Posts Tagged ‘liability insurance’
Friday, June 11th, 2010
Are you concerned that you do not have the proper insurance coverage for your business? Many people who own or operate their own companies have this concern. Commercial insurance brokers can help you find the right policy to ensure you are fully covered. Here is what you need to consider as well as information on how to find a broker that offers policies designed for companies instead of just homes and vehicles.
One basis for choosing a commercial broker is their knowledge of the various types of coverage. Some of these are very specific and a few of these have only recently become available. Any insurance broker should be familiar with liability and theft. These are usually mandatory and will help protect you in many cases. However, since liability coverage can change over time, you want to think about making sure that your broker has all of the most up to date information available.
You may be interested in finding out that there are also forms of commercial insurance that will help protect you if you are unable to conduct business. In the event of a disaster or the destruction of your building, you may want business interruption coverage. This will pay many of the day-to-day expenses of your company including taxes or utility fees. These can mount up and may end up causing long term problems if you are unable to run your company for some time. On a more personal level, there is also key man coverage. If your business would simply cease to exist if you were unable to work, you may want to consider this type of coverage as well.
One of the more interesting types of coverage that your broker may be able to advise you about is personal liability insurance. This is different from the liability coverage that protects your company. If there is a chance that you may be held personally responsible for anything, you should think about personal liability. As well, any vehicles owned and operated by the company may require commercial vehicle insurance.
You want to choose a commercial broker that you feel comfortable with. This is because you may need to meet with them on a few separate occasions. These can include times when your company goes through any specific changes such as expansion or relocation. You may also want to check in from time to time to make sure that you are fully covered or that changes to any required coverage either will not affect you or are taken care of.
Locating a commercial insurance broker can be easy. You may want to check online to see if there are any located near you. It can be a good idea to make sure that they represent multiple insurance companies so that comparison shopping becomes easier and much less time consuming. Insurance is important but you need to make sure that you have the right coverage and at the right price.
A commercial insurance broker will deal with multiple commercial insurance companies which lets them choose the right coverage from the right company for your particular business.
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Sunday, May 30th, 2010
If you have a business or plan to have one in the near future, you need commercial liability insurance coverage. It will protect your business from common claims of all types. It is always better to have too much than too little coverage.
You will find that your business is at risk of being sued all the time, every day, whether it will have to do with bodily injury or damage to property. This type of insurance is designed to assist you in continuing the operation of your business while you deal with fraudulent, as well as real, claims.
There are four categories that this type of insurance covers. The categories are property damage, personal injury (includes slander), bodily injury, and advertising injury, such as infringing on the copyright. It covers the cost to defend your business or settle the claim, as well. You should not suffer financial loss at all, and it includes damage to you by others, even your employees. Medical expenses should also be paid for, and it protects against fire, as well. You should check your state for details of the various types of coverage.
Because not everything is covered under this very basic commercial liability coverage, you might consider a professional liability policy in addition to your basic policy. It is also called errors and omissions coverage. This policy may cover what limitations you may have under the basic commercial coverage.
Because your commercial liability coverage is so basic, you should make sure of what you will be protected against. It should cover your premises and customers. It may cover furniture, equipment and also the software and hardware of your computer, should it be stolen or damaged.
As it is always better to be over-insured, as opposed to under-insured, you might look into other types of policies as well, such as life and disability, in addition to your commercial liability insurance coverage. Consult with a business insurance professional to see what types of coverage your business requires.
In addition to a commercial liability insurance policy, you may need product liability insurance if you make, distribute or sell consumer goods.
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
Surety bond coverage is a necessary way of doing business. The surety bond system is easy to understand. It involves at least three people in an agreement or contract. The surety bond issuer is insuring that the person responsible for contract performance will uphold his or her part of the bargain.
The party to perform the contract is referred to as the principal. The party who is to receive the contract performance in referred to as the obligee, which is a legal term. The surety bond issuer is the party that insures the principal’s performance of the contract.
The reason this is a needed part of business is that the contract might not be agreed to if the obligee, the person who expects and relies on performance, might not want to risk his or her money if the principal does not come through with the contracted performance.
