Business Insurance in Georgia FAQ - Quick Answers
Your Georgia small business insurance needs to be quoted by a professional for exact rates, but you can understand what the carriers look for when determining your premiums. Check out risk factors insurance companies look at below:
- Type of industry
- Number of employees
- Gross annual sales
- Location of business
- Number of company vehicles
- Safety practices in place
- Past claims reported
- Number of years in operation
In Georgia, every business with 3 or more full-time employees is required to carry workers' compensation insurance by law. If you have company vehicles, then you'll need to obtain commercial auto coverage according to the state minimum limits mandated. All other forms of business insurance are not legally mandated in most cases.
In Georgia, you'll have some policies that are required by law and some that are not necessary. Check out policy options for your small business below:
- General liability insurance: Pays for a bodily injury or property damage liability lawsuit brought against your operation
- Workers' compensation insurance: Pays for the injuries of an employee hurt on the job. Mandatory when you have 3 or more employees.
- Property insurance: Covers damage to your business property due to a covered claim
- Business income insurance: Pays for regular business expenses when a covered loss closes your operation for a period of time
- Business auto insurance: Pays for a loss resulting from an auto accident with a company-owned vehicle. Must abide by state car insurance laws.
- Professional liability insurance: Pays for a lawsuit against your business due to negligent or harmful advice
- Commercial umbrella insurance: Provides an additional limit of liability coverage over your underlying business policies
General liability insurance in Virginia is typically your primary policy and used to protect your business in the following ways:
- General liability insurance: Pays for a bodily injury or property damage liability lawsuit brought against your operation.
If you run a small business with fewer than 50 employees, then offering health insurance to your staff is typically optional. However, if you have 50 employees or more, then you'll be required to supply health coverage according to the Affordable Care Act. Your independent insurance agent can give different options for your small business.
If you've been looking for small business insurance at a great rate, then you're not alone. In Georgia, Nationwide, Travelers, Progressive, and Hanover insurance companies are used often when obtaining sufficient protection. This is due to their broad coverage offerings and superior customer service.
Do You Know What Your Business Insurance in Georgia Covers?
Find the Best Business Insurance in Your City
National Business Insurance Stats
Number of businesses in the US: 30,819,176
Burglary rate per 1,000 residents in the US: 3.76
Auto theft rate per 1,000 vehicles in the US: 2.29
City | No. businesses | Burglaries / 1,000 people | Auto thefts / 1,000 cars |
Albany | 7,385 | 9.72 | 3.12 |
Alpharetta | 9,144 | 1.44 | 0.67 |
Atlanta | 64,593 | 6.21 | 6.67 |
Columbus | 17,405 | 10.72 | 3.54 |
Dalton | 3,595 | 3.52 | 2.39 |
Decatur | 4,244 | 2.49 | 1.59 |
Douglasville | 3,848 | 3.9 | 2.11 |
Duluth | 5,621 | 2.51 | 0.84 |
Gainesville | 4,480 | 3.94 | 2.18 |
Lawrenceville | 8,597 | 5.16 | 1.48 |
Peachtree City | 3,879 | 1.05 | 0.99 |
Woodstock | 3,383 | 0.33 | 0.66 |
- Atlanta, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Crime is a major problem in Atlanta, which increases the chance that you'll encounter property crime at some point. Due to the high risk of damage to your business, business insurance rates can sometimes be higher in the Atlanta area.
- Commercial Auto: If your business owns a car, you'll need to purchase commercial car insurance. Your rate will be based on factors such as the number of cars your business owns, the risk of auto theft in your city, and previous claims for collisions.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why worker’s compensation rates vary so significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for two leading industries in Atlanta, GA look like.
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry - $900/year
- Retail Trade Industry - $1,330/year
- Workers' compensation rates are determined by the risk level associated with each industry. In jobs where workers face more hazardous conditions, rates tend to be higher. That's because a retail environment carries a higher risk of accidents. Keep in mind that rates fluctuate each year, so your workers' comp premium could change annually in Atlanta.
