The growth of the economy depends on the emergence of small businesses. However, for small businesses to be successful, they need to have the right type of policies in place. Insurance helps your business manage risks and continue to thrive. Here is a look at how to choose the best business and liability insurance.
Importance of Insurance
Businesses need insurance to protect their investment and their employees. Some types of insurance coverage are dependent on the type of industry that you are working in. The primary goal of insurance is to protect businesses if an unexpected circumstance arises. In addition to accidents, business insurance is valuable because it provides a safety net to protect businesses from liability and risks so that they are not alone when adversity strikes.
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Best Liability Insurance
General Coverage
General liability coverage protects all of your assets if your business is sued by a third party. General liability coverage helps fight your legal costs and also assists with any settlement packages. General policies are versatile enough to provide coverage whether the litigation is filed by one person or a large class-action suit. The policy covers your business if someone suffers an injury while visiting your business or you cause damage to someone else’s property. General liability coverage also assists you if you are held liable for slander or false advertisement. Without the safety net of a liability policy, your business could suffer significant financial setbacks.
Errors And Omissions
Errors and omissions insurance can help protect your business against significant financial losses. If part of your business model is providing advice, recommendations, and physical care to people, then you need errors and omissions coverage. The policy covers your business against allegations of negligence, bad representation, and acts of bad faith. Errors and omissions coverage benefits businesses across several different industries. Businesses can choose between claims-made coverage and occurrence coverage. Claims made coverage means that you will only be protected if the action occurred while you had the policy. Occurrence coverage protects you even if your policy may have recently lapsed.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation allows businesses to protect their employees. The policy pays for the medical care of an employee who is injured in the workplace. The policy helps cover their wages. Workers’ compensation also helps protect the employee’s family if they perish from the work-related injury. If your business has more than five employees, workers’ compensation is mandatory. If you have a sole proprietorship, that is one of the only ways that you aren’t obligated to have workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation also covers your employees if they become permanently disabled.
Cyber Liability Coverage
Conducting business in this current age of technology comes with several risks. Hackers are continually developing strategies to infiltrate sensitive data. That’s why cyber liability coverage is so important. Cyber liability coverage protects your business from online risks such as computer hackers, extortion attempts, and data breaches. If you manage sensitive personal data such as credit cards, medical records, or bank accounts, cyber liability coverage can prevent you from being held liable if this information is compromised.
Employment Practices Insurance
Employment practices insurance is a safety net if your business is involved in a civil or legal rights dispute. Your business will be protected against allegations of discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, and wrongful termination.
Product Liability Coverage
Product liability coverage covers your business regarding any damages from the use of products you sell or transport. You can amend your policy based on the industry that you are working in. Product liability coverage benefits manufacturers, distributors, and transporters.
Health Insurance
Health insurance provides medical coverage and health benefits to your employees. Health insurance is mandatory if you have a large business. You are also responsible for the premiums. Research the benefits of HMO, PPO, and POS plans before making a decision. Offering a group health plan is more affordable for businesses compared to offering individual policies to every employee. As more employees enroll in a health plan, your business can help manage the risks across the entire group as a whole. Offering health insurance also helps your business attract high-level talent and also improves your employee retention rate. Your business may also qualify for tax credits.
Property Insurance
Property insurance covers any damages caused to your property due to a fire, natural disaster, theft, or vandalism. Property insurance is an asset if you have a physical location. The policy provides repair costs for any of your furniture and inventory. During cases of a severe emergency, you can add business interruption coverage. If an accidental fire leaves you unable to operate your business, you can add business interruption coverage to protect you against losing a significant amount of income. This will give you peace of mind while you are unable to operate your business.
Things to Remember
- While purchasing the best business insurance, don’t forget about umbrella insurance. Umbrella insurance can help protect your business if you are involved in a serious liability dispute. Umbrella insurance acts as a supplemental policy if you have reached the limit on your regular liability coverage and are still facing damages. Umbrella insurance can prevent you from potentially losing your business.
- Choose a plan that will evolve as your business evolves
- Speak to multiple providers before making a decision
- Look for any gaps in your policy
There are several factors that you must consider while purchasing the best business insurance. To find quality insurance for all of your business needs, contact the professionals at Chambers & Company Insurance Brokers. We are willing to assist you with all your coverage needs.