Security Guard Insurance Policy Information
Security Guard Insurance. If you're the owner and operator of an security guard company, you and your team provide an invaluable service for the people and institutions that you serve. You're tasked with the responsibility of protecting the facilities and individuals from various types of threats; vandalism and theft, for example.
Though you make every effort to ensure that you and your staff are properly attending to your responsibilities, there's always a chance that something could go wrong.
Security operations evaluate clients' needs for fire and burglary protection, develop a security plan, implement it, and monitor it as agreed to by the client. Security plans may be as simple as construction of physical barriers to prevent access to the client's premises, or as sophisticated as using biometrics and electronic surveillance equipment to detect intruders.
The security service provided may include random drive-by security patrols, guards stationed at clients' premises, or alarms and security systems, including monitoring from a central station and responding to calls. Some security companies offer more extensive threat analysis and prevention services, such as procedures and systems to prevent crimes by employees (such as embezzlement or fraud), industrial espionage (such as theft of proprietary information), or cyberattacks.
When mishaps arise, you're legally responsible for the financial repercussions that may be associated with them. How can you protect yourself from the various risks that you face and the potential financial devastation could cause? – By investing in the right type of security guard insurance coverage.
Security guard insurance protects armed and unarmed security guards from lawsuits with rates as low as $87/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked security guard company insurance questions:
- What Is Security Guard Insurance?
- How Much Does Security Guard Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Security Guard Companies Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Security Guards Need?
- What Does Security Guard Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Security Guard Insurance?
Security Guard Insurance is a type of insurance coverage that provides financial protection for security guards and their employers.
This insurance is designed to protect against the risks associated with providing security services, such as liability for injury or damage to property, as well as covering costs related to legal fees or settlements if a security guard is sued. The insurance covers the security guard, their employer, and the property or assets being protected.
Security Guard Insurance is an essential coverage for security companies and security guards working in high-risk environments.
How Much Does Security Guard Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small security businesses ranges from $87 to $129 per month based on location, size, payroll, sales and experience.
Why Do Security Guard Companies Need Insurance?
As the operator of a company that provides security guard services, you face a number of unique risks. You are responsible for the facilities and individuals you are hired to protect. You are also responsible for your employees, your commercial property, and much more. But you never know when something could go wrong.
For example, though you make sure your guards are properly trained, a mistake can happen or an oversight could occur, leading to the damage of a client's property. An employee could suffer a work-related injury and require medical care and be unable to work while recovering. The commercial property that you operate your agency out of could be involved in a fire and significant damage could occur.
In any of these situations, as the owner and operator of your security guard company, you are legally responsible for any financial repercussions that are associated with any mishaps that may arise.
The cost of those expenses could be astronomical. Could you afford to cover them yourself? Even if you could, it's likely that they'd have long-lasting effects and could likely even result in the loss of your business.
With the right type of security guard insurance coverage, expenses related to mishaps would be covered by your insurance company. In other words, you wouldn't have to bear the burden alone.
In addition to the financial security insurance provides, you're legally required to carry certain types of coverage. If you fail to, you could end up facing serious ramifications, including hefty fines and possibly even legal trouble.
What Type Of Insurance Do Security Guards Need?
The type of security guard insurance required varies and depends on several factors; where your operations are located, the size of your business, and what type of properties and entities you protect. The best way to find out exactly what type of coverage you need is by speaking with an agent that's experienced in insuring organizations like yours.
With that said, however, there are certain types of coverage that you'll need to carry. Examples include:
- Commercial General Liability - This coverage covers the cost of third-party liability claims; claims that are related to both personal injury and property damage. For instance, if a client or a vendor suffers an injury while visiting your commercial property and files a lawsuit against you, commercial general liability insurance will cover the associated legal expenses, as well as any amounts that you may be required to pay out to the plaintiff.
- Professional Liability - In addition to general liability, you'll also need professional liability coverage. Also known as errors and omissions or "E&O insurance, this policy covers any lawsuits that may be filed against as a result of negligence or errors on behalf of your company. For instance, if one of your security guards falls asleep on the job, the property they're supposed to be protecting is vandalized or broken into, and the client takes legal action, an E&O policy would cover any related expenses.
- Commercial Auto - You'll also need to cover any vehicles that your company uses for work-related purposes. If any of your vehicles are involved in an accident, this policy will help to pay for repairs to the property of other drivers that may have been impacted by the accident. It will also cover medical care for any injuries that other motorists may sustain.
