Small Business Insurance in the Dominican Republic: Your Starter Pack (2025)

Launching a business in the Dominican Republic is exciting—sunny market, growing tourism, resilient entrepreneurs. Protecting that momentum starts with getting your insurance right from day one. This guide breaks down what’s required vs. recommended, typical coverage limits, and hurricane-readiness tips (because: Caribbean). We also link to helpful resources and services so you can move fast with confidence.

Why insurance matters

A single third-party injury, water leak into a neighboring unit, or a two-day power outage can derail a young company. Insurance is a risk-transfer tool that stabilizes cash flow when the unexpected hits. In the DR, employers must also enroll in the Social Security system (TSS) so workers are covered for health and Riesgos Laborales (SRL)—the occupational risk program. tss.gob.do+1

Quick help: If you’re setting up now, contact us—we’ll map your coverage to your lease, client contracts, and hurricane season timelines.
WhatsApp: +1 849-514-9838 | Email: info@hernandezpeguero.com

The core coverages most DR small businesses consider

1) General Liability

Protects your business if a third party claims bodily injury or property damage arising from your operations—for example, a client slips in your office or a product causes damage. Many landlords and commercial clients require proof before you can open or sign a contract. (Local insurers market RC Empresarial specifically for this.)

Tip: Ask for tenant’s liability and products/completed operations if relevant to your trade. Keep certificates ready for landlords and vendors.

2) Commercial Property

Covers your premises improvements, furniture, inventory, and equipment against perils like fire, theft, and water damage. In coastal zones and during hurricane season (June–Nov; peak mid-Aug to late Oct), make sure windstorm and flood are addressed in the policy wording and limits. do.usembassy.gov

Internal resource: See our plain-English walkthrough of DR property coverages and policy types:

• Property & Contents Insurance

• Named Perils vs. All-Risks in the DR

• Homeowners Guide (applies to small office/home office setups too)

3) Business Interruption (Loss of Income)

If a covered loss shuts you down (e.g., fire or wind damage), Business Interruption helps replace lost income and pay ongoing expenses (salaries, rent) while you recover. This is the lifeline that keeps many SMEs from closing after a major event. (International data consistently shows small firms are vulnerable after severe losses.) Cinco Días

Tip: Set the indemnity period to match real repair and supply-chain times in the DR (often 6–12 months).

4) Occupational Risk (SRL) & Social Security enrollment (TSS) — employer must-dos

If you hire staff, you must register your business and employees with the Tesorería de la Seguridad Social (TSS) and ensure contributions to health (SFS), pensions (AFP), and occupational risk (SRL) are made. SRL covers work accidents and occupational illnesses. Enrollment is a legal compliance step and essential for worker protection. tss.gob.do+2tss.gob.do+2

Tip: Keep your TSS credentials, payroll updates, and contribution proofs organized; some tenders and landlords ask for compliance letters.

5) Commercial Auto & Non-Owned/Hired Auto

If your business owns vehicles, you’ll need the corresponding motor policy (consider third-party liability, property damage, and comprehensive). If staff rent or use their own cars for work, add Hired & Non-Owned Auto Liability to your general liability or a standalone auto policy.

6) Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions)

Service businesses (consultants, architects, travel/event planners, IT providers, accountants) should consider E&O to protect against claims of negligence or financial loss due to professional services. Some sectors or contracts may require proof before work begins.

7) Cyber Liability (Data Breach & Ransomware)

Even a small café with Wi-Fi and a POS system holds customer data. Cyber policies can help with breach response, notification, credit monitoring, ransomware negotiation, and business interruption due to cyber incidents.

8) Key Person & Buy-Sell (Life Insurance for founders)

If revenue depends on one or two people, key person life/disablement buys time to hire, train, or pivot. For partners, buy-sell funding avoids deadlock if one partner passes away. (See our Life Insurance overview.)

What’s required vs. what’s just smart?

• Required (when you have employees): Registration with TSS and contributions to SRL (occupational risk), plus health and pension components of social security. tss.gob.do+1

• Often required by landlords/clients: General Liability with specific limits; sometimes tenant’s improvements, glass, or products liability endorsements. (Check your lease/contract.) MapfreDominicana

• Prudent/strongly recommended: Commercial Property with windstorm/flood where relevant; Business Interruption; Cyber; E&O for service firms; Commercial Auto (or HNOA) if vehicles are involved.

