
Self employed liability insurance is a must-have for business owners who want to protect themselves and their assets from potential lawsuits. According to the article, this type of insurance can provide coverage for damages or injuries caused to others due to the business owner's negligence or wrongdoing.
As a business owner, you're likely no stranger to risk. In fact, studies show that 75% of small businesses are at risk of being sued at some point. Self employed liability insurance can help mitigate this risk by providing financial protection in the event of a lawsuit.
It's worth noting that self employed liability insurance is not the same as business insurance. While business insurance may cover equipment and property damage, self employed liability insurance specifically covers personal liability. This is important because, as a business owner, your personal assets are still at risk even if you have business insurance.
What Is Self Employed Liability Insurance?
Self-employed liability insurance, also known as E&O insurance, is designed to protect freelancers, contractors, and small business owners from losses if they're sued by their clients.
This insurance covers claims for clients' economic or financial losses resulting from the business owner's negligence, professional errors, or omissions.
Some examples of self-employed liability insurance claims include a patient suing a doctor for misdiagnosing their illness, a client suing a lawyer for neglecting to file legal paperwork, or a business owner suing a partner for not fulfilling their part of a contract.
E&O insurance pays the cost of the business owner's legal defense against the claims and also pays any resulting judgments, up to the limit of the policy.
Common names for self-employed liability insurance include professional liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance, and professional indemnity insurance.
Here are some examples of self-employed liability insurance claims:
- A patient suing a doctor or medical professional for misdiagnosing their illness
- A client suing a lawyer for neglecting to file legal paperwork by an established deadline
- A business owner suing a partner for not fulfilling their part of a contract
- A client suing an accountant for making a costly mistake on the client’s tax filing
How It Works
Self-employed liability insurance protects business owners from unexpected costs associated with running their businesses: lawsuits.
Operating a business without E&O insurance puts the owner(s) at risk of being held personally responsible for breaching a contract.
Some other issues covered by E&O insurance include violation of good faith and fair dealing.
Inaccurate advice and misrepresentation are also covered under E&O insurance.
The coverage generally does not extend to non-financial losses.
Losses caused by intentional, criminal, or dishonest acts are also excluded from coverage.
Types of Coverage
As a self-employed individual, it's essential to understand the types of coverage available to protect your business from potential risks. Professional liability insurance, also known as "errors and omissions insurance", covers mistakes made while performing certain jobs, such as advertising services, financial advice, and IT security consulting.
This type of insurance can help protect you from legal costs if an unhappy client files a lawsuit. For example, if you're an accountant and a client claims you offered bad advice, professional liability insurance can cover the legal expenses related to their claim.
You may also want to consider a business owner's policy (BOP), which bundles three types of insurance coverage: General liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. A BOP can be cheaper than buying separate policies, and you can add additional coverage as needed.
Here are some examples of business insurance coverage:
- Professional liability insurance (errors and omissions insurance)
- General liability insurance
- Business interruption insurance
- Commercial property insurance
Policy Limits
General liability insurance policies typically include two numbers: the per-occurrence limit and the aggregate limit.
The per-occurrence limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay out for a single claim, which is often $1 million and includes both legal and settlement costs.
A typical general liability policy includes an aggregate limit of $2 million, which refreshes every year if you have an occurrence-based policy.
If you have a business auto policy with a limit of $500,000 and you're in an accident that costs $650,000, umbrella insurance can help cover the additional $150,000.
Figuring out your business risks is crucial to determining the types of coverage you need and how much you'll pay.
Your insurance plan should protect you from liabilities that may arise from your business, and an insurance agent can help you navigate this process.
Types of

As a business owner, it's essential to understand the different types of coverage available to protect your business. Let's break down the options.
There are two main types of self-employed liability insurance policies: claims-made and occurrence. A claims-made policy requires that the policy be in an active state when the alleged event takes place, as well as when the lawsuit is filed.
Claims-made policies can be a good option for businesses that are still active, but occurrence policies may be more suitable for those who have retired or changed careers.
A business owner's policy (BOP) is a type of policy that bundles three types of insurance coverage: General liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. This can often be cheaper than buying separate policies.
Some common types of business insurance include general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance.
A standalone policy may offer more comprehensive coverage and higher coverage limits if you operate an established home-based business. This can be a good option for businesses with large properties or robust operations.
Here are the two main types of self-employed liability insurance policies:
- Claims-made: Covers events that occur while the policy is active.
- Occurrence: Covers events that occur during the policy's period of coverage, even if the lawsuit is filed after the policy ends.
Commercial
As a business owner, you're likely aware that commercial insurance is a must-have to protect your business from various risks. You may need commercial auto insurance if you use a vehicle for business operations, such as meeting clients or delivering products.
Commercial auto insurance is essential because your car insurance probably doesn't cover business-related accidents. For example, if you're a photographer and you're driving to a client's location, your commercial auto insurance would cover you in case of an accident.
Umbrella insurance is also a type of commercial insurance that can boost the limits of your existing policies. This is especially important if you have extra liabilities that your business may face. For instance, if your business auto policy covers up to $500,000 in damages and you're in an accident that costs $650,000, umbrella insurance can cover the additional $150,000.
