Business insurance should match what the company actually does. Derek Wiley Agency helps Roanoke-area and Virginia business owners review operations, property, liability, and vehicles.
We also look at workers, contracts, and the time it could take to recover after a covered loss.
Start with the work, not the industry label
Two companies described as “contractors” or “landscapers” can have very different risks. One may work alone and mow lawns. Another may trim trees, apply chemicals, or haul equipment. Workers, subcontractors, and contract requirements add more questions.
Those details can affect general liability, workers compensation, commercial auto, and property coverage.
They can also change class codes, limits, and exclusions.
Core parts of a business insurance review
General liability
General liability can address certain third-party injury and property-damage claims, but it does not cover every mistake or every type of work. Review it against the services the company performs, its contracts, and any exclusions or classifications in the policy.
Workers compensation
Virginia requirements can depend on the number of employees and how workers are classified. Subcontractors, seasonal help, and job-site work can also create questions. Calling someone a 1099 contractor does not settle the insurance issue by itself.
Commercial property and lost income
A review may include buildings, tenant improvements, tools, and equipment.
Inventory, records, and other business personal property may matter too. The review should also consider how long the company could operate after a covered property loss and what expenses would continue during the interruption.
Commercial auto
A personal vehicle can become part of the business exposure when it carries workers or tools to paid jobs. The same concern applies to equipment, trailers, and materials. The declarations page may list the truck, but the stated use and the policy terms still matter.
What to bring to the review
- Current policies, declarations, endorsements, and certificates.
- A plain description of the company’s services and recent jobs.
- Employee, subcontractor, payroll, and seasonal-work details.
- Vehicle, driver, equipment, property, and inventory information.
- Contracts, lease requirements, and certificates requested by customers or vendors.
- A realistic estimate of how long the business could be interrupted after a covered loss.
Related reviews may include general liability, workers compensation, or commercial auto. Commercial property and commercial umbrella insurance may also belong in the discussion.
Hear business owners describe the questions that changed their insurance review.
Business insurance questions worth asking
What business insurance does my company need?
Start with the company’s actual work, people, vehicles, and property. Contracts and revenue can change the exposure too. A service company with employees and trucks raises different questions than a home-based consultant. The final answer depends on the business and its policy terms, along with applicable law and underwriting.
Is general liability enough for a business?
Often, no. General liability addresses certain third-party claims, but it may not answer questions involving employees or vehicles. Professional mistakes and cyber events can require a separate review. The same is true for company property and lost income after a covered property loss.
Do subcontractors or 1099 workers affect workers compensation?
They can. A tax label does not decide every workers compensation question. Virginia law and the working relationship may matter. So may contractor tiers, certificates, and the insurer’s audit rules. Review the arrangement with the agency and qualified legal or tax advisers when needed.
Does personal auto insurance cover a vehicle used for business?
It depends on the work, the vehicle, and how often it is used for business. Who drives it and the policy wording matter too. Hauling equipment or a trailer to paid jobs can raise different questions than commuting to an office. Describe the use before assuming a personal policy is enough.
When should a business review its insurance?
Review it when the company adds services, workers, vehicles, or equipment. New property or contracts can also change the exposure. So can a new location or a large change in revenue. Do not wait for the annual renewal if the operation has already changed.
Reviewed by Derek Wiley, agency owner and former claims adjuster. Last reviewed September 5, 2026.
Business sources: Virginia SCC Commercial Insurance Guide and Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission guidance for employers.
Request a strategy call
If the company has changed or the current policies have never been compared with the work being done now, start with a strategy call.
