
Rhode Island Business Owner’s Policy Guide
In Rhode Island, test a BOP against the hazards that could close your premises: RI Emergency Management says standard property policies do not cover flood, and insurers pay only when the loss-causing hazard is insured. Ask how flood and resulting income loss would be handled before you bind.
What Is Business Owner’s Policy?
A BOP may suit an eligible small business that wants property, liability and lost-income protection together. If you also need auto, workers’ compensation or professional liability, plan for separate coverage. Read the national Business owner’s policy guide.
What to Watch for With Business Owner’s Policy in Rhode Island
Do not treat a property package as flood protection
Rhode Island Emergency Management says standard property policies do not cover flood losses. If water intrusion is a material business risk, ask for a separate flood quote and confirm whether it covers the building, contents and the income interruption you are trying to protect. 1
Match the income trigger to the hazard
RIEMA says insurers pay only when the hazard causing a loss is insured. Ask whether your business-income protection requires physical damage at your premises, what covered causes of loss apply, and whether extra expense is included or separately selected. 1
Check which notice rules apply to your policy
Rhode Island’s commercial notice regulation covers commercial property, liability and package policies, but excludes policies issued by approved surplus-lines insurers and certain commercial-special-risk policies. Ask who is issuing the policy and which cancellation or renewal provisions govern it; the regulation does not add coverage to the contract. 2
Providers With Rhode Island License Records
These providers publish a national listing for Business owner’s policy; the license records below name the licensed entities and roles. Some records rely on company-reported information rather than independent regulator verification. A national listing does not confirm the product is available in Rhode Island. Check the regulator’s license lookup and confirm state availability for your business when requesting a quote.
Corgi
Corgi Insurance Services, Inc.
Corgi’s company producer-license table lists 50 jurisdictions: 49 states and the District of Columbia, including DC license 3003091619. New Mexico does not appear in the table and is not included here; the omission does not establish that Corgi is unlicensed there. The company-reported table has no stated as-of date and does not establish product availability. 10
Corgi lists a business owner’s policy in its coverage catalog.
ERGO NEXT Insurance
Next First Insurance Agency, Inc.
ERGO NEXT’s current license table lists Next First Insurance Agency, Inc. in 50 jurisdictions, including Washington, DC; New York is excluded because its table rows name Next Insurance Services and AP Intego, not Next First. The table is company-reported; it does not establish product availability or provide state-regulator verification for each entry. 12
ERGO NEXT markets a business owner’s policy.
Hiscox
Hiscox Insurance Company Inc.
Hiscox’s U.S. company information states that Hiscox Insurance Company Inc. is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This is company-reported insurer authority for this entity and does not establish which company issues every Hiscox-branded product. 11
Hiscox offers business owner’s policies for small businesses.
Who Regulates Insurance in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation, Insurance Division
The DBR Insurance Division provides an online public verification service for producers, adjusters, surplus-lines brokers, and other licensees, and accepts insurance complaints online. Contact the Division for help determining whether it has authority over a particular policy or dispute. 3,4,5
Surplus-Lines Tax and Stamping Office in Rhode Island
Reported tax rate. 4% of net taxable premium; 2018 filing guide excludes listed broker, carrier and inspection fees 6,7
Rhode Island’s 2024 return applies 4% to net taxable premium (gross premium less returned premium); its 2018 filing guide excludes broker, carrier, and inspection fees from the base. Confirm fee treatment with the Division of Taxation if your bill separates those charges, because no newer official fee-base guidance was located.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy Business Owner’s Policy in Rhode Island
- Does the property form cover flood, and is flood-related business-income loss available under a separate policy or endorsement?
- Which business-income and extra-expense triggers apply if a covered hazard damages the premises?
- Is this an admitted commercial package or a surplus-lines/commercial-special-risk placement, and what renewal-change notices apply?
Business Owner’s Policy in Rhode Island: Frequently Asked Questions
Does the commercial notice regulation make flood or business-income coverage part of a BOP?
No. It governs notice for specified commercial policy actions; it does not create coverage. Review the declarations, causes-of-loss form and endorsements for the protection actually purchased. 2
What should I document before asking for a quote?
RIEMA recommends reviewing policies with an agent or broker against hazards that could interrupt operations. List the property, equipment and likely shutdown expenses you need to protect, then ask which insured hazard triggers each payment. 1
Business Owner’s Policy Guides for Other States
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Other coverage in Rhode IslandEvery coverage guide for Rhode Island, plus the regulator and surplus-lines details.



