Running a Business From Home? Let’s Talk About What That Means for Your Insurance

So—you’re running a business out of your house. Maybe it started as a side gig. Maybe you went all in from day one. Either way, you’ve got something real now. And if you’re like a lot of home-based business owners, you might be wondering:

“Do I actually need commercial insurance for this?”

It’s a fair question. You’ve already got homeowners insurance. Your business isn’t some massive operation. It’s just you (and maybe a laptop, a client or two, and some shelves full of inventory). What could go wrong?

Well… more than you think.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Business Stuff?

Let’s get straight to it—*not really*.

Your homeowners policy is built to protect your home as a home, not as a business. So if something happens that’s tied to your business—like a client slipping on your porch, or a burst pipe ruining your inventory—you’re probably not covered.

Here’s what that might mean in real life:
– Your business laptop dies in a power surge? Not covered.
– A client trips on the steps while dropping off a contract? That’s on you.
– A fire damages your inventory? Sorry, your homeowners policy likely won’t help.

And if you can’t work from home for a while? You’re on your own when it comes to lost income.

That’s why home-based business insurance coverage exists—to fill the gaps most people don’t even know are there.

What Kind of Coverage Makes Sense?

There’s no cookie-cutter answer. But let’s look at a few common options for business insurance from home setups:

🏠 Home-Based Business Endorsement
This is a light add-on to your homeowners policy. It’s meant for low-risk businesses—like freelancing, tutoring, or virtual services. Not a full fix, but better than nothing.

📦 Business Owners Policy (BOP)
A popular pick for small businesses. It bundles liability (say, someone sues you) and property coverage (like your equipment or inventory). It can even help cover lost income if something puts you temporarily out of business.

💼 Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions)
Give advice? Offer services? Handle sensitive info? You’ll want this. It covers you if a client claims your work caused them financial loss—even if you did everything right.

🚗 Commercial Auto Insurance
Using your car for deliveries, client visits, or anything business-related? Your personal policy won’t cut it.

🔐 Cyber Liability
Running things online? Collecting customer info or taking payments? This helps if your systems get hacked or data is exposed.

Why Bother? It’s Not About Panic—It’s About Planning

We get it. Insurance isn’t the fun part of owning a business. But when your income depends on a working laptop, a clear driveway, or having the right tools in place, you need a safety net.

And look—we’re not talking about a huge investment. Most small business insurance for home offices is surprisingly affordable. And it can save you from one really bad day that spirals into something worse.

Let’s Make This Easy

This doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re unsure what you need—or if you need anything at all—just ask.

We’re happy to walk through your setup, what you do, and where your risks might be.

Because your business may live at home, but it deserves more than just your homeowners policy watching its back.