Business and Commercial Insurance for California Businesses

Reasons to choose us:

1. We have over 200 insurance companies to find the best coverages at lowest rates for you.
2. We do not charge any Broker Fee.
3. We can cover just about any business in California with the insurance coverages they desire.
4. You will not waste time calling a dozen agents or insurance companies with limited selection of coverages.

Businesses present unique exposures for insurers, so it is harder to generalize about coverages. The categories of policies listed below are only an outline of the coverages available through our carriers.

Whatever your commercial insurance needs, we can design a protection program that's right for you.

Please call us for a FREE QUOTE (310) 860-0700 or email us at: info@kamaliins.com

We provide multiple rates by different insurance companies below. 

Kamali & Associates Insurance Agency provides the following types of business insurance protection:

Our Commercial Insurance Carriers

Business Insurance

No matter how large or small your business, you need insurance. Professional Insurance can design an insurance program for the smallest home based business to large national and foreign companies. Business Insurance is our specialty. Professional Insurance represents over 25 insurance companies to insure your liability and property insurance. Our workers compensation department represents 20+ national and regional companies.

You can see a Commercial Insurance brochure by California Department of Insurance for your information.

Professional Insurance has agents who specialize in every segment of the business community who can help design a cost effective insurance program to protect you and the unique characteristics of your business.

Click on one of the classes of business below to get a better understanding of the types of coverages and policies your business should consider buying.

• Wholesalers & Distributors
• Retailers
• Restaurants, Bars, Taverns & Night Clubs
• Auto Repair, Body Shops, Quick Lube, Gas Stations etc.
• Apartments, Condominiums, Homeowner's Association, Planned Unit Developments
• Property Owners (Landlords), Shopping Centers, Office Buildings
• Professional Offices, Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants etc
• Manufacturers
• Construction & Engineering, Artisan, General, & Subcontractor
• Internet & Technology Services, Computer Programmers and Software Developers
• Professional Services and Consultants
• Non-Profit Organizations

Click on one of the links below to learn what these different types of policies insure against and some of the ins and outs of business insurance. Where available we have also provided sample claim scenarios.

Liability Policies:

• General Liability Insurance
• Cyber Liability for Website Owners and Developers
• Umbrella
• Director’s & Officer’s Liability Insurance
• Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions)
• Employee Benefits Liability Insurance
• Representations & Warranties Liability Insurance
• Media Liability Insurance
• Liquor Legal Liability

Property Policies:

• Business Owner's Policy (BOP)
• Property Insurance
• Earthquake Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• Inland and Ocean Marine
• Crime Insurance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Auto Policies:

• Business Auto Insurance
• Trucking Insurance

Employee Policies:

• Workers Compensation Insurance
• Employment Related Practices Liability Insurance HOT PRODUCT!!!
• Fiduciary Liability Insurance

Other Types of Policies:

• Garage Liability including Garagekeeper's
• Foreign Liability, Property, and Workers Compensation Insurance
• Kidnap & Ransom Insurance
• Life Insurance for your Business
• Accident & Injury Insurance
• Pre Paid Legal

It is important to make sure your insurance program covers the basics. Always consult with an insurance professional to tailor a program to fit your business insurance needs.

However it is equally important for every business owner to understand common policy exclusions.

Apartment Building Insurance

There are many different factors to take into consideration when purchasing insurance for an apartment building. Insurance for actual damage to the building and property is only a part of it. The apartment owner must also take into consideration liability insurance: the owner of an apartment building is liable for injuries that occur to tenants and guests on the property.

This includes bodily injury and medical insurance, which pays for the initial batch of medical payments for any injured party. Both these types of insurance are required by law for all apartment building owners. Liability insurance can also cover litigation costs if necessary.

Getting Apartment Building Insurance
Apartment building insurance should also cover repairs and maintenance. The building owner is responsible for maintaining the apartment building on all fronts: structural, mechanical, and electrical. Repairs to plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electrical systems are standard in any apartment building. There is also insurance coverage to help an apartment building comply with local building and health codes. Insurance can include loss of income as well, for up to 12 months, if an apartment building is unable to sustain as many tenants for a period of time due to repairs or renovations. Plate glass in the apartment building is covered separately from everything else.

