Business
Small business insurance in NY and NJ.
Business insurance from Kelly Qu Agency covers the four-policy stack most NYC and NJ small businesses actually need: a Business Owners' Policy (BOP), commercial auto, workers' compensation, and umbrella liability — all written through Allstate and adjacent commercial carriers, by a local agent who speaks your team's language.
Industries we write most often in NYC and NJ
- Restaurants, bakeries, cafés, food trucks
- Construction subcontractors and general contractors (Scaffold Law–aware policies)
- Home health, in-home care, and adult day services
- Professional services (CPAs, attorneys, consultants) — including E&O
- Retail storefronts, salons, and boutique fitness
- E-commerce warehouses across Queens, Bronx, and northern NJ
- Trucking, livery, last-mile delivery — TLC compliance and DOT filings
Frequently asked questions
What's a Business Owners' Policy (BOP)? +
A BOP bundles general liability + commercial property + business interruption into one policy at a discount versus buying them separately. It's the standard starter policy for most small businesses with under $1M revenue.
Do I need workers' comp in NY or NJ? +
Yes in both states once you have employees, with narrow exceptions. NY requires it from your first employee, including part-time, in nearly every industry. NJ requires it for any employee, including part-time. We file in both.
What does general liability NOT cover? +
Professional mistakes (need Errors & Omissions / Professional Liability), employee injuries (workers' comp), employee lawsuits (Employment Practices Liability), cyber breaches (Cyber Liability), and your own commercial vehicles (Commercial Auto).
Can you insure a home-based business in NYC? +
Yes, but a Manhattan or Brooklyn homeowners / HO-6 policy almost certainly doesn't cover it adequately. We typically add an in-home business endorsement or write a small standalone BOP — depends on whether you see clients at home, hold inventory, or generate over $10K/year.
What about NYC's Scaffold Law for contractors? +
NY Labor Law §240/241 (the Scaffold Law) makes contractors strictly liable for gravity-related injuries on a job site, regardless of fault. It dramatically increases your liability exposure and your premium. We size GL and umbrella accordingly.
Want a real local agent on the phone?
We answer the phone, in English, Mandarin, and Spanish.