What does a Business Owners Policy (BOP) cover?

What a BOP usually includes

• Property: your building (if you own it), contents, inventory and equipment, for covered causes of loss such as fire, theft and some wind or hail damage, subject to deductibles, limits and exclusions.
• General liability: claims of bodily injury or property damage to others, like a customer slipping in your store, subject to policy terms and exclusions.
• Business income: can help replace lost income and pay certain extra expenses if covered property damage forces you to suspend operations, within the policy's limits and time periods.

What a BOP often doesn't include

These are usually separate policies or add-ons:

• Commercial auto, for vehicles used in the business
• Workers' compensation, including injuries to your own employees
• Professional liability or errors and omissions
• Flood and earthquake (usually excluded)
• Employment practices liability, cyber, and equipment breakdown or other coverages (sometimes available as add-ons)

Not every business qualifies for a BOP. Carriers look at the type of business, its size and its risk.

Is a BOP right for you?

A BOP can be a simple starting point for a retail shop, small office or service business. Contractors, farms and businesses with heavy equipment may need a different setup. As an independent agency, we can compare BOP and package options across the companies we represent and explain what you're buying before you need it.