Workers Compensation Insurance that covers an employer's obligations to injured employees (spelled out in each state's Workers Compensation Law). Essentially, employees give up the right to sue their employers for work-related injuries, and employers give up the right to defend against claims for medical benefits and lost wages by injured workers, subject to certain exceptions and limitations.   General Liability Insurance Insurance that embraces business liability hazards other than those dealt with by more specialized forms of coverage such as automobile, aviation, marine, professional and workers’ compensation. Businesses need this type of coverage for liability that may arise from premises, general operations (ongoing and completed) and products manufactured or sold. For example, a person being injured by an allegedly unsafe condition in a premise owned or occupied by the insured. It may also apply to completed operations pertaining to construction projects where structural or other issues may arise.   Commercial Auto Business auto insures the automobile exposures of a business vs. the personal auto which covers the individual. Business auto has a variety of classifications from private autos, trailers, to trucks and tractor trailers and auto repair shops or garage coverage.   Property Insurance Commercial Property insurance, also referred to as commercial fire and allied lines, covers direct and indirect losses related to the properties of a business. In addition, the main objective is first-party coverage against economic loss arising from damage to tangible property, such as building structures and personal property associated with the property.   Umbrella/Excess A form of liability insurance that provides additional coverage limits above underlying liability policies. Commercial Umbrella is excess above a CGL, Business Auto Policy, etc. True umbrella coverage is also generally broader in scope than the underlying policies and will drop down and pay certain types of losses not covered by the underlying policies above a SELF-INSURED RETENTION incurred by the insured.   Professional Liability Liability arising out of the rendering of or failure to render professional services, such as a medical error by a doctor, dentist, or nurse causing injury to a patient; bad advice by a lawyer, accountant, or insurance agent causing financial damage to a client; a design error by an architect or engineer leading to the construction of a defective building. The professional liability exposure is generally in addition to the ordinary business liability exposures—e.g., a law firm would need professional liability coverage for this exposure, and they would still need general liability coverage in case someone were injured on their premises. Different terminology is used for different professions—e.g., doctors’ professional liability coverage is referred to as “malpractice” insurance, and insurance agents’ professional liability coverage is referred to as “errors and omissions” or “E&O” coverage.   Personal Auto Generally considered the most important of the property & casualty insurance lines as exposure to loss exists for virtually every individual, family, and business. The requirements of the law and economic realities make auto insurance a primary necessity.   Homeowners Homeowners insurance is designed to protect against economic loss to residences and household personal property, and legal liabilities for injuries and damage arising from residences and personal activities.   Surety Surety is not insurance but a financial contract that backs an obligation of one party to another and is guaranteed by a third party. Surety is a three-party contract versus a two party contract like insurance. For example; a performance bond guarantees that the specifications of a job will be completed either by the principle contractor or somebody else. The bond company has the responsibility to make sure the job is completed properly.