Skip to main content
  • Claims Center
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Brokers & Agents
Hiscox Insurance
Menu Toggle
  • Home
  • Small Business Insurance Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Why Hiscox Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Resources Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Policy Management Toggle Menu Toggle Menu
  • Claims Center
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • Brokers & Agents
  • About
  • Get a Quote Get a Quote
  • About
  • Get a Quote Get a Quote
  • Blog Home
    Start Your Business
    Grow Your Business
    Protect Your Business
    Celebrate Courage
    Search

    Twenty-Four Seven

    Sign up to get the latest small business news delivered right to your inbox.
    Start Your Business
    Clipboard with the word "LLC." Checklist. Badge with lock. Business insurance for LLCs.

    3 Reasons your LLC needs small business insurance

    Start up | Entrepreneur
    By: Hiscox Blog

    Share Image

    Embed Image

    Copy

    Share Article:

    When you formed your business, you may have decided to make the entity a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) to protect your personal assets. This type of entity will often do that, and it also offers other benefits such as avoiding double taxation of income, which you would be subject to if your company is a C-corporation.

    Related: How to choose the right business structure

    These are good reasons, but some people also think that if your business is an LLC, you don’t need business insurance. This is not true. A little slip and fall is all it takes to put your business at risk.

    Here are 3 reasons why your LLC needs business insurance

    1. You need to protect your business assets

    In general, forming an LLC protects your personal assets from being attached to the obligations of the business. This means that, generally, you cannot lose your house if your business is sued.

    There are many circumstances, however, when the assets of your business could be in jeopardy. If you don't have general liability insurance and someone slips and falls in your shop or office, the business may be liable for the costs associated with the injuries they sustain. This means that assets of the business, like cash, accounts receivable, equipment, materials, and so on, may have to be liquidated to pay for the person’s injuries.

    Related: Do I need general liability or professional liability insurance?

    If you or one of your employees makes a mistake or neglects to do something they should have, and it causes harm to someone else, your business could be sued. Again, the assets of your business would be at risk.

    2. Your personal assets could still be at risk 

    There are a number of circumstances under which you could be personally liable, even if your business is an LLC. If you don’t keep your business and personal assets completely separate, or if you personally guarantee a business loan, a lawsuit against your business could put your personal assets at risk. If you do something illegal, even if you don’t know it’s illegal, your home or other possessions could be in jeopardy.

    3. You’ll incur costs if you are sued, even if you are found not to be liable 

    You can get sued for almost anything, even if you haven’t made a mistake. A lawsuit means you’ll need a lawyer, may need to take time away from work to go to mediation or court, and could suffer damage to your reputation.

    In order to fully protect your business and your personal assets, you need business insurance. General liability insurance protects your business against claims of bodily injury or property damage by a third party. Going far beyond the often-mentioned ‘slip-and-fall’ claims, you would also be protected against damage to a client’s property or even claims of slander or libel.

    Professional Liability Insurance for LLCs

    Professional liability insurance protects you if you did something you shouldn’t have, or didn’t do something you should have. Sometimes called errors and omissions (E&O) coverage, professional liability insurance protects against claims that you caused harm or damage during the course of performing your work. It also protects you against mistakes made by your employees or by subcontractors whom you hire.

    Here’s an example. Susan started an interior decorating business ten years ago. She formed it as an LLC, and assumed that was all she needed to do. 

    Related: The difference between an LLC, DBA, and Sole Proprietorship

    One day, she was in the home of a very wealthy client and was measuring the windows for new drapes. She accidentally knocked over an antique vase, smashing it. The client insisted that Susan was responsible for replacing the vase, which was valued at over $100,000. Susan’s lawyer advised her that going to court could cost her even more, and she would be wise to pay for the vase to be replaced.

    The cost for Susan to replace the vase wiped out all the money that her business had in the bank, and then some. She was forced to let her employees go, and she had to begin building her business once again from scratch.

    If Susan had liability insurance, she could have been covered for the replacement cost of the vase. She could have kept her employees and her business would have continued on as though nothing had happened.

    Set your LLC up for success with business insurance

    Forming an LLC is a good first step toward protecting yourself, your family, and your business. In order to completely guard against a lawsuit or claim, however, make sure you have general and professional liability insurance as well. Learn more about small business insurance and how it can help you protect everything you have worked hard to build. 


    Protect Your Business

    Protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build. Get a fast, free quote and your business could be covered today.

    Get a Quote
    Get a Quote
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Related Articles

    5 Min Read
    Female entrepreneur dreaming of elevating her small business to the Fortune 500 list

    Dream big! Devoted entrepreneurs now helm Fortune 500 companies

    Start up | Entrepreneur

    Not every startup company makes it to the Fortune 500 in the founder’s lifetime, but some do. Take some inspiration from these companies which are still being led by their founders, Dell, Tesla, and more.  

    Read More

    6 Min Read
    Female yoga instructor talking with two eager female students

    How to start a yoga business: Here's what you need to know

    Start up | Entrepreneur

    Have you been wondering how to become a yoga instructor? Discover all you need to know about what certifications you need, techniques to marketing your yoga studio, and more.

    Read More

    4 Min Read
    veteran reviews small business grant and resources information

    10 awesome small business grants and resources – free for veterans

    Finances | Start up

    Many veterans decide to start their own businesses after leaving active duty, putting their specialized skills to work. There are resources that can help, from grants to education to mentors. 

    Read More


    We’re here to help.
    We provide tailored insurance for the specific risks you face, so you can take the right risks to grow your business.
    Get a Quote
    Get a Quote

    Footer menu 1

    • What We Cover
      • Business Insurance
      • General Liability Insurance
      • Professional Liability Insurance
      • Errors and Omissions
      • Cyber Security Insurance
      • Workers Compensation
      • Other Coverage
    • Who We Cover
      • Small Business Owners
      • LLC
      • Sole Proprietors
      • Entrepreneurs
      • Side Hustle
      • Contractors
      • Home Businesses
    • For Our Customers
      • Refer a Friend Program
      • Covid-19 Response
      • Claims Center
    • For Business Owners
      • Save with our Partners
    • About Hiscox
      • About Us
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
      • Hiscox Corporate
      • Investors
      • Foundation
      • Newsroom
      • We Stand Together
      • Affiliate Partner Program

    Footer menu 2

    • Accessibility
    • Site Map
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Legal Notices
    • Español

    Feefo Reviews: Hiscox rated 4.7/5 with 1,067 reviews between January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023

    * Any cost, premium, or coverage stated before an official customer quote are estimates and an approximation and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are subject to the unique considerations of each individual risk. Customer quotes are based on the information provided to Hiscox, and are subject to required underwriting and rating factors. Until an official customer quote is provided, all communication on this website or advertisement is provided as an example for informational purposes only, and is neither an offer nor a guarantee of available premium or coverage. Any coverage afforded by the products described are subject to and governed by the terms and conditions of each policy issued. This information may not be used to modify any policy that might be issued. Any information provided to assist in understanding the coverage we offer does not modify any insurance policy, nor does it imply that any claim is covered.

    © 2023 Hiscox Inc. All rights reserved. Underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Inc., 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1760, Chicago, IL 60602. As of December 31, 2021, HICI had admitted assets of $1,250,758,353 and policyholders surplus of $332,792,666. Total liabilities were $917,965,687 (inclusive of $433,752,764 of loss reserves) and paid-up capital stock was $4,242,000.

    icon-facebook
    icon-youtube
    icon-twitter
    icon-linkedin