General Liability vs Business Owners Policy (BOP): Which Saves You More?
A BOP costs about $43/mo more than standalone GL but includes property and business interruption coverage. For most businesses with physical assets, it is the better deal.
What Each Includes
Standalone GL
$45 - $79/mo average
- ✓Bodily injury coverage
- ✓Property damage coverage
- ✓Advertising injury coverage
- ✗Commercial property coverage
- ✗Business interruption coverage
- ✗Equipment breakdown coverage
BOP (Bundled)
$57 - $147/mo average
- ✓Bodily injury coverage
- ✓Property damage coverage
- ✓Advertising injury coverage
- ✓Commercial property coverage
- ✓Business interruption coverage
- ✓Equipment breakdown (often included)
The Math: When BOP Saves You Money
Standalone GL$62/mo ($742/yr)
+ Standalone commercial property$67/mo ($800/yr)
Total (separate policies)$129/mo ($1,542/yr)
BOP (bundled)$100/mo ($1,200/yr)
Savings with BOP: approximately $29/mo ($342/yr)
Who Should Choose GL-Only
•Home-based businesses with minimal equipment
•Online-only businesses with no physical inventory
•Very small operations with no physical location
•Businesses that already have property coverage through another policy
Who Should Choose BOP
✓Businesses with a physical location (retail, office, restaurant)
✓Any business with significant equipment (kitchen, tools, computers)
✓Businesses with inventory or build-out investment
✓Professional offices with expensive furnishings and tech
✓Contractors with a shop or storage facility
BOP Eligibility
Not all businesses qualify for a BOP. Insurers typically have eligibility criteria including: annual revenue under $5M (varies by insurer), fewer than 100 employees, premises under 25,000 sq ft, and no high-risk industry classification. Manufacturing, large-scale construction, and entertainment businesses often do not qualify and must buy separate policies.
Updated 11 April 2026