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Startup Business Insurance

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Business insurance for startups

Your startup could be the next big thing. To take your company to the next level and secure your dream by protecting you, your investors, and your team with the right startup insurance.

Recommended types of business insurance for startups

Having the right commercial insurance helps secure the future of your company. Here's an overview of the most important policies for startups.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance icon

This policy protects startups from the basic risks of working with clients and customers, such as slip-and-fall injuries. It may be required by a client contract or a commercial lease.

BEST FOR
  • Accidental client injuries
  • Accidental damage to client property
  • Libel, defamation, and copyright lawsuits

Errors and omissions insurance

Errors and omissions insurance icon

E&O covers the cost of lawsuits filed by clients or customers that accuse your startup of an error or oversight. It's also called professional liability insurance.

BEST FOR
  • Undelivered services
  • Errors in your work
  • Professional negligence

Cyber liability insurance

Cyber liability insurance icon

A cyber liability policy helps startups recover from cyberattacks and data breaches. It’s strongly recommended for any business that handles credit card numbers or other sensitive data.

BEST FOR
  • Data breach lawsuits
  • Customer notification costs
  • Fraud monitoring services

Business owner's policy

Business owner’s policy icon

A BOP combines two types of insurance at a discount: general liability coverage and commercial property insurance. Small low-risk startups are typically eligible.

BEST FOR
  • Client injuries and property damage
  • Business property damage and theft
  • Business interruption coverage

Workers' comp insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance icon

Most states require startups with employees to purchase workers' compensation insurance. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical expenses that health insurance could deny.

BEST FOR
  • Medical bills for work injuries
  • Disability benefits
  • Legal fees from employee injuries

Commercial auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance icon

This policy helps pay for accidents involving a vehicle owned by your startup. State laws usually require it for business-owned vehicles.

BEST FOR
  • Property damage caused by your vehicle
  • Bodily injuries in an accident
  • Vehicle theft and vandalism

Employment practices liability insurance

Employment practices liability insurance icon

EPLI insurance coverage helps pay for legal expenses when an employee sues over discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or similar employment issues.

BEST FOR
  • Wrongful termination claims
  • Discrimination claims
  • Mismanagement allegations

Directors and officers insurance

Directors and officers insurance icon

D&O insurance covers lawsuits related to decisions made by directors, officers, and board members on behalf of your company, including lawsuits from dissatisfied investors.

BEST FOR
  • Investor lawsuits over lack of transparency
  • Accusations of mismanaged funds
  • Failure to comply with regulations

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability insurance icon

This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), protects small 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

How much does startup business insurance cost?

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From our customer data, here's a quick look at the average costs of common TechInsurance policies:

General liability: $42 per month
E&O insurance: $61 per month
Workers' compensation: $45 per month
View more small business insurance costs.

Start a free application to see how much insurance will cost for your startup.

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Which policies are required for startups?

Sometimes a startup needs insurance to work with a client or comply with the law. When you're insured, your clients gain peace of mind knowing that your business can handle a lawsuit, so any issues won't escalate to affect them. You can also ask clients to include you as an additional insured on their policy.

You may need a commercial insurance policy to:

Get funding. Some venture capital firms require startups to have D&O coverage before receiving funding.

Work with a certain client. Clients might require businesses like carpet cleaners or consultants to carry E&O insurance or a fidelity bond to avoid financial losses.

Sign a lease. Your landlord may require a certificate of insurance as proof of general liability insurance or commercial property insurance, which you can bundle in a business owner's policy.

Comply with the law. Vehicles registered to a startup must be covered by commercial auto insurance. If you use your personal car for business, a hired and non-owned auto insurance (HNOA) policy may also be an option for you. As soon as you hire your first employee, you'll likely need workers' compensation to comply with the laws in your state.

Bundle insurance policies to save money

Startups can save money on insurance with two common packages.

A BOP combines commercial property insurance and general liability insurance.

A general liability insurance policy is the coverage that most small business owners purchase first. It covers basic third-party (non-employee) liability claims, including bodily injury and property damage. The policy is especially beneficial for startups that invite the public into an office or storefront, handle delicate client equipment, or have an active social media presence.

Commercial property insurance is critical for protecting your work equipment and your building, if you own it. This policy is valuable even if you’re renting an office space, as your landlord’s policy won’t cover your company’s belongings.

Tech E&O combines errors and omissions and cyber liability insurance.

This policy is crucial for startups in the tech industry and professional services, as it covers the cost of lawsuits over the quality of your work, including any security recommendations. It bundles E&O insurance with both forms of cyber liability insurance:

First-party cyber liability insurance helps your business recover from a data breach or cyberattack. It covers expenses like the cost of credit monitoring services, crisis management, and cybersecurity incident investigations.

Thirty-party cyber liability insurance protects tech companies if a client sues you for failing to prevent a data breach or cyberattack at their business. If you find yourself in this kind of dispute, this covers your attorney's fees, settlement, court-ordered judgments, and other legal costs.

Chat with an insurance agent to find out more about bundles and discounts.

Get free quotes for startup insurance

TechInsurance helps small business owners compare business insurance quotes with one easy online application. Start an application today to find the right policy at an affordable price, and get a certificate of insurance for your startup.