I'm Starting a Business and Need My First Policies
Most new businesses start with general liability, then add property coverage for what they own and a certificate for whoever is asking. Tell us what the work actually involves and we quote California-admitted carriers from that, not from an industry code that only half describes you.
In insurance since 1981 Independent agency CA Lic. 0606906
What Usually Forces the First Policy?
- 01
A lease
Commercial leases state required limits and name the landlord as an additional insured. We match the lease language rather than approximating it.
- 02
A client contract
Clients often require general liability before you can start work, sometimes with specific limits and endorsements listed.
- 03
A license or permit
Some California licenses require a bond. A bond is a promise made to a third party, not insurance for you, and we place the form your license names.
- 04
Your first hire
California requires workers' compensation once you have employees. Rules for owners and officers depend on your entity type.
Which Policies Do I Actually Need First?
Start with general liability, add property for what you own, and let the contract in front of you decide the rest.
Tell us what the business does day to day, where the work happens, whether anyone drives for it, and what equipment or stock you own. That conversation decides the policy, and it takes about fifteen minutes.
Most small operations end up with a business owner's policy, which bundles general liability with property coverage. From there we add what applies: hired and non-owned auto if employees drive, cyber if you hold customer data, and workers' compensation once you hire.
A homeowners policy does not cover a business run from your house. Business property is limited and business liability is excluded entirely.
What Sets the Premium on a New Business
The work itself is the biggest factor. What you do, where you do it, and whether you go to customer locations all change which carriers will write you and on what terms.
Payroll, revenue, and the value of the property you own or improve are the figures carriers rate on. New businesses estimate these, then adjust at audit.
The limits your lease or your client contract requires set the floor. We show you what the required limit costs and what a higher one costs, side by side.
Related Coverage and Reading
Straight answers, in their words.
“PLACEHOLDER_ verbatim Kevin Cox review pending. Quote as written, including the typo; trim with an ellipsis if needed.”
Starting a Business — FAQ
How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
+
I work from home. Is that covered?
+
Do I need a bond?
+
Non-renewed, or having trouble finding coverage?
Send us the notice or tell us what's been declined. We read it with you, check the California-admitted carriers we represent for your address, and explain the FAIR Plan with a companion policy where that's the route — and what each does and does not cover.
Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm PTClosed weekends
Get a free non-renewal review →- Free review
- We read the exclusions with you
- Independent agency
Talk to a licensed agent.
Call or send a note and tell us what you need covered. A licensed agent gets back to you — not a queue — with which carriers can write it, what the policy excludes, and what happens next.
Email
Office
3910 Prospect Ave, Unit C, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Last updated September 2026