Why should I bother with business insurance?<\/h3><\/div>![\"Danny](\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/finder-us\/wp-uploads\/sites\/3\/2020\/07\/Danny-Butler.jpg\")
<\/p>
Finder insurance expert Danny Butler<\/a> answers <\/em><\/div><\/div>Nearly every business can benefit from having some form of insurance coverage in place. It offers financial protection against a large number of common risks, giving you peace of mind that your business will be able to survive if something goes wrong.<\/p>
If, for example, an employee makes a mistake or a customer slips on your property, you could be liable for costs or even get sued. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re a plumber and you incorrectly fix a pipe for a restaurant, which forces it to stop operating for a month. You could be obliged to pay out what the restaurant would have earned in that time.<\/p>
This is why business insurance exists. If you don\u2019t have insurance, you might have to pay the cost of putting things right out of your own personal finances. And, in some cases, it\u2019s a legal or regulatory requirement to have insurance \u2013 in these cases, you could end up in hot water if you don\u2019t have the right cover.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
How does business insurance work?<\/h3>
Exactly how your policy works will depend on the nature of your business and the type of cover you\u2019ve bought; there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all policy. A sole trader plumber, for example, will need very different types and levels of cover compared to a firm of computer maintenance specialists.<\/p>
You can choose to take out individual types of cover separately (from the same insurer or different providers) or a combined business insurance policy that covers multiple risks.<\/p>
Some business insurance policies are specifically targeted at certain types of business. For example, cover for tradespeople might focus on (for example) business van insurance, tools cover and public liability cover (if customers or other third parties are injured in the course of your work).<\/p>
What type of business insurance might I need?<\/h3>
The specific type (or types) of business insurance you need will depend on the type of work you do and the size of your company. Below, we\u2019ve outlined the risks that different types of businesses may face and how business insurance can help.<\/p>
<\/th> If your business\u2026<\/th> You run the risk of\u2026<\/th> Insurance can help with\u2026<\/th> Businesses that might need this include\u2026<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Cyber liability insurance<\/th> - Is a fully or partly web-based business<\/li>
- Uses an IT system<\/li>
- Holds data in digital form<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Data breaches<\/li>
- Data theft<\/li>
- Cyber attacks<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Court and legal fees<\/li>
- Lost business revenue<\/li>
- Public relation fees<\/li>
- Theft costs<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- All businesses that rely on an IT system<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr>
Employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/th> - Is not a one-man band<\/li>
- Employs any staff that are not family members<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Staff injury claims<\/li>
- Claims if staff become ill as a result of their work<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Court and legal fees<\/li>
- Compensation pay-outs<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Legal requirement for any business with employees<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr>
Key person insurance<\/th> - Relies on an individual for financial success<\/li>
- Would struggle to operate if an individual died or was critically ill<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Loss of revenue<\/li>
- Struggling to stay afloat<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Lost business revenue<\/li>
- Loan repayments<\/li>
- The cost of recruiting a replacement<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Any businesses that rely on one or more individuals to succeed<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr>
Product liability insurance<\/th> - Designs or produces a physical product<\/li>
- Sells or installs a physical product<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Your product causing loss or damage<\/li>
- Your product failing to fulfil a promise or responsibility<\/li>
- Claims of faulty installation<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Court and legal fees<\/li>
- Compensation and damages costs<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Design agencies<\/li>
- Manufacturers<\/li>
- Tradespeople<\/li>
- Shops<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr>
Professional indemnity insurance<\/th> - Gives advice<\/li>
- Provides a service<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Claims of incorrect, misleading or damaging advice<\/li>
- Accusations of poor, negligent or fraudulent service<\/li>
- Claims of faulty installation<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Court and legal fees<\/li>
- Compensation and damage costs<\/li>
- Public relation fees<\/li>
- Cost of investigation into the claim<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Consultants<\/li>
- Lawyers<\/li>
- Journalists<\/li>
- Accountants<\/li>
