Business Insurance for LLC companies should be chosen based on the type of activities your company carries out and the amount of money you are willing to pay. This type of insurance can protect you against lawsuits and helps keep your staff safe, which is why they are more important than you imagine.
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What are the best Insurance Companies for LLC?
Business insurance for LLC will help your assets always to be protected, but you must make sure you have the best one, with an insurer that responds when you need it most and that offers you the ideal coverage.
Hiscox
This insurance has a presence in 50 states and since 1901, the year it began operating, it has helped businessmen protect their property and company assets. At least 400,000 small businesses in the country have put their trust in Hiscox and it has affordable rates.
Chubb
Among all insurance options for LLC companies, this one ranks among the top 5 in customer satisfaction. It offers excellent and varied professional liability alternatives and has the highest liability limits.
It has a call center that can assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you should know that getting a quote from Chubb online will not be easy.
Next
Obtaining a policy package for LLC companies is something that this insurer has managed to simplify. The best of all is that you can customize the policy based on the company you have.
You can request quotes online from the Next website, and it has affordable costs, adapted to your needs.
Embroker
Embroker also stands out for having policies with coverage that are customized so that they can adapt to the needs of each LLC.
This is one of the best insurance providers for LLC companies that need EPLI coverage. And the best thing is that it is available in all 50 states of the USA.
Thimble
For those companies that require insurance that offers temporary coverage, Thimble may be the best alternative.
It has policies that can offer coverage when the company is carrying out a specific activity, in an event, for a month, a week, or for as long as required.
What is the cost of Business Insurance for LLC near me?
Insurance costs for LLC companies near me depend on the type of coverage you choose and of course, will vary from insurer to insurer. Some approximate rates for this type of insurance start at $500 and can reach $1,500 or more, depending on the number of policies purchased.
Before choosing one company or another, we advise you to ask all the necessary questions, for example, What is the cost of work insurance? so that you are sure if it is right for you or not. In order for an insurer to determine your LLC insurance premium, it will consider factors such as:
Type of industry: Depending on the activity that your LLC company carries out, it may be more prone to lawsuits, for cases of negligence, for example, this will lead to the premium corresponding to professional liability increasing.
Number of employees hired: This adds extra costs because workers’ compensation premiums must be added.
Claims: Depending on your company’s claims history and the number of legal incidents it has been involved in, insurers may offer more expensive premiums. These insurance policies are usually expensive, there is no doubt about this, however, if you know how to choose a good insurer, they can offer you excellent discounts.
What does LLC insurance coverage include and how much does it cost?
Limited liability company (LLC) insurance refers to policies that business owners purchase to protect their business assets. Different policies protect against different risks, but LLC insurance generally includes coverage for the liability of a business and its property.
Most LLCs can combine these coverages into a business owner’s policy (BOP) that costs between $350 and $1,000 per year, depending on the industry. Like any small business, an LLC typically needs multiple policies to protect against business losses.
To make purchasing insurance easier, contact a trusted insurance broker like CyberPolicy. Simplifies purchasing insurance by allowing business owners to compare policies from major carriers. Check out CyberPolicy to find the right coverage quickly.
Why do LLCs need insurance? Essential Liability Insurance Coverage for LLCs
LLC owners, usually called members, sometimes assume that their business structure protects against losses, and in some ways they are right. Choosing to be an LLC separates your business and personal assets. This way, if a client sues your business and wins, his personal savings are safe.
However, your business assets are not safe. Let’s say your biggest client claims that a mistake you made cost them thousands of dollars. Whether he made a mistake or not, he still has to defend himself and possibly pay a settlement or court award. The expense comes out of your business accounts unless you have LLC insurance coverage to pay these costs.
