Your business, whether new or old, requires business insurance. Insurance coverage protects assets, the owner's equity, workers, and client property. A solid insurance policy will protect your business from legal suits and bankruptcy in the event of an accident. This article discusses some of the guidelines you should observe when obtaining business insurance.
Understand Your Insurance Needs
Always seek assistance from an insurance agent to evaluate your risks and recommend the insurance coverage that will help to mitigate such risks. Your coverage should be matched with the type of risks that face your business. Insurance agents help prioritize the highest risks so that you are not overwhelmed with premiums for risks that rarely apply to your business.
Include Insurance in Your Business Plan
If you are opening a new business, the business plan is essential in showing underwriters that you have evaluated your risks and established ways of protecting your firm as it grows. Insurance companies offer add-ons based on your special needs. These add-ons can be combined in a manner that adequately protects your business. Insurance agents can also assist you in creating the business plan and using it as a pitch for the underwriters.
Customization
What if you are opening a new type of business and existing business insurance policies don't cover your risks? For example, imagine your dental practice discovers a new procedure that passes all approvals and licensing. The risks involved in such a procedure do not exist in your insurance coverage, yet they can expose you and the business to lawsuits and other issues. Well, your business is unique, and your insurance coverage must be personalized to fit the firm. Your insurance company can create a type of insurance policy specifically for your business.
Avoid Errors
Does your home's fire insurance cover the business assets you store in your garage? Technically, the garage might be considered a place of work that is independent of your home. In most cases, you must separate your homeowner's coverage from any commercial policies that you have. If you use your garage at home to fix cars for people, homeowner's insurance will not compensate you for a fire that damages them.
This scenario shows an error caused by assumption. Avoid such errors by reading the fine print and having your insurer explain the contract thoroughly. Ensure your insurer understands the nature of your business and ask as many questions as you can.
Constant Review
Your firm's insurance needs change as the business grows. Different operations expose your firm to new risks. Therefore, always ensure that you regularly review the risks that the firm faces. You should also avoid paying premiums yearly on a year when your firm is anticipating a merger, acquisition, or sale. Making monthly payments when you are anticipating changes will help you remain flexible and avoid losses.
Always ensure you understand your insurance needs before obtaining business insurance. New businesses should include insurance needs in their business plan. You should review these needs after a while as the business grows. Your insurer can also customize a package that fits your unique needs. In the end, you should ensure you understand your insurance needs before committing to the contract.
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