- Columbus, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Your business could face serious revenue losses without the right business insurance. Property crimes like arson and theft and severe weather events can put Columbus businesses in jeopardy, so make sure you're prepared with the right coverage.
- Commercial Auto: If your Columbus business owns vehicles, you will need to purchase commercial auto insurance. Premiums vary from one business to the next, but they are largely determined by the types of vehicles you need to insure, the mileage per year, and the local risk of collisions and auto theft.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Columbus, GA look like.
- Construction Industry - $4,760/year
- Finance and Insurance Industry - $480/year
- Your workers' compensation rates will depend on the specific hazards you face in your industry. Rates will be higher for construction companies because of the higher risk of workplace accidents. You can find savings on workers' comp insurance by implementing safety and fall prevention programs or maintaining a drug-free workplace.
- Augusta, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Property crime plays an important role in your business insurance rates. If your city has an ongoing problem with vandalism, arson, and theft, you could see a spike in your premiums. Fortunately, property crime rates are relatively low in Augusta compared to neighboring cities, which could help you score lower rates.
- Commercial Auto: Commercial car insurance is a necessity if your business owns a vehicle or a fleet of vehicles. In Augusta, more than 500 auto thefts are reported each year, making it critical for every business to have adequate insurance for company vehicles.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Augusta, GA look like.
- Construction Industry - $4,760/year
- Health Care Industry - $1,200/year
- For businesses that work in the construction industry, workers’ compensation costs will be higher, thanks to increased hazards on the job. Employees could fall from a ladder or be injured traveling to or from a job site. These elevated risks drive up workers' comp costs. On the other hand, businesses in the healthcare industry will have lower rates because they work in a safer environment, with lower risks for work-related injuries.
- Savannah, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Property crimes can lead to serious revenue losses for Savannah businesses that are not adequately insured. From theft to arson to vandalism, property crimes are a serious threat that your business can't afford to ignore.
- Commercial Auto: Savannah's ongoing problem with auto thefts can create a major challenge for businesses that own vehicles. If a company car is stolen, your commercial auto insurance will become more valuable than ever. All businesses in Savannah that own a vehicle are required by law to purchase business car insurance.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Savannah, GA look like.
- Accommodations and Food Services Industry - $1,500/year
- Construction Industry - $4,760/year
- These two industries face vastly different hazards in the workplace, which explains why rates are unique for each industry. In a workplace where risks for injury are high, premiums will be increased, while safer work conditions tend to bring costs down for workers' comp coverage.
- Athens, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: One of the biggest threats to your business revenue is property crime. If your business is looted or vandalized, the result can be a financial nightmare. Business insurance can protect you from losing revenue after property crimes, and the crime rate in Athens will play a big role in your personalized coverage rates.
- Commercial Auto: If your business in Athens owns a vehicle, you will need to invest in commercial auto insurance. Your premium will be determined by several factors such as the types of vehicles you need to cover and the risk of auto theft and accidents in your area.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs or the two leading industries in Athens, GA look like.
- Educational Services Industry - $2,430/year
- Accommodations and Food Services Industry - $1,500/year
- Athens workers' compensation rates are based on the type of industry you work in and the risk level associated with your job. For businesses in the educational services industry, rates could be slightly higher due to a greater risk of accidents or injuries on company property. Those working in accommodations and food services will have slightly lower rates on workers’ comp, thanks to reduced hazards in the workplace.
- Decatur, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: In Decatur, nearly one-third of people will face property crimes like theft or arson. This poses a serious risk for businesses that could lose significant revenue if company property is damaged or stolen. Decatur commercial insurance offers protection for your business and covers the cost of property damage if your business ever faces this problem.
- Commercial auto: Commercial car insurance is required for every Decatur business that owns a vehicle or fleet of vehicles. Your rates will depend on the types of vehicles your company owns and the risk of collisions and auto theft in your city.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Decatur, GA look like.