Deals would be in less supply if obligees did not have quick money to remedy the non performance of the contract. They simply would not be able to handle the risk of non performance. The surety will pay the obligee an agreed amount if the contract is breached by the principal.
The surety bond person will come in and promise to pay the obligee for the non performance of the principal. This is an amount determined before hand. It would not make sense for the surety to pay an unlimited amount of money in case of non performance.
The surety collects an insurance premium from the principal. This is the cost of doing business for the principal. The principal will get more contracts if he has a surety company, usually an insurance company backing his performance.
Surety bonds are used in many cases of construction contracts. The contractor is the principal. The person or group he is building for is the obligee. Usually the surety is an insurance company. If the contractor does not or is not able to complete the work according to the expectations of the obligee then the surety will pay the obligee a specified amount based on what the obligee will have to spend to remedy the situation and also based upon a specified amount when the surety bond coverage was established. This is the way business can move forward. It is a very important part of the contract business.
Certain companies may need two different bond types. With a surity bond they can have written contracts guaranteed, while with fidelity bonds they can have coverage against dishonest or fraudulent employees.
Tags: business insurance, entrepreneur insurance, home business insurance, home insurance, liability insurance, small business insurance, surety bond Posted in home insurance | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
Sometimes called E&O Insurance is errors and omissions insurance coverage. Mistakes can be made in a service business and this insurance can make these mistakes less costly. E & O covers individuals and companies against a client that holds you liable for a service you performed or failed to provide. The insurance coverage gives you or your company safety should an error or some omission on your part cause financial loss to your client.
For doctors its malpractice insurance. For architects or computer programmers it’s called professional liability insurance. Not all policies are created equal, it all depends on the nature of your profession. Each policy is written for the type of business you are in.
Lawsuits that might appear to be without any grounds, still have to be defended. A small company may not be able to survive after paying a settlement. Depending on the coverage, this is when your E & O policy comes into place.
John and Mary are planning to have fish and chicken for their wedding reception. The wedding planner gets their menu mixed up with a wedding for the next day. The guest are served steak and chicken at the reception. This kind of mistake has embarrassed the wedding planner and made the wedding couple upset. The mistake could have cost the wedding planner her business and the chance of a bad reputations, if she did not have a E & O policy in place. Instead, a claim is filed and the bridal couple get a little more money for the sofa they want. Perhaps letting all your clients know you have insurance to cover mistakes would be good for business.
Make sure that you don’t confuse general liability insurance with E & O insurance. Only an errors and omissions policy will cover you and your company from a contract dispute issue. The price of a policy will vary, your area, your business type and if you have had any claims before will all be a factor in the price. Get a policy before you need it and reduce financial risks.
Make sure that when you receive your errors and omissions insurance coverage that you look it over and make sure that it fits your type of business.
Every professional should get errors and omissions insurance coverage to protect against errors that costs their clients money. With EO insurance policies you get protection that is not offered by a general liability policy.
Tags: business insurance, entrepreneur insurance, errors and omissions insurance, home business insurance, home insurance, liability insurance, small business insurance Posted in home insurance | No Comments »
Monday, May 10th, 2010
It is easy to get so caught up in the success of your business that you forget to protect it as well. Especially when you are starting out, small business insurance plans may seem unnecessary. But protecting the future of your business and its continued success is always important.
There are several different types of insurance you may need for your business. Among the types of insurance you may need are property insurance, liability insurance, auto insurance and workers compensation. Within these categories, there are also many variations.
You can purchase each type of policy separately or have them put together in a plan. A business owner policy, for example, combines property along with liability insurance. This can save you some money but you need to be sure that the coverage is as much as you need. If you need more for your particular business, discuss with the insurance company how you can make modifications.
When you are choosing your insurance company, you will want to look at more than just the cost. Be sure that their customer service is good and you will have your questions answered and your claims responded to fast. Low cost without adequate service is not a bargain.
When you are comparing plans from one insurance company to another, make sure that they are really equal. You do not want to pay less only to have insufficient coverage. Take a look at the deductible and always read the fine print carefully.
