WHAT TYPES OF INSURANCE DO I NEED FOR MY SMALL?
IN THIS BLOG
TYPES OF INSURANCE A SMALL BUSINESS SHOULD HAVE
There are certain types of insurance a small business should have in California. From the day an individual starts his own business, he probably knows that he exposes himself to certain kinds of risks. One lawsuit from a third-party person due to the business’s liability could probably wipe out the hard-earned company. Besides, catastrophic events could also make a massive impact on the business’s financial status. It will be difficult for small businesses to get off the ground if a catastrophe happens, making purchasing a particular type of small business insurance more essential.
Small business insurance is a type of insurance that covers small businesses against inevitable losses that could arise during their policy period. Here is a list of insurance services small business owners should consider.
TYPES OF INSURANCE A SMALL BUSINESS SHOULD HAVE
1. GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE
General Liability insurance is one of the types of insurance a small business owner must-have. Generally, This covers the liability of the insured against a third party person. It covers bodily injury and property damages the small business caused to others. Furthermore, general liability insurance would cover the insured against legal claims a third party person files against the insured business owner.
COVERAGE A: BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGES LIABILITY
This coverage protects from losses that are due to the insured’s legal obligation to a third party person. This loss causes bodily injury and property damages to others arising out of the insured’s business operations and negligence. Also, emotional distress can be considered a bodily injury.
COVERAGE B: PERSONAL AND ADVERTISING INJURY
Personal and advertising injury coverage could protect the insured against legal claims arising out of specific offenses, such as:
- Invasion of a third party person’s privacy
- Defamation
- Libel
- Slander
- False Arrest
- Copyright Infringement
COVERAGE C: MEDICAL PAYMENTS
This coverage provides payments for first aid and other necessary medical treatment to the injured third party. Besides, it can also cover the ambulance fee, care provider fee, and until the extent of a funeral. These medical payments coverage intends to provide basic pay for the injured, in the exchange of the injured, not filing a legal claim against the insured.
2. WORKERS COMPENSATION
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that could protect business owners against losses due to their workers. This insurance can provide four types of benefits to the workers. Including the rehabilitation of the workers, the cost for its injury that arises during their employment period. Besides, it can also cover the worker’s diseases that occur in relation to their work and their operation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Workers’ compensation is the mandatory insurance for all business owners throughout California.
- Covered injuries of the workers must arise during his employment with the insured business.
BENEFITS OF WORKERS COMPENSATION
A. MEDICAL COVERAGE
This coverage provides care provider expenses for unintentional accident injuries. Besides, it can also cover medical costs resulting from diseases due to the field of work. Medical expenses can cover the full cost of the employee’s medical fees — but under a specific amount of time only. Workers’ compensation insurance does not have deductibles and coinsurance; this is to prevent the insured from demanding medical services.
B. INCOME REPLACEMENT COVERAGE (INDEMNITY BENEFITS)
In worker’s compensation law, the insurance company must provide weekly income to the disabled worker. Income replacement coverage is only applicable if the disability of the worker results from the injury due to work operation.
C. SURVIVORS BENEFITS
Suppose that the worker’s death is work-related, the jurisdiction will automatically provide income benefits to the surviving family members. This survivor’s benefit includes the priority, which is the surviving legal spouse and its dependent children. Besides, it can also provide for the cost of funeral services or burial benefits. In thirty jurisdictions, 66 percent of the workers’ average weekly wage, would be the benefit that has to give, to the surviving spouse and its dependents.
D. REHABILITATION
Many workers suffer a disability that is beyond income payments and ordinary medical services. Other patients require other help to bring them back to their former economic and social state. Rehabilitation to the workers includes physical-medical attention or therapy, to restore the worker to their health, antecedent to the injury. Besides, it can also provide psychological assistance to the worker if the worker suffers from mental trauma due to the injury. Workers’ compensation can also provide payment for the enrollment of the worker to a vocational course. It is a training for the worker to fit in a new function, in accordance with his current state.
3. PROPERTY INSURANCE
This insurance is a type of insurance that can cover the property of the business against covered losses. It can cover the building of the business and the properties that are attached to it. Besides, it can also cover the personal properties that are inside the building premises. It can also cover the properties that are used in the business — even though it is outside the building. Also, the business properties within the 100 feet parameters of the structure of the business can be covered.