Here are some examples of businesses that may benefit from commercial insurance:
- Photographers
- Accountants
- Web design
- Hair stylists
- Online product sales
- Caterers or food sales
Remember, it's essential to have the right insurance coverage for your business, and a standalone policy may offer more comprehensive coverage and higher coverage limits if you operate an established business.
Property Damage Note
Property damage can be a significant concern for businesses, especially when it comes to home-based operations. A staggering 48% of home businesses rely on their homeowners or renters insurance to cover their business items.
You should be aware that these policies typically only cover up to $500 in work-related damages. This can be a huge limitation for businesses that value their equipment and inventory.
If you're a home-based business owner, you should consider investing in business property insurance to protect your commercial property. This type of insurance is limited to your business premises, with a typical 500-foot coverage radius around the building.
You may also want to consider inland marine insurance, also known as Tools & Equipment Insurance, which protects commercial property in transit. This can be especially important if you frequently take your tools, gear, or equipment with you off-premises.
Here are some types of businesses that may benefit from additional property damage coverage:
- Photographers
- Accountants
- Web design
- Hair stylists
- Online product sales
- Caterers or food sales
Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to protecting your business property.
Eligibility and Requirements
If you're an independent contractor, you need liability insurance to protect yourself from financial risks. Failing to have liability insurance puts your business in jeopardy.
As an independent contractor, you can be sued just like anyone else, so it's essential to have general liability insurance to cover unexpected events, such as accidentally damaging a client's property on the job.
You'll also need liability insurance if you're a freelancer, consultant, or 1099er, as clients may expect you to have insurance before they'll hire you. This is a common expectation, so it's best to have it in place.
Here's a list of workers who typically need business insurance:
- Freelancers
- Consultants
- 1099ers
- Independent contractors
- Home-based businesses
- Entrepreneurs
- Startups
- Small business owners
- Mompreneurs
- New businesses
- Old businesses
- Side jobbers
- Solopreneurs
Getting and Buying Insurance
As a self-employed individual, buying the right insurance is crucial to protect your business and personal assets. You may only need an endorsement added to your homeowner's policy for a small home-based business.
It's essential to speak with an insurance professional to determine the best types of insurance for your home-based business. They can help you decide if you need a stand-alone business insurance policy or just an endorsement.
Larger home-based businesses often require specialized coverage, which a stand-alone business insurance policy can provide.
How Do I Get?
To get general liability insurance, you should contact licensed agents at InsurePro, who can match you with various quotes and help you determine the right policy for your needs.
Having your own general liability insurance policy can be a more comprehensive option, even if a client is willing to include you in their policy.
If you decide you need general liability insurance, it's a good idea to shop around and compare quotes from different providers.
InsurePro's team can help you find the best policy for your commercial needs, making the process easier and more efficient.
You should take the time to carefully review and compare different policies to ensure you're getting the right coverage for your business.
How Much Is?
Business insurance for the self-employed doesn't have to break the bank. The price of your insurance plan will depend on things like your profession, the size of your business, and the kinds of things you want to protect.
A small self-employed business might pay around $500-$900 a year, while a large corporation could pay over $50,000 a year.
Your profession plays a big role in determining the cost of your business insurance. For example, a data entry professional will pay much less than a large corporation.
Buying Insurance
Buying insurance for your home-based business can be a straightforward process. You may only need an endorsement added to your homeowner's policy for small businesses.
It's essential to speak with an insurance professional to determine the best types of insurance for your business. They can help you navigate the process and ensure you have the right coverage.
Larger home-based businesses may need the specialized coverage a stand-alone business insurance policy can provide. This type of policy can offer more comprehensive protection.
Having your own general liability insurance policy can provide peace of mind and protection in case of a lawsuit. Even if a client is prepared to include you in their policy, it's still a good idea to have your own.
Contacting licensed agents at InsurePro or a similar insurance provider can help you find the right policy for your needs. They can match you with various quotes and help you determine which policy is right for your commercial needs.
Having the right insurance in place can protect you from property damage, lawsuits, customer or client injury, or employee injury. Without it, you could be left paying for damages related to a claim or lawsuit against your business.
Deals
Looking for a deal? A business owner's policy combines general liability and business property insurance into a single package policy.
You can get better protection at a lower price than by purchasing each coverage on its own. This makes it a great value for business owners.
It's easy to add extra coverage to a BOP with many endorsements available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need insurance for a side hustle?
If your side hustle generates $1,000 or more per month, consider acquiring insurance to protect yourself from financial loss and liability. Explore your options to ensure your business is adequately protected.
How much is a $1 million dollar general liability policy?
A $1 million general liability policy typically costs between $40 to $150 per month, depending on the business size and coverage. The exact cost may vary, so it's best to shop around for quotes to find the best fit for your business.
Sources
- https://www.thebalancemoney.com/what-is-self-employed-liability-insurance-5323317
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/general-liability-insurance
- https://www.insurepro.com/blog/does-general-liability-insurance-cover-independent-contractors
- https://pogo.co/self-employed-insurance/
- https://mcmahonagency.com/safely-self-employed-do-i-need-home-based-business-insurance/
Featured Images: pexels.com