You may opt to discuss your needs with insurance brokers as well as insurance companies. Brokers can often get you better rates. Whomever you get quotes from, make sure the you have told them everything they need to know about your business so they can suggest policies that will protect your business properly.
There are different types of specialized coverage available, such as errors and omission insurance coverage for professionals and workmans compensation insurance for companies that have a certain number of employees.
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Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
Many companies can offer business liability insurance so that you can feel safe in the knowledge that your business is protected. No matter what kind of a company you have you need insurance to know you are covered no matter what happens. This is no different than car or home insurance.
If you think you don’t need insurance then think again. You may feel that there is simply no reason to pay money on something that you may never use. But then what happens if you do need it? The right coverage could save you thousands of dollars. Accidents are always possible no matter what kinds of precautions you take.
Whether it’s something that happens to your products or if a costumer were to slip and fall, insurance can help to cover you losses. Insurance can even help to cover any legal expenses you may run into along the way. If for any reason someone receives a settlement against you then your insurance should help to cover this as well.
Shopping for insurance for your business is the same as for a car or home. There are many companies that provide coverage and you should choose the company and policy that best suits your needs. If you have a one person operation then you obviously won’t need insurance to cover accident to employees. Save money where you can but be safe and ensure you are covered if anything should happen.
You can get free quotes from hundreds of companies either at an office near you or online. It’s an easy and quick process and there is help available if you are unsure of what you need.
No matter how much you spend on insurance it is still cheaper than being without it. This can give you peace of mind and know you are covered in the event you need it. Shop for insurance at an agency near you or get a free quote online.
Your company needs business liability insurance from a reputable insurance provider. Go online to get a free general liability insurance quote from multiple providers, to easily compare your coverage options.
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Saturday, April 24th, 2010
If you own a business, you will probably need business general liability insurance. Even if you do not purchase any other type, this one is critical. In fact, it may even be required by your landlord if you are leasing your space.
General liability is sometimes bundled with property insurance into a business policy. However, the coverage in this case is usually not that high. Exactly how much coverage your business will need is going to depend on several factors.
One factor will be your business type and its value. With a more valuable business, there is more at risk. Also, if your business is high profile, some people may consider it to be a good target for a lawsuit. Where you are located geographically can also play a part the risk of legal action.
General liability is the type of insurance that covers you if someone makes a claim of personal injury, physical injury, property damage or injury from false advertising or copyrighting infringing. The company that insures you also covers your legal costs. The policy will normally have a maximum amount that is paid per lawsuit as well as a maximum for the policy period.
There is umbrella liability insurance that can also be purchased. This is meant to cover you if your general liability coverage is insufficient. This type of policy can also cover liabilities that the standard policy will not.
You can put some procedures into place that may help lower your insurance cost. Some employee training as well as quality control measures can help in this regard. Even if your premium is not lowered, these measures may help prevent claims which is obviously a benefit.
To accurately determine what you need in terms of a policy and coverage, you will need to sit down with an insurance agent or broker. Discuss with an expert the details of your business so that they can help you make an accurate assessment as to your needs.
Consider general contractor insurance if you are a builder. Get a professional liability insurance quote if your company offers professional services to customers that can result in financial loss due to an error or negligence.
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Saturday, April 17th, 2010
If you are starting a business, you may already be aware of the need for business liability insurance coverage. There are several different kinds of this type of insurance, however. Which one or ones you need will depend on the type of company you are starting and the industry in which you operate.
General liability insurance is almost always a requirement for a business. This covers you in cases such as a person slipping and falling. Basically, it covers any property damage or personal injury resulting from your business operations, generally occurring at your place of business. Advertising injury such as infringement of copyright is also covered.
Businesses that engage in the manufacturing of products should also have product liability insurance. This covers you when a consumer is injured by using your product. The cost of this, as with all other insurance, will depend in part on your specific business as well as the industry you are in. Retailers and distributors should also consider this coverage.
