The Empire State is where you want to be if you want to start a new venture in one of the world’s business capitals. But to ensure everything goes smoothly with your undertaking, you’ll want to be doubly sure you’re meeting all the state’s insurance requirements.
From uptown to upstate and Buffalo to the boroughs, the New York state of mind is all about the hustle. If the Empire State was its own country, it would have an economy comparable to South Korea.1 It’s not just big businesses striking rich in New York. Small businesses make up 99.8% of all companies in the state.2
As a small business owner, there are certain bases you need to have covered before you can safely (or legally) operate. One of those bases is business insurance. In this guide, you’ll learn about the types of insurance you’re required to have, and some other coverage options to help you protect your business from potentially expensive claims.
The state of New York requires employers to have workers’ compensation coverage for all their employees. Workers’ compensation insurance exists to safeguard employees from financial impact related to injuries or illnesses sustained on the job. As a business owner, it also protects you from liability related to employee injuries. Workers’ compensation covers expenses and lost wages caused by the following:
Work-related accidents and injuries, such as repetitive stress injury, and resulting disability Illnesses caused by or related to employment
If you drive a car, truck or van as part of your business operation, you’re required to have auto liability insurance or qualify as a self-insurer. Auto liability insurance can protect you and your business from the following types of third-party claims resulting from auto accidents involving your vehicle:
Property damage – If you get into an accident in which you are at fault, your auto policy’s Property Damage Liability coverage insures the cost to repair or replace the other party’s vehicle.
Bodily injury – If you get into an accident in which you are at fault and the driver or a passenger of the other vehicle is injured, your auto liability insurance will cover the additional costs arising out of bodily injury, including medical expenses and death benefits once the injured party has exceeded all PIP benefits available under their policy. In addition to standard bodily injury liability coverage, New York also requires you to have uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage.
In New York, your auto liability insurance also provides coverage for:
Personal injury protection (PIP) – Personal Injury Protection covers 80 percent of all necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to $50,000 resulting from a covered injury, no matter who caused the crash.
Also, depending on the use of your vehicle, the kind of vehicle or if your vehicle is registered or titled under your business name, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy to secure the appropriate coverage and vehicle registration, and avoid penalties.
General liability insurance (also known as CGL—for commercial general liability) is one of the most essential and effective ways to safeguard your business. It protects your business from the financial consequences resulting from liability related to third-party non-employee bodily injury or third party property damage that arises from your business operations. It also provides coverage for personal and advertising injury. Without general liability insurance coverage, you could be in financial trouble in the event of an unfortunate accident involving a customer or other third party.
If you provide professional services and your advice is alleged to have led to one of your clients suffering a financial loss, professional liability insurance can help. When a former customer or client claims—rightly or wrongly—that a mistake in your work led them to suffer a financial loss, professional liability insurance provides you with investigation and defense of the claim as well as making payments of any settlements or judgments.
Inland marine insurance is designed to protect that vital equipment you use to make your business run smoothly. It protects your business by covering costs associated with accidentally damaged, lost or stolen equipment that is on the go with you. Whether you have an expensive tool collection, pricey construction materials, or other equipment you transport to a job site, having inland marine insurance is a no-brainer.
Commercial property insurance protects your company’s building and the contents inside it from all kinds of risks of physical loss or damage, including theft, vandalism and fires. Commercial property insurance is often included as part of a Business Owners Insurance Policy or BOP.
No matter what your business is, if you’re in New York, you’ll benefit from being insured. If a non-employee slips and falls due to a workplace hazard or you accidentally damage a client’s property while working in their home, the last thing you need is to pay out-of-pocket for damages. In New York, Thimble’s business insurance covers:
And more
At Thimble, the cost of your business insurance likely depends on a variety of factors. The amount of risk involved in your business, the industry you’re in, and the amount of business you do all play a part in determining your policy premium.
Another important factor is your location. New York City might have higher premiums than smaller cities or towns in Western New York.
Finally, Thimble will look at factors such as your crew size, coverage amount and the number of years you’ve been in business before determining how much your premium will be.
The Empire State boasts one of the largest economies not just in America, but the entire world. If you’re serious about starting your business in New York, take some time to consider what kinds of insurance coverage you’ll need. Being covered means you can focus on growing your company without worrying about expensive insurance claims.
Even if you’re just starting up, you can get a New York business insurance quote from Thimble in less than a minute and if you decide to buy, you’ll be able to access your policy and Certificates of Insurance (COI) in your inbox instantly.
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