- Medical professionals<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr>
Public liability insurance<\/th> - Has publicly accessible premises<\/li>
- Performs services in public places<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- People injuring themselves at your place of work<\/li>
- Property being damaged or stolen<\/li>
- Claims of negligence leading to financial loss<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Court and legal fees<\/li>
- Compensation and damages costs<\/li><\/ul><\/td>
- Shops<\/li>
- Dentists<\/li>
- Restaurants<\/li>
- Personal trainers<\/li>
- Road workers<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>
What do I need in order to get business insurance?<\/h3>
To get a quote for business insurance, you\u2019ll need to give the insurer a number of details about you and the business. These may include:<\/p>
- Your business address<\/li>
- The nature of your business<\/li>
- The number of employees<\/li>
- Actual or projected turnover<\/li>
- When your company was set up and how long it\u2019s been trading<\/li>
- How your company is set up (for example, are you a sole trader or a limited company)<\/li>
- Any history of claims<\/li>
- The level of cover you want<\/li>
- Whether you\u2019ve had any county court judgements (CCJs) or Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs)<\/li><\/ul>
Is business insurance a legal requirement?<\/h3>
This depends on the nature of your business and how it is set up. Some types of business insurance are a legal requirement for certain businesses. For example:<\/p>
- If your business employs any staff that aren\u2019t direct family members, you legally need employers\u2019 liability insurance<\/strong>.<\/li>
- Firms that operate in regulated industries may be required to take out professional indemnity insurance<\/strong>. These might include accountants, architects, financial advisers and solicitors.<\/li><\/ul>
In addition, some contracts for your services may stipulate that you must have certain types of insurance. For example, self-employed journalists may be required to take out professional indemnity insurance that covers the risk of libel claims. Or a cleaning company that operates in public spaces may be required to take out public liability insurance.<\/p>
If you\u2019re setting up a business, always check what kind of insurance you might be legally or contractually obliged to take out. Ask the trade bodies or regulators for your industry and check contract terms carefully.<\/p>
What level of business cover do I need?<\/h3>
This will depend on the type and size of your business, plus any legal, regulatory or contractual requirements. As you\u2019d expect, the bigger the company and\/or the higher the risks, the more cover you\u2019re likely to need. Think about potential losses and how much it could cost to put a mistake right.<\/p>
The minimum level of employers\u2019 liability cover required by law is \u00a35 million, though you can choose to take out more if you feel your risks and potential liabilities warrant it.<\/p>
Meanwhile, some contracts for services may stipulate a minimum level of cover they expect a supplier to have. And some professional bodies specify minimum levels of professional indemnity insurance for their members.<\/p>
How much does business insurance cost?<\/h3>
Like most insurance quotes, it depends on circumstances. The amount you pay for coverage depends on the type and size of business you\u2019re running, how many people you employ and what risks you run.<\/p>
If you\u2019re a sole trader or are running a light team of 4 or 5 librarians, your insurance will cost less than if you have 50 architects planning homes across the country.<\/p>
How do I compare quotes for business insurance?<\/h3>
Unlike many types of consumer insurance, such as car insurance or travel insurance, comparing quotes often isn\u2019t simply a case of using a price comparison site. Rather than working directly with insurers, many price comparison sites partner with an online broker, such as Simply Business. Online brokers can be a good starting point, as they compare quotes from a range of direct business insurance brands. But it\u2019s probably also a good idea to check directly with a few business insurers, including those that don\u2019t work with brokers (such as Direct Line for Business).<\/p>
When you\u2019re gathering quotes, make sure you compare like for like as much as possible. Don\u2019t just opt for the cheapest possible deal as it may not be fit for purpose. Think in advance about what risks your business needs protecting against. As well as making sure these risks are covered by the policy (or policies) you choose, look at things like cover limits plus any extras that are included or optional. Once you\u2019ve got a shortlist of policies you\u2019re happy with, then you can narrow it down further based on price.<\/p>
How can I reduce the cost of business insurance?<\/h3>
It\u2019s important not to cut costs by skimping on cover, as this could leave you high and dry if disaster strikes. But there are tactics you can use to keep costs to a minimum.<\/p>
- Shop around<\/strong>. This basic principle applies equally to business insurance as to car, home, travel or gadget insurance.<\/li>
- Don\u2019t automatically renew<\/strong>. Just because a certain provider offered the best deal last year, doesn\u2019t mean it will do when you come to renew.<\/li>
