Business insurance in Lake George

Published by Ibrahim Afyon, RSSA® New York–licensed P&C agent and broker · NPN 21711447 · Clifton Park, NY

What's different about insuring a business in Lake George

• The season. Warren County describes the village as a hub for tourism, with shops and restaurants along Route 9, that quiets down considerably in winter. Payroll, liquor sales and stock all peak in summer, so the policy should be written for the peak, and a closed season needs to be on the application. See restaurant and bar insurance, liquor liability and retail shops.
• Canada Street buildings. Canada Street is the main thoroughfare through the village, and the commercial district encourages apartments on the upper floors. In a mixed-use building, your lease, the landlord's policy and yours each need to say who covers what; commercial property and a business owners policy are where that starts.
• The Town business license. The Town of Lake George's yearly business or occupation license application asks for proof of workers' compensation and disability coverage, or the CE-200 form if you have no employees.
• Boat rentals and marinas. Renting, leasing or chartering vessels of any type, running a boat launch, or offering rides or instruction for a fee makes a business a Class A marina under Lake George Park Commission rules, and the Commission requires renters to see its safety video. General liability excludes boats rented to others, so this needs marina or watercraft liability written for it.
• Motels, cottages and restaurant docks. Docks used only by registered guests or by diners are outside the marina definition, but they are still a liability exposure your carrier should know about, along with any boats or kayaks you lend.
• Short-term rentals. The Town of Lake George requires a Residential Rental Permit for stays of 30 days or less, with proof of insurance and a Warren County fire inspection; Bolton and Warrensburg have their own permit rules. See landlord and short-term rental insurance.

What Lake George businesses carry

Required by New York

Workers' compensation from the first employee, seasonal staff included, and DBL and Paid Family Leave once someone has worked for you 30 days in a calendar year. Business vehicles need commercial auto.

Required by your landlord and clients

General liability naming them as additional insured, or a business owners policy that packages liability with property and lost income for a shop, motel office or small restaurant.

Worth adding

Cyber for card payments and online bookings, employment practices liability for a seasonal crew, a commercial umbrella above general liability and liquor liability, and flood insurance if FEMA's map puts your address in a flood zone, since commercial property policies exclude flood.

By industry

• Restaurants and bars, liquor liability, food trucks
• Gift and retail shops, convenience stores and gas stations, salons
• Contractors and trades, landscapers, cleaning services that turn over rentals
• Short-term and long-term rentals

How I quote a Lake George business

A short conversation about what you do, when you're open and what your lease requires; quotes from several carriers with what each leaves out, side by side; certificates usually the same day once you choose; and one number afterward for certificates, audits and claims. My office is in Clifton Park, and I meet owners at their business, at the office, or by phone or video. The business gap check takes three minutes. Down the road: business insurance in Glens Falls and Queensbury.

Turning 65, or helping a parent with Medicare? Medicare help in Lake George and Warrensburg; there's no fee for Medicare plan help.