Security Guard Insurance

Security guards face numerous risks on a daily basis, including potential assaults and liability threats. If you work in the security industry, it's critical to be protected with a policy that encompasses all the coverage you need. A security guard insurance policy can protect your commercial property, legal exposures, and much more.

Fortunately, a local independent insurance agent can help you find the right security guard insurance. They'll get you equipped with all the coverage you need for greater security on the job. But first, here's a closer look at security guard insurance, what it covers, and why it's necessary.

What Is Security Guard Insurance?

Security guards protect buildings from intruders, vandals, and other threats. However, these professionals need their own protection against disasters like physical violence and more. 

Security guards are also at risk of being sued by third parties if their actions cause bodily injury or property damage. As such, security guard insurance typically includes multiple types of liability insurance, commercial property insurance, and more.

Who Needs Security Guard Insurance?

Security guards may be employed at any kind of business that has physical property and other assets in need of protection. Some security guards work mobile, such as armored car or truck drivers who are responsible for transporting currency from a business to a bank. The following professionals may benefit from having security guard insurance:

If you work in the security field, be sure to protect yourself with a comprehensive security guard insurance policy. An independent insurance agent can help you get all the coverage you need.

What Does Security Guard Insurance Cover?

As a security guard, you must first consider your professional liability exposure. Your occupation is inherently riskier than many others since you must protect property, businesses, or people from harm. 

You may be static or mobile, serving as a bodyguard or simply being a presence in a location just in case of emergency. You may also work for a large firm or own your own small business and serve private clients. Regardless, you need coverage that's tailored to your profession.

Whether you buy your own insurance or are under an employer’s policy, as a security guard, make sure you're covered for various risks faced on the job. Look for a security guard insurance policy that includes the following components:

• Business owners policy (BOP) insurance: If you own a small security business of any kind or are your own boss, a BOP can provide a convenient package of important coverage options, such as commercial property, commercial general liability, and business interruption.
• Professional liability insurance: Also known as errors and omissions insurance, this coverage can help pay for expenses related to third-party claims of professional errors or negligence on your part, including lawsuit costs.
• Commercial auto insurance: This coverage can pay for expenses related to company vehicles, including accidents, vandalism, and liability.
• Commercial property insurance: This coverage can help pay to repair or replace business property after a covered loss, such as theft, vandalism, or fire damage.
• General liability insurance: This coverage can pay for expenses related to third-party claims of bodily injury or personal property damage, including lawsuit costs.
• Cyber liability insurance: This coverage can pay for lawsuits and other expenses related to incidents of data breach or cyberattacks, in which sensitive or private data may be stolen, sold, or distributed without permission.
• Commercial umbrella insurance: This coverage can increase your underlying liability coverage to much higher limits, typically in increments of $1 million, to provide greater protection against expensive lawsuits.
• Workers' compensation insurance: If you have employees, this coverage can help reimburse them for time off work due to covered injuries or illnesses caused by the job, as well as medical expenses. If you're an employee, you might be covered under your employer's policy.
• Alleged sexual abuse and molestation liability insurance: This coverage can pay for expenses related to third-party claims of sexual abuse and/or molestation, including lawsuit costs.
• Firearms liability insurance: This coverage can pay for expenses related to incidents of accidental discharge and more. For unarmed security guards, this coverage may not be necessary.
• Alleged assault and battery liability insurance: This coverage can pay for expenses related to third-party claims of assault and/or battery, including lawsuit costs.

An independent insurance agent knows which insurance carriers and brokers underwrite specialized security guard insurance. They can direct you to the appropriate coverage for the job.

Why Security Guards Need Commercial Auto Insurance

Some security guards use a patrol car, golf cart, or other motorized method of transporting themselves around the site they protect. While employers should have insurance on the vehicle if they provide for a security guard’s use, the policy should also cover third-party drivers and include collision insurance and uninsured motorist insurance.

If you're a security guard working independently, you may use your own vehicle for work. This is an important consideration when purchasing auto insurance, as you will be using your vehicle for both personal and professional reasons. As such, your personal auto insurance policy may not cover your vehicle while it's used for business purposes.

Security Guards May Want to Consider Life Insurance

An increasing number of security guards and companies are arming their security personnel. Guards with firearms may be better able to defend themselves against armed attackers or thieves, but the chances of injury or death also increase. You may face situations that include the threat of violence when a criminal is apprehended, as well as threats when encountering illegal activity like vandalism, theft, or after accidentally causing bodily harm to a person in your care.

Life insurance can be an important consideration for individuals in the security field. Given the risks inherent in your work, life insurance could greatly assist your family if something happens to you while on the job. Life insurance can provide a death benefit payout to a beneficiary of your choice, such as a spouse or dependent, in the event that you pass away.

Security Guard Insurance Coverage for Independent Contractors

If you're an independent contractor, you might need insurance to protect yourself financially while on the job. Three insurance policies to keep in mind as a security guard are commercial property insurance, professional liability insurance, and general liability insurance. Commercial property could be at risk of vandalism or burglary when taking care of a building or business.

General liability insurance and professional liability insurance can protect security guards against errors in their reports and situations they have no control over that result in damage or injury. Independent security guards need protection against lawsuits from their private clients and criminals or other individuals they may encounter while on the job. If you work as a security guard and are your own boss, work together with an independent insurance agent to get equipped with the proper protection.

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An Independent Insurance Agent Can Help You Find the Right Security Guard Insurance

Whether you work part-time or full-time as a security guard, are self-employed, or work for a security company, an independent insurance agent can ensure that you find the best deal on security guard insurance and that you have complete coverage regardless of your situation. Local agents can help you compare insurance plans and companies and provide you with multiple quotes. And down the road, your agent can help file claims for you or update your coverage as necessary.