- Bundle up<\/strong>. Combining multiple types of business insurance into a single policy is likely to be cheaper than taking out several policies (though this isn\u2019t always the case, so it could be worth doing a quick comparison if you have the time).<\/li>
- Lower your liability risk<\/strong>. Some insurers may offer discounts if you reduce your risk, by installing an alarm or security cameras on your premises, or giving employees health and safety training.<\/li>
- Demonstrate that your business is well run<\/strong>. If you can show evidence of this, through risk assessments, professional accreditations or external audits, for example, insurers may be willing to charge you less.<\/li>
- Consider getting insurance through your trade or professional organisation<\/strong>. Some offer good deals for members that may be cheaper than those available elsewhere. Don\u2019t automatically assume this is the case though; do your own comparisons.<\/li><\/ul>
How do I make a business insurance claim?<\/h3>
Most insurers will let you make a claim online or over the phone, though the process can vary between providers. In most cases, you will need to supply proof of ownership or legal responsibility and as many details as you can about your claim.<\/p>
What other insurance does a business need?<\/h3>
As well as the main types of business insurance policy outlined above, depending on the nature of your business you might also want to consider the following. These can be bought individually, or can sometimes be bundled together with your main business insurance policy.<\/p>
- Commercial buildings and contents insurance<\/strong>. Commercial property insurance can protect your work premises plus any possessions and equipment held there if they\u2019re damaged or lost as a result of fire, flood or theft.<\/li>
- Landlord insurance<\/strong>. If you run a business renting out your properties, landlord insurance<\/a> can protect you against damage to your property plus, potentially, loss of earnings due to not being able to rent out your property for a certain period.<\/li>
- Business vehicle insurance<\/strong>. If you use a car or van for your work, you\u2019ll need business vehicle insurance<\/a>; regular car or van insurance is unlikely to cover business use.<\/li>
- Business interruption cover<\/strong>. This insurance<\/a> covers you if something prevents you from trading.<\/li>
- Credit risk insurance<\/strong>. Covers you for losses if a customer refuses or is unable to pay their debt to you.<\/li><\/ul>
Bottom line<\/h3>
Business insurance is an important, and sometimes essential, weapon to add to your business arsenal. Think of it as the shield that protects you, allowing you to enter the business fray with the confidence that you\u2019ve got a safeguard against possible assaults. But there are lots of different elements of business insurance, so before you buy, take a step back to think about what you really need. If in doubt, the trade or professional body for your industry may be able to help. And, as always, shop around for the best deal, when you first take out insurance and every time you renew.<\/p>
Frequently asked questions<\/h3>- \n \n
\n
<\/p>
Nearly every business can benefit from having some form of insurance coverage in place. It offers financial protection against a large number of common risks, giving you peace of mind that your business will be able to survive if something goes wrong.<\/p>
If, for example, an employee makes a mistake or a customer slips on your property, you could be liable for costs or even get sued. Let\u2019s say you\u2019re a plumber and you incorrectly fix a pipe for a restaurant, which forces it to stop operating for a month. You could be obliged to pay out what the restaurant would have earned in that time.<\/p>
This is why business insurance exists. If you don\u2019t have insurance, you might have to pay the cost of putting things right out of your own personal finances. And, in some cases, it\u2019s a legal or regulatory requirement to have insurance \u2013 in these cases, you could end up in hot water if you don\u2019t have the right cover.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/article>
How does business insurance work?<\/h3>
Exactly how your policy works will depend on the nature of your business and the type of cover you\u2019ve bought; there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all policy. A sole trader plumber, for example, will need very different types and levels of cover compared to a firm of computer maintenance specialists.<\/p>
You can choose to take out individual types of cover separately (from the same insurer or different providers) or a combined business insurance policy that covers multiple risks.<\/p>
Some business insurance policies are specifically targeted at certain types of business. For example, cover for tradespeople might focus on (for example) business van insurance, tools cover and public liability cover (if customers or other third parties are injured in the course of your work).<\/p>
What type of business insurance might I need?<\/h3>
The specific type (or types) of business insurance you need will depend on the type of work you do and the size of your company. Below, we\u2019ve outlined the risks that different types of businesses may face and how business insurance can help.<\/p>
| <\/th> | If your business\u2026<\/th> | You run the risk of\u2026<\/th> | Insurance can help with\u2026<\/th> | Businesses that might need this include\u2026<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyber liability insurance<\/th> |
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