• Sector-specific: Certain activities (construction trades, travel agencies, events) may be required to carry RC or specialized policies by venues, HOAs, or contracting entities—ask us to review your contracts.

Legal framework note: The DR insurance market operates under Law 146-02 (Insurance & Surety); your policies are issued by locally licensed carriers or via accepted fronting. We’ll steer you to compliant options. docs.republica-dominicana.justia.com

Hurricane-season playbook for SMEs

Operating in the Caribbean means planning around storms. A simple 3-step continuity plan goes a long way:

1. Know your exposures: roof type, flood zone, nearby construction, backup power.

2. Pre-contract vendors: glass, generators, IT recovery, debris removal—before everyone books up.

3. Document & communicate: a short written plan, team contacts, and customer comms templates. UNDP and official sources emphasize updating continuity plans before peak season and keeping information channels clear. UNDP+1

Internal resource: Our Property Insurance deep-dive and All-Risks vs. Named Perils guide explain how storm perils and deductibles work here.

How much coverage do small businesses typically carry?

Every business is different, but here are starting points we commonly see:

• General Liability: US$300k–US$1M per occurrence (lease/contract driven).

• Property/Contents: Replacement value of improvements, furniture, stock; check windstorm sub-limits.

• Business Interruption: 6–12 months indemnity; consider seasonal peaks for retailers and hospitality.

• Cyber: US$100k–US$1M for micro/SMEs with card data or online operations.

• Key Person: 6–12 months of revenue or the cost to recruit/replace.

We’ll right-size these based on your RNC, location (e.g., Punta Cana/Bávaro vs. Santiago), lease requirements, and vendor contracts.

How we make this easy and save you money

• Local market comparison: We compare top Dominican insurers and present a clean side-by-side.

• Contract compliance, first: We read your lease/tender and set limits/wording to match—no surprises.

• Claims support: If the worst happens, you won’t be alone. Start here for property-related claims:

  • Property Insurance (service page)

  • About Our Brokerage

  • Contact

Getting started checklist

• Your RNC and business activity description

• Address and square meters of the premises; building construction details

• Improvements value + contents/inventory value

• Desired business interruption period

• Estimated annual revenues and payroll (helps price BI and liability)

• Any contracts/leases that stipulate limits or endorsements

• List of equipment/IT and data-handling (for cyber)

• Number of employees (for TSS/SRL guidance)

Send this to info@hernandezpeguero.com or WhatsApp +1 849-514-9838 and we’ll prepare options.

External references

• SISALRIL – Seguro de Riesgos Laborales (SRL): employer/worker protections. sisalril.gob.do

• TSS – Registro de Empleadores: how to register your company and workers. tss.gob.do+1

• Hurricane & disaster preparedness (official): seasonal timing and basics. do.usembassy.gov+1

• Law 146-02 (Insurance & Surety): the market’s legal framework. docs.republica-dominicana.justia.com

Internal links you might find usefull

• Services Overview

• Property Insurance

• Named Perils vs. All-Risks

• Homeowners Guide

• Health Insurance (for teams)

• Life Insurance (Key Person/Buy-Sell)

• About Our Brokerage

• Contact

Why Choose Hernández Peguero Insurance Brokers?

For small businesses and startups in the Dominican Republic, you need a broker who understands local compliance (TSS/SRL), contract-driven limits, and hurricane realities—not just policy prices. We combine market comparisons with hands-on contract review so your insurance matches real-world requirements (landlords, vendors, tenders). Our claims team stays with you from first notice to final settlement, minimizing downtime and out-of-pocket surprises. Whether you’re opening a boutique in Zona Colonial or a tour company in Punta Cana, we’ll tailor a package that grows with you.

Ready to Get a Quote?

Protect your Dominican Republic business today with a smart, affordable insurance package.

👉 Contact us now:
Phone / WhatsApp: +1 849-514-9838
Email: info@hernandezpeguero.com
Website: www.hernandezpeguero.com

We’ll guide you to the best plan for your business so you can grow with total peace of mind.