Combined Coverage for Eligible California Businesses
A Business Owners Policy, commonly called a BOP, combines several important commercial insurance coverages into one policy designed for eligible small and medium-sized businesses.
A BOP commonly includes general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and business income coverage. Jose Estrada helps eligible California businesses explore available policy options based on their operations, property, revenue, location, and insurance history. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.
What a Business Owners Policy May Include
Depending on the carrier and policy, a BOP may include:
- General liability insurance
- Commercial property insurance
- Business personal property coverage
- Business income coverage
- Extra expense coverage
- Products and completed operations liability
- Personal and advertising injury coverage
- Premises and operations liability
- Equipment breakdown coverage
- Certain crime coverages
- Other optional endorsements
Coverage, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and eligibility vary by carrier and business type.
General Liability Coverage
The general liability portion of a BOP may help protect the business from certain third-party claims involving:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Personal and advertising injury
- Products and completed operations
- Medical payments
- Legal defense costs for covered claims
General liability does not cover every business risk. Additional policies may be needed depending on the operation.
Commercial Property Coverage
The commercial property portion of a BOP may help protect covered:
- Buildings owned by the business
- Furniture and fixtures
- Business equipment
- Inventory and supplies
- Tenant improvements
- Outdoor signs
- Business personal property
Property must be properly described and valued. Coverage depends on the selected causes of loss, valuation method, limits, deductible, and policy conditions.
Business Income and Extra Expense
A covered property loss may temporarily interrupt business operations. Business income coverage may help replace certain lost income when operations are suspended because of a covered direct physical loss.
Extra expense coverage may help pay certain additional costs required to continue operating or temporarily relocate. Waiting periods, limits, exclusions, and other conditions apply.
What a BOP Usually Does Not Include
A standard Business Owners Policy generally does not replace:
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
- Professional liability or errors and omissions insurance
- Employment practices liability
- Cyber liability insurance
- Flood insurance
- Earthquake insurance
- Health or disability insurance
- Coverage for intentional or illegal acts
Separate policies or endorsements may be available for some of these risks.
Businesses That May Qualify for a BOP
A Business Owners Policy may be available for eligible:
- Retail stores
- Restaurants and food businesses
- Offices
- Service businesses
- Janitorial and cleaning companies
- Landscapers
- Contractors
- Wholesalers
- Tire shops and repair facilities
- Auto-detailing businesses
- Property owners
- Other California small businesses
Eligibility depends on the business classification, annual revenue, payroll, property values, location, claims history, and carrier underwriting requirements.
Optional Coverages and Endorsements
Depending on the business and carrier, a BOP may be customized with additional coverage for:
- Equipment breakdown
- Water backup
- Spoilage
- Employee dishonesty
- Money and securities
- Outdoor property
- Hired and non-owned auto liability
- Cyber incidents
- Employment-related claims
- Additional insured requirements
Not every endorsement is available for every business or policy.
Request a California Business Owners Policy Quote
Tell us about your business, location, property, equipment, employees, revenue, and current insurance. We will contact you to gather additional information and discuss available BOP options.
Submitting an inquiry does not bind, change, or provide insurance coverage. Do not cancel existing insurance until replacement coverage has been confirmed in writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BOP stand for?
BOP stands for Business Owners Policy. It combines certain commercial insurance coverages into one policy for eligible businesses.
What coverage is normally included in a Business Owners Policy?
A BOP commonly includes general liability, commercial property, and business income coverage. The exact coverage depends on the carrier and selected policy options.
Is a BOP the same as general liability insurance?
No. General liability is usually one part of a BOP. A BOP may also include commercial property, business income, and other coverages.
Does a BOP include workers’ compensation?
Workers’ compensation is generally not included in a standard BOP. A separate workers’ compensation policy may be needed when the business has employees.
Does a BOP include commercial auto insurance?
Commercial auto insurance is generally not included in a standard BOP. A separate commercial auto policy may be needed for vehicles used by the business.
Does a BOP cover professional mistakes?
Professional mistakes, negligent advice, or failure to provide professional services may require professional liability or errors and omissions insurance.
Does a BOP cover earthquakes or floods?
Earthquake and flood damage are generally excluded from standard BOP property coverage. Separate coverage may be available depending on the location and exposure.
Can a Business Owners Policy cover lost income?
A BOP may include business income coverage for certain income losses resulting from a covered direct physical loss. Waiting periods, limits, exclusions, and policy conditions apply.
Can a BOP be customized?
Depending on the carrier, endorsements may be available for equipment breakdown, cyber liability, employee dishonesty, water backup, hired and non-owned auto liability, and other exposures.
Is a BOP appropriate for every business?
No. Eligibility depends on factors such as the type of business, size, revenue, payroll, property values, location, and claims history. Some businesses require separate or specialized policies.
How much does a Business Owners Policy cost?
The cost depends on the business classification, location, revenue, payroll, property values, coverage limits, deductibles, claims history, and selected endorsements.
Can I obtain a certificate of insurance with a BOP?
After qualifying coverage has been issued, a certificate of insurance can generally be provided as evidence of coverage. A certificate does not alter or expand the policy.
Is assistance available in Spanish?
Yes. Se habla español. California business owners may request assistance in English or Spanish.
Does submitting the form activate coverage?
No. Submitting an inquiry or receiving a quote does not bind or activate insurance. Coverage begins only after all carrier requirements are satisfied and binding or issuance has been confirmed.