California general liability coverage, known as commercial general liability or business liability insurance, is essential for most small businesses in California. It can help cover costs if someone other than an employee claims that your company’s actions caused them injury or property damage.

Having general liability can also help set you up for success. Many commercial landlords will require it before offering your business a lease, and clients may ask to see your certificate of liability insurance before they’ll hire you for a job.

General liability insurance can help in many everyday situations. For example, if a customer in your Sacramento retail store trips and falls, coverage can help pay for the client’s medical expenses and legal defense costs if they sue.

California requires businesses with employees to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Workers’ comp in California protects your business if an employee is injured on the job. It can help cover medical bills and some lost wages while the employee recovers.

For instance, if a Riverside restaurant worker requires medical care after a grease fire, workers’ comp insurance would help pay for their medical bills and some of their wages while they recover.

Personal car insurance might not cover accidents that happen while you or your employees are driving for work. That’s why California requires small businesses that own vehicles to have commercial auto insurance.

Here’s an example of how commercial auto can help: If a Los Angeles house painter causes an accident while driving the company van and sends other drivers to the hospital, coverage can help cover medical bills, vehicle damage and legal costs if the other drivers file lawsuits.

California commercial property insurance can help pay for the things you need to do business if they are damaged or destroyed. For example, it can provide financial help for a shattered pane glass window at your brick-and-mortar shop in Gardena or a business computer used at your home office in Hayward.

It’s important to read your insurance documents closely. Commercial property insurance often covers water, fire and wind damage but some policies have exclusions for flood-prone areas and other risks.

If you need help or have questions, we have licensed insurance agents who can assist.

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insuarnce (E&O) coverage or omissions insurance, offers protection if a client claims you made a professional error that caused them a financial loss. It can help cover legal fees and pay for some damages.

For example, if a San Francisco real estate agent fails to disclose a property flaw, and the buyer later spends thousands of dollars to fix it, professional liability can help cover legal costs and pay for some damages.