Security guard companies and private security contractors in Texas need insurance structured around their operations, licensing obligations and customer contracts. Whether your company provides unarmed guarding, armed security, mobile patrol, event security or security services for commercial properties, the right coverage can help protect your business and support contract eligibility.
Central Insurance Agency specializes in security guard insurance, helping Texas security companies review general liability, armed security exposure, workers’ compensation options, commercial auto, umbrella coverage, and certificate requirements. We can also help evaluate whether your insurance program aligns with the liability documentation required for licensed private security businesses in Texas.
Texas DPS Liability Insurance Requirements for Security Guard Companies
Licensed private security businesses in Texas must maintain insurance documentation that satisfies requirements administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program.
For licensed private security companies, Texas DPS accepts the PSP-05 Certificate of Liability Insurance as proof of business insurance. The form states that the applicable commercial general liability policy must include at least:
- $100,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage
- $50,000 per occurrence for personal injury
- $200,000 aggregate for all occurrences
These amounts are Texas DPS filing minimums and may not be sufficient for every security company’s contractual obligations or operational exposure. Commercial clients, property managers, construction projects, event venues and public-sector contracts may require higher limits, additional insured endorsements, umbrella coverage, workers’ compensation evidence or other policy terms.
Central Insurance Agency can help Texas security companies review both state filing requirements and contract-driven insurance requirements before coverage is bound or certificates are issued.
Cost Factors for Security Guard Insurance in Texas
The cost of security guard insurance in Texas varies widely. There is no flat rate, and pricing depends heavily on operational risk and payroll structure.
Key factors affecting insurance costs include:
- Armed versus unarmed guard services
- Patrol operations versus fixed posts
- Payroll size and classification accuracy
- Client industries (construction sites, events, healthcare, residential communities)
- Claims history and loss frequency
- Vehicle usage
- Contractual liability limits required
Inaccurate payroll estimates, incorrect classifications or undisclosed services can create audit adjustments, underwriting concerns or coverage issues. A policy review should be based on the company’s actual operations and contract requirements.
Coverage Texas Security Guard Companies May Need
Texas security company insurance often extends beyond the liability documentation required for licensing. The right program depends on the services provided, whether guards are armed, vehicle usage, payroll, client contracts and prior loss history.
Common coverages for Texas security guard companies may include:
General Liability Insurance
General liability insurance can respond to claims involving bodily injury, property damage and certain personal injury allegations arising from security operations. Texas security companies should also review whether their policies appropriately address guard-related exposures, including the types of services performed and the locations protected.
Workers’ Compensation
Security guard companies should evaluate workers’ compensation based on employee exposure, contract requirements, public-sector work and Texas-specific subscriber or non-subscriber considerations.
Assault and Battery / Use-of-Force Considerations
Claims involving physical intervention, removal of individuals, altercations or alleged excessive force can create significant exposure for security companies. Coverage should be reviewed carefully for exclusions, sublimits or restrictions that may affect assault and battery or use-of-force claims.
Professional Liability / Errors and Omissions
Professional liability coverage may be important when a security company is alleged to have failed in duties such as monitoring, incident response, supervision, post-order implementation or security recommendations.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Security companies using patrol cars, mobile response vehicles or supervisor vehicles should review commercial auto coverage alongside their general liability program.
Umbrella or Excess Liability
Larger clients and higher-risk contracts may require limits above the underlying general liability or auto policy. Umbrella or excess liability coverage may help satisfy those requirements when properly structured.
Armed Security Guard Insurance in Texas
Armed security operations can create materially different insurance considerations than unarmed guarding. Texas security companies providing armed services should make sure those operations are accurately disclosed during underwriting and reflected in the coverage being reviewed.
The Texas DPS Certificate of Liability Insurance includes a field identifying whether armed coverage applies. This makes accurate disclosure especially important for companies providing armed guarding, armed patrol or a combination of armed and unarmed services.
Insurance considerations for armed security guard companies may include:
- Whether armed operations are contemplated by the general liability program
- Assault and battery or use-of-force exclusions, restrictions or sublimits
- Firearms training and licensing documentation requested during underwriting
- Higher contractual liability requirements
- Umbrella or excess liability limits
- Patrol vehicle exposure for armed mobile operations
Companies providing both armed and unarmed security services should accurately describe each operation when requesting coverage, renewing policies or issuing certificates for client contracts.
Contract Insurance Requirements for Texas Security Companies
Meeting the Texas DPS liability filing minimum does not automatically mean a security company meets every client contract requirement. Commercial property managers, construction projects, residential communities, event venues and public entities may require broader coverage or higher limits before allowing a security company to begin work.
Common contract requirements include:
- Additional insured endorsements
- Waiver of subrogation language
- Primary and non-contributory wording
- Elevated liability limits
- Specific certificate formatting
Proper policy structure ensures certificates can be issued quickly and accurately when contracts are awarded.
Security Operations We Help Review in Texas
Central Insurance Agency works with Texas security businesses providing a range of services, including:
- Unarmed security guard services
- Armed security guard services
- Mobile patrol and vehicle-based security operations
- Construction site security
- Retail and commercial property guarding
- Apartment, HOA and residential community security
- Event security operations
- Multi-location and multi-state security programs
Insurance requirements can vary significantly based on the services performed, contract terms and whether guards are armed, mobile or stationed at fixed locations.
Serving Security Guard Companies Across Texas
Central Insurance Agency helps security guard companies operating throughout Texas, including businesses serving:
- Houston
- Dallas–Fort Worth
- Austin
- San Antonio
- El Paso
- Corpus Christi
- Fort Worth
- Statewide and multi-state operations
Whether your company protects a single commercial property or manages guard operations across several Texas markets, we can help review coverage, certificates, contract insurance requirements and renewal concerns.
Request a Texas Security Guard Insurance Review or Quote
Whether you are purchasing coverage for a new Texas security company, reviewing an upcoming renewal, expanding into armed services or trying to meet a client’s insurance requirements, Central Insurance Agency can help.
We work with security companies on:
- New insurance quotes
- Renewal and policy reviews
- Contract insurance requirements
- Armed and unarmed security exposure
- Certificate and endorsement concerns
- Audit and classification issues
Request a quote or policy review today to see how your insurance compares and where improvements can be made.
Texas Security Guard Insurance FAQs
Texas DPS accepts the PSP-05 Certificate of Liability Insurance as proof of business insurance for licensed private security companies. The form states minimum liability limits of $100,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage, $50,000 per occurrence for personal injury, and $200,000 aggregate. Client contracts may require higher limits or additional coverages.
Pricing may depend on payroll, armed versus unarmed duties, mobile patrol operations, client types, prior claims, vehicle usage, required limits and coverage terms.
Yes. Armed security operations typically require higher liability limits, additional underwriting review, and proof of firearms training and licensing.
Texas does not require most private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, security companies may still be required to carry it by customer contracts, public-sector work or other business requirements.
Yes. Central Insurance Agency can help Texas security companies review existing policies, renewal terms, certificate requirements, audit concerns and contract-driven coverage needs.