- Workers' Compensation - This policy covers the cost of medical care, lost wages, and other expenses that are related to injuries or illnesses that your employees may sustain while they're on the job.
These are just some of the types of security guard insurance coverages that should be in pace. Other coverage options might include inland marine and commercial umbrella insurance.
Security Guards Risks & Exposures
Premises liability exposures are limited at the office location due to lack of public access. Off-premises exposure is extensive. Depending on services offered, the potential for causing either bodily injury or property damage may be considerable, particularly if the security company responds to alarms and employees carry weapons. Background checks, monitoring, and supervision of all employees are required.
Guards must be careful not to infringe on the lawful rights of others. Personal injury exposures include breach of confidentiality of client information, libel, slander, wrongful detainment, trespass, and invasion of privacy. These may fall under the professional liability coverage.
Professional liability exposure is high due to the protection offered to clients for their safety and security. If a fire or burglary loss should occur, the security agency could be held liable for failing in its professional duty to the client. Personal injury hazards include assertions of invasion of privacy, wrongful detention, or unreasonable use of force. The commitments and promises made by the security company should be reviewed and evaluated.
If the security service carries firearms, all federal, state, and local statutes must be followed. Training, supervision, and monitoring are crucial. There should be a written contract with each client, explaining services and offering advice. These agreements must be signed by the client, including acknowledgments of services that were recommended and not taken.
Workers compensation exposure is high. Stress-related illnesses arise periodically due to the serious nature of the work. Guards work alone in dark areas that may be targeted by burglars. There should be check-in procedures, instruction, and training on how to handle trespassers and emergency situations. While responding to alarms, employees may be injured in automobile accidents, threatened, or physically attacked by intruders who may be carrying weapons.
If guards use vehicles, they must have training in proper evasive maneuvers. Any firearm use by employees must be permitted only after there is extensive training and periodic recertification. Without firm procedures regarding firearm ownership, handling, and storage, hazards may increase dramatically.
Property exposures are generally limited to those of an office. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, heating, and air conditioning systems. If alarm or monitoring service is provided, electrical systems must meet current codes and be able to support the load from computer equipment and communication devices at all the monitoring stations. As monitoring must be constant, additional backup and maintenance equipment may be needed to keep the equipment and devices operational around the clock every day of the year.
If vehicles are stored and maintained on the premises, the fire exposure increases due to flammables including lubricants, oils, degreasers, and solvents. These must be properly labeled, stored, and separated from one another. Computers and related equipment may be targets for theft.
Extra expense exposures are high if service contracts and agreements require that the clients' alarms be monitored constantly. Contingency plans, contracts, and arrangements should be in place to provide for a seamless relocation if a loss disables the monitoring location.
Equipment breakdown exposures include breakdown losses to the computers and monitoring equipment, electrical control panels, and other apparatus.
Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty, including theft of customers' property as guards and employees responding to calls often have open access to customers' premises. Hazards increase in the absence of procedures and monitoring of the insured's workers who may have such access. Background checks of all employees must include verification of criminal records, education, and employment background.
Inland marine exposures are from accounts receivable if the company offers credit, computers, mobile equipment, and valuable papers and records for clients' reports and contracts with reviews of the customers' security needs. Mobile equipment includes radios, base station, walkie-talkies, and other items carried by guards or in their vehicles. Surveillance equipment is highly sophisticated, sensitive and a target for theft. All equipment must be secured and locked up when not in use.
Hazards may increase in the absence of procedures to ensure proper accounting of all equipment. Power failure and power surges are potentially severe hazards, especially if alarm or monitoring services are offered. Duplicates of all records must be made and kept off site.
Business auto exposures can be extensive if mobile patrols are offered. All drivers must be licensed with acceptable MVRs. All vehicles must be well maintained with documentation kept in a central location. If the service responds to alarms, the warranties and guarantees provided to clients concerning response time should enable employees to respond without having to break or disobey any traffic laws. If company vehicles are supplied for use by employees, there should be written procedures regarding personal use by those employees and their family members.
What Does Security Guard Insurance Cover & Pay For?
