Business insurance covers the costs of property damages, lawsuits, and lost income. Any company that wants the ability to avoid out-of pocket expenses should consider purchasing a lawn care business insurance.
Business insurance policies are usually tailored to the needs of each business. They can include coverage for property, liability, and even workers’ comp.
Property Coverage
You need business property insurance, whether you run a retail store, an office or a home business, to protect the physical assets of your company. This type covers your furniture and computers against damage or loss. It also usually includes a form of business interruption coverage. This is designed to help offset the loss of income if you have to close or relocate because of a covered peril, like a fire.
Depending on the industry you work in, you may require additional types of insurance. If you work with clients, patients or customers, you may need professional liability insurance. This covers claims of negligence – a fancy legal word for carelessness causing injury or harm. Other common types of business insurance include workers’ compensation, commercial auto, and cyber or data security policies.
When selecting a business insurance plan, you should choose one that provides adequate coverage and meets your specific needs. You should compare quotes from different providers and select a policy which meets or exceeds both your expectations and your budget. It is best to choose an agent or broker that knows your business, its risks, and has insured similar businesses. They can also recommend specialized add-ons.
Many small businesses bundle their liability and property insurance into one policy called a Business Owners Policy (BOP). It is convenient and costs less compared to buying the policies separately. Online quotes are available from most major insurance providers. Next, for example, offers business property insurance policies that you can buy quickly online.
If you or your employees use personal vehicles for business, you need a special type of vehicle coverage called non-owned and hired auto insurance. This is a cheap way to ensure that your company will be covered in the event of an accident involving one of its employees while on the job. It can also include liability protection if your company rents or leases a vehicle.
Liability Coverage
Natural disasters and lawsuits are both risks that every business faces. Even a small, mom-and-pop store can be hit with a large settlement that could financially ruin the company. It is therefore important to protect your business from major events such as a lawsuit or fire. Business insurance will cover things like a stolen computer, a roof that is damaged or an injury to an employee.
You can determine the type of business insurance that you need by evaluating your risk factors. You should make a list of possible disasters and lawsuits that could affect your company, then think about how much each one might cost you. Once you’ve determined your risk, you can begin shopping for an insurance policy that suits your needs and your budget.
A business owner’s policy (BOP) is a good place to start, as it bundles general liability insurance with commercial property coverage and business interruption insurance. This is a more cost-effective option than purchasing these policies as standalone policies. It is also a good idea to review your current policy annually to ensure that you are fully protected.
When comparing business insurance policies, be sure to pay attention to the exclusions and limits. Compare the financial strength and customer satisfaction of the insurance company. It is not unusual for an insurance company to turn down a client. If you are turned away by one, keep looking.
General liability is the most common form of business insurance. It covers a company’s legal responsibility for bodily injury or property damage that may result from its operations, premises, or products. This policy is usually backed by a umbrella or excess insurance policy to provide additional protection. Other types of insurance for businesses include workers’ compensation which covers employees against work-related illnesses and injuries; auto liability which covers vehicles used by a business to transport goods or people; and products liability which covers costs associated with damage caused by a company’s product.
Business Interruption Insurance
Businesses often buy commercial property, general liability and business interruption coverage to protect themselves from many types of potential losses. While general liability and commercial property insurance cover items like damage to equipment, inventory and property, business interruption insurance covers revenue losses when your business is forced shut down due to a catastrophe.
Understanding what the policy covers and how to use it is essential for getting the most from your business interruption insurance. This type of insurance compensates you for the net income that you lose due to a suspension of operation, as well as for ongoing expenses and exceptional costs. The average profits of your business in a similar timeframe prior to the loss are used to calculate the net income. Operating expenses cover rent, mortgage payments, lease payments, taxes, and utility bills. Extraordinary expenses include moving to a temporary office, training employees to use new equipment or machinery and even creating new marketing campaigns for your new business.
It is important to know that business interruption coverage typically only applies to the days when you can reopen your company. During this time, the insurer will cover your lost income and ongoing expenses up to the limit of your policy.
A separate policy, called extra expense coverage, will cover any out-of the-ordinary expenses. These costs can include hiring more staff to deal with the increased demand from customers, advertising to bring them back and any other expenses incurred while you are working to reopen the business. The two policies are often sold together, and your agent can help you determine whether or not you need both.
Commercial Auto Coverage
Most states require that businesses carry commercial auto insurance on vehicles used for business. This type is more comprehensive and offers coverage for liability, collisions and specific perils. It also may include hired and non-owned auto coverage that extends liability protection to any vehicle that your employees rent, borrow or drive that is not listed on your business’s policy.
Liability coverage helps pay for repairs or medical costs if an employee or customer is injured by your company’s vehicle. It may also cover legal fees and other expenses related to an accident. If your vehicle is damaged in a collision, collision coverage will pay to repair or replace it. This can include damage caused by vandalism, fire, severe storms, theft, and more. Specified perils coverage, on the other hand, covers vehicles for damage caused by specific events, such as hail, windstorms or explosions.
A good commercial auto policy will also help you comply with state requirements for uninsured and underinsured motorists. These coverages cover your injuries and damages in the event that you are hit by a driver who does not have enough liability insurance or none at all.
