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What a BOP includes
| Coverage | What it pays for |
|---|---|
| General liability | Injuries and property damage you cause to others, advertising injury, legal defense |
| Commercial property | Your building (if owned), equipment, furniture and inventory after fire, storms, theft or vandalism |
| Business income | Lost income and ongoing expenses if a covered loss forces you to close temporarily |
Many insurers let you add options such as equipment breakdown, data breach cover, hired and non-owned auto, or higher limits for valuable property.
What a BOP doesn’t cover
- Employee injuries – see workers’ comp
- Professional mistakes – see professional liability
- Business vehicles – see commercial auto
- Flood and earthquake damage, unless added
- Most cyber losses, unless added; see cyber insurance
Who qualifies
Insurers offer BOPs to small and medium businesses in lower-risk industries, typically with limited revenue, a modest number of employees and a small premises. Common examples include retail shops, offices, consultants with equipment, salons, small restaurants and light contractors. High-risk operations such as heavy construction or manufacturing usually need separate commercial policies. Eligibility rules vary by insurer and state; NEXT, for example, sells BOPs in 41 states, and Hiscox’s BOP isn’t available everywhere.
What it costs
Insureon’s small business customers paid a median of $83 a month ($990 a year) for a BOP in 2026, compared with $45 a month for general liability alone. Prices depend on your property values, location, industry, revenue and claims history. See our cost guide.
BOP vs. separate policies
| BOP | Separate policies | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually lower for the same cover | Can cost more in total |
| Simplicity | One policy and renewal | Several policies to manage |
| Flexibility | Set package; some add-ons | Tailor each policy and limit |
| Eligibility | Small, lower-risk businesses | Any business |
Home-based businesses
A homeowners policy typically covers only about $2,500 of business property at home and $500 away from home, and generally excludes business liability. Maine’s insurance regulator recommends a BOP for home businesses with employees, contractors or frequent customer visits; smaller operations may manage with a home business endorsement. See our self-employed guide.
Tips for buying a BOP
- Value your equipment and inventory at replacement cost.
- Check the business income waiting period and how many months it covers.
- Ask about add-ons you need, such as equipment breakdown or cyber.
- Compare BOP quotes from several insurers; see our insurer comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What does a business owner’s policy cover?
General liability, commercial property and business income (interruption) insurance in one package.
How much does a BOP cost?
A median of about $83 a month, or $990 a year, according to Insureon’s 2026 data.
Does a BOP include workers’ comp?
No. Workers’ comp is always a separate policy.
Who is eligible for a BOP?
Small and medium businesses in lower-risk industries, such as retail, offices, salons and small restaurants. Rules vary by insurer.
Is a BOP cheaper than buying policies separately?
Usually, because the insurer bundles the coverages at a lower combined price.
Sources
- U.S. Small Business Administration – Get business insurance
- Insureon – Small business insurance costs (Feb 2026)
- NEXT Insurance – AM Best Superior rating (Sept 2025)
- NerdWallet – Hiscox business insurance review (Feb 2026)
- Business Wire – The Hartford bolsters small business cyber insurance (Sept 2025)
- Maine Bureau of Insurance – Insuring your home business
Insurance prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.