General liability insurance, also known as business liability insurance, is a prudent purchase for all small businesses in Kentucky. It can help protect your company if someone says that you caused an injury or property damage.

For instance, a building owner in Louisville accuses a construction company of improperly fixing a steel column during renovations, which requires expensive repairs to remediate structural damage.

General liability insurance in Kentucky could help the construction company pay to repair the damage. If the owner sues, it could also help cover court costs, legal fees and any damages for which the construction company is held responsible.

Cleaning and construction companies may want to add tools and equipment coverage to their general liability business insurance in Kentucky. This coverage upgrade helps pay to repair or replace essential business gear that is damaged, lost or stolen.

State law requires most businesses with employees to carry Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance.

This type of coverage can help pay medical expenses, including hospital and physical rehabilitation bills, after employees are hurt on the job. It can also cover a portion of lost wages while the injured employee isn’t able to report to work.

For instance, an employee of an Owensboro-based retail store falls from a ladder in the stockroom, breaks an arm and is sidelined for a month. Workers’ comp coverage could help cover the employee’s medical expenses and lost wages.

Did you know that personal auto policies won’t cover accidents that happen while behind the wheel for business purposes?

That’s why you’ll need commercial auto insurance if your business involves driving. It can help pay for property damage and medical bills that result from accidents.

For example, two workers at a window-washing business in Bowling Green hit a guardrail while returning from a job, resulting in major damages to a company-owned van. Commercial auto insurance could help pay to repair the van and for medical bills if the workers suffered bodily injury.

If your business asks employees to drive their own cars for work or rent vehicles, you’ll want an optional add-on called hired and non-owned auto coverage. It can help pay for accident damages in vehicles not titled to your business.

Kentucky commercial property insurance, sometimes called business property insurance, can help pay for business property that’s damaged or destroyed after a covered event, such as vandalism, water, fire or wind incidents.

For example, a kitchen fire at a Frankfort casual dining restaurant damages the cooking station. Commercial property coverage could help pay to repair the grill and replace equipment that was ruined.

It’s important to read your policy documents carefully to make sure there aren’t exclusions for your business. Carriers often don’t cover flood and hurricane damage.

Small businesses, especially those in professional services fields, may want professional liability coverage, which is also known as E&O or errors and omissions insurance.

This type of policy can help protect business owners if they face claims of poor or incomplete work that causes a client or other party financial losses. It can help pay for damages even if the accusations are unfounded.

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