“Commercial insurance” essentially refers to insurance that protects businesses and professionals from any unforeseen circumstance that could affect the business / professionals financially. It’s always a good idea to have some sort of coverage for your business, even if you work from home. A general liability policy at the very least is recommended as it covers businesses for cases like a customer getting injured on the property, someone trying to sue you for medical costs, if your products cause injury, if copyright infringement, and so forth.
General liability insurance is offered by some contractors as a stand-alone coverage through some insurance companies, although it is often combined with property insurance in Business Owner Policies, or BOPs.
Here are a few tips for choosing commercial insurance:
• The best insurance for your business won’t be the same for every business, because each company is unique. It’s best to go through a company that offers tailored solutions, so you won’t have to worry about paying for coverage that you don’t even need.
• Learn about the laws in your area. Where your business is located plays a role in how much money you’ll have to pay. The risks are greater in some areas. What is the minimum requirement for companies in your city and state? How big is your commercial property?
More Tips for Finding Good Commercial Insurance
• One thing to look for is a company that will offer ways to reduce the cost of commercial insurance to ensure that you are getting a competitive price. Some providers actually offer discounts for home-based businesses. You might also be rewarded if you employ good risk management, such a keeping the commercial property clean and hazard-free.
• Keep the terms “named perils” and “open perils” in mind. Open perils coverage refers to protection against nearly every potential loss, except for losses specifically excluded in the commercial insurance policy. Named perils policy, on the other hand, only provides coverage for losses that are specifically INCLUDED in the policy, such as theft, wind, fire, vandalism, etc…
• If you are looking for an insurance broker, make sure that individual knows your industry. The more knowledgeable they are about your specific needs and requirements, the better able they will be to help you get the best possible coverage at a reasonable price. Also, look into a broker’s geographical licensing and operations. Do they align with the regions or states your company operates in?
A good place to begin your search for a good commercial insurance policy is the Hiscox Business Insurance Group. Hiscox Inc is financially strong and offers affordable, tailored coverage in all 50 states.