Weather
The impact of weather on businesses is more complex than you might think. Weather obviously affects outdoor operations that depend on fair weather — for example, events like fairs, festivals, concerts, sporting events or filming.

Employment practices
This kind of coverage will help defend against employment-related claims such as sexual harassment, age discrimination, or wrongful termination. Some policies offer legal assistance; others may pay both legal costs and damages.

Deregulation
Under Washington state law known as “use-and-file,” commercial property/casualty contracts negotiated between insurers and businesses may go into effect immediately. The policy itself can be filed for state review later.

Stand-Alone Prescription
This plan type provides prescription-drug coverage, which generally means the insured person can obtain prescription drugs at a set price of a few dollars, but does not include any other coverage.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Long-term-disability plans provide income for an individual who cannot work because of an illness, disease, or non-occupational injury. Most plans require that the individual be a full-time employee for at least one year before the disability coverage applies.

Umbrella policy
Umbrella policies provide additional liability coverage after the limits of your underlying policy are reached.

Workers' compensation
Most employers are required by law to provide workers' compensation insurance through a state system operated by the Department of Labor & Industries. Worker comp pays an employee's medical expenses and provides some income replacement when a worker is injured on the job.

Business interruption
If you're unable to run your business due to a covered peril (fire, storm damage, vandalism and so on), business interruption insurance will replace lost income, pay ongoing expenses and pay costs involved in getting you set up in a temporary facility.

Automobile
If you own and operate commercial vehicles, you should make sure that your fleet is appropriately insured. If business use of a vehicle is minimal and limited to your personal vehicle, the necessary coverage can probably be included in your personal policy. Best bet: Check with your agent to be sure.

Indemnity
Indemnity plans are also referred to as “fee-for-service.” Unlike managed-care plans, indemnity plans allow absolute freedom in selecting physicians or medical facilities and permit self-referral to a specialist.