Progressive Commercial Insurance

Accidents happen all the time, and company owners need to be prepared in the event of one in the workplace, especially since the typical customer injury insurance claim is $35,000. It’s critical for business owners to avoid exposing themselves to risk by ensuring they have the insurance coverage they require to cover all of the dangers that their company faces. After all, not having the correct forms of insurance is the same as not having any, leaving firms vulnerable to a variety of losses.

In the United States, Progressive commercial insurance is the leading vendor of business vehicle insurance. That alone makes it a must-consider when looking for commercial vehicle insurance. Progressive, on the other hand, is only a middleman for other forms of company insurance, such as general liability and workers’ compensation. Unless you want to combine your business insurance with an existing Progressive commercial insurance policy, you’re better off going straight to the source for that coverage.

Progressive is the largest commercial vehicle insurance in the United States, having been formed in 1937.  While progressive commercial insurance of vehicles is one of Progressive’s primary emphasis areas, the company also provides general liability, workers’ compensation, BOPs, professional liability, and cyber insurance. Progressive offers insurance for 61 different businesses and occupations, including gyms, yoga teachers, car mechanics, painters, and beauty salons, among others.

When your firm has general liability coverage or a business owner’s policy in place, Progressive offers a discount on commercial auto coverage, even if the general liability or business owner’s insurance is with a different insurer. Business owners can save up to 15% by prepaying their yearly rates in full.

What is commercial insurance?

Commercial insurance protects your business, its employees, and its leadership from unforeseen losses.

Commercial insurance, commonly known as business insurance, protects your company financially against frequent risks including client litigation, customer or staff accidents, property theft and damage, and other unforeseen events.

Commercial insurance is divided into two categories. Damage to or loss of commercial property is covered by commercial property insurance. Liability insurance for your business helps to cover the costs of litigation filed against you.

How does commercial insurance work?

Commercial insurance products, in essence, compensate your company for financial losses.

Let’s imagine your IT company suffers a covered event, like a break-in and the theft of multiple computers.

Your commercial insurance company receives a claim from you. They evaluate the claim, analyze the damage, and then provide you with money to purchase replacement computers and replace the damaged window.

Other claims might be a little trickier. A lawsuit against your company, for example, is common in a liability claim.

A consumer, client, or unrelated third party feels your firm has caused them financial harm and is seeking recompense from you.

If your business is sued for an occurrence covered by your policy, your insurance carrier will almost certainly assign you an attorney to handle your legal defense. Your lawyer will either defend you in court or negotiate a settlement with the plaintiff.

After you’ve paid your deductible, the insurance company covers all of the costs involved with the lawsuit, up to your policy limits. Attorney’s fees, court costs, and any settlement or judgment amount are all included.

Commercial insurance policy details

Commercial liability insurance, like other insurance policies, comes with a lot of paperwork and fine print. Any package you buy will almost certainly include:

The premium is the amount a company pays for insurance coverage or the policy’s cost. Your premium amount is influenced by factors like your business type, number of employees, location, payroll, years in operation, and exposure. Monthly, quarterly, or yearly payment periods are available.

Your deductible is the amount you must pay toward a claim before the insurance company will pay you any money. For example, if your deductible is $10,000 and a case costs $50,000, your insurance will pay $40,000.

The maximum total amount of money that the insurance policy will payout is known as the policy limit. There’s usually a limit per claim (per-occurrence limit) and a limit over the policy’s lifetime (aggregate limit). A total maximum of $1 million is common in business liability coverage.

Coverages and exclusions: An insurance policy’s coverage section explains what the policy can and will cover. Exclusions are a list of things that aren’t covered. For example, a basic exclusion in a liability policy states that insurance will not cover costs if you willfully cause injury to another person.

Pay attention to the fine print of your policy so you know exactly what’s covered and which sort of commercial insurance is best for you. If you have any questions, contact your insurance agent.

What kinds of businesses need commercial insurance?

Independent contractors and freelancers, as well as small business owners, might benefit from commercial business insurance. Accidents, lawsuits, and injuries may happen in any employment, which is why, even if insurance isn’t required by law, it’s crucial to protect yourself.