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Industry - $900/year
- Educational Services Industry - $2,430/year
- Workers' compensation rates are based on the risk level associated with your job. These industries have vastly different risk levels, which changes rates for workers' compensation for each of these businesses. Workers' comp premiums will fluctuate from year to year as risk assessments change. You could see slight changes in your rates from one year to the next.
- Macon, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Severe weather isn't the only risk for Macon business property. Crimes like theft, arson, and vandalism can also pose a serious risk to your revenue if you don't have the right commercial insurance coverage for your Macon business.
- Commercial Auto: In Macon, all company vehicles must be covered by commercial auto insurance. Your rates will be influenced by the local risk of collisions and auto theft, along with the types of cars your company owns and the level of coverage you need.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Macon, GA look like.
- Manufacturing Industry - $2,870/year
- Retail Trade Industry - $1,330/year
- Workers' compensation rates are based on the hazards you face in your industry. For manufacturing, the risk of work-related injuries is much higher than the risk in retail trade services. That's why manufacturing businesses will pay more for workers' compensation insurance than retail businesses.
- Roswell, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Your business could face a serious revenue loss if you are targeted by looters, robbers, or vandals. Property crime is a serious risk in Roswell, so you will need a business insurance plan that includes protection against these types of losses.
- Commercial Auto: Company cars in Roswell will need commercial auto insurance, and your rates will be based on the local risk of collisions and auto theft. Depending on the number of vehicles to be covered and mileage accrued each year, commercial car insurance premiums can vary substantially from one business to the next.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Roswell, GA look like.
- Manufacturing Industry - $900/year
- Finance and Insurance Industry - $480/year
- These two top industries have vastly different workers' compensation premiums, based on the risk level associated with each workplace. For companies where workers face more hazardous working environments, rates will be much higher, while for industries with low-risk conditions, workers' compensation insurance rates will be lower.
- Albany, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: Whether property damage comes from severe weather events, vandalism, or arson, it will be an expensive problem for your business. Without the right commercial insurance coverage, you'll have to pay for the damage out of pocket. That's why every business in Albany needs the protection of a comprehensive commercial insurance policy.
- Commercial Auto: Whether your business owns a single company car or a whole fleet of vehicles, you will need commercial auto insurance. The cost for coverage will be based on the number of cars you need to insure, the make and model of the vehicles, and the risk of auto thefts and collisions in your area.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Albany, GA look like.
- Manufacturing Industry - $2,870/year
- Retail Trade Industry - $1,330/year
- Your rates for workers' compensation insurance will depend on several factors. Industries that face more hazardous conditions and a higher risk of work-related injuries will inevitably pay higher rates for workers' comp coverage. Businesses in the manufacturing industry will have higher rates than businesses in retail trade. That's because the manufacturing businesses will naturally have a higher risk of injuries and accidents.
- Duluth, GA
- Business Insurance Common Coverage Options
- Property: In addition to severe weather events, property crimes like theft and arson can lead to large business losses if you do not have the right insurance. The crime rate in Duluth can affect your coverage rates.
- Commercial Auto: Business-owned vehicles have to be insured just like your personal vehicle. Commercial auto insurance protects against collisions and auto thefts, along with liability risks. Your rates will be based on variables such as the number of vehicles you need to insure, your yearly mileage, and the risk of auto thefts in your area.
- Workers’ Compensation
- Workers’ compensation insurance pays for medical bills and lost wages for workers who are injured on the job. It is required for most Georgia employers. Every workplace has unique risks and hazards for its workers, which is why workers' compensation rates vary significantly depending on your industry.
- Based on a $100,000 annual payroll, here is what the workers' comp costs for the two leading industries in Duluth, GA look like.
- Construction Industry - $4,760/year
- Manufacturing Industry - $2,870/year
- The two biggest industries in Duluth are construction and manufacturing. Workers' compensation is critical for all business owners. Rates for workers' comp coverage is based on the unique hazards faced in your industry. Because construction jobs tend to have more liability threats and tend to have the potential for work-related injuries, premiums are usually much higher for construction companies than for businesses that work in manufacturing.