San Diego, CA Business Insurance

San Diego is the eighth-most populous city in the United States and the second-most populous city in California. The city is known for its mild year-round climate, as well as its harbor, beaches, and parks.

There are around 4,000,000 businesses operating in California, with over 135,000 in San Diego alone. Military and defense activities are the main economic engines of San Diego. Tourism, professional services, healthcare, and manufacturing are also important industries in the city.

Whether you run a small or a large business in San Diego, you need comprehensive business insurance to protect your assets and your employees when something goes wrong. A local independent insurance agent can help you compare business insurance quotes in San Diego, CA, so you can choose the coverage that’s best for you and your employees.

Is Business Insurance Required in San Diego, CA?

In general, business insurance is not required in San Diego. But if your business owns any vehicles, or you drive your personal vehicle for business purposes, you are required to purchase commercial auto insurance.

California requires commercial vehicle owners to carry liability coverage up to the following minimum limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $5,000 per accident

Bodily injury liability insurance covers you if you are at fault in an accident and someone other than yourself is injured. Property damage liability insurance covers damage to another person's vehicle or property in an accident that is your fault.

Business auto policies in California commonly utilize a combined single limit (CSL) for liability insurance. This creates higher limits for both bodily injury and property damage liability coverage. California businesses often choose CSLs of $500,000 or $1,000,000. 

Most employers in California are also required to purchase workers’ compensation insurance. It offers coverage for medical expenses and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job, regardless of who is at fault.

What Does Business Insurance Cover in San Diego, CA?

Business insurance in San Diego, CA pays for covered claims so you don’t suffer financial losses when something goes wrong. Depending on your coverage, it can help you pay for property damage, liability claims, and even worker injuries and illnesses.

Business insurance is not a single policy; rather, it’s a set of individual policies that together offer comprehensive coverage for your business. A typical business insurance package in San Diego will include:

• Commercial property insurance: Covers damage to a building (the structure) and its contents (computers, office equipment, and furniture, supplies, fixtures, etc.) if they are damaged by a weather event, fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils. 
• Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance: Protects your business assets from lawsuits. It can protect your business from costs related to bodily injury and property damage claims. It pays for medical expenses, legal costs, and financial settlements or judgments. Your CGL policy even covers costs related to personal injury claims such as libel and slander.
• Business interruption coverage: Protects your earnings if your business is unable to operate because of damage after a fire, hail, wind, equipment breakdown, or some other covered event. If you are forced to close your doors for a period of time to make repairs, this coverage pays for rent, employee salaries, lost income, relocation fees, and more.
• Workers’ compensation insurance: This insurance makes it possible for workers to pay their medical bills and be compensated for lost wages if they are injured at work. California employers are required by law to have workers' compensation insurance, even if they only have one employee.
• Commercial auto insurance: This is required for all business-owned vehicles in California. And if you drive a personal vehicle for work purposes, you should purchase hired and non-owned auto insurance, because personal auto policies usually exclude business use.

Every business is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all business insurance plan. Your business needs policies and coverage that protect against its unique risk exposures.

How Much Does Business Insurance Cost in San Diego, CA?

The cost of business insurance in San Diego, CA will vary widely from company to company, and a lot depends on the policies and insurance companies that you choose.

Several factors influence your San Diego business insurance costs, including the following:

• Your gross sales and payroll
• Your number of employees
• The size and physical location of your business
• The value of your physical assets (buildings, vehicles, machines, equipment, inventory, etc.)
• The nature of your business (what do you do?)
• Your prior claims history

Even things like crime and the risk for natural disasters in your city will play a role in what you pay for business insurance. In California, there have been 330 federally declared disasters since 1953. The main risks to commercial property in California include:

• Fires
• Flooding and water damage
• Earthquakes and tremors
• Severe storms and lightning
• Burglary and property crimes

In areas where these occurrences are prevalent, you may pay more to insure your commercial property.

It’s important to work with an independent insurance agent who understands all of the risks that you face, and who can get business insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies in San Diego.

Who Are the Best Business Insurance Companies in San Diego, CA?

It can be simple to find the best business insurance companies in San Diego. A local independent insurance agent can help you get business insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies, so you can select the best policy for your needs and budget.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help Me Find the Best Business Insurance in San Diego, CA?

Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent now, and get a one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of business insurance quotes in San Diego, so you can make the best choice. 

What’s more, your agent will be there for you when claim time comes. They know the ins and outs of the process and will make sure your claim is handled appropriately.

Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.