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 Costs Explained: How Premiums Are Calculated
Premiums start with a rate applied to an exposure such as payroll, sales or square footage, then change with limits, deductibles, claims experience and state rules. See how each main coverage is rated.
Updated October 3, 2026
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 October 3, 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 October 3, 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 October 3, 2026
Business Insurance Requirements by State
A state-by-state table of the three insurance rules most small businesses meet first: who needs workers' compensation, minimum auto liability limits and state paid leave or disability programs.
Updated October 3, 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 October 3, 2026
How to File a Business Insurance Claim: Steps, Deadlines and Disputes
Report the loss promptly, document it before cleanup, prevent further damage, work with the adjuster and send required documents on time. If you disagree, use appraisal, a complaint or other dispute routes.
Updated October 3, 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 October 3, 2026