Contractors, retail shops, restaurants, offices, rental property owners and trucking companies: if you run a business in Greater Lafayette, we can help you insure it.
Business Insurance for Lafayette, West Lafayette and Zionsville Companies
From contractors and retail shops to trucking companies, Lafayette Insurance helps local businesses put the right coverage in place. We compare policies from multiple insurance companies and build a package around how your business actually operates.
Business insurance is also called commercial insurance. Whatever you call it, our job is the same: help Lafayette-area business owners protect their property, their employees and their income. Lafayette Insurance has been a locally owned independent agency since 2011, so you work with a local agent, not a call center.
Coverage for Indiana businesses
- General liability: covers bodily injury, property damage and advertising injury claims tied to your business operations.
- Business owners policy (BOP): combines general liability and business property in one package for many small businesses.
- Commercial property: protects your building, equipment and inventory, plus other people’s property in your care.
- Commercial auto: covers business vehicles, from a single service truck to a full fleet.
- Workers compensation: pays medical expenses and lost wages when an employee is hurt on the job.
- Contractor insurance: package policies for tradesmen, contractors and subcontractors, with certificates of insurance when a job requires them.
- Bonds: contractor, license and business bonds.
- Commercial umbrella: extra liability limits above your other business policies.
- Semi truck insurance: for owner-operators and small to mid-sized trucking companies.
Businesses we help
We work with contractors and tradesmen, retail shops, restaurants, offices and professional services, owners of commercial rental property, and owner-operator and small-fleet trucking companies. Whether you are a one-person operation or have a growing team, we tailor coverage to your business.
How we build your business insurance
Every business is different, so we start with a conversation about what you do, your employees, vehicles, equipment, contracts and growth plans. Then we:
- Identify the exposures that could put your business at risk, including liability, property, vehicles, employees and contract requirements.
- Quote your coverage with multiple insurance companies and explain the differences in plain language.
- Review your policies at renewal and whenever your business changes, so you are not over- or under-insured.
What does business insurance cost?
Cost depends on your industry, payroll, revenue, location, vehicles and claims history. A small office may only need a business owners policy, while a contractor or trucking company usually needs general liability, commercial auto and workers compensation. Because we compare several companies, we can often find savings by packaging coverage or placing a policy with a company that specializes in your type of business.
Commercial insurance for Lafayette businesses
Here is how coverage usually comes together for the types of businesses we insure most often around Greater Lafayette:
- Contractors and trades: general liability, coverage for tools and equipment, commercial auto for work trucks, workers compensation and contractor bonds. Many general contractors and property managers require a certificate of insurance before you start a job.
- Retail shops and restaurants: a business owners policy that combines property, liability and business income coverage, plus liquor liability if you serve alcohol.
- Offices and professional services: a business owners policy for your office contents and liability. Depending on your profession, you may also want to ask about professional liability or cyber coverage.
- Commercial rental property owners: commercial property coverage for the building, liability if someone is hurt on the property, and loss of rents if a covered loss leaves units empty.
- Trucking companies and owner-operators: auto liability, physical damage and cargo coverage, along with the filings your operating authority requires.
Business insurance questions we hear in Lafayette
Is business insurance required in Indiana?
Some of it is. Indiana requires most employers with employees to carry workers compensation, and vehicles your business owns or drives need auto liability coverage. Beyond what the law requires, landlords, lenders and customers often require general liability and a certificate of insurance before you can sign a lease, close a loan or start a job.
Does my homeowners policy cover a business I run from home?
Usually only in a limited way. Most homeowners policies cap coverage for business property and do not cover business liability, so a home-based business often needs an endorsement or its own policy. We can look at your current policy and point out the gaps.
What is the difference between general liability and a business owners policy (BOP)?
General liability covers claims that your business injured someone or damaged their property. A BOP packages general liability with coverage for your business property and lost income after a covered loss. For many small businesses, a BOP can cost less than buying those coverages separately.
Does my personal auto policy cover a vehicle I use for work?
It depends on how you use it. Personal auto policies may exclude certain business uses, and a vehicle titled to your business generally needs a commercial auto policy. Tell us how the vehicle is used and we will help you insure it the right way.
What do I need to get a business insurance quote?
A description of what your business does, years in business, annual revenue and payroll, number of employees, any vehicles and drivers, and your current policy declarations pages if you have them. For larger accounts, loss runs (your claims history for the last few years) help us get the most accurate pricing.
Serving businesses across Indiana
We insure businesses in Lafayette, West Lafayette and across Tippecanoe County, as well as Zionsville and Boone County. Indiana is our home, and we also write business in Ohio and Tennessee.
Certificates and policy changes
Need a certificate of insurance for a new job, or a change to your policy? Send us a request and we will get back to you quickly.
Talk to a licensed agent about your business: call or text 765-474-2300 or request a business insurance quote.
Who we insure
Business insurance for the way you work
Contractors and trades
Liability, tools and equipment, commercial auto and workers’ comp for contractors who need certificates to get on the job. See contractor insurance.
Retail shops and restaurants
A business owners policy bundles property and liability for storefronts, cafes and restaurants, with options such as equipment breakdown and spoiled food coverage.
Offices and professional services
Coverage for your office, computers and business income, plus general liability for client visits, often in one affordable business owners policy.
Landlords and property owners
Building coverage, loss of rents and liability for apartment buildings, commercial buildings and rental homes. See commercial property and landlord insurance.
Trucking and delivery
Commercial auto for pickups, vans and box trucks, and semi-truck insurance for owner-operators and fleets.
Businesses that need a bond
License, permit and contract bonds for contractors and other businesses that need one to work in Indiana.
Close the gaps
Coverages businesses often overlook
- Business income replaces lost income and pays ongoing expenses if a covered loss shuts you down while repairs are made.
- Hired and non-owned auto protects your business when employees use their own cars or a rental for business errands.
- Tools and equipment coverage, also called inland marine, follows your tools and equipment to job sites and while in transit.
- Equipment breakdown covers sudden mechanical or electrical failure of HVAC systems, coolers, computers and production equipment.
- Data breach and cyber coverage helps with notification, recovery and liability costs if customer information is exposed.
- Employee dishonesty coverage protects against theft of money or property by an employee.
Not every company offers every coverage, which is one more reason to work with an independent agent who can compare several.
Stay protected as you grow
When to review your business insurance
- You hire your first employee. Most Indiana employers are required to carry workers’ compensation.
- You buy or lease a vehicle for the business, or employees start driving for work.
- You sign a lease or contract that requires specific limits, additional insureds or a certificate of insurance.
- You add a location, buy new equipment or take on a new type of work.
- Your sales or payroll grow. Many policies are priced on them, and limits that fit a smaller business may no longer be enough.