HOME-BASED BUSINESS TYPES

(May 2024)

While nearly any type of business has the potential to exist within a home, private garage, or other private structure, below is a list of operations commonly selected by home-based business owners.

Types of Home-Based Businesses

Accounting Services	Consulting	Music Instruction
Antique Shops	Cosmetic Sales	Newspaper Delivery
Appliance Sales	Crafts Teachers and Tutors	Notaries
Appliance Repair	Dance Instruction	Online Marketing/Sales
Appraisers	Day Care and In-Home Care Services	Personal Chef
Arrangements	Delivery and Errand Services	Personal Shopper
Architects	Dentists	Pest Control
Art Consultant	Direct Mail Services	Pet-sitters
Artisans	Draftsmen and Designers	Photographers and Studios
Artists (Designers, Painters, Sculptors)	Dressmaking and Tailoring	Picture Framing
Automobile Repair	Editorial Services	Podcasting
Authors	Elder Care	Presentation/Speech Coach
Babysitters	Electronics Repair	Property Manager
Bakeries/Baked Goods	Engineers	Publicists
Beauty Parlors and Barber Shops	Event Planner	Publishing (Desktop)
Bed and Breakfast	Financial Planning	Quilting
Bicycle Repair	Financial Support/Services	Real Estate
Boat Cleaning	Florists and Floral	Refurbishing Service
Bodywork/massage (licensed)	Food Supplements and Vitamin	Research/Fact Checker
Business Coach	Furniture Repair and Refinishing	Riding School
Business Support/Services	Grant Researchers/Writers	Secretarial Service
Candy and Confections	Graphic, Visual or Fine Arts	Social Media Expert/Influencer
Carpentry Services	Hobby and Model Supplies	Tax Preparers
Carpet Cleaning	Home Energy Auditor	Taxidermist
Ceramics/Pottery	Household Product Sales	Technical Writers
Cleaning and Janitorial Services	Independent Sales	Telemarketers
Clothing Alterations and Sales	Inspection Services	Tutors
Clowns, Magicians and Entertainers	Insurance Sales	Trainers
Computer Consultants	Interior Decorators	Translators
Computer Data Entry	Jewelry (Custom Design)	Vacation Planner
Computer Programmers	Lawn Care Service	Virtual Assistant
Computer Services	Legal Transcription	Website Designer
Concierge (Personal)	Life Coaches	Wedding/Party Planner
Contractors Real Estate	Manufacturers’ Representative	Woodworking
Computer Repair	Management Consultants	Writing (freelance)
Construction/Repair	Marketing/Advertising	Yoga Instructor
Consulting	Medical Transcription/Billing

Obviously, home businesses are quite varied, ranging from products, services, or combinations. Coverage needs may encompass building, business personal property, merchandise, supplies, and liability. Many businesses may also be exposed to risks involving:

Business vehicles
Workers compensation
Professional liability
Excess liability
Bailee (customer property) liability
Advertising and personal injury liability
Product Recalls
Products and completed work liability

While some coverage needs may be met by a regular homeowners policy with a simple business endorsement, others will require a special home business coverage part or perhaps even a regular commercial insurance policy because the scope of the commercial exposure to loss is too great to be properly handled by a homeowner form.

Related Court Case: “Business Pursuits Exclusion Held Applicable To Wedding Reception Services” - illustrates the importance of securing the correct coverage for business activity run out of a residence.