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The 9 Things You Need Before Getting an Insurance Quote
Every carrier asks for the same information. If you don't have it ready, you'll abandon the form halfway through, get an inaccurate quote, or waste 30 minutes hunting down numbers. This checklist fixes that.
Your NAICS Code
A 6-digit number that classifies your industry. Carriers use it to determine your risk category and pricing tier. Search below — copy the code, paste it into your application.
Type your industry (e.g. "consulting", "restaurant", "plumbing") or a code if you know part of it.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 vintage.
Example: 541511 = Custom Computer Programming Services
Annual Revenue (Last 12 Months)
Carriers use revenue to estimate your exposure. A $500K/year consultancy faces different risks than a $5M/year one. Use your most recent tax return or accounting software for the exact number.
Tip: Projected revenue for next 12 months is also useful if you're growing fast.
Total Annual Payroll
This drives workers' compensation pricing directly. Include all W-2 employees. If you use 1099 contractors, have that number separate — some carriers treat them differently.
Where to find it: your payroll provider's year-end summary or IRS Form 941.
Employee Count by Role
Not just the total — carriers want a breakdown. Office workers, field workers, drivers, and management each carry different risk profiles. A roofing company with 10 office staff and 10 roofers gets very different pricing than 20 office workers.
Include: full-time, part-time, seasonal, and subcontractors.
Claims History (Last 5 Years)
Any claims filed against your business — general liability, workers' comp, professional liability, property. Include the date, type, amount paid, and whether it's open or closed. No claims? That's great — it usually means lower premiums.
Your current carrier can provide a loss run report — request it before you start shopping.
Current Coverage Details
If you already have insurance, have your declarations page ("dec page") handy. It shows your current carrier, policy limits, deductibles, and premium. This lets new carriers match or beat your existing coverage.
No current coverage? That's fine — just know carriers may ask why.
Lease or Contract COI Requirements
A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is proof of coverage that landlords, clients, and general contractors require. Check your lease and any active contracts — they often specify minimum coverage limits you need to carry.
Common requirement: $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate general liability.
Business Property & Equipment Value
If you own or lease equipment, inventory, or office furniture, estimate the replacement cost. This determines your commercial property insurance limits. Don't guess — underestimating means you're underinsured.
Include: computers, tools, inventory, signage, specialized equipment.
Industry-Specific Regulatory Exposures
Some industries have mandatory coverage requirements. Construction businesses need workers' comp in almost every state. Healthcare providers need malpractice insurance. Food service businesses may need liquor liability. Know what your industry requires before you quote.
Not sure? Your state's Department of Insurance website lists mandatory requirements by industry.
Ready to get quotes?
Now that you have everything ready, use our Coverage Navigator to see which coverage categories typically apply to a business like yours.