Liability plus property, bundled and priced as one
Business Owners Policy (BOP): Ohio & West Virginia
A Business Owners Policy packages the two policies most small businesses need, general liability and commercial property, and adds business income coverage that pays the bills while you are shut down. For most shops, offices, and light contractors, it is the most efficient way to buy.
Who this is for
- Retail stores, salons, offices, and studios
- Restaurants and food service (with the right carrier appetite)
- Light contractors with a shop, tools, and inventory
- Any business whose income stops if the building closes
What Business Owners Policy (BOP) covers
Coverage points below are typical. Actual terms depend on the carrier and the policy form we place.
General liability
The full third-party bodily injury, property damage, and products coverage described on our general liability page.
Commercial property
Your building (if owned), tenant improvements, furniture, inventory, and equipment against fire, wind, theft, and more.
Business income & extra expense
Replaces lost profit and pays for a temporary location while you rebuild after a covered loss.
Equipment breakdown
Mechanical and electrical failure of HVAC, refrigeration, and production equipment, commonly added to a BOP.
Spoilage
Perishable stock lost when refrigeration or power fails; essential for food service.
Signs, glass, and exterior property
Storefront glass and signage, a frequent small claim.
Crime & employee dishonesty
Theft of money and securities, including by employees, at modest sublimits.
Cyber and data endorsements
Basic breach response can be endorsed on; broader needs call for a standalone cyber policy.
What it does not cover
- Flood and earthquake, separate policies or endorsements
- Employee injuries (workers' compensation)
- Owned vehicles (commercial auto)
- Professional errors (E&O / professional liability)
- Large or high-hazard operations that exceed BOP eligibility
Typical limits & requirements
- $1M/$2M liability
- Standard liability limits inside the package.
- Property limits at replacement cost
- Insure buildings and contents to full replacement value to avoid coinsurance penalties.
- 12 months of business income
- Actual-loss-sustained for a year is the common default; longer periods are available.
What drives your price
- Building construction, age, roof, and sprinkler/alarm protection
- Location and distance to a responding fire department
- Total insured property value and inventory swings
- Industry class and public foot traffic
- Claims history and loss-control measures
Ohio & West Virginia notes
Older brick main-street buildings across Canton, Cambridge, Charleston, and Huntington often carry outdated replacement-cost figures. We re-run valuations at quote time so a partial loss is not shaved by a coinsurance penalty, and we price wind/hail deductibles carefully given regional storm patterns.
Common questions
BOP or separate policies?
If you qualify, a BOP is usually cheaper and simpler. Businesses that outgrow BOP eligibility move to a commercial package policy, we quote both and show the difference.
Does a BOP cover my home-based business?
Often yes, and it is far better than relying on a homeowners policy, which caps business property at a few thousand dollars and excludes business liability.
Is flood included?
No. Flood is written separately through the NFIP or a private carrier. Properties near the Ohio, Kanawha, and Muskingum rivers should price it.
What does business income actually pay?
The net profit you would have earned plus continuing expenses such as payroll and rent, for the time it reasonably takes to restore operations.
Guides worth reading first
Business owner guides covering business owners policy (bop) and the rest of your Ohio or West Virginia insurance program.
- Business · 10 min readSelf-Employed Insurance: What You Actually Need to CoverNo employer benefits desk means you build your own stack. Ranger walks through health, liability, auto, disability, and life coverage for the self-employed.Read the guide
- Business · 9 min readCommercial Auto Insurance Requirements for Ohio BusinessesIf your team drives for work, a personal auto policy may not respond at all. Here are Ohio's commercial auto rules and the limits contracts actually demand.Read the guide
- Policy Basics · 8 min readFinding the Best Independent Insurance Agent in Ohio and West VirginiaAnyone can sell you a policy. Here is how to tell whether an Ohio or West Virginia independent agent will still be useful at renewal and at claim time.Read the guide
Ready now? Start your comparison quote or take the two-minute coverage quiz.