Library Insurance

small business owner protected by library insurance

Library Insurance Designed for Your Industry

Your library is a community hub, a place of learning and a home for endless discovery. But even the quietest corners face unexpected risks. With insurance for libraries, you can focus on enriching lives while we handle the “what ifs.”
 
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small business owner protected by library insurance

Why Do I Need Library Insurance?

Running a library is rewarding work, but it also means you face risks every day. Library insurance is made up of different types of business insurance coverages. It’s designed to provide the protection you need to keep your doors open and your collections secure.
 
We know the unique challenges you face every day while running a library. That’s why we created insurance options with the needs of librarians in mind.
small business protected by insurance for libraries

Who May Need Insurance for Libraries?

The Hartford’s business insurance can help protect a variety of libraries, including:
 
  • Public libraries
  • University and college libraries
  • Private libraries
  • Community centers with reading rooms
  • Research institutions with library facilities
  • Archive centers
  • Historical societies with book collections
business owner protected by insurance for public libraries

What Type of Insurance Do I Need for My Library?

Whether you're protecting your building or staff, the right coverage is important to your library’s success. Most libraries have a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) for the peace of mind it can provide. It combines three types of coverage to help protect your business from claims of bodily injury or property damage.
A BOP includes:
 
  • General liability insurance to help protect your library from claims that it caused bodily injury or property damage to someone else.
  • Commercial property insurance to help protect your owned or rented building, as well as office space, tools, equipment and inventory that you use to operate your library. This can include your:
    • Books
    • Computers
    • Furniture
    • Printers
    • Magazines
    • Headphones
    • Games
  • Business income insurance to help replace your lost income if you can’t operate because of covered property damage.
 
A BOP won’t cover every claim made against your business, so you may need to get other types of coverage to increase your protection, such as:
 
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Business insurance solutions designed to meet the needs of libraries.
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How Much Does Library Insurance Cost? 

Library insurance costs vary because every small business owner has unique needs. Here are some of the average costs The Hartford’s small business customers in this industry pay for common types of coverage:**
 
  • BOP: $1,687 a year, or about $141 a month
  • Standalone general liability insurance: $810 a year, or about $68 a month
  • Workers’ compensation insurance: $1,032 a year, or about $86 a month
Your specific insurance cost may be different than the average. The best way to find out how much library insurance will cost is to get a quote.
business protected by insurance for library

Proof of Insurance When You Need It

We know your time is valuable. That’s why we’ve made it easy to get proof of insurance online when you need it.

Covering Your Operations

From story time sessions to community events, your library serves as a hub of activity. But when an accident happens, such as a slip-and-fall incident or an unforeseen closure, it can throw a wrench in your plans. The right insurance for your library can help keep your operations on track.
Slip-and-fall accidents account for 1 million emergency department visits every year.2
General Liability Insurance for libraries

General Liability Insurance

“A visitor slipped on the freshly mopped floor in our lobby. They hurt their back, and we had to call an ambulance to take them to the hospital.”
 
General liability insurance helps cover claims that someone got hurt at your library. It can help pay for their medical care or your legal costs if you get sued.
data breach insurance for libraries

Data Breach Insurance

“One of my library clerks thought he was logging into a payment portal to pay an overdue invoice sent by our vendor. It turns out it was a phishing scam, and our patrons’ contact information was stolen.”
 
Data breach insurance can help your library respond to a breach if personally identifiable information (PII) gets lost or stolen. Some insurers call this coverage “cyber insurance.”

Taking Care of Your Team

Your employees keep your library running smoothly, but they also face risks every day. With the right coverage in place, you can help protect your team and give them peace of mind on the job.
Over 1 million people sustain back injuries in the workplace each year.3
workers' compensation insurance for libraries

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

“We were setting up for a big community event when my librarian strained her back lifting heavy boxes. They needed medical treatment and some time off to recover.”
 
Workers’ compensation insurance gives your team benefits to help them recover from work-related injuries or illnesses. It can help cover their medical bills and replace lost wages. With The Hartford, your employees also have access to a network of over 1 million providers and 65,000 pharmacies.
commercial auto insurance for libraries

Commercial Auto Insurance

“Our bookmobile was on its way to a community event when my library clerk rear-ended another car. The accident damaged the bookmobile along with some of the books inside and left our driver with minor injuries.”
 
Commercial auto insurance can help cover property damage and bodily injury claims if an employee gets into an accident while driving a business-owned vehicle for work.

Protecting Your Property

From your building to your inventory, your property is essential to the success of your library. Unexpected damage, theft or accidents can impact the resources your community depends on.
75% of property losses come from leaks related to plumbing, HVAC systems or appliances.4
business income insurance for libraries

Business Income Insurance

“When a pipe burst and flooded part of the library, we had to shut down for repairs. We ended up having to cancel events and room rentals.”
 
Business income insurance can help you continue paying ongoing expenses like rent, payroll and utilities when you can’t operate your library because of property loss.
commercial property insurance for libraries

Commercial Property Insurance

“We came in one morning to find that someone had smashed several windows and stolen some of our valuable equipment, including the computers we provide for internet.”
 
Commercial property insurance helps protect your business' equipment, furniture and tools from loss or damage caused by events like storms, fires or vandalism.

Library Insurance You Can Rely On

Every library faces unique risks — from property damage to visitor accidents and employment issues. As an insurance company with more than 200 years of experience, we understand your challenges. That’s why we designed business insurance solutions specifically for the library industry. We can help protect your library from unexpected incidents, so you can focus on keeping your doors open.
 
Find out more about other similar professions we insure:
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Library Insurance

Library insurance consists of different types of coverages to help protect you, your business and employees from various risks. For example, a general liability insurance policy can help cover a claim if a patron falls down the stairs in your library. You can get other coverages to extend your protection to include library-owned vehicles or other property.
Insurance for libraries is important to help protect against everyday risks. Without proper coverage, costly claims could put a financial strain on a library. Additionally, many states require specific types of insurance. If a business doesn’t comply with state requirements, it can face fines, penalties and fees.
Getting library insurance from us is easy and straightforward. You can get an online quote in just a few minutes.
small business owner is happy after getting library insurance quote from The Hartford

Get Library Insurance Today

Every chapter of your mission matters. Get the coverage you need to help protect your library’s story.
 
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Last Updated: April 10, 2025
** Costs, premiums, and coverages mentioned are estimates and are not guaranteed. Actual cost, premium, and coverage are determined at the time of quote or issue and are specific to an individual risk. Premiums are based on information provided to The Hartford, including, but not limited to, underwriting and rating criteria. All examples included on this website or in an advertisement are intended for informational purposes only and are not an offer or a guarantee of premium or coverage. Coverage and products described are subject to the terms and conditions found in the policy contract. Any educational information provided about available coverages does not modify the policy language or imply that any claim is covered. Products are not available in all states or for all businesses.
2 National Floor Safety Institute, “Slip and Fall Quick Facts”
 
3 University of Maryland ESSR, “Back Injuries Fact Sheet”
 
4 The Hartford, “Commercial Water Damage”
This page outlines in general terms the coverages that may be afforded under a policy from The Hartford. All policies must be examined carefully to determine suitability for your needs and to identify any exclusions, limitations or any other terms and conditions that may specifically affect coverage. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the policy prevail.
 
All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. In Arizona, California, New Hampshire, Texas, and Washington by Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford Accident & Indemnity Company, Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, Twin City Fire Insurance Company, Pacific Insurance Company, Limited, Sentinel Insurance Company, LTD (CA license #8701), Hartford Lloyd's Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of Illinois, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest, Trumbull Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Southeast, and Property & Casualty Insurance Company of Hartford and its property and casualty insurance company affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford, CT 06155.
 
Additional disclosures below.
The Hartford shall not be liable for any damages in connection with the use of any information provided on this page. Please consult with your insurance agent/broker or insurance company to determine specific coverage needs as this information is intended to be educational in nature.
 
The information contained on this page should not be construed as specific legal, HR, financial, or insurance advice and is not a guarantee of coverage. In the event of a loss or claim, coverage determinations will be subject to the policy language, and any potential claim payment will be determined following a claim investigation.
 
Certain coverages vary by state and may not be available to all businesses. All Hartford coverages and services described on this page may be offered by one or more of the property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries of The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc. listed in the Legal Notice.
 
The Hartford Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: HIG) operates through its subsidiaries under the brand name, The Hartford, and is headquartered in Hartford, CT. For additional details, please read The Hartford’s Legal Notice.
 
* Customer reviews are collected and tabulated by The Hartford and not representative of all customers.
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