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Business owner's policy

Business owner's policy (BOP)

A business owner's policy bundles general liability, property insurance and coverage for lost income into one policy. It is built for small and mid-size businesses with a premises and everyday risks.

Who needs it

The usual starting point for small businesses, and a quick way to satisfy a lease.

  • Professional offices: consultants, agencies, accountants, designers
  • Studios, galleries and small production offices
  • Retail shops and showrooms
  • Restaurants and food service, where the insurer allows it
  • Small contractors and service businesses that qualify

What it covers

What is covered, and what to watch

Summaries only. The policy wording governs, and every insurance company's policy is different.

General liability

Injuries and property damage you cause to other people, plus reputation and advertising claims.

What to watchSame gaps as a standalone policy: no coverage for mistakes in your services, vehicles, employee injuries or cyber events.

Property

Your building, if you own it, and your contents, at the cost to replace them new.

What to watchThings that leave the premises need their own coverage.

Lost income during repairs

The income you lose and the extra costs you pay while covered damage is repaired, often for up to 12 months.

What to watchOnly after covered physical damage. Check how long you must wait before it starts paying.

Equipment breakdown

Often included or available for servers, heating and cooling, and other systems.

What to watchConfirm it is on the policy, not just available.

Optional add-ons

Rented vehicles and employees' cars, cyber incidents, employee theft, and limited professional liability for some businesses.

What to watchAdd-ons come with small limits. For a real risk, a standalone policy is usually stronger.

Who qualifies

Insurers set rules by industry, size and revenue.

What to watchHigher-risk operations go to a commercial package policy instead.

How we work

An independent agency, so the policy fits you and not the other way around

Many insurance companies, one agent

We are appointed with national and specialty companies, so your policy goes where it fits rather than where we happen to have a contract. See who we work with.

Plain English, line by line

Send your current policy and we compare it with what we would offer: what we would keep, what we would change, and why, in writing.

Nothing changes until you say so

No coverage starts and no policy changes until a licensed agent confirms it with you in writing. You always know what you have. How we work, in full.

Exclusions

What it does not cover

  • Mistakes in your advice or services, except as a limited add-on
  • Vehicles titled to the business
  • Workers' compensation
  • Flood and earthquake
  • Significant cyber risk beyond a small add-on

A BOP is efficient when your business fits the box. When it does not, a commercial package policy gives the same coverages with more room.

How to get it

From first call to bound coverage

  1. 01Check you qualifyIndustry, size and location decide whether a BOP fits.
  2. 02Value the contentsWhat it would cost to replace everything in the premises new.
  3. 03Add what is missingRented vehicles, cyber and professional liability as needed.
  4. 04Quote online or callThe online business quote handles most BOP businesses in minutes.

Common questions

Does a BOP cost less than buying the policies separately?

Usually, for businesses that qualify. The bundle is priced as a unit and insurers compete on it. The saving should never be the reason to accept a lower property limit.

What is not in a BOP?

Vehicles, employee injuries, mistakes in your services and most cyber risk. Each has its own policy or add-on.

Can I get a BOP for a production company?

Sometimes, for the office and contents. Risks on set, such as equipment, locations and injuries during filming, are better on a production policy. We often pair the two.

How quickly can I get proof of insurance for my lease?

A BOP on a complete application can often start the same or next business day, and the proof of insurance follows once it has.

Does it include business interruption?

Most BOPs include coverage for lost income and extra costs during repairs, which is what business interruption usually means. Confirm how long it lasts and any waiting period.

Related

Often placed alongside

Get a quote

The online application takes a few minutes for standard business lines. If there is a wrinkle, call or email and we will tell you what we need.