For more information on Apartment Building Owner Insurance, click here

Click here for a Quote for Apartment Building owner Insurance

Auto - Commercial

A commercial automobile insurance policy is required under most circumstances when the vehicle is used for business purposes and meets certain other requirements. It is not just the registration that determines the requirement for a business automobile insurance policy. Other requirements are ownership by a corporation, use in hauling goods for hire, and gross vehicle weight of the vehicle. Some small trucks can be owned and insured under a personal automobile insurance policy under specific circumstances.

Commercial automobile insurance policies are not regulated in pricing, as are private passenger policies. There is price competition between insurance companies for good commercial automobile insurance.

BOP (Business Owners Package)

Business Owners Package policy, commonly called a "BOP" contains many of the insurance coverages needed by most small businesses. While these policies are not standard, there is great variation from insurance company to insurance company; there are certain common elements. The basic BOP offers business property for both building and contents, and liability insurance protection for the operation of your business. This liability protection will generally include both the operation of your business, at its established location, and the liability from your products or completed operations.

Some, but not all of the policies, will also offer business income and extra expense protection after an insured loss. BOP policies do not contain all of the coverages needed by a small business. Notably they do not cover any workers' compensation, professional liability, or business vehicle coverage.

Business Interruption

If your business suffers a property loss it could cause the business to slow or close down while repairs are made. This may mean a complete or partial revenue loss depending on the time frame and the damage. From the time the loss occurs until your business is running again, insurance can replace your lost profits, and provide a source of money to pay your necessary continuing expenses, like rent, payroll, taxes, etc.

Commercial Property

Commercial Property protects your business against the loss or loss of use of company property. "Property" can include a variety of types: lost income or business interruption, buildings, computers, money, and valuable papers.

Commercial Umbrella

Most package policies provide a liability insurance limit of $1 million for any one loss and $2 million in any one year. For many businesses, this limit is inadequate for real economic security. As a result, additional layers of protection in million-dollar increments are readily available in today's insurance market for most businesses.

Condominium Association Insurance

Who Covers What?


One potentially confusing issue in condominium associations is who insures what. In the past, most condominium association policies would cover whatever the association owned. Other association policies extended coverage into the units - for example, the sheetrock walls and ceiling, the plumbing, and the electrical within each individual unit. Association policies would often be written broad enough to cover the floor, kitchen cabinets, appliances, and carpeting.

In recent years, with the rising cost of insurance claims and the ambiguous language in some association CC&R's, insurance coverage has changed dramatically. Many condominium documents specifically detail what is to be covered - - for example: roof repair and replacement only. In this instance, the documents are explicitly pointing out that all other structure is not covered.  

A Master Package Policy will generally include property coverage that can be categorized by:

Bare walls – coverage for the common elements, usually excludes property within the unit such as interior walls, permanently installed appliances, fixtures, finishings, floors and ceilings

Single entity – coverage for the common elements, usually includes initially installed property in accordance with the association's original plans and specifications

All in – coverage for the common elements, plus initially installed property, plus improvements and betterments made at the expense of the unit owner


An Association should survey and identify owned property which is to be covered by the association master insurance package:

Buildings – residences, clubhouses, garages, carports; Building definition could include foundations, pipes, wires, conduits, utilities, heating, cooling, security systems, machinery and equipment, balconies, porches, decks, and patios

Structures – arbors, awnings, cabanas, sport courts, fences, fountains, gatehouses, gazebos, recreation fixtures.

Other property – could include antennas, indoor/outdoor furnishings, signs, landscaping, fine art.

Non-covered property – could include bridges, roadways, walks, underground infrastructure.


Common causes for the loss of covered property are categorized accordingly:

Special form – this is known as an “all risk” form and usually provides coverage for all perils, except those specifically excluded, such as flood, earthquake, war/military action, nuclear reaction

Broad form – this includes loss as a result of fire, lightning, wind, smoke, hail, vandalism, sprinkler leakage, accidental discharge of water, collapse of building

Basic form – most limited coverage of the three types of coverage

In the event of a loss of covered property, the payment of the policyholder will be valued based on:

Guaranteed Replacement Cost – replacement cost with no limit and does not state a specific property limit

Replacement Cost – payment for the loss is based on the actual replacement and may be limited to stated value

Actual Cash Value – loss payments are based on the cost of new product, less depreciation and usage

A deductible will apply to the property insured in the association's policy. The deductible could be on an occurrence basis, or could apply separately to each building or unit. There may be different deductibles for the different covered property. One aspect of the deductible to consider is how the deductible will be handled with the unit owner. Unless the association documents specify who is responsible, the association or the unit owner, then the association should adopt a policy which describes the circumstances under which a unit owner would be responsible for paying the deductible.

