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.
714 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015
