- Notaries public must carry a four-year, $10,000 surety bond to work in Houston.
- Insurance agencies need to carry a $25,000 surety bond to be licensed in the state.
- Physicians and nurses aren't required by Texas law to carry malpractice insurance, also called professional liability insurance, but it's typically required by the healthcare facilities where they work.
When running a business in Houston, you need to be aware of laws and regulations for Texas, Harris County, and the city of Houston. The City of Houston Guide to Business Insurance is a good place to start.
Note that most policies in Houston don't cover damage from flooding, wind, or hail due to the increased risks of the area.
How can I get help starting a small business in Houston?
Texas is the top destination in the nation for new companies, which means Houston offers plenty of opportunity – and competition. Here's a list of local organizations that can help you get started:
- The University of Houston Texas Gulf Coast SBDC Network offers advice and training to small businesses in Southeast Texas.
- The City of Houston supplies a range of resources for small business owners, including free one-on-one Skype sessions with a licensed attorney.
- The Small Business Administration's (SBA) Houston District Office provides assistance with funding, counseling, disaster recovery, and more.
- The Governor's Office of Small Business Assistance assists small and medium Texas businesses with informational webinars and events, among other offerings.
- SCORE Houston offers free business advice and training, with support from over 150 local volunteers from diverse industries and specialties.
Additionally, there are more than 20 chambers of commerce in and around Houston that offer networking opportunities and training, including:
How can I save money on Houston small business insurance?
Small business owners can save money on insurance by comparing quotes from different insurance companies. 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 mean fewer claims, which helps keep your premium low.
Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance.