Why an Independent Broker
Commercial Insurance Isn't One-Size-Fits-All
Every business has a unique risk profile. A restaurant faces liquor liability and food contamination risks. A contractor faces workers' compensation and completed operations exposure. A trucking company faces cargo liability and DOT compliance requirements. A single carrier cannot be the best option for every type of business.
As an independent broker, Hutchison Insurance Group works with multiple commercial carriers to match your business with the right coverage at a competitive price — and we review your program annually to ensure it keeps pace with your growth.
Industries Served
We Work Across Many Industries
Click any industry to see the types of coverage commonly needed. Don't see yours? Contact us — we work across many business types.
Coverage Explained
Commercial Coverage Types — In Plain English
Every major commercial coverage type explained so you can build the right program for your business.
Business Owner's Policy (BOP)
A bundled policy that combines Commercial General Liability and Commercial Property into a single, cost-effective package. Designed for small to mid-sized businesses. Often includes Business Income coverage. Eligibility is based on business type, size, and revenue.
Typically Includes:
BOPs are typically more affordable than purchasing each coverage separately.
Commercial General Liability (CGL)
The foundational commercial coverage. Protects your business against third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, personal injury (libel/slander), and advertising injury. Covers legal defense costs and judgments. Required by most commercial leases and contracts.
Typically Includes:
Most contracts require a minimum of $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate.
Commercial Property
Covers your business's physical assets — buildings, equipment, inventory, furniture, and fixtures — against covered perils including fire, wind, hail, theft, and vandalism. Available on a Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value basis.
Typically Includes:
Business property is not covered by a homeowner policy even if you work from home.
Business Income / Business Interruption
Replaces lost revenue and covers ongoing expenses (rent, payroll, utilities) when your business is forced to close or reduce operations due to a covered property loss. Includes Extra Expense coverage for costs to operate from a temporary location.
Typically Includes:
COVID-19 highlighted how critical business income coverage is — review your policy carefully.
Commercial Auto
Covers vehicles owned, leased, or used by your business. Includes liability, collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist coverage for business-use vehicles. Personal auto policies typically exclude business use beyond commuting.
Typically Includes:
Hired & Non-Owned Auto covers employees using personal vehicles for business errands.
Workers' Compensation
Required by Missouri law for most employers with 5+ employees (some industries require it with fewer). Covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs for employees injured on the job. Also protects employers from most employee injury lawsuits.
Typically Includes:
Missouri requires workers' comp for most businesses with 5 or more employees.
Professional Liability / E&O
Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance protects professionals against claims of negligence, mistakes, or failure to perform services as promised. Essential for consultants, accountants, attorneys, real estate agents, IT professionals, and healthcare providers.
Typically Includes:
E&O is claims-made — you need coverage active both when the error occurred and when the claim is filed.
Cyber Liability
Covers costs related to data breaches, ransomware attacks, and cyber incidents including notification costs, credit monitoring, legal fees, regulatory fines, and business interruption losses. Increasingly essential as cyber attacks target small businesses.
Typically Includes:
60% of small businesses that suffer a major cyber attack close within 6 months.
Commercial Umbrella / Excess Liability
Provides an additional layer of liability protection above your underlying commercial policies (CGL, commercial auto, employers' liability). Available in $1M increments. Required by many contracts and large clients.
Typically Includes:
A $1M umbrella typically costs $500–$1,500/year — one of the best values in commercial insurance.
Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)
Protects your business against claims from current, former, or prospective employees alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, or failure to promote. Legal defense costs alone can be devastating without this coverage.
Typically Includes:
EPLI claims have increased significantly — even small businesses with a few employees face exposure.
Liquor Liability
Required for businesses that sell, serve, or furnish alcohol. Covers claims arising from incidents caused by intoxicated patrons — including assaults, accidents, and injuries. Missouri's Dram Shop laws create significant liability for alcohol-serving establishments.
Typically Includes:
Missouri Dram Shop laws allow injured third parties to sue the business that served the alcohol.
Inland Marine / Tools & Equipment
Covers movable property, tools, equipment, and materials while in transit or at job sites. Standard commercial property policies only cover property at a fixed location. Critical for contractors, landscapers, and service businesses that work off-premises.
Typically Includes:
Equipment theft from job sites is one of the most common contractor claims.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Specialized commercial auto coverage for businesses providing non-emergency medical transportation — including wheelchair van operators, stretcher transport, and Medicaid/Medicare transport providers. Combines commercial auto liability with passenger liability and often requires specific endorsements for Medicaid billing compliance.
Typically Includes:
NEMT operators often need to meet state Medicaid credentialing requirements in addition to standard insurance minimums.
Environmental Liability Insurance
Covers costs related to pollution incidents, environmental cleanup, and third-party bodily injury or property damage caused by pollutants. Standard CGL policies typically exclude pollution claims. Essential for contractors, manufacturers, gas stations, dry cleaners, and any business that handles chemicals or hazardous materials.
Typically Includes:
Even businesses that don't handle chemicals directly may face environmental liability — mold, asbestos, and fuel leaks are common triggers.
Common Commercial Coverage Gaps
These are the most frequent gaps we find when reviewing existing commercial policies:
Policy Terms
Commercial Insurance Glossary
Key terms every business owner should understand before signing a policy.