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Small Business
You've built a business to be proud of. We'll help you protect it.

Small Business Insurance Products and Solutions

Maybe it began as a hobby, or a bold career move. You started your business for a reason and made a significant investment. Business insurance helps to protect your investment from the financial impact of unexpected events, such as an employee injury, a lawsuit, a natural disaster or a man-made event.

The right insurance company can also provide insights and guidance that can help you manage risks and avoid claims. That's why making smart choices about your business insurance can have a significant impact on the overall well-being of your business.

Find by
Business Owner's Policy

Business Owner's Policy

Combines property and liability insurance to provide a bundled, affordable solution that meets the general needs of your small business.

Workers Compensation

Workers Compensation

Provide benefits to your employees and protect your business when a work-related injury occurs.

Small Business Data Breach

Small Business Data Breach

Cyber insurance can’t stop data breaches from happening.  But it can help you prepare for and respond when a data breach occurs.

Professional Liability

Professional Liability

Protect your business from liability risks resulting from professional services, advice or recommendations provided by your business.

Employment Practices Liability

Employment Practices Liability+SM

Protect your business from liability risks if an employee should claim wrongful employment practices.

Commercial Auto

Commercial Auto

Whether you have employees driving occasionally to an off-site meeting or a fleet of drivers delivering products to customers every day, protect your business on the road.

Commercial Umbrella

Commercial Umbrella

A powerful layer of protection for your business when a catastrophe occurs.

Management and Professional Liability

Management and Professional Liability

Flexible coverages such as Fidelity and Crime, Fiduciary Liability, Kidnap & Ransom, and Directors & Officers for your business.

BIEE

Business Income and Extra Expense Insurance

Helping to replace your income and covered expenses while your property is being repaired or replaced.

General Liability

Commercial General Liability Insurance

Protection for your small business in the event that someone makes a claim against it.

Property Insurance

Commercial Property Insurance

Helps protect the business property you own, lease or rent, including assets like your buildings, equipment, and inventory.

Man writing project plans on board

Architects, Engineers & Surveyors

Each project you work on is unique - and your insurance coverage should be too. Your clients depend on you to deliver on deadline and minimize the potential for design errors, and you can depend on us to provide a complete suite of property and casualty coverages to help protect your business and employees throughout the process.

Financial Services

Financial Services

We sharpened our pencils to create sound insurance solutions for Financial Services companies – from accountants and financial advisors to mortgage brokers and financial planning services.

Healthcare Practices

Healthcare Practices

Travelers business insurance protects medical professionals, including dentists, physical therapists and more with healthcare business insurance. Learn more today.

Personal Care Services

Personal Care Services

You work hard to keep your clients looking good, but we think you deserve a little attention yourself – like protection designed to make barbers, beauty salons and day spas look and feel their best.

Pet Care Services

Pet Care Services

Unlike our furry feline friends, your small business doesn't have nine lives. Our policies are designed to protect the needs of businesses like pet groomers, pet stores, and veterinarians – because our four-legged friends count on you.

Professional Services

Professional Services

You deliver a high level of expertise and guidance that your customers trust and value. We offer the same when it comes to protecting specialty services – from interior designers to real estate agents.

Retail Store

Retail Store

Matching your customers with the right product is vital to your success. It's vital to ours as well! From florists to hardware stores, we provide solutions designed to meet your retail store needs.

Service Businesses

Service Businesses

Service businesses, including dry cleaners, funeral homes and photographers, are near and dear to our hearts. We are kindred spirits in our pursuit to deliver tailored solutions for the real-world needs of our customers.

Technology Services

Technology Services

Step one to keep your clients' technology up and running – you need to be up and running too. Don't get your circuits crossed – get the key coverages IT consultants, software programmers and web developers like you need to protect your technology.

Risk Control

We have one of the largest Risk Control departments in the industry, and our scale allows us to apply the right resource at the right time to meet customer needs.

Claim

Our knowledgeable Claim professionals will respond to your needs with speed, compassion, integrity and professionalism. It's our business to help keep you in business.

Premium Audit

Your business operations may ebb and flow based on market conditions. That fluctuation could affect the amount you pay in insurance premium.

Online Customer Tools

MyTravelers® for Business offers small business policy holders online access to pay your bill, get a copy of your policy, request certificates and more...

Pay Your Bill

Go paperless! Pay your business insurance bill, monitor your account and sign up for automatic recurring payments—all online.

 

Small Business Insurance FAQs — Small Business Insurance 101

Many new business owners opt for what's known as a Business Owners Policy (BOP). This policy includes coverage designed specifically for small businesses.

A BOP typically covers three major items:

  • Property damage. Similar to a homeowner's insurance policy, this covers damage to your building (owned or leased), equipment, furnishings, fixtures, displays and inventory.
  • Business interruption. If a covered loss strikes your store or warehouse, forcing you to stop operating for a period of time, your revenue stream is protected from lost business income. You can also choose optional protection that covers you in case a major supplier is affected.
  • Liability insurance for your business. Covers damages paid in judgments or settlements, and legal defense costs, if you are sued or held liable for accidental bodily injury or property damage arising from a covered cause of loss.

Businesses often need to carry more than one type of insurance, and your business' insurance needs may be highly individualized. A knowledgeable agent can help you find the right solutions. For some states, carrying insurance is a requirement. Requirements may also vary by the type of business you own and the number of employees; however, worker's compensation is required by law in most states, and highly recommended if not.