How Business Insurance for LLC Coverage Works
LLCs need insurance to cover potential losses that could affect the business. These losses can come from many different sources, including:
• Client Lawsuits for Physical Injury or Property Damage
• Customer Negligence Allegations
• Damage to expensive commercial property
Medical bills for employee work-related injuries or illnesses
Unfortunately, you can’t purchase a policy to get all the protection you need. A different policy covers each risk, so most LLCs need multiple policies to be fully protected.
LLC Insurance Costs
The cost of your business insurance for LLC is the total of all the policies your business requires. Most companies pay between $350 and $1,000 per year for BOP. However, LLC owners in some industries may also need professional liability insurance, which typically costs between $800 and $2,500 a year, as well as other policies such as commercial auto or cyber liability insurance. Those LLCs have higher total insurance costs.
LLC Insurance Costs and Deductibles by Policy
| Type of Insurance | Estimated Annual Premium | Coverage Amount | Deductible |
|---|---|---|---|
| BOP | $350 - $1000 | $1 million per occurrence / $2 million total | $500 |
| Professional Liability Insurance | $800 - $2500 | $1 million per occurrence / $2 million total | $500 - $1000 |
| Commercial Auto Insurance | $2000 - $4500 Per Vehicle | $1 million per occurrence / $2 million total | $500 - $1000 |
Insurers look at several factors to determine premiums. These can vary by policy, but some of the features insurers typically consider include:
Industry: LLCs in some industries are more likely to be sued for negligence. For example, doctors are at high risk for malpractice lawsuits, so their professional liability premiums are higher than those of LLCs in other industries.
Employees: Hiring staff often means adding workers’ compensation premiums to your overhead costs, but it can also increase your commercial auto, professional liability, and general liability insurance premiums.
Claims history: If you have made claims in the past, your insurer may increase your premiums because they consider it a riskier business to insure.
Deductibles: Some policies require policyholders to pay a certain amount, called a deductible when they file claims. Selecting a higher deductible generally lowers your premium.
Liability insurance for LLCs can be expensive, but insurers often offer discounts for purchasing multiple policies. Getting all your policies from one provider can also reduce the chance of gaps in coverage.
Meanwhile, LLC owners can also save by using different carriers that specialize in various policies. Every situation is unique, so LLC owners should work with an insurance professional who has experience in their industry and has access to the best LLC insurance providers.
Essential Liability Insurance Coverage for LLCs
For many LLCs, liability insurance is the primary concern because almost anyone the company comes into contact with represents a potential lawsuit, including customers, suppliers, employees, and delivery drivers.
The most common lawsuits faced by LLCs are covered by general liability. Depending on its industry and operations, an LLC may need other liability coverages such as professional liability insurance or workers’ compensation.
The Most Common Liability Insurance Policies for LLCs
General liability insurance
General liability insurance is a policy that covers some of the most common business risks, namely injuries to third parties, property damage, and reputational damage. If your LLC is accused of causing any of these, your general liability insurance typically pays the injured party’s medical costs property repairs, or legal fees if they decide to sue. For example, general liability generally covers:
• Delivery Driver Injured in Slip and Fall on His Property
• A customer’s broken window if his employee broke it
• A competitor’s claim that you defamed him in a radio interview
Most general liability policies also have completed product operations coverage to pay for property damage and bodily injury caused by defective products such as exploding e-cigarettes for a retailer or a poorly constructed ladder for a carpenter.
Professional liability insurance
LLCs that provide professional services or advice generally need professional liability insurance to cover claims arising from their work, such as:
• Lawyer Sued After Missing Important Court Deadline
• Doctor sued for incorrect diagnosis
• An architect is sued for calculation errors that caused a wall to collapse
If a client claims that your service caused their financial loss, professional liability insurance covers the cost of their legal defense.
Choosing the right policies for your LLC can be overwhelming, which is one reason why using a broker like CyberPolicy is a good idea. Their site has a tool that shows you what policies other companies in your industry typically buy and a chat feature that connects you with an insurance professional.