Security guards can be sued for various reasons, including negligence, false arrest, assault and battery, and invasion of privacy. Insurance policies, specifically security guard liability insurance, can help protect them from the financial consequences of these lawsuits. Here are some examples:
Negligence: If a security guard fails to perform their duties properly, leading to injury or damage to property, they can be sued for negligence. Liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal fees, court costs, and any settlements or judgments awarded to the plaintiff.
False arrest: A security guard may be sued for false arrest if they detain someone without sufficient cause or legal authority. Insurance can help pay for the legal defense and any compensation awarded to the person who was falsely arrested.
Assault and battery: If a security guard uses excessive force, causing injury to a person, they can be sued for assault and battery. Liability insurance can help cover the cost of legal defense and any damages awarded to the plaintiff.
Invasion of privacy: Security guards may be sued for invasion of privacy if they engage in actions such as unauthorized surveillance or disclosure of personal information. Insurance can help pay for the legal defense and any damages awarded to the person whose privacy was violated.
In all these cases, insurance can help protect security guards and their employers from the financial consequences of lawsuits by covering legal fees, court costs, and any settlements or judgments. It is important to have an appropriate insurance policy in place to ensure adequate protection for security guards and their employers.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 7381 Detective, Guard, and Armored Car Services
- NAICS CODE: 561612 Security Guards and Patrol Services
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 7720 Police Officers & Drivers
Description for 7381: Detective, Guard, and Armored Car Services
Division I: Services | Major Group 73: Business Services | Industry Group 738: Miscellaneous Business Services
7381: Detective, Guard, and Armored Car Services: Establishments primarily engaged in providing detective, guard, and armored car services.
- Armored car service
- Detective agencies
- Dogs, rental of: for protective service
- Fingerprint service
- Guard service
- Investigators, private
- Lie detection service
- Polygraph service
- Protective service, guard
- Security guard service
Security Guard Insurance - The Bottom Line
To learn more and ensure that your security guard company is properly protected, speak to an experienced insurance broker about your specific needs.
Additional Resources For Miscellaneous Insurance
Find informative articles on miscellaneous businesses including the types of commercial insurance they need, costs and other considerations.
- Adult Daycare
- Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
- Bail Agent
- Camp
- Cemetery
- Control of Well
- Electric Utilities
- Employment / Staffing Agency
- Enameling
- Engraving Business
- Facility Support Services
- Logging
- Mail Order
- Oil And Gas Lease
- Personal Concierge
- Photofinishing Lab
- Pollution
- Portable Sanitation
- Private Water Districts
- Process Server
- Refinery
- RV Parks & Campgrounds
- Security Guard
- Surety Bonds
- Taxidermy
- Waste Disposal Landfill
- Wedding Planner
- Specialty Accident And Sickness / AD&D
- Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides
- Specialty Auctions And Farmers Markets
- Specialty Business Risks
- Specialty Communication
- Specialty Design
- Specialty Drugs And Alcohol
- Specialty Employee Protection
- Specialty Energy
- Specialty Environmental Risks
- Specialty Firearm And Shooting
- Specialty Hazardous Materials
- Specialty Health Risks
- Specialty Machinery And Tools
- Specialty Merchandise
- Specialty Mobile And Modular Homes
- Specialty Motorcycle Risks
- Specialty Natural Disasters
- Specialty Oil And Chemical
- Specialty Prize Indemnification
- Specialty Programs
- Specialty Railroad
- Specialty Security Risks And Equipment
- Specialty Substandard Risks
- Specialty Travel
- Specialty Weather Related
Businesses need insurance for several reasons. Firstly, insurance protects businesses from potential financial losses that may result from unexpected events, such as accidents, natural disasters, or lawsuits. This financial protection can help businesses recover from unexpected events and continue to operate.
Secondly, business insurance can provide businesses with liability protection. This means that if a business is sued for damages or injuries that occurred on their property or as a result of their products or services, the insurance company will cover the legal costs and damages. Without insurance, businesses may have to pay these costs out of pocket, which can be financially devastating.
Thirdly, commercial insurance can also provide businesses with peace of mind. When businesses have insurance, they can focus on running and growing their business without constantly worrying about potential financial losses or legal issues.
Finally, business insurance can also be a requirement for certain businesses. For example, many businesses that work with the government or large corporations may be required to have certain types of insurance in order to do business with them.
In conclusion, businesses need insurance for financial protection, liability protection, peace of mind, and to meet certain requirements. It is an important aspect of running a successful business and can help ensure the long-term stability and growth of the company.