In addition to the BOP, you may need other types of small business insurance coverage based on the kind of work you do, the size of your company and your location. These could include:

  • Insurance for home-based businesses. Even if you work from home, you'll still need to insure your business. Generally, homeowner's insurance offers the appropriate coverage level for home-based business-related property and equipment.
  • Professional liability insurance. This may be required as a separate policy, in addition to the BOP, to cover losses related to liability claims arising from mistakes or lapses of professional duties. Businesses offering professional services to their customers will often purchase this type of policy.
  • Commercial auto insurance. Company-owned vehicles will need to be insured through a commercial auto policy.
  • Health insurance. As a self-employed person, you may need to provide health insurance for yourself, your family and your employees.
  • Cyber insurance. Internet-based businesses or businesses that store their records online may need additional cyber protection against the risk of data breaches and malicious computer intrusions.
  • Commercial umbrella insurance. Provides liability coverage beyond the basic business insurance policy limits in the case of a catastrophic auto- or business-related event.

As your business expands, you may outgrow the standard Business Owner's Policy and require more protection. It's a good idea to review your insurance coverage annually and determine if any additional policies would offer a more beneficial level of risk protection.

 

Small Business Insurance FAQs — Finding the Right Small Business Insurance

Business insurance can be adapted to your specific business needs. Recommended coverages often depend on the type of business you have and the risk protection your business will need to stay healthy and whole. At a minimum, you should carry business property and business liability insurance – this often comes in the core business owners policy, or BOP. If you've never shopped for a business policy, a Travelers agent can help you sort through the options and suggest policies that best fit your company. You can find an agent here.

Risks, and therefore coverage needs, certainly vary by industry. A knowledgeable insurance agent can discuss which coverages companies similar to yours might carry. You can also view recommended coverage for key industries here.

Your agent can suggest a liability coverage that is optimal, based on company size and industry. The key is to make sure you have enough coverage if something goes wrong. Make sure to talk openly with your agent about your needs, and the associated costs, to help you make the best decision for your business.

In a word, yes. Developing a strong professional relationship with an insurance agent will help you over the long term as your business grows. Choose to work with someone who understands the unique challenges of running a small business and takes time to understand your specific insurance needs. Your agent will help tailor your insurance policies to your company's needs and help make sure you're covered.

As a business owner, you should always feel comfortable with the amount of insurance you carry. Insurance can help you recover from events that would otherwise threaten your company and reduce the likelihood of staying in business. The key is to ensure you understand the true value to repair or replace what you have. When customizing a policy, your agent should take your location, your industry risks and your personal risk tolerance into account.

 

Small Business Insurance 101's

small business owner looking up insurance terms

Small Business Insurance Glossary

Here are some of the more important terms to help you understand your policy.

Workers Comp 101

Workers Comp 101

Does your business have employees? You might be required to have workers comp insurance. See how this coverage protects you and your employees.

General Liability 101

General Liability Insurance 101

General liability can help you protect your business if someone claims that it caused them harm or loss and they take legal action. Here's what you need to know.

Property 101

Commercial Property Insurance 101

There are many factors to consider when operating your own business, including the importance of having property insurance. Here's what you need to know.

Business Income and Extra Expense 101

Business Income and Extra Expense Insurance 101

Business income and extra expense insurance can help your business meet its financial obligations in the event disaster strikes. Here's what you should know.

Business Auto 101

Commercial Auto Insurance 101

Does your small business need commercial auto coverage? Get answers to common questions about this insurance and find coverage that's right for you.

Umbrella 101

Umbrella Insurance 101

Why are Umbrella insurance policies so important for small businesses? Here's what you should know.

Insights & Expertise

Retail Insurance Coverage Scenarios

Small Retail Business Scenarios

Explore our one-stop-shop approach to business protection.

Workplace 2.0

Get the Next Desk Digest

A simple and practical guide to understanding the risks a modern small business workplace faces.

The Modern Office Brings Emerging Risks

The Modern Office Brings Emerging Risks

The modern office can now mean workers contributing from remote locations, increased use of mobile technology and environmental changes like having pets in the office. Do you know how these changes pose new safety threats and liabilities for your business?

Ergonomics for the Road Warrior

Ergonomics for the Road Warrior

Laptop and tablet use is on the rise for modern workers who may be working at a variety of remote locations outside the traditional office.

Data Breach

5 Ways to Help Protect Your Company's Data

As a business owner or an employee, there are a number of preventive steps you can take to help keep your company's data secure.

Distracted Walking

Is Distracted Walking on the Job a Hazard?

Distracted walking incidents have been on the rise in recent years. Create a distracted walking policy with distracted walking safety tips.

Ergonomics in the Mobile Office

Ergonomics in the Mobile Office

Vehicle ergonomics are key to the health and safety of workers on the go. Learn about driving ergonomics to help prevent injuries while mobile.

How to Adjust Your Desk Chair and Workstation

How to Adjust Your Desk Chair and Workstation

Sitting at a desk all day can put stress on your body. Learn how to create an ergonomic workstation setup to help prevent injury.

Ergonomics in the Modern Office

Ergonomics in the Modern Office

The modern office sees new ways for employees to be productive, like exercise balls and standing desks. The improper use of these devices can lead to discomfort and injuries.

Find an Agent

Need an Agent?

Get the personal service and attention that an agent provides.

Find a local agent in your area:

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© 2023 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved.

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The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates. One Tower Square, Hartford, CT 06183
This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers. It is not a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law. Availability of coverage referenced in this document can depend on underwriting qualifications and state regulations.
All rights reserved. Travelers and the Travelers Umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company in the U.S. and other countries.