What is workers’ compensation insurance? The definition of this type of policy is coverage that helps pay costs associated with a work-related injury or illness, including medical care and lost wages. Sometimes called workers’ comp or workman’s comp, it’s often mandatory and protects both your employees and your company if an employee experiences an injury or illness while at work, including strains and sprains, trip-and-fall incidents, or accidental death.

Nobody needs to tell you: Operating any type of business involves risk. There’s just no way to completely eliminate it. Fortunately, there is small business insurance that can protect you from the financial impact of those risks. Two of the many types of coverage available are professional liability insurance (also called errors and omissions or E&O insurance) and general liability insurance. But when it comes to general vs professional liability insurance, it can be difficult to know which type of coverage you need.

Every business faces risk—things like employee injuries, visitor slip-and-fall accidents, professional “errors and omissions,” and work-related auto accidents. The liability and financial loss from these types of incidents and many others can devastate a small company that isn’t properly insured.

Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of insurance that is almost always required by state law for any company that has employees, and in some states, for those who use independent contractors. It provides financial protection for workers who get hurt or sick on the job. It also protects businesses from the high cost of workplace injuries. Participating in a workers’ compensation payroll audit is required to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance.

A business owners policy (or BOP) and a general liability policy have many things in common. For example, they both provide protection from financial liability for many types of incidents. This includes accidental damage to customer property and injury to non-employees on the policyholder’s property.

Small businesses that have purchased insurance policies such as workers’ compensation, general liability, and professional liability (also called errors & omissions or E&O) from biBERK will sometimes ask, “Do I need a commercial umbrella insurance policy?”

Small business owners who provide professional advice or services often ask, “Do I need errors and omissions insurance?” The answer in virtually all cases is, “Yes, you do.” Errors and omissions insurance (sometimes written as E&O or E and O insurance) is professional liability insurance that protects businesses from claims by clients that the company’s employees made a mistake or neglected certain required actions.

If you use cars, pickup trucks, or other vehicles in the course of doing business, you need commercial car insurance. Having proper coverage can keep you from having to pay for bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical expenses, damage to your own vehicle, and other expenses out of pocket.

If you own a small business, you know you face business risks and might wonder, “What are some common general liability claims?” That’s an important question, since the answer can help you understand whether you need general liability insurance (most businesses do) and if so, how much. Read on to learn more about general liability insurance claims.