Keeping your business going is the number one concern of every business owner. Reducing daily business risks, providing products that customers want at prices that are fair are two major elements to keep your business in the lead.  However, from time to time a business suffers from certain events that cause interruptions for a specific amount of time. These interruptions may cause a business to lose money, and in some cases it may cause damage to their brand. The only way to safeguard ...

Safety involves much more than simply locking up at the end of the day. As a business owner, you must provide a safe environment for both employees and guests, along with protecting the premises from criminals. Try these five tips for keeping your business safer: 1.       Train your employees: In the simplest sense, your employees should be thoroughly trained before operating any non-standard equipment or before using any hazardous materials. However, more comprehe...

Even if a business begins in your home, it likely needs insurance of its own. If you think your homeowner’s policy will automatically respond to business-related losses, you better think again! A recent study of entrepreneurial trends revealed that 69 percent of all businesses begin in a personal residence. But when you suffer a loss there, most homeowner’s policies will not automatically respond to reimburse you for items related to your at-home business. For example, if you are ...

All businesses have liability risks, from the air conditioned office complex to the construction worksite. Today’s world is one in which it is very easy to sue businesses for large sums of money over seemingly trivial events. What does this mean? Just one unfortunate moment could possibly bankrupt your small business. Let’s look at three examples. 1.       A web design business has a very busy month and, during those extra-long days, the housekeeping ge...

If you own a mobile catering business, you have a lot of tasks to take care of on a daily basis. One thing that can set your mind at ease is business insurance. We never can tell when the unexpected may happen and if the worst happens, you want to make sure that you have a safeguard in place to take care of your business, your staff and yourself. Whether its bad weather, food poisoning, public liability or theft, you know that your business is protected, and you can focus on other aspects of run...

Approximately 42 million Americans are classified as independent contractors, freelancers or self-employed. That’s around one in three. By 2020, estimates are that at least half of the population could be working for themselves. There are many reasons why people have turned to this work model, including flexibility and healthcare portability. However, many self-employed individuals are so caught up in the excitement of starting their business and the day-to-day tasks of running it, that th...

Whether you are delivering pizzas or penguins, it is important to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Here are three facts you need to know about deliveries and insurance. #1: Your Personal Auto Insurance Policy May Not Cover Damage to Your Vehicle One of the biggest misconceptions among delivery drivers who use their personal vehicles for work is that their auto insurance policy will cover them if they get into an accident. The truth is that most insurance companies have a special...

Business insurance is there as part of your backup plan. It is there to help you to cover the costs associated with any losses you may suffer. Today, it is growing in importance for many reasons, especially in the area of fraud. Take a close look at your company and employees. Realize that any one of these individuals could cost your company millions of dollars if an instance of fraud occurs. With business insurance in place, you know that fraud isn’t as likely to shutter your company. Yet...

A storm comes through and damages your business. You have business insurance to cover the losses. However, it will take some time. During that time, your business will not be operational. And you will likely need to file a claim for business insurance, specifically for business interruption insurance. If you have this type of policy in place, you can rest assured that most of your potential losses will be protected including lost income, help with employee payroll and even help with costs owed t...

Some businesses have to operate during times of snow. These might include medical practices, and electrical or telephone companies that have to address service outages. Other businesses, like ski resorts, rely on snow as their profit-makers. They have profits riding on a snowy season. Operating such a business likely comes with higher risks. Some businesses have to have drivers on the road in winter weather when most people don’t drive. To protect these risks, business insurance is key. ...

Businesses today face increasing risks of lawsuits and claims. Many companies take significant steps to ensure they have the best employees on the job. They put in place very strict standards. They follow their attorney’s advice in creating training programs. Many even take extra steps to document every disciplinary instance clearly. Yet, discrimination claims still happen. In some cases, your basic business insurance policy is not enough. It may not protect the company from such claims....

Employees may claim lost items at work. If they do, who is responsible? Several factors play a role in determining this. The type of incident matters, for example.  This type of situation can be tricky to navigate. State laws differ. Business insurance differs as well. Heres a look at some of the scenarios that may play out. Someone Steals an Employees Belongings One potential claim for businesses has to do with the loss of an employees belongings. For example, an employee may leave a wa...

