Business Insurance in Bluffton, SC

Bluffton is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in South Carolina. The city is popular with tourists and is home to over 2,200 businesses. Construction, hospitality, and arts and entertainment are the most prevalent industries in Bluffton.

If you’re a business owner in Bluffton, you need business insurance to protect you when something goes wrong. An independent insurance agent can help you compare business insurance quotes in Bluffton, SC, to choose the best coverage for you.

How Much Does Business Insurance Cost in Bluffton, SC?

Business insurance costs in Bluffton are highly variable. Many factors, including the following, influence business insurance costs:

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

If you live in an area with a high rate of property crime or experience frequent disasters, you’ll likely pay more for business insurance. Since 1953, there have been 38 federally declared disasters in South Carolina. Throughout the state, the main risks to commercial property are:

• Hurricanes and tropical storms
• Ice storms and freezing
• Burglary and property crimes
• Fires
• Flooding and water damage

It’s important to work with an independent insurance agent who understands all of your risks.

Is Business Insurance Required in Bluffton, SC?

Business insurance is a set of insurance policies covering your commercial property and liability risks. In general, business insurance is not required in Bluffton. If, however, your business owns any vehicles, you must purchase commercial auto insurance that complies with the state’s minimum coverage requirements.

South Carolina commercial vehicle owners must buy liability coverage up to the following minimum limits:

• Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident
• Property damage liability: $25,000 per accident
• Uninsured motorist coverage: Coverage equal to the minimum amounts of liability coverage (25/50/25)

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.

In addition, South Carolina requires any employer who regularly employs four or more full-time or part-time workers to have workers' compensation insurance. Workers' compensation insurance helps injured workers pay for the costs of medical care and lost wages if they are injured on the job.

Most business owners in Bluffton will need commercial property insurance and general liability insurance to protect their assets adequately. But state law does not require these types of insurance.

Finally, specific customers, vendors, suppliers, and mortgagees may require particular types of coverage to do business with you.

What Does Business Insurance Cover in Bluffton, SC?

Business insurance is a set of individual insurance policies that offer comprehensive coverage for your business. A typical business insurance package in Bluffton, SC will include the following types of coverage:

• Commercial property insurance: This covers damage to a building and its contents if damaged by a weather event, fire, theft, vandalism, and other covered perils.
• Commercial general liability (CGL) insurance: Protects your business from lawsuits related to bodily injury and property damage claims. It pays for medical expenses, legal fees, and financial settlements or judgments. Your CGL policy even covers personal injury claims such as libel and slander.
• Business interruption coverage: Protects your earnings if your business cannot operate because of damage after a fire, hail, wind, equipment breakdown, or another covered event. If you are forced to close your doors for some time to make repairs, this coverage pays for rent, employee salaries, lost income, relocation fees, and more.
• Workers’ compensation insurance: Pays for medical expenses and a portion of an employee's lost wages after a work-related injury.
• Commercial auto insurance: Protects your business-owned cars and trucks from property damage and liability claims.

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

Save on Business Insurance

Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

Request a quote

What Does Small Business Liability Insurance Cover in Bluffton, SC?

If your business were sued for injuring someone because of an error, negligence, or a faulty product, small business liability insurance helps you cover your losses.

A commercial general liability policy offers broad protection for a wide range of lawsuits. It covers your legal costs, medical expenses and other damages for the injured party, and additional expenses related to a liability claim against your business.

A CGL policy has two major coverage components:

• Premises liability insurance: Covers third-party damage, injuries, or illnesses that occur due to an accident on your business property.
• Product liability insurance: Covers third-party damage, injuries, or illnesses caused by a defect in a product your company produces, sells, or promotes.

It’s important to understand that CGL policies typically exclude coverage for certain types of lawsuits and claims. Many businesses need additional liability policies or endorsements that specifically cover other exposures they might have. 

Ask your agent if you need professional liability insurance, employment practices liability insurance, or any other types of tailored liability coverage.

Are There Any Small Business Health Insurance Plans in Bluffton, SC?

Employee benefits like group health insurance can be a vital component of any small business insurance program. An employee benefits plan that includes health insurance and other types of group insurance can help your company attract and retain employees.

What’s more, employers who offer small business health insurance plans may also be eligible for significant tax benefits.

There are many different small business health insurance plans in Bluffton, SC. A local independent agent can help you find an affordable small business health insurance plan that meets your needs.

What Are the Best Small Business Insurance Companies in Bluffton, SC?

Finding the best small business insurance companies in South Carolina, can be simple. A local independent insurance agent can help you get business insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies so that 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 Bluffton, SC?

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 Bluffton so that 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.