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Small Business Insurance in California

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Recommended insurance policies for small businesses in California

The following types of business insurance defend California small business owners against common lawsuits and other top risks.

General liability insurance

General liability insurance icon

A general liability policy covers common third-party risks for small businesses in California, including customer property damage and injuries. Commercial leases often require this coverage.

BEST FOR
  • Customer injuries at your company
  • Damaged customer property
  • Advertising injuries, such as slander

Errors and omissions insurance

Errors and omissions insurance icon

This policy is also called professional liability insurance. It protects professionals against legal defense costs from mistakes, missed deadlines, and oversights.

BEST FOR
  • Work errors and oversights
  • Professional negligence lawsuits
  • Late or incomplete work

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability insurance icon

This type of coverage protects California businesses against lawsuits related to the quality of their professional services or advice. It's sometimes referred to as E&O insurance.

BEST FOR
  • Mistakes and oversights
  • Breach of contract
  • Late or undelivered work

Business owner’s policy

Business owner’s policy icon

A BOP bundles commercial property insurance and general liability coverage. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for a California small business.

BEST FOR
  • Lawsuits from customer accidents
  • Stolen or damaged business property
  • Business interruption insurance

Workers' comp insurance

Workers’ compensation insurance icon

California state law requires workers’ comp for businesses with employees. Sole proprietors and independent contractors also buy this coverage, as personal health insurance won’t cover work injuries.

BEST FOR
  • Employee medical expenses
  • Disability benefits for lost wages
  • Legal fees from workplace injuries

Cyber insurance

Cyber liability insurance icon

This policy protects California small businesses against financial losses from data breaches and cyberattacks. It’s also called cybersecurity insurance.

BEST FOR
  • Data breach investigations
  • Client notification expenses
  • Fraud monitoring costs

Commercial auto insurance

Commercial auto insurance icon

This policy is required for vehicles owned by California small businesses. It helps cover financial losses from an accident, along with other types of damage.

BEST FOR
  • Injuries caused by your vehicle
  • Property damage caused by your vehicle
  • Vehicle theft and vandalism

Fidelity bonds

Fidelity bond icon

A fidelity bond reimburses your clients in the event of employee theft. Your clients may ask you to secure a bond before they will work with your business.

BEST FOR
  • Illegal electronic funds transfer
  • Forged signatures
  • Theft of cash or property

Commercial umbrella insurance

Umbrella / excess liability insurance icon

An umbrella policy boosts the coverage of your general liability, commercial auto, and employer's liability insurance policies. It can help your small business comply with requests for higher liability limits.

BEST FOR
  • Personal injury lawsuits
  • Auto accident lawsuits
  • Workplace injury lawsuits

Looking for different coverage? Check out our other policies.

What are the insurance requirements for small businesses in California?

State laws can affect which policies you need. These insurance products are required for California businesses.
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Workers' compensation insurance

California state law requires all businesses with employees to carry workers’ compensation insurance. This policy covers medical bills for work-related injuries and illnesses.

Contractors who are licensed in a construction trade, such as concrete, HVAC systems, roofing, and tree services, must carry workers' comp or a Certification of Self-Insurance even if they don't have any employees.

Most policies include employer's liability insurance, which helps pay for lawsuits related to employee injuries.

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Commercial auto insurance

Vehicles owned by limited liability companies (LLCs), startups, and other businesses in California must be covered by commercial auto insurance.

California's requirements for auto liability insurance coverage are:

  • Bodily injury liability per person: $15,000
  • Bodily injury liability for more than one person: $30,000
  • Property damage liability: $5,000

Personal, rented, and leased 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 California?

Small business owner calculating their business insurance costs.

Commercial insurance can be affordable for small businesses with low risks. Average costs for TechInsurance customers in California are:

General liability: $42 per month
Professional liability / E&O: $82 per month
Workers' compensation: $62 per month

Factors that influence the cost of business insurance include:

  • Type of business
  • Business operations
  • Number of employees
  • Policy limits and other coverage options
  • Claims history

Why California business owners choose TechInsurance

Gain financial protection

The costs from a lawsuit or data breach can overwhelm a small business. Protect against common risks with the right business insurance coverage.

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Gain financial protection
The costs from a lawsuit or data breach can overwhelm a small business. Protect against common risks with the right business insurance coverage.
Win contracts and new clients
Clients want to know your small business can handle a lawsuit or disruption. Buy a policy and get a certificate of insurance fast with TechInsurance.
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Consult an expert
Our licensed agents know California insurance and small businesses like yours. Get expert advice about business liability insurance for your unique risks.
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Find insurance policies for your small business in California

Whether you need coverage to sign a contract, rent an office, or get a license, TechInsurance can help you find the right business insurance policies. Our insurance agents are licensed in California and can help you find affordable policies from top-rated insurance carriers.

Get started today by filling out our easy application. You can chat with an agent about your business insurance quotes and get answers to any questions. When you're ready, pay for a policy online and get a certificate of insurance (COI) immediately to show clients that your business is protected.

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