Small company entrepreneurs require risk mitigation

Commercial insurance can help you save money whether you’re freelancing to supplement your income, bootstrapping your small business, or hiring new workers.

Being a company owner is simpler than ever, and you might potentially be considered one even if you simply have a little side hustle in addition to a full-time job. Working for yourself provides a great deal of flexibility, but it also exposes you to hazards that are specific to business owners.

Why is it necessary to get commercial insurance?

Commercial insurance can protect you from financial ruin if something goes wrong, but it may also help businesses develop when things are going well. The appropriate policies can benefit you in the following ways:

Make commercial leasing agreements

When you own a building, a lot may go wrong. That is why most landlords require their renters to get general liability and property insurance. Most landlords, in fact, demand evidence of insurance before renting you a business location.

Obtain more customers

A larger client is more likely to need you to sign a contract. Errors and omissions insurance will almost always be required by that contract (also called E&O, or professional liability insurance in some industries).

This type of company insurance is crucial because it can cover professional errors committed by you or an employee that have a detrimental impact on your customers. You’re one step closer to signing your next customer if you keep your insurance active.

Obey all state laws

Workers’ compensation insurance is required in almost every state for firms with employees. Regardless of your state’s rules, it’s a good idea to buy in coverage that will pay the costs if one of your employees is harmed on the job.

Take care of hefty legal fees

Small company owners are frequently the targets of litigation. You might be sued if a visitor slips and falls on your premises, or if you sell a product that causes someone harm.

Suit protection is available with the right insurance, such as general liability insurance with product liability coverage, so legal fees don’t empty your bank account or cause your firm to collapse.

Recover from company property damage

Commercial property insurance can pay to repair and replace your company equipment and property in the same way that homeowner’s insurance can pay for repairs and replacements if your house is destroyed. This policy can cover losses resulting from windstorms, fire, vandalism, and theft.

Make sure your income is secure

If your firm is forced to close due to a fire or another covered property insurance catastrophe, business interruption insurance can help you make up the difference. This little-known gem is frequently included in a business owner’s insurance policy and might mean the difference between recovery and closure in the case of unforeseen catastrophes.

Cover the costs of a data breach

Every organization may be affected by data breaches and cyberattacks. If your company is hacked, cyber liability insurance might help cushion the damage. It aids in the payment of ransom to hackers, as well as consumer notification fees and other recovery attempts.

Coverage for your company’s driving

Whether you transport tools between job sites or rent automobiles to meet customers, business auto insurance (also known as hired and non-owned auto insurance) can cover damage and liability just like your personal auto insurance.

Take advantage of tax breaks

Commercial insurance plans that benefit your firm are considered a cost of doing business by the IRS. That implies you can deduct the cost of commercial insurance plans from your taxes if they are used for a business purpose.

Types of progressive commercial insurance

Commercial insurance protects enterprises from hazards that might jeopardize their success. Some forms of business insurance preserve the reputation and well-being of the company, while others cover the financial elements. Commercial insurance differs from personal insurance in that it protects several stakeholders and workers and has larger coverage levels.

Small company owners should think about a variety of commercial insurance options. The following are a few of the most common:

General liability insurance

Assume a client gets hurt at your establishment as a result of anything you or your workers did or did not do. General liability insurance is meant to cover probable medical bills as well as associated legal expenditures in this situation. This type of insurance can also cover “advertising harm,” which can include copyright infringement and libel.

Insurance for your property

In the case of damage caused by fire, theft, or a natural disaster, commercial property insurance protects your structure and its contents, as well as any subsequent impact on your business income. There are three types of property coverage: “named-peril,” “open-peril,” and “special.”

Business interruption insurance

It is a type of insurance that protects a company from Storms, difficulties with the local power system, or even a hacking event that can all disrupt your business’s operations. With business interruption coverage, you can be certain that your company will be protected in the event of a disaster. This coverage is meant to safeguard your business during covered occurrences by replacing lost revenue or providing funds to temporarily operate in another location.

