Commercial Insurance Requirements by Industry

An original, non-sales reference explaining common coverages, documents, contract requirements, certificate requirements and real-life risks across the industries Casurance works with most.

Security guard companies

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Professional liability
  • Assault and battery
  • Workers' compensation
  • Commercial auto
  • Umbrella

Documents needed

  • Payroll by class
  • Guard license
  • Client contracts
  • Vehicle schedule
  • Loss runs

Contract requirements: Clients frequently require additional insured status, waiver of subrogation, primary and non-contributory wording, and minimum umbrella limits before guards can be placed on site.

Certificate requirements: Certificates commonly reference general liability, auto and workers' compensation, and may specifically ask whether assault and battery is excluded.

Real-life risks: Use-of-force allegations, wrongful detention claims, patrol vehicle accidents and lost-key incidents are common real-world exposures.

Transportation and logistics

Common coverages

  • Commercial auto
  • Motor truck cargo
  • General liability
  • Workers' compensation
  • Umbrella

Documents needed

  • Driver qualification files
  • MVRs
  • Vehicle schedule
  • Loss runs
  • DOT authority information

Contract requirements: Shippers and brokers often require specific cargo limits, additional insured status and proof of DOT/MC authority before freight is tendered.

Certificate requirements: Certificates typically list auto liability, cargo and general liability limits tied to the freight being hauled.

Real-life risks: Cargo damage, driver accidents, cross-border exposure and detention at loading docks are frequent claim triggers.

Wholesalers and distributors

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Commercial property
  • Products liability
  • Commercial auto
  • Business income

Documents needed

  • Inventory values
  • Vehicle schedule
  • Warehouse lease
  • Loss runs

Contract requirements: Distribution agreements may require product liability limits, additional insured endorsements and proof of coverage for delivery vehicles.

Certificate requirements: Certificates often specify products liability and general liability limits tied to the manufacturer or retailer relationship.

Real-life risks: Product recalls, warehouse fires, forklift accidents and delivery vehicle incidents are common exposures.

Religious organizations

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Property
  • Abuse and molestation liability
  • Directors and officers
  • Umbrella

Documents needed

  • Facility use policy
  • Volunteer screening procedures
  • Property schedule
  • Loss runs

Contract requirements: Facility rental and event agreements may require additional insured status and proof of abuse/molestation coverage for youth programs.

Certificate requirements: Certificates for outside groups renting space frequently request general liability and property damage limits.

Real-life risks: Slip-and-fall claims at events, volunteer supervision issues and property damage from facility use are common risks.

Printers and publishers

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Commercial property
  • Equipment breakdown
  • Cyber liability
  • Commercial auto

Documents needed

  • Equipment schedule
  • Building/lease information
  • Loss runs
  • Client contracts

Contract requirements: Publishing clients may require media/errors and omissions coverage in addition to standard liability limits.

Certificate requirements: Certificates typically request general liability and property coverage, and sometimes cyber liability for client data handling.

Real-life risks: Press equipment breakdown, ink/chemical exposure, and content-related disputes are notable risks in this space.

Laundromats and dry cleaners

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Commercial property
  • Equipment breakdown
  • Bailee / customer goods
  • Business income

Documents needed

  • Equipment list
  • Customer goods claim history
  • Loss runs

Contract requirements: Landlord leases often require general liability limits and additional insured status for the leased space.

Certificate requirements: Certificates usually reference general liability and property coverage for the leased premises.

Real-life risks: Fires from dryers or presses, chemical exposure, and damaged customer garments are frequent claim types.

Technology and electronics manufacturing

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Products liability
  • Commercial property
  • Cyber liability
  • Equipment breakdown

Documents needed

  • Product specifications
  • Manufacturing process description
  • Loss runs
  • Vendor/client contracts

Contract requirements: OEM and distribution contracts frequently require products liability limits and additional insured status.

Certificate requirements: Certificates commonly request products liability and general liability limits tied to units shipped or sold.

Real-life risks: Product defect claims, recall costs and cyber exposure from connected devices are key risks.

Contractors

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Workers' compensation
  • Commercial auto
  • Builders risk
  • Umbrella

Documents needed

  • License information
  • Subcontractor agreements
  • Certificate requirements
  • Loss runs

Contract requirements: Construction contracts often require additional insured status, waiver of subrogation and completed operations coverage.

Certificate requirements: Certificates typically list general liability, auto and workers' compensation limits, often with specific endorsement wording.

Real-life risks: Jobsite injuries, property damage to others' work, and subcontractor default are common exposures.

Healthcare businesses

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Professional liability
  • Workers' compensation
  • Cyber liability
  • Property

Documents needed

  • Licensure
  • Patient data handling procedures
  • Loss runs
  • Staffing records

Contract requirements: Facility and network agreements often require professional liability limits and HIPAA-related data protection assurances.

Certificate requirements: Certificates commonly reference professional and general liability limits along with cyber liability for patient records.

Real-life risks: Patient injury claims, data breaches and employment-related disputes are frequent risk areas.

Professional services

Common coverages

  • Professional liability / E&O
  • General liability
  • Cyber liability
  • Employment practices liability

Documents needed

  • Client engagement letters
  • Loss runs
  • Description of services performed

Contract requirements: Client engagement agreements often require specific E&O limits and, increasingly, cyber liability coverage.

Certificate requirements: Certificates for professional service firms typically focus on professional liability and general liability limits.

Real-life risks: Errors in advice or deliverables, missed deadlines and data handling mistakes are common claim drivers.

Restaurants and food service

Common coverages

  • General liability
  • Liquor liability
  • Property
  • Workers' compensation
  • Equipment breakdown

Documents needed

  • Menu and alcohol service details
  • Equipment list
  • Loss runs

Contract requirements: Landlord leases and delivery platform agreements may require specific liability limits and additional insured status.

Certificate requirements: Certificates usually request general liability, liquor liability (if applicable) and property coverage.

Real-life risks: Slip-and-fall incidents, kitchen fires, foodborne illness claims and liquor-related liability are common exposures.

Have a certificate or contract that needs review?

Upload your contract, current policy or certificate requirement and a Casurance specialist can review your options across these industries.

About Casurance Agency Insurance Services

Casurance Agency Insurance Services is a licensed independent commercial insurance agency based in Los Angeles, California. Casurance helps businesses review commercial insurance options for general liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto, commercial property, cyber liability, umbrella and specialty insurance programs.

Casurance Agency Insurance Services
714 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Casurance Insurance Agency

Travelers Commercial Insurance Through Casurance.

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Casurance Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency. This website is not owned or operated by Travelers. Travelers and the Travelers umbrella logo are registered trademarks of The Travelers Indemnity Company. Coverage availability, pricing, eligibility, and terms are subject to underwriting approval, policy provisions, and state availability.