California Business Insurance Guide › Coverage Types
Types of Business Insurance Coverage
Each business policy covers a specific kind of loss, and the expensive surprises usually turn up in the gaps between them: the employee's car that isn't on your auto policy, the tools that leave the shop, the bookkeeper who writes checks to themselves. This page groups every TSM coverage guide by what it protects. For a quote on any of them, start with business insurance.
Liability: claims from other people
How liability policies are triggered: Claims-made vs occurrence policies explains retroactive dates and tail coverage, which matter most for professional liability, D&O and EPLI.
COVERAGE | WHAT IT'S FOR | GUIDES |
|---|---|---|
General liability
|
Injury to others and damage to their property; personal and advertising injury
| |
Professional liability (E&O)
|
Financial loss caused by your advice, design or service
| |
Product liability
|
Injury or damage caused by a product you make, sell or distribute
| |
Umbrella and excess
|
Extra limits above your primary policies
| |
Liquor liability
|
Claims tied to serving or selling alcohol
| |
Landlord liability
|
Claims from tenants and visitors at rental property
|
Find the Right Coverage for Every Part of Your Business
Explore our curated guides on commercial coverage, liability, and state requirements to close coverage gaps and secure your enterprise.
1
Property: your buildings, equipment and income
-
Commercial property insurance in California Costs, coverage and claims.
-
What commercial property insurance covers (and what it doesn't)
-
Inland marine insurance for tools and equipment For property that moves between job sites, trucks and storage.
-
Business income insurance Lost income and extra expense while you're closed after a covered loss, and how it works after a claim.
-
Business owner's policy (BOP) Property, business income and liability in one package.
2
Vehicles
-
Hired and non-owned auto (HNOA) For employees' own cars and rentals used on company business.
-
Trucking insurance in California Federal and state requirements for motor carriers.
Not sure where your gaps are? TSM is an independent agency — we compare carriers for you. Call (209) 524-6366 (Modesto) or (530) 221-3031 (Redding).
3
Management, employees and money
-
Employment practices liability (EPLI) Wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment claims.
-
Commercial crime insurance Employee theft, forgery and funds-transfer fraud.
4
Cyber
-
Cyber insurance for California businesses What's covered and what it costs. Quote: cyber liability insurance.
-
Cyber + E&O in one policy Why some California agencies require both.
5
Bonds
A bond isn't insurance for you. It guarantees your obligations to someone else.
6
Workers' compensation
Required for California employers. It has its own section: California workers' comp guides.
Where to go next
-
Business insurance basics: what a small business needs first
-
Insurance by industry: which coverages matter in your field
-
Contracts, certificates and claims: additional insured, waivers and COIs
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers on the types of business insurance coverage
What are the main types of business insurance?
General liability, commercial property, business income, commercial auto and workers' comp form the core for most businesses. Professional liability, cyber, EPLI, D&O, crime, umbrella and bonds are added depending on what you do and who you contract with.
What's the difference between an umbrella and excess policy?
An umbrella can sit over several underlying policies and may cover some claims they don't. An excess policy usually follows the terms of one underlying policy. Commercial umbrella vs excess liability covers the details.
Does general liability cover employee theft?
No. Theft by your own employees is typically covered by a commercial crime policy, not general liability. See commercial crime insurance.
Close the gaps between your policies
We'll review what you carry now against how your business actually operates, then compare carriers for anything missing.