Professional liability may also be necessary. For example, doctors need to be covered by malpractice insurance. What you might know is that any business or individual that gives advice such as a consultant or accountant can be hit with this type of lawsuit, if a customer or client is caused financial harm due to advice or services given.
Employee practices is another type you might consider. This protects you in the case of lawsuits such as discrimination, sexual harassment, benefits mismanagement and breaches of contract. Of course, you want to think your employees would never file a suit against you. But it is still worth protecting yourself.
There can be additional types of liability insurance that make sense depending on your company. For example, auto or liquor liability might be a requirement. Your best bet is to discuss your particular situation with an insurance broker or an agent. These people can advise you best on what you need once they understand the nature of your business.
Find a general liability business insurance policy online by requesting free quotes for business liability insurance coverage, which you can compare and find the right policy for your company.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010
There is an air of excitement when starting a business. They time you put in may feel overwhelming at times but once you are up and running and profits are being made, the time away from family will pay off. You need to consider small business insurance as one of the first things when starting a business.
It is important to consider what type and how much insurance you will need. There are many companies offering a vast amount of price differences so it is important to talk to someone that can steer you in the right direction before making any decisions.
There are some basic policies you will definitely need to consider. One of the important policies to have after you have hired employees is workers compensation insurance. This will protect you as a small business owner from being sued should one of your employees become hurt while working for you.
You will also need to get insurance for the place where you do business. This will protect your building from natural occurrences such as flood or fire. Liability insurance will protect you as the owner as well.
When it comes to insurance for your business you should basically be concerned with four types of insurance that are a must for your business protection. If you use a vehicle in your business or if employees drive a vehicle for you, get insurance on the vehicle. Property insurance protects the building and anything inside the building against damage, including fire or other natural disasters. Workers compensation is for employee injuries and can save your business should an employee get hurt. Business liability coverage will cover damages to a third party.
It has taken a lot of sweat and hard work to get your business built up so protecting it with insurance only makes sense. There are many small businesses that have lost everything they worked for simply because someone got hurt and the company was not insured.
It is overwhelming searching for the various policies you will need, but doing an online search for small business insurance will provide you with a number of companies that you can compare quotes through. If you know others with a small business, talk with them about who they are insured from. Often times you can get all of the insurance you will need through one company which may save you a lot of money in the long run.
Your company needs business car insurance if it operates company vehicles. In addition to commercial vehicle insurance you need to figure out what other types of coverage your company needs.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010
Surety bond companies issue bonds to customers on behalf of second parties. This second party bond guarantees this party promises to maintain an obligation or numerous obligations to a third party. A third party will recoup its losses through the bond if the obligations are not fulfilled. Lots of US corporate property or casualty insurance companies offer this type of coverage.
These surety bonds comprise all or most of the business in some of these US corporate insurance companies. A surety company needs to be licensed by one or more state insurance departments for a company to create a surety bond in the USA. This company also needs to be doing active insurance business in all these states.
Stringent pre-qualification processes are required by many of these surety companies before issuing a bond. This greatly reduces the odds of the contractor defaulting. The entire business operation of this contractor are looked at by the underwriter of the surety company. The credit history, work in progress, experience, financial strength and equipment of the contractor are viewed closely by an underwriter.
Any underwriter or examiner must be assured that the contractor will bring a project to completion before a bond will be issued. The surety company may decide to help the contractor to stop any default if the contractor has problems on any project. The surety company’s involvement is often not even noticed by the owner.
If the owner deems that the contractor is in default, the surety company has to thoroughly examine the claim, check out options and decide on a new course of action. If the contractor does default, the surety may offer financial assistance to the original contractor.
Sometimes the surety company can give support to be certain that the project is completed. At times the surety may pay the cost of completing the project or re-bid up to the cost of the bond. Its critical to understand how surety bond companies operate.
Surety bonds, or surety insurance is used to ensure a company performs the job it is contracted to do. Fidelity bonds, or fidelity bond insurance are another bond product that protect against financial harm caused by employee theft or dishonesty.
Tags: business insurance, entrepreneur insurance, home business insurance, home insurance, liability insurance, small business insurance Posted in home insurance | No Comments »
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