What information do I need for a BOP quote in Texas?
By Mark Melliand, owner, Melliand Insurance Agency · 13 years as an independent agent · Published October 25, 2026
The short answer: To start a business owner’s policy (BOP) quote, have these ready:
- your business name
- what your business does
- where it operates
- approximate annual revenue
- number of employees
- whether you own or lease your space
A more complete quote usually needs details about your premises, the value of your business property, information about business income, your prior insurance and claims history, and any lease or contract requirements.
What’s needed varies by insurer, type of business and location. Not every applicant is asked for every item, and providing information doesn’t guarantee eligibility. Requesting a quote does not bind coverage.
This guide covers information for a quote. For what a BOP covers, see our guide to what a business owner’s policy covers and what requires separate coverage. If you’re not sure a BOP is the right fit, see choosing between a BOP and standalone general liability insurance.
What’s needed at each stage
| To start | For a more complete quote | May be requested later |
|---|---|---|
| Business name and any DBA; type of business; state and ZIP code; approximate annual revenue; number of employees; whether you own or lease | Each location’s address; description of all operations, including work away from the premises; date business started; square footage and occupancy; building details; property values; business income information; desired effective date, limits and deductibles | Current declarations page; loss runs; lease or contract insurance provisions; supplemental questionnaires for certain operations; inspection or photos |
Business and operations
Commercial applications commonly ask for the following (ACORD 125 overview, Merchants Insurance Group, illustrative):
- Business identity. The named insured as it should appear on the policy, any DBA, and the business entity type.
- Locations. Each premises address, and whether you own or lease each one.
- Operations. A description of operations detailed enough to classify each one.
- History. The date the business started.
- Size. Annual revenue, full- and part-time employees, and the area occupied.
One insurer’s quote guidance also lists owner experience, gross annual sales, payroll and subcontractor costs (Progressive Commercial, general guidance).
Describe all of your operations, including work done at customers’ locations or off-site. Our general liability quote guide explains these liability-related items in more detail.
Premises
Insurers may ask about your space even if you’re not insuring the building. Information about the premises is used to evaluate the risk. It isn’t the same as a request to insure the building. Tenants aren’t automatically required to buy building coverage; check what your lease requires.
Information commonly requested
- Use of the space. Whether you own or lease it, the square footage you occupy, and what the rest of the building is used for (ACORD 125 overview; Progressive Commercial).
- Building details. Construction type, year built and number of stories (ACORD 140 overview, illustrative).
- Protective safeguards. Burglar and fire alarms and sprinklers (ACORD 140 overview). One insurer notes that building construction and safety features can affect price (Progressive Commercial).
If you don’t know your building’s details, ask your landlord or property manager.
Property
What to list
- Business personal property. Equipment, furniture, fixtures, computers and inventory.
- Tenant improvements and betterments. Improvements you paid for in a leased space, such as built-in counters or finish-out.
- Building. Only if you own it, or your lease requires you to insure it.
- Property away from your premises. Property used or stored off-site, or in transit.
- Seasonal changes. Mention it if your inventory rises at certain times of year.
Choosing values. Ask your agent which valuation basis and insurance limits are appropriate for each category of property. Replacement cost and actual cash value are different (Texas Department of Insurance). Accounting book values, property tax assessments and market values should not automatically be used as insurance replacement-cost estimates.
Business income
Business income is commonly defined as net income (net profit or loss) plus normal continuing operating expenses, subject to the policy’s terms. It is not simply annual revenue. Payroll treatment and other covered expenses can vary (Travelers, general guidance; Risk & Insurance Education Alliance).
An insurer or agent may ask for:
- recent revenue and expense figures, or a profit-and-loss statement
- which operating expenses would continue during a shutdown, such as rent and payroll, and how the proposed policy treats them
- how long it would realistically take to reopen after serious damage
For some businesses, a business income worksheet or a more detailed discussion may help estimate an appropriate amount (IRMI). A worksheet supports that discussion; it doesn’t automatically determine the appropriate coverage amount (Risk & Insurance Education Alliance).
Prior insurance, limits and requirements
- Current or prior policies. Your declarations page, prior insurers and policy periods (ACORD 125 overview).
- Claims history. Insurers commonly ask about prior claims for the period the insurer requests (ACORD 125 overview; Progressive Commercial). A loss run report from your current or prior insurer shows your claims history.
- Coverage choices. Your desired effective date, liability limits and deductibles.
- Requirements. Lease or customer contract insurance requirements, including requests for additional insured status, waiver of subrogation or primary and noncontributory wording. Send the exact language. Our commercial lease guide explains how to review lease requirements.
- Interested parties. Additional interests such as a mortgage holder, lender or equipment lessor (Progressive Commercial).
- Other exposures. Exposures that may need separate underwriting or coverage, such as commercial auto, workers’ compensation, professional liability or liquor. See our BOP coverage guide.
If your business is new
A new business may not have prior policies, loss runs or a full year of financial results. In that case:
- Provide realistic estimates of revenue, payroll and expenses for the coming year, and tell your agent they’re estimates.
- Share relevant experience you have in this line of work.
- Explain your planned operations, location and opening date.
Insurers vary in how they treat new businesses, and preparing this information doesn’t guarantee eligibility.
Sharing information safely
Don’t send Social Security numbers, bank or card numbers, or other sensitive identifiers through ordinary email or a website form. If an insurer needs sensitive information, ask your agent for a secure way to provide it.
Information checklist
To start
- Business name and any DBA
- Type of business and description of operations
- State and ZIP code
- Approximate annual revenue and number of employees
- Whether you own or lease your space
For a more complete quote
- Each location’s address, square footage and what you use it for
- Building construction, year built and safety features (ask your landlord if needed)
- Property values for equipment, furniture, inventory and improvements, on the valuation basis your agent recommends
- Business income information: revenue, continuing expenses and realistic reopening time
- Desired effective date, limits and deductibles
May be requested later
- Current declarations page
- Loss runs
- Lease or contract insurance provisions
- Supplemental questionnaires for specific operations
Questions to ask Mark before you submit
- Is my business likely to be a fit for a BOP, or should I consider other options?
- Which valuation basis and limits should I use for my property?
- How should I estimate business income for my business?
- What does my lease or contract require, and can those requirements be met?
- Which exposures, such as auto, workers’ compensation or professional liability, need separate coverage?
Ready to start?
The online BOP quote request asks for your name, business name, contact details, type of business, state and ZIP code, approximate annual revenue, number of employees and the coverages you’re interested in. You can also add notes. Mark may follow up for the additional information described above.
Melliand Insurance Agency is an independently operated insurance agency affiliated with Premier Group Insurance (PGI), a nationwide agency network. Availability of any coverage depends on the insurer’s underwriting. Requesting a quote does not bind coverage.
Request a business owner’s policy quote →, call (972) 346-4666, or email melliandinsurance@gmail.com. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Central. There is no walk-in office. In-person visits are available by appointment at your home or business throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area.
References
Texas regulator
- Texas Department of Insurance, Commercial property insurance guide
Application form overviews (illustrative; insurers use their own applications)
- Merchants Insurance Group, ACORD 125: Commercial insurance application
- Merchants Insurance Group, ACORD 140: Property section
Insurer guidance (general descriptions, not policy terms)
- Progressive Commercial, Getting a business insurance quote
- The Hartford, What are insurance loss runs?
- Travelers, Understanding business income coverage
Industry references
- Risk & Insurance Education Alliance, Business income insurance: asking the right questions
- IRMI, Business income worksheet
This guide is general information, not a statement of coverage, eligibility or price. Insurers set their own application requirements. Requesting a quote does not bind coverage.