The job of a travel agent is to provide guidance and advice to his or her clients. As a result, these individuals typically work together to solve problems, create plans, and make purchases. All travel agents need to have a solid business insurance to cover all risks they face as a business owner. Because of  the nature of their business, these professionals may need specific coverage. Take a look at common types of business insurance for agents. General Liability Insurance As a travel ag...

One of the most-reported general liability insurance claims are slips and falls. A variety of hazards might cause someone to fall and get hurt when visiting your business. You have a responsibility for customer safety. What can you do to reduce trip and fall risks throughout your workplace and customer  areas? Safety must remain one of your first priorities in your business. As fall risks develop, immediately take steps to fix the problem. How Fall Risks Develop People can trip and fall ...

Medical payment coverage is one component of a commercial auto insurance policy. You and your drivers should understand what it covers. This feature provides coverage for incidents in which passengers suffer an injury while in your vehicles. Without it, your company may have to pay for these losses out of pocket. That can be very expensive. Here is what you need to know about it. What Does Medical Payment Coverage Include? Medical payment coverage is a valuable asset. Imagine a situation in wh...

Workers compensation is a tool to protect you when an employee suffers an injury at work. Most of the time, these are straightforward claims. Most companies do not object to this. Yet, there may be situations when a claim does not seem authentic. It can be hard to prove. What happens if you have to pay for those losses? Most times, your insurance helps you. Here’s a look at this tough situation. What Happened? Perhaps you do not believe an employee actually suffered an injury. Maybe ...

It is not uncommon for business owners to know how to protect their workers and customers. You know to keep customer spaces clean to avoid slips and falls. You know how important worker safety is. Yet, third parties who enter your property are also at risk. General liability insurance can help cover losses related to these individuals as well. Here is how they can help you. When a Delivery Person Enters Your Property Let’s say your delivery person comes into your stock room to drop off p...

If you drive for a company like DoorDash, you generally do not need to carry your own commercial auto insurance. But, you should get in touch with your insurance provider in order to work out the details. Some insurers may provide additional coverages for delivery drivers, while others may need to reconsider your rates given how much time you are spending on the road. In any event, letting your insurer know up front will help to ensure that you are, in fact, covered, should someth...

Injuries are an unfortunate part of everyday life. Slips, falls and drops are a given when it comes to opening your doors and allowing people into your store. Even though you do your best to make sure the store is as safe as possible, accidents are bound to happen. It’s important to make sure that all employees and managers know what to do in case of an accident. 1. Clear the Area People tend to crowd around when something out of the ordinary happens. Keep others clear of the area,...

Business insurance provides protection from a number of financial risks most businesses could face at some time in their operation. This type of insurance is rarely an option because it can help sustain a company through fires, theft, vandalism, and other high-risk situations. Yet, just because you need insurance doesnt mean you have to overpay for it. Saving money on business insurance is possible. These tips can help to reduce many of your costs substantially.  Take a closer look...

No matter how big or small your business might be, it might require a significant amount of equipment to run. The equipment in your business might be computers, refrigeration systems, compactors or other machinery. It can even include the air conditioning, electrical or furnace systems that you must use to keep the space inhabitable.  All your equipment is going to cost money both when you buy it and when you need to service or make repairs to it. Equipment breakdown insurance can theref...

Small businesses are at a high risk of loss when a single incident occurs. It could be a fire, theft, or damage to equipment. When an instance like this occurs, it can put a business at risk because some small companies often lack significant cash reserves to get back up and running quickly. Comprehensive business insurance is nearly always necessary. Yet, for those companies just starting out, there are some forms of business insurance that are essential. These minimal coverage plans may not pr...

Opening a catering business can be a rewarding opportunity. Yet, like any type of business operation, it comes with numerous risks. Your goal is to provide fantastic food and good service to your customers. To do this, and minimize financial loss, you need business insurance. Most catering companies need business owner policy (BOP) coverage or beyond. What are some of the policies from which you can benefit? Work with your agent to determine the right features to protect your new venture. Ge...

When most people think of spring cleaning, they picture rubber gloves and soapy sponges. Hopefully you keep your workplace clean year-round, but there’s still spring cleaning to be done. Use this time each year to breathe life into tired routines and refresh old policies. Hoping for greater efficiency? Wishing to cut down on expenses? Now is the time to make the necessary changes by doing a bit of metaphorical spring cleaning. Website Set aside a few hours to surf your business’ ...