Compensation for employees

Small business owners may persuade themselves that workers’ compensation is unnecessary. They may believe that an injury would never occur at their workplace and that even if it did, they would cover the costs themselves. Workers’ compensation insurance, on the other hand, is a must-have for any small firm.

Damages for work-related injuries can range from hundreds to millions of dollars without workers’ compensation coverage in place. Employers who do not provide enough coverage risk facing punitive penalties, pain and suffering litigation, and possibly enormous medical expenditures.

Insurance for commercial vehicles

Why is it necessary for small companies to get commercial auto insurance? Small enterprises have several costs. It is costly to employ individuals that are paid fairly, have good benefits, and are stable. However, it is a prudent business to ensure that your employees and equipment are financially and medically safeguarded.

While no one wants to be involved in any of these situations, the fact is that the future is uncertain. Every now and again, even the most cautious among us have an accident. However, using commercial auto insurance coverage to assist safeguard the business by reducing risk is a reasonable and cost-effective approach to keep workers at work, vehicles on the road, and tasks on time.

Liability insurance for employment practices (EPLI)

In truth, employment-related lawsuits are just as common as property or general liability claims for any company. If you deal with people, you should consider purchasing employment practices liability insurance (EPLI). EPLI is a stand-alone or combination coverage that helps firms protect themselves from employee claims alleging improper or unfair behavior. Violations of an employee’s (or contractor’s) rights, even when done unintentionally, can have disastrous effects. EPLI coverage can be claims-made or occurrence-based. The majority of EPLI policies are established on a claims-made basis, which means that coverage begins when a claim is filed against an insured for the first time during the policy period.

EPLI normally pays legal defense expenditures and settlement costs or damages – up to the policy’s coverage level – regardless of whether the employer settles, wins, or loses the case, however, EPLI coverage options and prices vary widely.

Insurance for cyber liability

Small businesses are more vulnerable to identity theft than bigger corporations because they have fewer protection measures in place. That’s why, especially for small firms, having cyber liability insurance coverage in place may be critical.

Certain losses caused as a result of data breaches are covered by cyber liability insurance. Customer information including credit card numbers, names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, health details, and even social security numbers might fall into the wrong hands during a data breach. A cyber liability insurance policy will cover part of the costs associated with a data breach, including legal fees and consumer notification.

Liability insurance for managers (D&O)

Management liability insurance, also known as directors and officers (D&O) liability insurance, protects directors and officers against personal responsibility if they are sued while running a business or a nonprofit organization. D&O insurance covers expenses and damages (awards and settlements) resulting from wrongful action charges and lawsuits filed against members of a company’s board of directors or officers. A D&O policy can assist a company in reimbursing legal bills, settlements, and other costs associated with defending directors in a lawsuit. Even if they are no longer on the executive team or work for the firm, a director or officer might be named as a defendant in a lawsuit.

Insurance for errors and omissions (E&O)

Professional liability insurance is another name for E&O insurance. Its purpose is to safeguard a company from the legal ramifications of an owner’s or employee’s error or omission that results in a lawsuit. E&O insurance is important for businesses that provide a service for a charge since it covers scenarios that typical company liability insurance does not. Errors and omissions insurance should be considered by real estate experts, attorneys, insurance-related professions, financial broker-dealers, and service businesses such as architects, designers, and medical specialists.

Coverage of crime

Employee and third-party theft of money, securities, and other property is covered under commercial crime coverage. Employee theft, computer and electronic money transfer fraud, and impersonation fraud are all examples of this.

How much does progressive business insurance cost?

Most small companies require insurance, but the cost of coverage varies greatly from one firm to the next, depending on the size and type of your organization.

A small business with ten workers and a fleet of cars simply needs different business insurance than a solopreneur with no staff or office space. And those various requirements are accompanied with a variety of premiums.

Factors that affect the cost of your small-business insurance

Your pricing for most forms of company insurance is determined by a few important factors:

Industry

Some occupations are more dangerous than others. And as risk rises, so do premiums. This is one of the reasons why a construction or manufacturing company will pay more for the same coverage as an advertising agency or a home-based e-commerce business.

