Is business insurance and commercial insurance the same?
Asked by: Willow Donnelly | Last update: January 25, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (52 votes)
What is another name for business insurance?
A general liability insurance policy — also known as business liability insurance — protects businesses from claims that result from normal business operations. Get a business liability insurance policy for protection from bodily injuries, medical payments, advertising injuries, and more.
What is the difference between business and commercial use?
The main difference lies in the nature and purpose of the transactions. Business transactions encompass a broader range of activities conducted for profit and non-profit purposes, while commercial transactions specifically involve profit-driven activities of selling, purchasing, or exchanging goods or services.
What is the difference between a businessowners policy and a commercial property policy?
A business owner's policy includes commercial property insurance. However, a BOP goes further by also including general liability insurance. A BOP is a combination of commercial property insurance and general liability coverage.
What is the difference between business auto and commercial auto?
The most evident difference between business insurance and commercial auto policies involves how work-related vehicles are used are used. Business auto insurance covers vehicles used for trips through regular traffic, whereas commercial auto insurance covers specialized vehicles designed for specific jobs.
Best commercial insurance for small businesses
What is the difference between commercial and business insurance?
Commercial insurance (also known as business insurance) is an insurance product that protects you from any unforeseen problems that could affect your business. Commercial insurance protects both the business owner and their employees from risks of injury, business interruption, and other risks.
Can I put my business vehicle on my personal insurance?
The answer is to add an endorsement to the personal auto policy referred to as the Extended Non-Owned Coverage for Named Individuals to the personal auto policy. Each person in the family should be named in the endorsement if there is any chance they would drive the company vehicle.
Who has the best small business insurance?
- Best for variety of plans: Nationwide.
- Best for online experience: Next Insurance.
- Best for home-based businesses: The Hartford.
- Best for independent contractors: Hiscox.
- Best for medium-sized businesses: Chubb.
- Best for customer satisfaction: State Farm.
- Best for worker's compensation: Travelers.
Why do businesses buy commercial property insurance?
Commercial property insurance protects your company's physical assets from fire, explosions, burst pipes, storms, theft and vandalism. Earthquakes and floods typically aren't covered by commercial property insurance, unless those perils are added to the policy.
What is covered under a businessowners policy?
A BOP provides business income protection in case your property is damaged or destroyed by a fire, water damage, or other covered loss and your revenue stream is impacted. This can even apply to damage at your suppliers or the warehouses you depend on.
Is commercial and business the same?
Business vs Commercial
Business is more general, referring to a process of setting up an organization designed to provide goods or services to the public. Commercial entities are a subset of businesses, specifically those that exist to make money—usually through the exchange of products and services for payment.
Can you get commercial insurance without a business?
Sole proprietors may not need a business license, depending on their profession. If this is the case, you can get liability insurance without a business license. Other regulated professionals may require a license to operate. In this case, they'll need proof of licensing before they can be insured.
How do I know if my insurance covers commercial use?
Check with your insurance company to find out exactly what is and isn't covered. Insurance companies view business drivers as bigger risks than personal drivers. That's why you may need auto insurance that specifically covers driving for work purposes.
How much is $1 million commercial insurance?
On average, a $1 million liability insurance policy costs $69 a month, or $824 a year, for our small business owners. Keep in mind that every business is different, so the $1 million liability insurance cost will vary.
What kind of insurance does an LLC need?
General liability insurance, also known as business liability insurance, can help protect you from claims that your LLC caused bodily injuries or damaged someone else's property. Liability claims related to work done away from your business location may also be covered under products-completed operations coverage.
What is commercial insurance called?
Commercial insurance, also known as business insurance, protects businesses from losses due to unexpected events during normal business operations, such as lawsuits, natural disasters, or accidents.
Who pays for commercial property insurance?
The landlord's responsibility for commercial building insurance involves renting the physical building. Should the building suffer damage from fire, storms, theft, or other circumstances, the landlord's commercial insurance should cover repairs to the structure or any part thereof.
Why is my commercial insurance so expensive?
The higher the risk, the more you'll pay. For example, janitors, construction workers, and manufacturers often have some of the highest rates for general liability insurance, because they deal with (and could potentially damage) other people's property. Your liability risk matters as well.
Why do small business owners need insurance?
As a general rule, you should insure against things you wouldn't be able to pay for on your own. This coverage protects against financial loss as the result of bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments.
Is small business insurance the same as commercial insurance?
Small business insurance, sometimes called commercial insurance, helps protect a business's assets, property, and income. A business owner's policy (BOP) is the most common insurance product for small businesses, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
How much is a $2 million dollar insurance policy for a business?
On average, an insurance policy that offers coverage for up to $2 million can cost about $30 a month in premiums.
Can I write off my car insurance as a business expense?
If you use a car for business-related purposes (other than as an employee), many expenses associated with that vehicle may be tax deductible as business expenses, including your auto insurance premiums.
Why should I put my car in my business name?
When the vehicle is titled in your business's name, there are extra tax advantages: Depreciation: You can deduct the business-use percentage of the vehicle's value over time. Current tax code allows for accelerated depreciation of upwards of 100% of the cost in year one depending on the car type and the tax year.
Do I need both commercial and personal auto insurance?
Your vehicle will most likely need commercial auto insurance if it's owned by a business, but if you're the sole proprietor, you might only need a personal auto insurance policy.