It is important that the association Board and its management company understand the scope of the association coverages. Homeowners should be advised on what is covered. Even where the association covers improvements, alterations, fixtures and appliances within units, it is advisable for the homeowner to continue to carry coverage on their own separate policy.


 

Contractor's General Liability

Contractor's General Liability insurance is for residential and commercial builders, general contractors, construction managers, design and build firms, specialty contractors or subcontractors, owners or public and private construction projects.

We offer contractor policies for every type of project:

• Property
• Builders risk insurance and course of construction
• Liability insurance
• General liability insurance
• Contractor insurance
• Commercial auto
• Umbrella
• Workers' compensation
• Railroad protective
• Equipment insurance
• Contractor bond

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance provides financial protection for the directors and officers of your company in the event they are sued in conjunction with the performance of their duties as they relate to the company. Think of Directors and Officers Insurance as a management Errors and Omissions policy.

Directors and Officers Insurance is often confused with Errors & Omissions Liability. The two are not synonymous; Errors & Omissions is concerned with performance failures and negligence with respect to your products and services, not the performance and duties of management. Generally it is a good idea to carry both Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance.

Read detailed information about Directors & Officers Liability Insurance

Read Glossary of Terminology used in Directors & Officers Liability Insurance

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

Employment Practices Liability Insurance otherwise known as EPLI is insurance that helps protect you against claims from your employees that result from the general conduct of your business. Common examples of employee related claims include claims relating to:

• Discrimination
• Wrongful Discharge
• Sexual Harassment
• Hostile Working Environment
• Wrongful Termination
• Lack of Advancement

General Liability Insurance

Normally, it is difficult for businesses or general contractors to work without general insurance. General liability insurance is intended to guard operators and owners of companies from claims that may come from a broad spectrum of sources. These exposures could be just about anything, including liability engendered by accidents from the operations of the insured party, contractual liability, products manufactured by the insured party, etc.

The liability you select, whether it is one, two, or three million dollars, determines the cost of general liability insurance. Also factored into the rates are the kind of work undertaken, gross receipts and total payroll expenses. Similar to auto insurance, when it comes to general liability insurance, you will first have to make a down payment and then follow it up with installments. Before buying general liability insurance, it is best to compare the quotes available in the market.

It is the business owner's or general contractor’s job to make sure that the people working under him/her are covered by an insurance policy. If for example, a person who is not a part of the project gets injured, the injured person’s lawyer can target just about anyone involved in the project. The more individuals that are involved, the greater the chances of a successful lawsuit.

Read more about General Liability Insurance

Hotel & Motel Hospitality Insurance

Running a hotel in today's competitive environment is a big challenge. Getting the proper business insurance at a reasonable price can be frustrating and time consuming.

Kamali & Associates Insurance Agency offers specialty insurance programs designed specifically for hospitality industry. We offer protection that goes beyond the industry standard forms used by many insurance companies.

Investment Property

If you own an investment property, you should make sure that you carry adequate insurance coverage. Accidents may occur and ultimately cause damage to your investment property. If you do not have the necessary insurance, you will be responsible for the full financial cost.

Owning an investment property brings with it a large degree of liability. In addition to the building itself, you may be responsible for injuries received by others while they are on your property. You could also be held responsible for damage to their belongings.

Kidnap & Ransom

As your company expands globally, so do your exposures. Companies with international operations and executives or staff who travel internationally may be targets for kidnappers and extortionists.

While no one can predict where or when a kidnapper or extortionist might strike, there are steps that you can take to protect your executives and families and prepare for a possible threat. A Kidnap & Ransom policy should be an integral part of your risk management program.

The Kidnap & Ransom policy will provide coverage for the following:

• Ransom and extortion payments as a result of a kidnapping or extortion threat.
• Loss of the ransom or extortion payment while being delivered.
• Expense coverage as a result of a ransom or extortion demand which includes fees and expenses of independent negotiators, and travel and accommodation expenses.
• Legal liability coverage protection in the event it is alleged the insured was negligent in a hostage retrieval.
• Political threat coverage for expenses when a person is wrongfully detained by anyone acting for a government or with the government's approval.

