Insurance for Starting a Business: A Checklist

Starting a business? Here's exactly which insurance policies you need, which ones can wait, and how to avoid the most common mistakes new owners make.

Getting Started | 7 min read | 2026-03-01

You've registered your LLC, opened a bank account, and built your website. But have you protected the business itself? Here's the insurance checklist every new owner needs.

General liability is the first policy every business should buy. It covers the most fundamental risks: a customer is injured because of your operations, you damage someone else's property, or you're sued for defamation or advertising injury. Almost every commercial lease, client contract, and vendor agreement requires it.

In This Article

• Start Here: General Liability
• If You Have a Physical Location: BOP
• If You Have Employees: Workers' Comp
• If You Use Vehicles: Commercial Auto
• If You Provide Professional Services: E&O
• What Can Wait (But Not for Long)

RISKX — Commercial Insurance Agency | Licensed in All 50 States | (800) 400-8398 | [email protected]