Small Business Insurance Guides
Practical checklists for buying coverage, reading a policy and preparing for renewal.
Buying business insurance starts with describing your work and understanding the policy you are considering. Use these guides to organize applications, read limits and exclusions, and compare questions across proposals. Start with your industry, then work through the buying and policy checklists.
Start with your industry
Contractors
Jobsite work, subcontractors, equipment and insurance exhibits.
Explore the checklistRestaurants & food service
Premises, kitchen equipment, alcohol service, staff and deliveries.
Explore the checklistFreelancers & consultants
Client contracts, professional services, earlier work and client data.
Explore the checklistBuying and policy guides
Business Insurance for Contractors: A Buying Checklist
What to gather before shopping for contractor insurance, which coverage questions to ask, and how to check a client's certificate and endorsement requirements.
Updated September 6, 2026
Business Insurance for Freelancers: Client Contracts, Work and Data
Prepare freelancer insurance questions about client contracts, professional services, equipment, data and prior work, then compare the terms of actual proposals.
Updated September 6, 2026
Restaurant Insurance: Opening, Operations and Renewal Checklist
Prepare restaurant insurance questions for your premises, staff, equipment, food, alcohol service and deliveries, with a practical proposal comparison checklist.
Updated September 6, 2026
How to Choose Business Insurance: A Step-by-Step Guide
A step-by-step buying checklist for business owners: identify coverage questions, prepare the same information for each provider, and compare more than price.
Updated September 6, 2026
Understanding Business Insurance Policies: How to Read and Compare Coverage
A practical policy-reading checklist, including how to check a certificate of insurance without confusing a summary document with the coverage itself.
Updated September 6, 2026
Business Insurance Costs Explained: A Complete Pricing Guide for 2026
A comprehensive breakdown of how commercial insurance is priced, what drives your premiums, and practical strategies to manage your insurance budget without sacrificing coverage.
Published March 14, 2026
Business Insurance Requirements by State: A Comprehensive Guide
Business insurance requirements vary dramatically from state to state. This guide covers workers' compensation thresholds, commercial auto minimums, disability mandates, paid leave laws, and professional licensing insurance across all 50 states.
Published March 14, 2026
How to File a Business Insurance Claim: A Complete Guide
Filing a business insurance claim can feel daunting, but understanding the process makes it manageable. This guide covers everything from immediate post-incident steps to appealing a denied claim.
Published March 14, 2026