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Which insurance policies are recommended for New York businesses?
Small businesses in New York most often buy these types of insurance.
General liability insurance
This type of business liability insurance is important for all New York businesses. A general liability policy covers common third-party risks and is required for most commercial leases.
BEST FOR
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Damaged customer property
- Libel and other advertising injuries
Workers’ compensation insurance
New York state law requires every business that has employees, full-time or part-time, to carry workers' compensation. It also protects sole proprietors from work injury costs that health insurance might deny.
BEST FOR
- Employee medical expenses
- Disability benefits
- Legal defense costs
Commercial auto insurance
This policy is required for business-owned vehicles in New York. It covers injuries and property damage in an accident, along with vehicle theft, vandalism, and weather damage.
BEST FOR
- Accidents involving business vehicles
- Theft of a commercial vehicle
- Damage to a company vehicle
Business owner's policy
A BOP bundles business property insurance and general liability coverage in one plan. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for a New York business.
BEST FOR
- Customer bodily injuries
- Damaged customer property
- Damaged business property
Professional liability insurance
This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), protects New York businesses that provide professional services or advice. It covers lawsuits related to work performance.
BEST FOR
- Work mistakes and oversights
- Professional negligence lawsuits
- Late or incomplete work
Errors and omissions insurance
E&O, sometimes called professional liability insurance, is common with professional services in New York. It can cover the cost of lawsuits related to your work performance.
BEST FOR
- Missed deadlines
- Accusations of negligence
- Errors and oversights
Cyber insurance
This policy covers financial losses from data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for New York businesses that handle credit card numbers and other sensitive data.
BEST FOR
- Customer notification expenses
- Fraud monitoring services
- Data breach investigations
Commercial umbrella insurance
Umbrella insurance boosts coverage on your general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, and employer's liability insurance when the underlying policy reaches its limit.
BEST FOR
- Customer lawsuits
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Employee injury lawsuits
Commercial property insurance
This policy covers the value of a business's physical structure and its contents, such as inventory, equipment, and furniture. Bundle it with general liability coverage in a BOP for savings.
BEST FOR
- Fire
- Theft and vandalism
- Weather damage
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Which business insurance policies are required in New York?
State laws affect which business insurance coverage you need. These policies are required everywhere in New York, from Rochester to New York City.
Workers' compensation insurance
The state of New York requires every business that has employees, full-time or part-time, to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Workers' comp covers medical bills for work-related injuries and illness, such as a cleaning company employee becoming sick from cleaner fumes. It also provides disability benefits to injured workers, and protects New York business owners from liability over an injury.
Commercial auto insurance
All business-owned vehicles in New York must be covered by commercial auto insurance. This policy covers the cost of accidents involving work vehicles.
New York's minimum requirements for auto liability insurance are:
- $25,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 liability for death per person
- $100,000 liability for death per accident
- $10,000 property damage liability per accident
- $50,000 personal injury protection
- $25,000 uninsured motorist coverage per person
- $50,000 uninsured motorist coverage per accident
Trucking companies may need additional coverage to comply with regulations.
Though it's not required, personal vehicles driven for work purposes should be covered by hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA), as personal auto policies usually exclude business use. It can be added to commercial general liability insurance or a business owner's policy.
How much does small business insurance cost in NY?
Commercial insurance can be affordable for small business owners in New York City and elsewhere in the state.
Average costs in New York are:
General liability: $42 per month
Workers' comp: $38 per month
Professional liability/E&O: $83 per month
Factors that influence business insurance costs include:
- Your industry and risks
- Business operations
- Number of employees
- Policy limits and deductibles
How to get insurance for your New York business
View video transcript.
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When you are ready to get coverage for your New York business, you can complete Insureon's easy online application to get free quotes from top-rated insurance companies.
FAQs about New York business insurance
Review answers to frequently asked questions about New York insurance.
How do I get a certificate of insurance for my business?
Insureon's licensed agents can help you find policies that fulfill New York's requirements and protect against financial loss. Once you've purchased insurance with us, you can download a certificate of insurance by logging into your account.
Can my company be held liable for a data security breach?
Yes – that's why cyber insurance is so crucial. Hackers are three times more likely to target small businesses, as they often have fewer resources to combat a threat.
New York's data breach laws require businesses to report security breaches to affected residents, and the costs can escalate quickly. Cyber liability insurance lessens the financial impact by paying for notification costs, legal fees, and fines.
Does my industry affect state business insurance requirements?
Yes, your state may have special requirements for business insurance and bonds for your industry. You may also need a license depending on the work you do.
Contractors often need to carry general liability insurance or surety bonds to perform certain types of work. Having the right insurance and bonds helps you comply with state licensing requirements.
Real estate agents and brokers and other professionals who offer advice or services sometimes need errors and omissions insurance to get licensed in their state.
State law does not require physicians to carry professional liability insurance coverage (also known as medical malpractice insurance). However, many New York hospitals and health centers require malpractice coverage for doctors.
Cannabis businesses in New York are not required to carry cannabis business insurance in order to operate legally. However, coverage is strongly recommended to keep your business protected.
Note that cities and counties may have their own laws, in addition to state laws.
How can I save money on New York small business insurance?
As with any purchase, shopping around is one of the best ways to find affordable options. With Insureon, you can compare quotes from top-rated insurance carriers by filling out a free online application.
Other ways to save include bundling insurance products for a discount, and choosing less expensive coverage options, such as lower limits or a higher deductible. Learn more about how to find cheap business insurance.