Iowa General Liability Insurance Guide

If you own a small business in the Iowa , this information will help you understand Iowa Commercial Liability insurance and protect your business and your personal assets from legal claims and settlements that can spell financial ruin. Whether you work in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City, Davenport or anywhere else in the Hawkeye State having sufficient CGL insurance is an important part of any small business plan in Iowa.

Fast Facts About Iowa Small Business

A small business is defined as any company with fewer than 500 employees. Small business is vital to Iowa’s economic well-being, accounting for more than 97% of all state employers. Of Iowa’s 261,262 small businesses in 2008 (the latest data available), 63,234 were small employers, accounting for more than 48% of the state’s private-sector jobs. Another 198,028 were one-person operations with no employees.

Source: SBA Iowa Small Business Profile 2011.

About Commercial Liability Insurance for Iowa Businesses

Commercial liability insurance (also called business liability insurance and commercial general liability insurance) protects your Iowa business from financial loss resulting from claims of injury or damage cause to others by you or your employees. A policy typically covers:

• Bodily Injury – physical damage to a person other than an employee at your place of business and injuries caused by you or an employee at a client’s home or work place.
• Personal Injury – libel, slander, copyright infringement, invasion of property or privacy, wrongful eviction, false arrest and similar acts that cause damage to a person’s reputation or rights.
• Property Damage – damage done to another person’s property by you or an employee in the course of conducting your business.
• Advertising Injury – losses caused by your advertising
• Legal Defense and Judgments – costs to defend against real and frivolous suits and judgments up to the limit of your coverage. Note this generally does not include punitive damages for negligence or willful misconduct.

Iowa Minimum Business Insurance Requirements

Commercial Liability Insurance is not mandatory for businesses operating in Iowa. Iowa is a modified comparative negligence fault state. The plaintiff can be up to 50% at fault and still sue for damages. The Iowa courts have struck down caps on personal injury awards in Iowa. The statute of limitations for general personal injury and products liability is 2 years. Accidents and lawsuits (legitimate and frivolous) do happen in Iowa. If you own property or other valuable assets you would be wise to invest in sufficient commercial general liability coverage for your Iowa small businesses.

How Much Iowa Commercial Liability Insurance Should You Carry?

Each situation is unique, but as a general guideline, the type of Iowa business you operate or products you manufacture should determine how much Iowa commercial general liability insurance you need. A good rule of thumb for most small businesses is between $500,000 and $1 million. However, if yours is a high-risk business such as the building trades or has a high volume of interaction with the public such as a restaurant or retail business, you should consider increasing your coverage. Note that if you operate out of your home, your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance has limited coverage for business liability and loss.

How Are Premium Costs Assessed

Iowa commercial liability insurance premiums are based on a number of factors including the types of service or products you provide, the number of people you employ, how long you’ve been in business, and your claims history. Coverage is typically capped at a specific dollar amount for your policy period.

Other Insurance to Consider for Your Iowa Small Business

Mandatory

• Iowa requires that anyone who employs one or more persons, whether full or part time, carry workers compensation insurance. Sole proprietors with no employees are not required to carry workers compensation. Other exemptions may apply. See the Iowa Work Force for more information. iowaworkforce.org
• Iowa requires that all drivers carry minimum automobile insurance. If you use your car or truck for business, it is recommended that you purchase a commercial vehicle policy.

Optional

• Employee Disability Insurance
• Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)
• Errors & Omissions (E&O)
• Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)
• Professional Liability
• Product Liability
• Commercial Property Insurance

Regulating Agency and References

Iowa Insurance Division
This agency is responsible for regulating vehicle insurance policies sold in Iowa.