After quoting thousands of Dallas businesses, we see the same mistakes over and over. Here are the five most common — and how to avoid them.
The lowest premium often means the lowest coverage. Cheap policies come with exclusions that leave you exposed when you actually need to file a claim. A $500 savings on premium can cost you $50,000 in uncovered claims.
Fix: Compare coverage, not just price. Ask your agent to explain every exclusion.
A $300K GL policy might seem fine until a serious injury claim comes in at $500K. Most Dallas landlords and GCs require $1M/$2M minimums. Going under means you can't sign leases or win contracts.
Fix: Carry at least $1M/$2M GL. Add a commercial umbrella for catastrophic protection — it's surprisingly affordable.
Texas doesn't require it, so many business owners skip it. But one workplace injury lawsuit can bankrupt a small business. See our full article: Texas Workers Comp: Do You Really Need It?
Fix: If you have employees, get workers comp. The cost is almost always less than one lawsuit.
Captive agents (State Farm, Allstate, etc.) can only quote one carrier. If that carrier raises rates, you're stuck. Independent agents shop 30+ carriers to find the best deal every year.
Fix: Use an independent agency. Re-shop at every renewal.
Dallas business owners often don't realize their commercial property has a percentage-based wind/hail deductible. A 2% deductible on a $1M building means $20,000 out of pocket.
Fix: Ask your agent: "What is my wind/hail deductible in dollars?" Read our guide: Wind and Hail Deductibles Explained.
Request a free policy review and we'll check your coverage for gaps. No cost, no obligation.