Quick answer
Side by side
| General liability | Business owner's policy (BOP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost | About $45 a month | About $83 a month |
| Injuries to others | Yes | Yes |
| Damage to others' property | Yes | Yes |
| Advertising injury | Yes | Yes |
| Your building, tools, and stock | No | Yes |
| Lost income after a covered loss | No | Often |
| Best for | Freelancers, advisers, work done at clients' places | Shops, offices, stores, cafes, salons |
Averages from Insureon's 2026 small business data. Your price comes from the insurance company.
The cost difference
A BOP costs more because it covers more. But it usually costs less than buying the two parts on their own: general liability plus commercial property.
What general liability covers
- A customer slips and gets hurt at your shop.
- You break something at a client's home or office.
- Someone sues over an ad, like a photo you didn't have the right to use.
What a BOP adds
- Your stuff: your building (if you own it), tools, furniture, stock, and supplies.
- Lost income: often included. It helps pay you if a fire or storm makes you close for a while.
Who should choose general liability alone
- You work from home or at your clients' places.
- You don't own many work tools or much stock.
- A client or landlord just wants proof that you're covered.
Think freelancers, advisers, and many service pros.
Who should choose a BOP
- You have a shop, office, or store.
- You own tools or stock that would cost a lot to replace.
- A fire or storm that closed you for weeks would hurt your income.
Think small stores, cafes, salons, and offices.
Not every business can get a BOP
BOPs are made for small, lower-risk businesses. Insurers may say no to bigger or riskier ones. If that's you, you can buy the two parts on their own.
What neither one covers
- Your own workers getting hurt. You need workers' comp. Most states require it once you have workers.
- Bad advice or mistakes in your work. You need E&O coverage.
- Cars and trucks you use for work. You need commercial auto.
- Hacks and stolen data. You need cyber coverage.
- Tools away from your shop, in many cases. Look at inland marine.
Questions to ask when you compare
- Does the BOP pay lost income, and for how long?
- Will it pay to replace my things new, or only what they're worth used?
- Can I add a client or landlord as an "additional insured"?
- How fast can I get a certificate of insurance?
- What else do I need, based on my type of business?
Related pages
Core business insurance: Small business insurance cost · General liability · Workers' comp · Business owner's policy · Professional liability · Commercial auto · Commercial property · Cyber insurance · LLC insurance · Home-based business insurance · All business services
Questions people ask
Sources
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