Workers’ compensation insurance goes even more detailed, determining the cost of coverage for a given organization by drilling down to the job function of each employee.

Location

The cost of insurance varies depending on where your company operates. This is especially true when it comes to workers’ compensation insurance, since state rules can influence everything from coverage amounts to how a policy is purchased.

The cost of commercial vehicle insurance is also affected by the location. Premiums in cities and places with a greater-than-average claim rate are often higher.

Size

The cost of your company insurance is directly proportional to the number of workers you have. What is the explanation behind this? With more staff, there is a greater risk of injury, incident, or accident.

Larger companies should expect to spend more for business insurance than small or no-employee enterprises. Additionally, firms with no employees may be excluded from state workers’ compensation requirements, saving them money on business insurance.

Sales and payroll

Workers’ compensation insurance premiums are proportional to the amount of your yearly payroll. According to a 2020 analysis from the National Academy of Social Insurance, the average cost of this coverage is 70 cents to $2.25 per month for $100 of salary.

For general liability insurance, insurers also utilize revenue as a risk indicator. The rationale goes like this: the more clients you have, the more likely one of them may be wounded or harmed in some manner.

Prior assertions

For insurance companies, a history of business insurance claims is a warning signal. It indicates that your firm is either inherently dangerous or that you are not adopting adequate risk mitigation measures.

Progressive business insurance cost

It’s tough to forecast the cost of business insurance because rates vary greatly based on coverage, location, business kind, and risk factors, but having an approximate figure to compare to when you hunt for coverage is important.

According to Progressive, typical pricing for various coverage kinds in 2020 are listed below.

You may acquire a business insurance quotation online by providing a few facts, such as your company’s name, physical address, and number of years in business. Depending for your business and the coverage you choose, you may also need to supply revenue and payroll projections, as well as gross sales data.

How to lower the cost of your business insurance

The greatest method to save money on your company insurance is to file as few claims as possible.

Businesses that are attentive about worker and consumer safety will be rewarded by insurance carriers, while those with a history of accidents, workplace injuries, or negligence lawsuits will be penalized.

If you follow these procedures, you may frequently get a discount on your business insurance:

• Combine your insurance policies. When you combine numerous forms of company insurance into one policy, such as a business owner’s policy, most insurance companies give discounts.
• You may save money by paying your yearly premium in advance. If you pay annually rather than monthly, your insurance may give you a discount.
• Make changes to your deductibles. A greater deductible usually means a cheaper premium.
• Make an investment in workplace safety. Reduce your risk profile by providing formal services.

Progressive home insurance

Third-party providers provide the majority of Progressive house insurance products. If you already have Progressive vehicle insurance, you may be eligible for an auto discount if you get homes insurance through one of the company’s partners. Otherwise, rather than utilizing Progressive as a broker, you could be better off obtaining homes insurance straight from a firm you like.

Progressive has a long history of innovation as an insurance and underwriter, dating back to the 1930s in Ohio. It now offers a wide range of insurance plans, including homeowners, mobile home and condo insurance, renters insurance, and auto insurance. It has gained notoriety in recent years for ads starring the figure Flo, as well as smartphone applications and voice assistant technologies.

Progressive’s Progressive Home Advantage network of insurers, which includes its own American Strategic Insurance arm, provides home insurance. While the insurance is marketed under the Progressive brand, the specifics differ depending on which insurer is ultimately responsible for creating your policy.

Homeowners Insurance Plan

A Progressive homeowners insurance will usually cover your house as well as any extra structures on your property, such as a shed, deck, gazebo, or driveway. It also protects your personal belongings if they’re damaged or stolen, although bear in mind that pricey goods like jewelry, paintings, and laptops may require additional coverage.

The policy also covers loss of use of your house, which means that if it is destroyed by anything covered by your insurance and you are unable to stay in it, you can be reimbursed for hotel, rent, and other living expenses. Personal responsibility is also protected, so if you or a family member who resides in your house is sued, your expenditures – including a judgment against you and court and legal costs – are typically covered. Other people’s medical bills are frequently paid if they are injured on your property. Personal injury litigation, such as false arrest, unlawful eviction, and libel or slander, can be covered with supplementary coverage.

