Business Owner's Policy —
the Smart Starting Point
for Small Business Insurance.
A BOP bundles the three coverages most small businesses need into one policy — usually for less than buying them separately. If you have a business, a location, and customers, this is likely where your insurance program starts.
What Is a Business Owner's Policy
Three coverages. One policy. One lower price.
A BOP is a package deal. Instead of buying three separate insurance policies, you get them bundled together at a discount. Here's exactly what's inside:
General Liability
Pays for injuries or property damage your business causes to other people — a customer who slips and falls, a client's property accidentally damaged, a lawsuit from your advertising. Legal defense costs are included even when a claim is unfounded.
Commercial Property
Covers your physical assets — your building or leased space, equipment, furniture, and inventory — if they're damaged by fire, storm, theft, or other covered events. Your landlord's policy does not cover what's inside your space.
Business Interruption
If a covered loss forces you to temporarily close — a fire, burst pipe, or storm damage — this replaces the income you're losing while the doors are shut. Keeps your rent, payroll, and ongoing bills covered during recovery.
equals
The Result
Your Business Owner's Policy
All three in a single policy — one renewal date, one payment, and a lower combined premium than buying them separately. Most small businesses start here, then add workers' comp, commercial auto, and any specialty coverages their operation requires.
The Texas Department of Insurance recommends BOPs for small businesses because the bundled price is almost always lower than buying the same coverages separately. The average BOP in Texas runs around $877/year.
Not sure if a BOP is right for your business? Call us at 817.277.6166 and we'll tell you in five minutes whether a BOP fits your situation — and what the right program looks like if it doesn't.
Who Qualifies for a BOP
BOPs are designed for small and medium-sized businesses with a physical presence.
Not every business qualifies — BOPs are specifically designed for smaller operations. Carriers look at your industry, annual revenue, number of employees, and the size and value of your property. Most of the businesses we work with qualify, and it's almost always the most cost-effective starting point for a complete insurance program.
Good fit for a BOP:
- ✓Restaurants, cafes, and food service businesses
- ✓Retail shops and storefronts
- ✓Professional offices — accountants, consultants, real estate
- ✓Small contractors and service businesses with a fixed location
- ✓Salons, gyms, and personal service businesses
- ✓Small landlords and property owners
- ✓Landscaping companies with a shop or yard
- ✓Most businesses with under $5M in annual revenue
When a BOP may not be the right fit
Larger businesses with complex operations, significant payroll, or higher revenue may need individually structured policies rather than a BOP package. Some industries — heavy construction, manufacturing, transportation — have specialized risk profiles that standard BOP programs aren't built to handle. We'll tell you upfront if your business falls outside BOP eligibility and what the right structure looks like instead.
What can be added to a BOP
A BOP is a starting point, not a complete program on its own. Most businesses add workers' compensation, commercial auto, and one or two specialty coverages on top of the BOP base. We help you figure out what belongs in the stack and find the best combined pricing across all of it.
Why Get Your BOP Through McKnight
BOP pricing varies significantly by carrier. Most business owners don't know that.
BOPs are one of the most price-competitive products in commercial insurance — which means the difference between a well-shopped policy and one you grabbed from the first name you recognized can be hundreds of dollars a year. Every carrier prices BOPs differently based on your industry classification, your location, your claim history, and the specific coverages you need.
As an independent agency we represent 100+ carriers and shop your BOP across all of them. When a carrier raises your rate at renewal, we can go back to the market on your behalf instead of just presenting you with an increase and a shrug.
"A BOP from one carrier and a BOP from another can look identical on paper and be priced very differently — especially in Texas, where property risk and storm history both factor into rates. Shopping it matters more than most business owners realize."
100+ carriers — real comparison shopping
Not tied to one company. We find the BOP that prices your business correctly and covers what you actually need.
Same-day certificates of insurance
Need proof of coverage for a lease, a new client, or a contract today? We turn COIs around same day.
Re-shopped at every renewal
When rates go up, we go back to the market for you instead of just presenting you with an increase.
Real answers when you call
817.277.6166, weekdays 8:30–5pm. A person who knows your policy picks up.
What a BOP Doesn't Cover
A BOP is the foundation — most businesses need more on top of it.
A BOP covers the three core exposures most small businesses share. But depending on your operation there are several things it specifically excludes — and knowing those gaps is how you build a complete program rather than a partial one.
Workers' Compensation
A BOP does not cover employee injuries. Workers' comp is a separate policy. In Texas it's not legally required for most employers — but without it, an injured employee can sue your business directly with no cap on damages.
Commercial Auto
Business vehicles are not covered by a BOP. Any vehicle your business owns or employees drive for work needs commercial auto coverage. Personal auto policies exclude business use.
Professional Liability (E&O)
If your business provides advice, consulting, or professional services, a BOP doesn't cover claims that your guidance caused a client financial harm. Professional liability is a separate policy.
Liquor Liability
If your business serves or sells alcohol, the BOP's general liability excludes alcohol-related incidents entirely. Restaurants, bars, and event venues need a separate liquor liability policy.
Flood Damage
Commercial property in a BOP excludes flood. If your business is in or near a flood-prone area, you need a separate flood policy. Texas flooding regularly affects properties outside designated flood zones.
Cyber Liability
A BOP does not cover losses from a data breach or cyber event. Cyber liability is increasingly relevant for any business with a POS system, online ordering, or stored customer data.
The bottom line: A BOP is the right starting point for most small businesses — but it's not a complete program on its own. When we build your program, we review your full operation and tell you clearly what the BOP covers, what it doesn't, and what else belongs in the stack based on how your business actually runs.
FAQ
Business Owner's Policy questions we hear all the time.
Get Started
Let's find the right BOP for your business — and build the right program around it.
Call us or request a quote. We'll shop across 100+ carriers to find the best combination of coverage and price for your operation, and tell you clearly what else belongs in your program beyond the BOP base.
McKnight Insurance Services · Mansfield, TX · Same-day certificates · Weekdays 8:30am–5pm