Business Insurance
Protect what you’ve spent years building.
Commercial coverage for Oregon and Washington small businesses. General liability, commercial auto, workers’ comp and bonds, shopped across carriers who understand local risk.
Coverage Lines
Commercial policies we place
The four lines most Oregon and Washington small businesses actually need.
General Liability
Third-party injury, property damage, and the legal defense costs.
Explore coverage
Commercial Auto
Vans, fleets, and the tools inside them.
Explore coverage
Workers’ Compensation
Required for most employers in both states.
Explore coverage
Surety Bonds
Contractor and license bonds, explained properly.
Explore coverageLisa and Keith answer the phone here. No call center, no robots. Just North Portland neighbors helping neighbors.
Where To Start
Buy for what could hurt your business, not just what the landlord asked for.
Most owners buy insurance because a lease or a contract makes them. That is a fine place to start, and a bad place to stop.
1. What You Must Have
Check your lease, your contracts, and your license. See what coverage they need. This is your floor, not your finish line.
2. What Could Shut You Down
Add coverage for the big risks: a bad injury, a fire, a crash, or weeks with no business.
3. Extra Coverage
Then look at coverage for mistakes, cyberattacks, or employee issues, if those apply to you.
4. Compare Prices
Now shop for the best price. This order keeps you from buying a cheap policy that only makes the landlord happy.
By Business Type
What we typically place, by kind of business
The most certificate-driven category we work with. General contractors and property managers have exacting requirements, and the paperwork has to be right before you can start.
- General liability with completed operations
- Commercial auto for trucks and vans
- Tools and equipment (inland marine)
- Workers’ compensation
- Contractor license and performance bonds
- Additional insured and waiver of subrogation endorsements
Ground-floor retail, cafés, carts and pods. Glass, spoilage and business interruption matter more here than owners expect.
- Business owner’s policy (BOP)
- Commercial property and contents
- Glass coverage
- Food spoilage and equipment breakdown
- Liquor liability where applicable
- Business interruption, including loss of access
If clients pay you for judgment rather than goods, general liability alone leaves your main exposure uncovered.
- Business owner’s policy
- Professional liability (errors & omissions)
- Cyber liability and data breach response
- Employment practices liability
- Commercial property for equipment
- Workers’ compensation
Rental property is a business, and a personal homeowners policy will not respond to it.
- Landlord / rental dwelling policies
- Commercial property for multi-unit buildings
- Premises liability
- Loss of rents
- Umbrella / excess liability
- Ordinance or law coverage on older buildings
Questions
Business insurance questions
Do I need general liability for a small business?
In most cases yes. It covers third-party bodily injury, property damage and legal defense costs, and most commercial leases and client contracts need it.
Can you insure a home-based business?
Often yes, but it generally needs an endorsement or a separate policy. Standard homeowners policies exclude most business activity, equipment and liability.
Do you handle workers' compensation?
We can advise on both Oregon and Washington requirements, which differ significantly. Washington operates a state-fund system. Call us and we will confirm what applies to you.
How quickly can I get a certificate of insurance?
Usually the same business day once your policy is in force. Send us the exact wording the requesting party wants.
The Proof
Real Client Stories
Taken from our Google reviews, written by real Barnett clients here in Portland.
“Been a customer for over 30 years. They are always available and give wonderful service, like talking to family, not a call center.”
“Keith took the time to explain exactly what my policy covered and found me a better rate than I had with my old company. Same day, too.”
“Lisa is the reason we've stayed with Barnett for years. She actually calls back, and she caught a gap in our home policy we didn't know about.”
Tell us what your business actually does.
We will map the coverage to it and shop it across our carrier network.