Before You Open Your Doors, Someone Will Ask to See Proof
A landlord, a client, or a licensing board - almost every new business gets asked for proof of insurance sooner than expected. We'll get you covered correctly, priced for a business that's just getting started.
Coverage
Where new owners get asked to prove they're covered
Signing a Lease
Most commercial landlords won't hand over keys until they see a certificate of insurance naming them as an interested party - often before you've made a single sale.
Landing Your First Client
Many contracts, especially with larger companies or government clients, require proof of general liability - or professional liability for service-based work - before you can start the job.
Getting Licensed
Depending on your industry and municipality, a business license or professional license application may ask for proof of coverage as part of getting approved to legally operate.
Day one vs. as you grow
Day One
- General liability - the baseline most leases and contracts ask for first
- Professional liability (E&O) if you're giving advice or a service someone could claim was done wrong
- Business owner's policy (BOP) if you have a physical space, equipment, or inventory to protect
As You Grow
- Workers' compensation once you hire - Florida generally requires it once you have any employees in construction, or four or more in most other industries
- Commercial auto if a vehicle starts getting used for the business
- Cyber liability once you're handling customer payment or personal data
- Umbrella coverage once your revenue and contract sizes grow past your base liability limits
Insurance doesn't have to be your biggest startup expense
A lot of new owners put off getting covered because they assume it's a major cost they can't justify yet - but for most early-stage businesses, a basic general liability or BOP policy is one of the more affordable pieces of getting started, not the budget-breaker it's often assumed to be.
The bigger cost, almost always, is the deal or the lease that falls through because coverage wasn't in place when someone asked to see it. We price your policy against what your business actually does, not a generic startup estimate.
New Business Startup Insurance FAQ
Do I need business insurance before I've made any sales?
Often yes, and earlier than most new owners expect. Landlords commonly require proof of general liability before signing a commercial lease, and many client contracts require it before work begins - both of which can happen before your business has any revenue at all.
What is a Certificate of Insurance (COI), and why does everyone keep asking for one?
A COI is a short document your insurance carrier issues showing what coverage you have and at what limits - it's how a landlord or client verifies you're actually covered without needing to see your full policy. Almost every commercial lease and a growing share of client contracts ask for one before you can move forward.
I'm a sole proprietor with no employees - do I still need coverage?
Usually, yes. Liability exposure doesn't depend on how many people work for you - a single dissatisfied client or an accident at a job site can create a claim against a one-person business the same as a fifty-person one. The specific coverage you need scales with what you do, not just your headcount.
How much does insurance typically cost for a brand-new business?
It varies by industry, revenue, and what you're covering, but it doesn't have to be a major line item for most early-stage businesses - a basic general liability or BOP policy is often one of the more affordable pieces of getting started. We price it against your actual business rather than a generic estimate.
Get covered before someone asks to see proof
Tell us what you're starting and what you already have lined up - we'll tell you exactly what you need.
Get a New Business QuoteOr call us directly at (863) 606-5147