The insurance often covers damage or loss caused by lightning, fire, tornadoes, theft, vandalism, and other unforeseen catastrophes. Wear and tear are not covered, and coverage for floods, earthquakes, and sinkholes is usually extra.

Discounts and bundles are offered by progressive

You may save money by paying your premium a year in advance, combining several policies with vehicle insurance, and consenting to receive papers through email, among other things. Progressive offers savings if you have security systems installed, including as alarms, or if you have recently acquired property.

Discounts

• Security and alarm systems
• Obtaining a quotation at least 10 days ahead of time
• insuring a new house

Bundles

• Auto and home
• The house and the motorcycle
• The RV and the house

Extra options offered by progressive

Progressive provides coverage alternatives in addition to the standard homes insurance policy. Additional coverage for precious objects like art and technology, increased liability coverage for certain types of litigation, and coverage for water backup that might damage your house and its contents are also included.

• Sump pumps and sewer backups are causing flooding.
• Libel and slander lawsuits are examples of personal harm lawsuits.
• Extra protection for high-value personal items

Additional homeowners coverages are offered by progressive

Lightning, tornadoes, and fires are all covered by Progressive for damage to your house. However, it does not cover damage from floods, earthquakes, or sinkholes in its basic insurance, as do many other insurers. You may speak with a Progressive representative about adding additional coverage to your policy to protect you from such occurrences.

• Insurance against flooding is available.
• Insurance against sinkholes
• Earthquakes, landslides, and mudslides are all-natural disasters.

How do I make a progressive homeowners insurance claim?

Keep in mind that Progressive may or may not be the insurer on the insurance you purchase from them. Progressive, on the other hand, can assist you in determining who your insurer is and connecting you with them. You’ll have to deal with the insurer’s customer support or maybe use its mobile app in the end. The insurer will then offer you an estimate of how much it will pay to cover the damages resulting from your claim, and you may negotiate with that firm to get paid to have your house restored or monies to replace the items within as needed.

• To find out who your insurer is, look through your insurance documentation. Contact Progressive customer care if you’re unsure.
• Work with that insurer to file your claim, arrange for an adjuster inspection if necessary, and receive an estimate of how much the insurance will pay.
• Make any necessary repairs and communicate with the insurance about expenses and any unforeseen difficulties that may necessitate a revised estimate.

Progressive home insurance pros and cons

Pros

• Progressive vehicle insurance clients are eligible for a discount. Its own policies are not underwritten.
• You have the option of choosing which insurance company you want to buy from, which is unusual for an insurer providing affiliate plans.

Cons

• Its own policies are not underwritten.
• You’ll need to make a claim with the insurance company that underwrites your coverage.

Progressive renters insurance

Progressive renters insurance plans are provided by Progressive Home, an affiliate, or by Homesite, a third-party organization. Whether you need renters insurance for your house or apartment and already have Progressive auto insurance, compare renters rates to see if Progressive’s multi-policy discount will save you money.

What is covered by renters insurance?

The following are the usual categories of coverage offered in renters insurance.

• Personal property insurance protects your stuff, including gadgets, furniture, clothing, artwork, pots and pans, jewelry, carpets, and other valuables. It covers damage caused by vandalism, theft, smoke, fire, snow and ice weight, explosions, and falling items.
• Liability insurance comes in when you inadvertently cause property damage or injury to another person. It can, for example, pay for court judgments or settlements if someone falls in your flat and you are legally accountable. It also covers your legal defense if you are sued as a result of an accident.
• Medical payments coverage is also covered in the policy. If someone is wounded in your flat, you can use this policy to pay for minimal medical expenditures, regardless of who was at fault. Medical fees, for example, can cover an urgent care visit if a guest slips on a damp floor and twists their ankle. Smaller amounts of medical payments coverage, such as $1,000, are often marketed.
• Additional living expenses cover for extra expenditures like hotel bills, restaurant meals, and laundry services if you are unable to reside in your home due to damage covered by your policy (such as a fire).
• Coverage for the cost of replacement is also covered. If it isn’t already covered in your policy, consider adding it. If your things are destroyed, replacement cost coverage compensates for new ones.

