Starting a new business is an exciting but demanding job. Perhaps you are just new in the industry, or your business has grown faster than you could ever imagine. Now you have to realize that even with a small business, you have a lot to protect in your new investment.
There are 30.7 million businesses in the United States, and 99 percent of them are small businesses, according to the US Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, which defines a small business as having less than 500 employees.
Even if you are a small business trader, without employees, this information can still be beneficial in the sense of improving entrepreneurial skills to improve your business. One of the most important aspects of starting a new business is understanding and covering your insurance needs. Every company is different and has different needs. However, with insurance, there are several steps that all companies will need to take.
Is your business well protected?
The reality is that every new business is exposed to risk from day one. This makes it essential to have adequate coverage because a catastrophic event can have disastrous consequences for a small business.
Understanding the different insurance policies available to small businesses will help you decide which one to purchase. It is necessary to pay close attention to your insurance policy to make sure you know what it covers and what it does not include in its terms. Providing adequate coverage for your employees is another important aspect to consider if you want to avoid unnecessary law issues which can be very damaging for your business reputation and finance as well.
How to find the best insurance broker
When you decide to start your own business, understanding how the types of business insurance policies work is a key aspect for being trustworthy in the eyes of your clients. Before deciding to approach an insurance broker, do a little research on your own and get some support for the customer service these experienced brokers offer.
The most common types of insurance for businesses included in the Small Business Liability portfolio are the Certificate of Insurance, General Liability, Product Liability, Property Insurance, Workers’ Compensation, and Commercial Auto Insurance among others. Below we explain further what they mean.
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Certificate of Insurance
Is the document that is delivered to the insured of a collective insurance policy, in which the policyholder is a legal entity and the insured is a someone or a group of people who are together by a common relationship with said policyholder (for example, a company and its workers).
The insurance provider delivers a certificate of insurance to each of the policyholders so that they have a document that shows the features covered by the insurance policy to which they belong and that certifies their membership in the group of policyholders and grants them all the rights derived from the policy.
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General Liability
Most businesses need general liability insurance. This protects against bodily injury, property damage, ended operations, advertising damage and medical payments as well. We also know it as “commercial insurance”. It is important to know that in these situations it won’t be enough and it is necessary to include additional policy to have complete coverage for your business in case of employees’ injury, professional mistakes, traffic accidents and work which was not being done properly.
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Product Liability
Product liability insurance is insurance coverage that protects your business from liability claims related to the sale, installation, use, and disuse of products. Comprehensive product liability insurance will cover both the manufacturer of the product and the seller of the product, be it a distributor or a store, for injuries and damages resulting from the use of such a product.
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Property Insurance
This policy provides coverage to your business for loss or damage to your property, such as fire, smoke, wind, hail, or vandalism.
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Workers’ Compensation
This protects you and your employees. Helps pay expenses such as medical costs and part of lost wages related to employees who are being injured or become ill on the job.
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Commercial Auto Insurance
This coverage is necessary if you use your vehicles in your business. This may include traveling between job sites or transporting tools and equipment. Provides liability and physical damage protection for your commercial vehicles and trailers.
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Umbrella Insurance Coverage
Umbrella insurance gives an additional layer of protection additional to the liability insurance already in your property, vehicle or general liability insurance basic coverage. We should regard it as a protection for assets which could be taken if any kind of lawsuit is threatening business. And specifically for that kind of situation, umbrella insurance coverage prevents and stops business and financial loss.
Get your business Insured with SmallBusinessLiability.com
Insurance companies that understand the unique needs of small businesses can be hard to find. However, it is ideal to find an insurance agent specializing in small business insurance as Small Business Liability.
They have A+ partners in carriers with so much experience and impeccable reputation. Just a few to mention, Tokio Marine HCC, Dovetail Victor, Nationwide, Distinguished Programs, with invaluable customer service support, and also their charismatic and well prepared agents are available 24/7 to assist you.
When you know what risks are involved with running a small business, it is important for the survival and prosperity of your company. Finding an insurance provider who has plenty of experience in helping companies like yours can really reduce costs when they’re aware about potential hazards that could arise from doing so – this way we’ll all win!.