BENEFITS OF WORKERS COMPENSATION
- The building structure of the business that is described on the declarations of the insured. It includes the following:
- Completed additions
Permanently installed machinery and equipment - Indoor fixtures and outdoor fixtures
B. PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE BUSINESS
- Located inside or outside the building of the business insured. It can also cover the personal properties that are located within the 100 feet parameters of the building. Consisting of the following unless otherwise listed on the declarations.
- Furniture and fixtures
- Machinery
- Business Stocks
- Other properties
- Leased or personal property for which the insured has a contractual responsibility
4. BUSINESS OWNERS POLICY
Business insurance policy would cover small to medium-sized businesses. This insurance is a package policy encompassing the business properties and their liability. There is two coverage of business owners policy which is the:
COVERAGE OF BUSINESS OWNERS POLICY
A. PROPERTY COVERAGE
Property coverage would cover the building of the insured’s business against covered losses. Besides, it can also include the personal properties of the insured that are useful in business operations.
B. LIABILITY COVERAGE
This coverage would cover the business of the insured against bodily injury and property damages claims. The coverage will be applicable if the liability claims arise inside the premises of the company and its operations. It could cover the insured from the cost of settling claims and the cost of medical expenses.
5. COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE
This type of insurance could cover the vehicles of insured businesses against unexpected losses. Commercial auto insurance could cover the company against liability claims arising from a third party person. It can also include the insured business vehicle from collision and comprehensive damages.
COVERAGE OF COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE
A. COLLISION COVERAGE
Property coverage could cover the building of the insured’s business against covered losses. Besides, it can also include the personal properties of the insured that are useful in business operations.
B. COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE
This coverage would cover the business of the insured against bodily injury and property damages claims. The coverage will be applicable if the liability claims arise inside the premises of the company and its operations. It could cover the insured from the cost of settling claims and the cost of medical expenses.
C. MEDICAL PAYMENTS
Medical payments coverage is optional in some states. Some drivers consider it unnecessary if they have overlapping Health Insurance. However, it is more secure if the business adds this coverage to their policy. Medical payments coverage could pay the medical expenses of the driver — should he procures an accident while working for the insured business.
D. LIABILITY COVERAGE
Liability coverage could pay for the liability of the insured to a third party person if the insured is held at-fault on the accident. It could pay for bodily injury and personal property damages the insured caused to others. Besides, liability coverage could also defend the insured against legal claims related to these damages.
E. UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE / UNDERINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE
Uninsured coverage pays for the bodily injuries of the insured that is due to an accident with another vehicle whose driver is negligent. Besides, the driver at fault has no liability insurance or if the insured was hit-and-run by the other driver. It can cover the driver of the business and anyone who is riding inside the insured vehicle. While underinsured coverage would fill the gap when the party at fault doesn’t have enough liability insurance to cover the insured.
6. PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE / ERRORS AND OMISSION
Professional liability is a type of insurance that is also known as errors and omissions, which is insurance that can cover the liability of professionals. However, they are covering different types of practices. Professional liability insurance would cover the liability of professionals whose job is to advise clients. This business includes medical professionals and legal professionals. On the other hand, errors and omissions cover the liability of business professionals whose job includes selling products. These businesses include insurance brokers, insurance agents, real estate brokers, and architects.
7. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE
Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance would cover the company’s directors and officers. D&O can indemnify the insured for the losses that could arise from alleged wrongful acts until the stretch of their capacity. This insurance could extend up to the defense cost and investigations. However, illegal intentional acts are typically not covered by this insurance. Besides, this could prevent other company officers from filing a legal claim against the company’s director.
8. DATA BREACH
It’s up to you to decide whether or not your company requires this type of coverage. Data breach insurance is a must-have if you capture and maintain sensitive data, such as personal information or company documents. This type of insurance may not be essential if your business does not store any sensitive information or if you store it through a secure third party.
9. PRODUCT LIABILITY INSURANCE
The items you produce, sell, or distribute, as well as the services you give, are all your responsibility. If one of your items is defective and injures or kills a third party or causes property damage, you may be held liable and responsible for any losses or damages. Product liability insurance can help to cover the legal costs of any lawsuits filed against your company in these situations by providing some financial protection.
10. BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE
A type of insurance policy that covers the loss of income due to a disaster is known as business interruption insurance. This income loss could be due to a disaster-related closure of the business facility, or it could be due to physical damage and the subsequent rebuilding process.
Business Interruption Insurance is also known as business continuation insurance. When a business cannot operate for an extended period due to a fire, it provides coverage for expenses associated with running a business, such as payroll and utility bills.
