Protection for the people who protect.
Coverage for private patrol operators, event security, armed and unarmed guard companies and patrol services.
Quick answer A security guard company's insurance usually combines general liability including assault and battery, professional liability, workers' comp, patrol vehicle auto coverage and bonds, often from specialty markets because many standard policies exclude assault and battery.
- Security guard companies face claims most businesses never see, including use of force, false arrest, failure to protect and injuries to guards.
- Many standard liability policies exclude assault and battery, so security firms are usually written by specialty markets that include it.
- Workers' comp is required for a security guard company's employees in California and is often the largest part of its insurance cost.
- Armed security operations generally have higher liability exposure and fewer insurance markets than unarmed operations.
- Security guard insurance underwriters rate on armed or unarmed operations, site types, payroll, contracts and claims history.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
A specialty market for a high-risk trade
Guard companies face claims most businesses never see: use of force, false arrest, failure to protect, and injuries to guards on the job. Many standard policies exclude assault and battery, so security firms are usually written by specialty markets that include it.
Clients and property managers often set detailed insurance requirements in guard contracts, and workers' comp is usually the largest cost. I package liability, workers' comp, patrol vehicles and bonds for firms licensed by California's Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
- General liabilityIncluding assault and battery, where the market allows.
- Professional liabilityClaims of failure to prevent a loss.
- Workers' compGuard injuries, usually the largest line.
- Auto and bondsPatrol vehicles and client or license bonds.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- License: BSIS private patrol operator license.
- Operations: armed or unarmed, site types and any event work.
- Payroll: guard and office payroll, and headcount.
- Contracts: client insurance requirements.
- Vehicles: patrol cars and drivers.
- History: current policies and claims.
Security guard insurance, answered
Why is security guard insurance hard to place?
Guards are exposed to confrontations, and many carriers exclude assault and battery. Specialty markets write the class with the right coverage.
Do armed guards cost more to insure?
Generally yes. Armed operations have higher liability exposure and fewer markets.
Is workers' comp required?
Yes, for employees in California. It's often the largest part of a guard company's insurance cost.
What do underwriters rate on?
Armed or unarmed, site types, payroll, contracts and claims history.
Do you offer security guard company insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. California policies are placed directly; outside California the request is handled together with a partner agency in your state, and the shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Tell me about your firm. I'll shop it.
Your license, payroll and the sites you cover are enough to start.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
Tell me how to reach you. I’ll take it from there.
Takes about 30 seconds. I review every request personally and call you back, usually the same day.
(424) 552-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
Get a reminder before your renewal.
Tell me when your policy renews and I’ll email you about six weeks before, when it’s worth comparing. One email, no calls.