Insurance Advice For New Business Owners

by Ronel Forbes

March 31, 2022

Running a business or beginning a new one is one of the most important and difficult things you will ever accomplish. It can also be extremely fulfilling, as well as a means of achieving financial success for yourself and your family.

Why do so many firms fail, though? A lack of forward planning is a common cause of small business failure.

For beginning a new business, getting the correct assistance from industry professionals like accountants, lawyers, and insurance consultants, as well as well-thought-out planning, is critical. If you get it right from the start, your firm is more likely to succeed.

It’s critical to have the correct insurance in place to manage your company’s risks. This entails getting the right guidance up front and evaluating your insurance on a regular basis as your business grows and evolves to ensure that you are covered in the event of an emergency.

Each company is distinct, necessitating customized insurance coverage. We’ve put together this series of articles to help business owners understand the many insurance coverage options available to them.

Is it vital to have business insurance?

The short answer is yes, without a doubt. Especially if you have employees, in which case you may be required by law to carry certain forms of insurance, such as workers’ compensation and disability insurance.

If you drive a working automobile, you may be obliged to obtain insurance. Insurance may also be a requirement for obtaining a business loan, lease, supplier or customer contract, or a state or municipal business license.

However, in many circumstances, there are no laws, rules, or regulations requiring business owners to make informed decisions about how to secure their company. As a result, around 40% of small firms are uninsured.

What are the risks?

The high expense of insurance, many small firms do not have coverage. However, those businesses haven’t addressed the financial implications of not having insurance.

The truth is that all businesses confront risks that might be financially disastrous if they are not protected by insurance. Obviously, if you’re starting a skydiving school, your business risks will be far higher than if you’re starting a bookstore.

However, no company is completely free of dangers, which could include:

Tornadoes, floods, and flames are examples of natural or man-made disasters.
An employee’s theft
Employee mishaps
A business partner or key executive has died.
Copyright infringement or false advertising
Negligence or malpractice
Accidents or injuries caused by a product
There’s a data breach, and there’s a lot more.

Without the proper insurance coverage, any of these events might bankrupt your company and even threaten your personal assets forcing you to close your doors far sooner than you intended.

Tips for safeguarding your company

Make sure your business is covered if you don’t want all of your hard work to go to waste. Keeping the following pointers in mind might help you get the correct insurance for your business:

Make the appropriate decision.

Trying to figure out your insurance needs and which coverages are best for you can be difficult, if not impossible, on your own. As a result, don’t go it alone. Make an appointment with your independent insurance agent.

Independent insurance agents are familiar with the types of risks that businesses face, as well as the types of insurance products available to protect them. They also represent multiple insurance companies, giving them access to a diverse range of products.

An independent agent can assist you in carefully considering and identifying potential business risks, as well as completely exploring your insurance options, to ensure that coverage is tailored to your specific needs.

Working with an agent essentially ensures that you receive the experienced assistance and guidance you require to ensure that your business is protected no matter what happens.

Make a plan for it.

Make a detailed business plan that explains what your company will do and how it will do it. When it comes to obtaining insurance and finance for a new firm, a sound business plan is essential. A strategy shows insurance underwriters and possible investors that you’ve done your homework and thought about the hazards you might face and how to protect your company as it expands.

Your independent agent can assist you in developing a solid plan and pitching it to underwriters.

Know what you’re up against.

Commercial insurance options range from general liability to property coverage to commercial automobile coverage to data breach and e-commerce coverage. Understanding the specific hazards that your company confronts is the first step in determining what kind of protection you require.

For example, if you’re establishing a contracting or manufacturing business, equipment failure or electrical failure could put your livelihood in jeopardy. On the other hand, if you’re building an e-commerce site, data security is almost certainly a must.

Through a professional risk assessment, an independent agent can assist you identify your possible obligations and risks so you know what sorts of coverage you need.

Consider a package deal

If your company requires a variety of coverages, such as property coverage, vehicle coverage, business interruption or equipment loss coverage, and liability coverage, you should consider a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP). When compared to purchasing separate policies for your varied insurance needs, a BOP packages several forms of coverage together and can save you money.

Make it personal

Your company is distinct, so your insurance coverage should be as well. Even if a BOP is appropriate for you, you should consult with your independent agent about tailoring the coverage to your specific needs.

Based on your business’s individual needs and hazards, your agent can assist you in considering adding endorsements or other options to your policy. Keep in mind that independent agents often work with a variety of carriers, so they’re well-equipped to provide you with the personalized insurance coverage you require.

Bottomline

One of the most crucial concerns in this regard is insurance. It’s critical to have the correct insurance coverage and to understand the risks and exposures that your company faces.

Another crucial component is the security of not just your company’s assets, but also the personal assets of directors and officials, as they may be exposed if their activities are called into question.

You must ensure that you have appropriate insurance that will continue to meet the needs of your business and will be subject to review as your firm evolves in the early phases of drafting a business plan. Because your policies may need to change as your company expands, it’s not a case of “set and forgets.”