Business insurance in Washington County

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 Washington County

• Dairy and farms. The County calls dairy the backbone of its agricultural economy, alongside beef, field crops, maple syrup and apples, and a growing equine industry tied to Saratoga. Farm vehicles on the road need the right auto cover, and boarding or training other people's horses is an exposure a standard policy may not include.
• Agritourism. Many farms are open to the public, with Maple Weekend, the Cheese Tour, the Fiber Tour and the Craft Beverage Trail bringing visitors, and farm stands and farmers markets across the county. Visitors, events and sales to the public add premises and product liability.
• Cheese, cider and tasting rooms. Making a product adds product liability; pouring or selling drinks adds liquor liability under the Dram Shop Act.
• Mills, machine shops and quarries. The County lists manufacturers of paper and wood products, furniture, masonry, medical devices, batteries and industrial fabrication, and clusters in paper, machining and stone quarrying. Manufacturers need product liability and equipment breakdown; equipment moved between sites belongs on inland marine, and trucks on commercial auto or trucking cover.
• People working for themselves. The County describes itself as one of the most entrepreneurial counties in the state, with self-employment above the state average. The first hire starts workers' comp and, after 30 days in a calendar year, DBL and Paid Family Leave. New LLC? See business insurance for a new LLC.
• County building permits and filings. In towns that use the County, building permits come from the County after your town or village signs off (some villages and towns issue their own), and assumed-name certificates are filed with the County Clerk in Fort Edward. Contractors carry Scaffold Law exposure on every roof; see contractor insurance.

What Washington County businesses carry

Required by New York

Workers' compensation from the first employee, seasonal farm and shop help 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, buyers 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, studio or small restaurant. Wholesale buyers and markets usually ask for certificates.

Worth adding

Commercial property at replacement cost for barns, mills and old village buildings, flood insurance if FEMA's map puts your address in a flood zone, since commercial property excludes flood, cyber for online sales, and a commercial umbrella above general liability and auto.

Towns

Town pages: Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, Greenwich and Cambridge, Granville, Whitehall and Fort Ann. I work with businesses in all 17 towns: Argyle, Cambridge, Dresden, Easton, Fort Ann, Fort Edward, Granville, Greenwich, Hampton, Hartford, Hebron, Jackson, Kingsbury, Putnam, Salem, White Creek and Whitehall, and the villages in them. Just across the county line: business insurance in Glens Falls and Queensbury.

How I quote a Washington County business

A short conversation about everything the business does, from the barn to the farm stand; quotes from several carriers with what each leaves out, side by side; and once you choose and the policies are in force, I get you the certificates, usually the same day. My office is in Clifton Park; I meet owners at their business, at the office or by phone or video. The business gap check takes three minutes. Next door: business insurance in Warren County.

Turning 65, or helping a parent with Medicare? Medicare help in Washington County; there's no fee for Medicare plan help.