In-home Business Insurance

Overview — Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. In-home Business Insurance

Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers an In-home Business Insurance program designed for small, owner-operated businesses that run from the insured’s residence. Unlike many standard homeowners policies that exclude business exposures, this program is written as a supplement to the homeowner policy so the home and the business can be insured together. Colonial General underwrites these risks as a Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus Lines broker with access to multiple markets (carriers vary).

Ideal accounts and target classes

• Owner-operated retail distribution from the home (online shops, craft sellers, direct-to-consumer product sales).
• Service professionals working from a home office (consultants, bookkeepers, designers, small IT shops) with limited or no public traffic.
• Creative and light production businesses (artists, tailors, small-scale woodworking or custom jewelry where processes and materials are low hazard).
• Accounts operated by the insured and/or immediate family with no more than three employees.

What typically fits — and what does not

Good fits are small operations with low premises exposures, limited customer visits, modest inventory stored on site, and no heavy equipment or hazardous processes. This program generally will not accept accounts that involve significant manufacturing, high customer foot traffic, regular on-site instruction/classes with many attendees, large-volume flammable storage, auto repair, or other high hazard operations.

Coverage highlights

• Business Personal Property — protection for stock, tools, and business equipment kept at the residence.
• Business Income — limited time element coverage for income interruption tied to the home business operations.
• Business General Liability — coverage for third-party bodily injury and property damage arising from business operations.
• Standard All Perils Deductible — consistent deductible structure designed to align with the packaged homeowners supplement.
• Medical Payments — for on-site medical expense payments to third parties regardless of fault.

Underwriting notes for agents

• Maximum employees: typically the insured and immediate family plus up to three employees. Verify payroll and employee counts on submission.
• Operations: program focuses on retail distribution or low-exposure services performed at or from the home. Describe production processes, materials, and any flammable or hazardous substances used.
• Premises exposures: photos of the work area, description of customer access and parking, and any fire or safety protections are commonly requested.
• Loss history: submit prior loss runs when available — underwriting reviews frequency and severity closely on home-business risks.
• Carrier placement: markets vary by class and state; some territories have admitted capacity while others are placed on a non-admitted/E&S basis (see availability below).

Territories and availability

This program is available in AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, and WY. Admitted capacity is available in some markets; other placements may be handled on an Excess & Surplus basis depending on the class and state. Because carriers and admitted status vary, submit early or contact Colonial General underwriting to confirm placement options for a specific state and class.

Why work with Colonial General on in-home business accounts

Colonial General focuses on small, home-based businesses and understands how to package business coverages with homeowner exposures without forcing a separate commercial property policy. The program streamlines placement for common home business classes, offers tailored limits for personal property and liability, and gives agents flexible access to admitted and non-admitted markets. For borderline or nonstandard situations, Colonial General’s MGA/E&S capabilities can help find an appropriate market.

Quick example scenarios

• Example A — An Etsy artisan sells handcrafted goods online and stores finished inventory in a garage workroom. The owner wants coverage for stock, tools, and limited liability for buyer visits. This program can provide business personal property and liability coverage as a supplement to the homeowner policy.
• Example B — A freelance bookkeeper works from a home office, has no in-person client traffic, and needs professional liability and business income protection for computer equipment and records. The program accommodates low-exposure office services operated from the residence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.