Liquor Liability

Liquor Liability Insurance is designed to provide liability insurance protection for those businesses who manufacture, distribute, or sell liquor. You need liquor liability insurance if you sell liquor and your business is a:

• Bar
• Tavern
• Nightclub
• Fraternal Club
• Convenience Store
• Liquor Store
• Restaurant

Medical Malpractice

In today’s challenging healthcare marketplace, we can help guide you to better results and a higher set of expectations with our value added services. We understand your struggle to deliver quality health care and avoid medical malpractice claims. Working in partnership with your practice, we will address affordability issues regarding medical malpractice insurance, while improving safety and quality.

Product Liability

Product liability insurance protects you in case a product you produce or provide causes harm to a user or a user's property. A "product" is anything that is tangibly used, touched, or consumed. This type of insurance is recommended for every business that manufactures a product, but is especially important for companies that produce food, clothing, toys or anything else that could conceivably cause harm to someone.

Most business owners policies include limited product liability coverage. If, for some reason, you do not have this coverage through a business owner's policy and your product runs the risk of inflicting harm on other people, you may need to buy product liability separately. Similarly, if your product presents a higher risk of injury (for example, it contains a hazardous material), you may need to purchase additional coverage.

Professional Liability Errors & Omissions (E & O)

Professional liability insurance, also sometimes referred to as Errors and Omissions, is insurance to protect you and your company in the event a client alleges they have suffered a financial loss as a result of an error or an omission committed by you in the delivery of your professional services. Professional liability coverage is separate from a General Liability (GL) policy which would cover you mainly for bodily injury or property damage liability.

Property Liability

The general or public liability policy provides protection for claims of liability that are made by third parties. The policy provides defense protection even if the allegations are groundless. In addition the policy will pay any judgment up to the policy limit of coverage.

Restaurant

Today’s restaurant environment is more complex than ever and you want to know you’re covered for the unexpected occurrence.

Whether you run a small cafe or a national chain, you could be held liable for anything from contaminated or spoiled food to spilled coffee. That’s why you deserve an insurance company with commercial restaurant insurance coverage specifically designed for the risks you face.

Eligible classes include, but are not limited to:

• Fine Dining
• Casual Dining
• Fast Food
• Ethnic Cuisine
• Delicatessen
• Coffee Shop
• Micro Brewery

Special Event

Whether you are planning a corporate event, holding a large rock concert, or organizing a local flower festival, you will need special event insurance to ensure that you are covered for unexpected occurrences that may spoil the success you and your company may receive when the big day arrives.

Surety Bonds

We work with many of the country's top-rated surety companies to secure:

• Contract Payment and Performance Bonds
• Fidelity Bonds on Employees
• Code Compliance Bonds
• Judicial and Court Bonds, including estate guardianship and repletion bonds
• Professional Service Bonds

Technology Insurance

Many companies are unaware that their current business and insurance policies most likely do not cover them for all of their technology-related risks. Our technology insurance portfolio offers coverage options tailored to fit your company's unique needs.

In today's technology-driven world, companies face a number of dynamic exposures. Whether it is faulty software, inappropriate advice, mis-configured firewalls or inadequate anti-virus software, hardware failure - companies are increasingly at risk. Claims are growing rapidly, leaving companies liable for expensive lawsuits.

Wholesalers & Distributors

Kamali & Associates Insurance Agency offers a broad range of coverages that are cost-effective and perfectly tailored for your business requirements if wholesaling or distributing. Get coverage specifically designed for today's wholesalers and distributors.

Our programs for wholesalers and distributors include exacting risk assessment and loss control expertise that can help reduce insurance costs for everyone from the small supplier to the large distributor.

Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation insurance protects employers from claims resulting from injuries to employees. It protects your business from lawsuits and provides employees with compensation for on-the-job injuries.

By law, most employers are required to provide coverage for lost wages and medical bills incurred as a result of on-the-job accidents or illnesses. For many businesses, this coverage is the largest part of its insurance expense.

Read detailed Workers Comp Insurance coverages

Glossary of Insurance Terms