Additional Types of LLC Insurance
Business insurance for LLCs is never a one-size-fits-all purchase, and that’s especially true for LLCs. Your unique industry and operations may mean you need additional coverage, so you may want to consider these other types of LLC insurance:
Workers Compensation Insurance
LLCs that have staff likely need workers’ compensation insurance to cover the costs of workplace accidents, such as medical bills for injured employees and lost wages. However, some states have specific rules for LLC owners. In some cases, this may mean that LLC members are exempt from workers’ compensation requirements.
States with specific workers’ compensation rules for LLCs include:
Alabama: LLC members are counted as employees and workers’ compensation is required when there are four or more employees
Alaska: LLC members with 10% or more ownership are exempt
Colorado: LLC Members May Opt Out
Connecticut: Members of a multi-member LLC are automatically included, but may opt-out; single members are not required to have workers’ compensation
You’ll want to check with your local workers’ compensation board to find out the specific requirements in your area. The United States Department of Labor provides helpful resources for determining the appropriate authorities in your state.
Directors and Officers Insurance
LLCs are not required to have a board of directors, but those that do may want to investigate directors and officers (D&O) insurance. This policy covers lawsuits brought against board members for their administrative decisions. Allegations covered include:
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Failure to comply with company regulations or statutes.
• Misuse of funds
• Harassment, wrongful termination, and other employee complaints
• Intellectual property theft
Many LLCs purchase D&O coverage as a way to attract board members. Without this policy, board members would have to cover their legal defense themselves, and that risk would make serving on a board unattractive.
Cyber Liability Insurance
Technology-based LLCs and LLCs that store private customer information, such as credit card numbers or email addresses, may need cyber liability insurance to pay for data breaches. Policies can cover various costs, including customer notification, credit monitoring, goodwill public relations (PR) campaigns, investigation costs, and fines imposed by regulatory agencies.
Commercial Property Insurance
Commercial property insurance covers damage to your LLC’s physical assets. These assets can include your building, if owned by the LLC, and your personal business property, such as office equipment, inventory, fixtures, and furniture. If these are damaged by covered events, then your property insurer pays the insured amount less your deductible.
Events covered in commercial property policies often include:
• Fire
• Heist
• Hail
• Vandalism
• wind storms
LLCs that rent commercial space can obtain commercial property insurance only for their commercial personal property. Any damage they cause to the rental property is usually covered by general liability insurance.
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance is a policy that extends the coverage of the underlying liability insurance. When a claim reaches the limit of an underlying policy, umbrella insurance pays the remaining costs up to the umbrella policy limit.
For example, if a client’s slip and fall ends up costing $250,000 in legal fees and medical bills, but your general liability limit is $150,000, then your umbrella covers the remaining $100,000. Umbrella policies expand the coverage of many liability policies, including general liability and commercial auto.
However, it does not extend professional liability insurance coverage. To increase professional liability limits, LLC owners should work with their providers.
Commercial Auto Insurance
LLCs that own or use vehicles for their business need commercial auto insurance in case they, or their employees, cause an accident while operating a vehicle for work. Liability insurance, which is required in many states, is one of many coverages LLC owners can purchase to protect their businesses. Other commercial auto coverages include:
Leased and Non-Owned Car: Covers your liability for damage to vehicles your LLC rents, rents, or borrows
Collision: Covers damage to company-owned cars caused by an accident
Comprehensive: Covers damage to company-owned cars caused by something other than an accident, such as extreme weather or vandalism.
Uninsured/Underinsured Driver: Covers your injuries and damage to company-owned vehicles if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance
LLC owners who regularly drive their personal car for work still need commercial auto insurance because their personal auto policy likely excludes commercial driving.
Conclusion
Buying insurance is important when you own an LLC because, like any other business, yours is vulnerable to losses. Make sure you get the necessary coverage so your business is protected in case something goes wrong. Being covered gives you peace of mind and ensures that a simple accident or natural disaster doesn’t force your business to close its doors permanently.