What does progressive renters insurance include?

Progressive renters insurance offers the following extra coverage options in addition to the regular coverage types:

• Coverage for your home computers and equipment: This adds to your existing coverage. This recommendation also includes the use of your personal computer for commercial purposes.
• Libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, wrongful eviction or wrongful entry, and false arrest, detention, or imprisonment: This provides liability coverage for personal injuries to others, including offenses such as libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, wrongful eviction or wrongful entry, and false arrest, detention, or imprisonment.
• Water backup and sump discharge or overflow: This covers your personal property if it is harmed by water backing up through sewers or drains, or by a sump pump overflow.
• Package R of Homeshield: This coverage raises the restrictions for specific sorts of things. It raises the coverage for theft or loss of collectibles (such comic books, trading cards, and memorabilia) from $1,000 to $2,500, for example. Personal injury protection and water backup/sump pump protection are also included.

Discounts

Discounts vary based on where you reside and which insurance provider you have, but they may include:

• If you insure your automobile with Progressive, you will receive a discount on your auto coverage. Other policies, such as those for motorbikes or boats, might be combined for further savings.
• If you acquire a quotation at least three days before your coverage starts, you’ll earn a discount.
• Discount if you pay in full.
• Discount for those who don’t use paper.
• If you reside in a gated neighborhood or if your building has a security guard, you can get a discount.

You may be eligible for a single deductible for both vehicle and renters insurance if you obtain your renters policy through Progressive Home. If you need to make claims for the same occurrence on both your auto and renters policies, for example, a car break-in with vehicle damage and stolen personal belongings, you’ll only have to pay one deductible.

Progressive insurance quote

Progressive’s auto and motorbike insurance contracts are among the company’s strongest assets. While Progressive isn’t the cheapest option, it’s good customer service and extensive list of features and discounts make it a viable option for a wide spectrum of drivers.

Progressive’s homes and renters insurance, on the other hand, aren’t as good as the company’s other products. Both forms of property insurance are generally more expensive alternatives, and they might be uneven depending on the underwriters available in your region.

Progressive’s prices are generally average or somewhat higher than average for all types of insurance. However, depending on your region, you may be able to locate low-cost coverage. Some policyholders, such as drivers with a history of accidents or renters looking to cover a large amount of property, may be able to get lower rates than with other firms.

The customer service at Progressive isn’t particularly good. Minor annoyances are expected, such as extended phone wait periods and a lot of back-and-forth before a claim is paid. If you choose to sign up for a Progressive homes insurance coverage, you will be at the mercy of the business that underwrites your policy.

Auto insurance quotes from progressive

Progressive offers prices that are comparable to its competitors’ averages for most driver profiles, implying that Progressive has poor rates for the majority. Progressive, on the other hand, is the most lenient insurance provider when it comes to drivers who have had prior incidents. For drivers with a prior accident, Progressive’s vehicle insurance is $456 less expensive than the next most economical choice. Progressive’s rates, on the other hand, are likely to be on the high end for young drivers. For our hypothetical 18-year-old driver, Progressive offered the second most reasonable rates.

Conclusion

Progressive is a wonderful alternative if you’re seeking a commercial insurance company that makes it simple to apply for and acquire insurance online. With so many policies and discounts to choose from, it’s easy to discover a tailored solution that saves you money. The Name Your Price tool and Save with Snapshot choices, in addition to the discounts, may offer for further savings.

Despite the company’s uneven reviews and ratings, you may reach out to customer care at any time of day or night, get rates, and apply for and manage your insurance online. Progressive isn’t always the cheapest option for vehicle insurance, so those on a tight budget might want to avoid it. It does, however, have a solid financial reputation and a lengthy history, making it a popular choice for some.