Business Owners Policy (BOP) in Washington

What a business owners policy (BOP) covers

A business owners policy is a package that combines general liability and commercial property coverage in one policy, often at a better rate than buying them separately. It's designed for small and mid-sized businesses that own or lease a location and carry inventory or equipment.

• General liability. covers bodily injury and property damage claims, plus legal defense costs
• Commercial property. covers your building (if you own it), interior improvements, equipment, and business personal property from fire, theft, wind, and other named perils
• Business interruption. reimburses lost income if a covered peril forces you to close temporarily
• Additional coverages. often includes signage, outdoor equipment, and locks/keys replacement

Washington property risks and exclusions

Washington's natural hazard profile is dominated by earthquake and wildfire. Most standard BOPs exclude earthquake damage; you can add earthquake coverage as a separate endorsement if you want it. Wildfire and wind damage are covered under standard perils. Flood is excluded from all property policies and requires a separate flood policy if you're in a flood zone.

• Earthquake: excluded from standard BOP; can be added via optional endorsement
• Wildfire: covered under named perils (check your deductible applies per-peril or once)
• Flood: excluded; requires separate flood insurance if you're in a flood zone or want coverage
• Wind: covered under named perils
• Business interruption: covers lost income after a covered loss while you're rebuilding

Choosing property limits

Your building value (if owned) and inventory and equipment replacement cost determine your property limit. Under-insuring leaves you exposed to a major loss; over-insuring wastes premium. Work with Maru to assess your property values and choose limits that match your actual replacement cost.

How to lower your BOP premium

• Bundle with business auto or workers compensation for additional multi-line discounts
• Implement loss-prevention measures: alarm systems, fire suppression, security cameras
• Raise your deductible if you can absorb the smaller losses
• Keep continuous coverage to avoid rate penalties
• Review and update property values annually

What a BOP does not cover

A BOP does not include commercial auto, workers compensation, professional liability, or cyber coverage. If you operate vehicles for business, employ staff, or provide professional services, you need separate policies. Maru helps you layer the right coverages.

Why buy a BOP through Maru

Maru compares BOP packages across multiple carriers, ensuring you get the right property limits, correct business interruption coverage, and up-to-date endorsements for Washington's earthquake, wildfire, and wind exposures. We handle renewals and updates automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (WA License WAOIC #1365574, FL License #G363233) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.