Frequently Asked Questions

We specialize in commercial Property & Casualty insurance for small and medium-sized businesses across many industries. Our clients include construction contractors, real estate investors, manufacturers, trucking companies, restaurants, retail stores, healthcare providers, and many specialized trades. We focus exclusively on business insurance—not personal lines—so we can deliver deeper expertise.

Commercial insurance is designed specifically for business risks and exposures. It covers things like business property, commercial vehicles, employee injuries, professional mistakes, and lawsuits from customers or third parties. Personal insurance policies typically exclude business activities, so using personal coverage for business purposes could leave you unprotected when you need it most.

General Liability insurance protects your business from claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury (like slander or libel) caused by your business operations, products, or employees. For example, if a customer slips and falls at your location, or if your work damages a client's property, General Liability would cover legal defense costs and settlements.

In Texas, Workers Compensation is not mandatory for most private employers, but it's highly recommended. Without it, you're personally liable for employee injuries and medical costs. Workers Comp covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation for employees injured on the job. It also protects you from lawsuits by injured workers. Many contracts and clients require proof of Workers Comp before hiring you.

General Liability covers physical injuries and property damage caused by your business. Professional Liability (also called Errors & Omissions) covers financial losses caused by your professional advice, services, or mistakes. For example, if an accountant makes an error that costs a client money, Professional Liability would cover the claim. Many service-based businesses need both types of coverage.

Commercial Property insurance protects your business's physical assets including buildings you own, equipment, inventory, furniture, and fixtures. It covers losses from fire, theft, vandalism, storms, and other covered perils. This coverage is essential whether you own your building or lease space, as it protects the contents and improvements you've made.

A Surety Bond is a three-party agreement that guarantees you'll fulfill contractual obligations or comply with regulations. Unlike insurance, bonds protect the party requiring the bond (not you). Common types include contractor license bonds, bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds. Government contracts, licensing requirements, and many private projects require surety bonds.

Standard Commercial Auto policies only cover vehicles listed on the policy. If employees use personal vehicles for business purposes, you need Hired and Non-Owned Auto coverage added to your policy. This protects your business if an employee causes an accident while driving their own car for work-related tasks like deliveries, client visits, or running errands.

Contact us immediately when an incident occurs—we'll guide you through the process. Document everything with photos, witness statements, and written descriptions. Report the claim to your insurance carrier promptly (most policies require timely notification). Keep records of all expenses and communications. We advocate on your behalf throughout the claims process to help ensure fair treatment.

Claims timelines vary based on complexity. Simple property claims might settle in 2-4 weeks, while liability claims involving injuries or lawsuits can take months or even years. The insurance company will assign an adjuster to investigate, assess damages, and determine coverage. We stay involved throughout to help move things along and address any issues that arise.

Not all claims affect premiums equally. Factors include claim frequency, severity, fault, and your overall claims history. A single small claim may have minimal impact, while multiple claims or large losses could increase rates at renewal. We help you understand the potential impact before filing and can advise on whether small claims are worth submitting.

Premiums are based on multiple factors including your industry, business size, revenue, payroll, location, claims history, coverage limits, and deductibles. Higher-risk industries and businesses with poor claims history pay more. We shop multiple carriers to find competitive rates and help you understand what factors you can control to reduce costs.

Yes, most insurance carriers offer monthly payment plans. While paying annually often provides a small discount, monthly payments help with cash flow management. Some carriers charge a small fee for monthly billing. We can explain your payment options and help you choose what works best for your business budget.

Several strategies can reduce premiums: increase deductibles, bundle multiple policies, implement safety programs, maintain a clean claims history, and review coverage annually to eliminate unnecessary coverage. We also shop your policies across multiple carriers to ensure competitive pricing. Sometimes small operational changes can significantly impact your rates.

Review your coverage at least annually at renewal time, but also whenever your business changes significantly. This includes adding employees, purchasing equipment, expanding locations, taking on new types of work, or signing contracts with specific insurance requirements. Regular reviews ensure you're not over-insured or dangerously under-insured.

Most policies can be modified mid-term through endorsements. Common changes include adding vehicles, updating property values, adding additional insureds, or adjusting coverage limits. Some changes may result in additional premium or a refund. Contact us when your business needs change—we'll process the updates and explain any cost implications.

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document proving you have active insurance coverage. Clients, landlords, and general contractors often require COIs before allowing you to work. We can issue certificates quickly—usually same-day. The certificate shows your coverage types, limits, policy numbers, and effective dates. Additional insured endorsements can also be added when required.

Adding an Additional Insured extends your liability coverage to protect another party (like a landlord or general contractor) for claims arising from your work. This is commonly required in contracts and leases. The additional insured gains protection under your policy but doesn't control it. We can add additional insureds quickly when you need them for contracts.

Independent agents like The P & C Agency represent multiple insurance carriers, allowing us to shop your coverage and find the best combination of price, coverage, and service. We advocate for you—not the insurance company. We handle claims assistance, policy reviews, and certificate requests. Direct carriers only offer their own products and may not have the best fit for your specific needs.