Looking to start a business in Oklahoma? The Sooner State may be home to some giant energy companies, but Oklahoma small businesses employ a workforce of over 700,000 individuals.1 With sizable markets in retail, construction and services, the Oklahoma’s an exciting and opportune place for a new business owner to hang their shingle.

Oklahoma’s small businesses are just as diverse as the state’s vast natural landscape. But before you hit the ground running, you’ll need to brush up on the various types of small business insurance required to keep your business legal and protect it from risk. In this article, we’ll go over each type of insurance coverage you should consider.

What business insurance am I required to get in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma workers’ compensation insurance

All employers in Oklahoma with one or more employees are legally required to have workers’ compensation insurance. 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

Oklahoma auto liability insurance

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 covers 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 cover will insure 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.

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.

What other types of business insurance are recommended for Oklahoma?

Oklahoma general liability insurance

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.

Oklahoma professional liability insurance

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

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. At Thimble, we offer inland marine insurance, or Business Equipment Protection as we call it, with coverage for up to $5,000 worth of business property and equipment.

Commercial property insurance

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, fires and natural disasters such as floods, storms or earthquakes. Commercial property insurance is often included as part of a Business Owners’ Insurance Policy, or BOP.

Professions covered in Oklahoma

No matter what your business is, if you’re in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma, Thimble’s business insurance covers:

Professions covered in Oklahoma

Cost of business insurance in Oklahoma

At Thimble, the cost of your small business insurance 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. More populated areas like Oklahoma City or Tulsa might have higher premiums on average than less populated locations like Bartlesville or Enid.

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.

Median Oklahoma insurance costs

Coverage Period

By the hour

By the day

By the Week

By the month

Median Cost

$6.80

$16.75

$61.55

$56.91

Top cities for businesses in Oklahoma

  • Ardmore
  • Bartlesville
  • Enid
  • Lawton
  • Muskogee
  • Oklahoma City
  • Shawnee
  • Stillwater
  • Tahlequah
  • Tulsa

Bottom line: Oklahoma business insurance

The Sooner State has been a beacon for pioneering, entrepreneurial types for over a hundred years. If you’re serious about starting your business in Oklahoma, 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 find Oklahoma business insurance coverage that’s right for you. Through Thimble, you can get a quote for your general liability insurance, professional liability insurance or Business Equipment Protection in less than a minute and if you decide to buy, you’ll be able to access your policy and Certificates of Insurance (COIs) in your inbox instantly.

Source:

  1. Oklahoma 2019 Small Business Profile, U.S. Small Business Administration.