Are you tired of your 9-5 office job and want to be your own boss? Do you have an interest or a passion that you wish to pursue? Do you need another source of income? Many start and run a business for various reasons but one thing’s for sure – it is a fulfilling endeavor.
What used to be a dream is now a reality. Being an entrepreneur is rewarding, but it sure has its own challenges. Starting a business is no easy feat. Aside from the significant amount of money involved, it requires a considerable amount of time and effort. Entrepreneurs also need to consider different factors to ensure that the operations will run as smoothly as possible.
One of the many things that a business owner needs to do is to buy insurance. Some neglect this aspect of the operations since they see it as an additional expense, or that the world of insurance is a bit daunting or overwhelming.
Whatever the reason is, entrepreneurs should realize how crucial it is to have adequate coverage. But, if you think about the many insurers out there offering a wide variety of insurance products, it’s understandable if the process of choosing the right coverage gets confusing and time-consuming. Don’t worry. To narrow down your choices, consider these things when choosing the right policy for your business.
What to Consider When Buying Business Insurance
1. Look for an insurer with a good reputation.
Being covered costs money, so you might as well ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth. Start with finding an insurance provider that is known to offer quality services. They have licensed agents who have the expertise when it comes to assessing the requirements of your business and coming up with recommendations on the types of insurance products that suit your operations.
In most cases, insurance providers will claim that they are the best in the industry, but how will you know for sure? It pays to read reviews online. The internet has a huge selection of reputable websites where you can get valuable information about the insurance providers that you’re interested in.
You may also want to consider getting some insight from your family members, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs regarding their experiences with insurers. Get proposals from several insurers and see which best meets your business needs.
2. Determine the potential risks in your business.
You will not be able to get adequate coverage if you have no idea about the risks that will be most likely to happen in your operations. Bear in mind that businesses are different. Each has its own risks, so the insurance requirements will also be different. That is why most businesses will need more than one policy.
For instance, you will need Commercial Auto insurance if you use vehicles to deliver goods or transport employees. If your business handles sensitive information, you may need coverage to protect you against claims associated with Data Breach. If you know the possible scenarios that may lead to significant financial losses, you will have a better understanding of what needs to be covered.
An agent from a good business insurer will make sure that you get the coverage you need for each type of insurance applicable to your business.
3. You get what you pay for.
Everybody wants to save a bit of cash when buying products or availing services. It’s just human nature, but when it comes to insurance, buying the cheapest one possible may not give you the coverage that your business needs. Starting and running a business usually entails a lot of money, and many see premiums as an added expense.
However, it doesn’t automatically mean that you should buy the least expensive policy. The same holds true for the most expensive one – this doesn’t guarantee that your business will have comprehensive coverage. It’s all about balance – the cost of the premiums will play a role but make sure that what you’re paying will provide enough protection for your business.
4. The terms and conditions of the policy are written in detail for a reason.
Whether we admit it or not, most of us tend to skip the unusually long list of terms and conditions and just sign the contract, or in the case of online transactions, scroll all the way down to click the Submit or Agree button. When it comes to buying business insurance, it’s a big no-no.
Bear in mind that lawsuits can cost a lot of money, and if you don’t have a better understanding of the terms and conditions of your policy, you may be surprised that a certain claim is excluded when all this time, you thought it was part of the inclusions.
You can avoid any inconvenience in case of a claim by knowing what is included and what is not. You can always consult your insurance agent in case there are things that are not crystal clear to you. Take time to read the terms of the policy and make sure to update them regularly to cover significant changes in your business.
5. Be aware of the laws and regulations implemented by the state.
Most states have varying laws and regulations when it comes to the types of coverage businesses should have. For instance, some states require business owners to carry General Liability insurance. There may be states that will require you to get Workers Compensation coverage. That’s why it is essential to factor in the state where your business is located when buying business insurance. Comply with the state’s legal requirements to minimize any issues in the future.
These are just some of the important things to consider when choosing the right policy for your business. In most cases, it’s a daunting activity, given the numerous factors to consider as well as the long list of insurance providers offering a wide range of products and services, but all you need are research and proper guidance to choose the insurance that meets the needs of your business.
Don’t forget to identify the potential risks of the operations and consult an insurance expert. He or she can assess your requirements and help you choose the appropriate policy. It may be overwhelming at first but in the end, the time, money, and effort allocated to making sure that your business is protected against significant financial losses will be worth it.
This article was originally written on March 11, 2019 and updated on June 2, 2020.
Good article on business insurance. I think the biggest rub that I had was the third bullet, you get what you pay for. The truth is sometimes you get what you pay for, and at other times you overpay for an inferior policy.
Insurance is not a commodity. Do your homework and most important run from anyone that is trying to sell you insurance. Find an agent that knows what they are talking about, that is willing to be transparent, and most importantly an individual that helps you make your decision.