Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by Syed Sarim Naqvi
Security guard and bodyguard insurance is a package for security firms that combines general liability with assault and battery, professional liability and, for armed guards, firearms cover, and a 2025 industry guide puts a solo unarmed guard at $500 to $1,000 a year and armed guards at $1,000 to $2,000 or more. The catch is that standard liability policies often limit or exclude assault and battery claims, the one risk a security job is built around.
Key Takeaways
- Belfry Software’s 2025 guide puts solo unarmed guards at $500 to $1,000 a year, small companies of 1 to 5 guards at $1,000 to $5,000 and firms with 10+ guards at $10,000 to $25,000 or more
- Armed cover typically costs 2 to 3 times more than unarmed, according to the same guide
- ALKEME says assault and battery is often excluded from base general liability and must be added for security work
- ALKEME’s California example puts $1M/$2M general liability at $3,000 to $8,000 for a small unarmed firm
- Coverage is usually held by the company, not by individual guards, per XInsurance
What Is Security Guard Insurance?
Heffernan Insurance Brokers describes cover for private security, retail security, executive protection and event security that can include general liability, false arrest cover, assault and battery, errors and omissions, abuse and molestation and premises liability. XInsurance says the foundation is general liability for third-party bodily injury and property damage, with professional liability, workers’ compensation and specialized assault and battery cover on top. It also says standard carriers may decline cover or limit protection for security work, so a specialist is often needed.
Why Is Assault and Battery Cover Critical?
ALKEME explains that most basic liability policies sharply limit or exclude claims involving altercations, and the job of a security company involves altercations, so a policy without assault and battery language leaves a hole where risk is highest. Its advice is to check first for that wording. The Belfry guide adds that professional liability covers claims such as negligence, missed duties, poor judgment and false arrest that general liability does not always cover.
| Cover | What It Does | Key Catch |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | Bodily injury and property damage to third parties | May exclude altercations |
| Assault and battery | Claims from physical confrontations | Often must be added affirmatively |
| Professional liability (E&O) | Negligence, false arrest, failure to perform duties | Not always included in a package |
| Firearms liability | Incidents involving firearms | Required for armed teams; can double the cost |
| Commercial auto and workers’ comp | Patrol vehicles and employee injuries | Separate policies in most cases |
How Much Does It Cost?
The Belfry guide says solo unarmed guards pay $500 to $1,000 a year for basic general liability and armed guards $1,000 to $2,000 or more, small companies pay $1,000 to $5,000 and medium to large firms $10,000 to $25,000 or more. A separate Belfry article cites commercial general liability around $1,034 a year on average, firearm cover around $100 per firearm and commercial auto around $1,588 per vehicle. ALKEME’s California range for a small unarmed firm is $3,000 to $8,000, and an older broker post said start-up firms usually faced a minimum premium of $2,500 to $4,000 in 2013. The figures differ by state, headcount and armed status, and several are broker marketing, so treat them as ranges.
What Do Regulations Require?
ALKEME says California’s licensing board requires certificates showing at least $1 million of general liability per occurrence. A 2014 California bill analysis said that at the time the state required no insurance from security companies without armed guards and $500,000 for those with armed guards, and that insurance for armed guards costs more because of the risk of deadly force. The bill sought to standardize a $1 million requirement, so state rules change; check yours.
What Do Bodyguards and Executive Protection Add?
Heffernan lists executive protection and bodyguard services among the businesses that need security guard insurance, along with event security firms and independent armed guards. Heffernan’s list of tailored covers includes false arrest and abuse and molestation. The security-firm sources do not describe a separate product for individual celebrity bodyguards, so a freelance bodyguard should ask a broker whether they are covered under a client’s policy or need their own.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
- Assault and battery: confirm it is affirmatively covered and the sublimit
- Armed work: check firearms endorsements and training requirements
- Professional liability: false arrest and negligence claims
- Contract terms: clients often specify limits and additional insureds
- Vehicles and staff: add commercial auto and workers’ comp where needed
How Does This Connect to Other Cover?
Other business cover is covered in Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Explained, Professional Liability (E&O) Insurance Explained and Workers’ Compensation Insurance Explained. For celebrities see Kidnap and Ransom Insurance Explained and Risk Management Strategies for the Stars, and for patrol vehicles Commercial Auto Insurance Explained.
FAQ
Do security guards need insurance?
Companies usually carry it; individual guards are typically covered under the company’s policy.
How much does it cost?
From $500 to $1,000 for a solo unarmed guard to $10,000 to $25,000 or more for a larger firm.
Why do armed guards cost more?
Armed policies typically cost 2 to 3 times more because of firearm and deadly-force risk.
What is assault and battery cover?
Cover for claims from physical altercations, often excluded from base liability.
What is professional liability for guards?
Cover for negligence, false arrest and failure to perform duties.
Are bodyguards covered?
Security firms offering executive protection need the same cover; freelancers should ask a broker.
Who requires the insurance?
Clients, licensing boards and contracts, depending on the state.
Glossary
- Assault and battery cover: liability for physical confrontations.
- False arrest: wrongful detention of a person.
- Firearms liability: cover for incidents involving guns.
- PPO: private patrol operator, a licensed security company in California.
- Additional insured: a client added to your policy.
Sources
- Belfry Software: A Complete Guide to Security Guard Insurance in 2025 (cost by size, armed multiplier)
- Belfry Software: Security Company Insurance, Cost and Coverage (GL, firearm and auto averages)
- ALKEME: California Security Guard Insurance (assault and battery, $3,000 to $8,000)
- Heffernan Insurance Brokers: Security Guard Insurance (coverages, executive protection)
- XInsurance: What Insurance Do Security Companies Need? (company vs individual coverage)
- California Legislature: AB 2220 Bill Analysis (2014) (armed vs unarmed requirement)
- Complete Markets: Typical Cost of General Liability for a New Security Guard Company (2013 start-up premium)
Related reading: Weirdest Celebrity Insurance Policies Ever · Umbrella Insurance Explained · Event Cancellation Insurance Explained
Published October 2026. Prices and plan terms vary by insurer and change often; always read the assault and battery wording and any firearms terms, and refresh this article periodically. Most cost sources are brokers, so compare quotes.
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