Can I Protect My Business from an
Unforeseen Tragedy?
Can you protect your business from an unforeseen tragedy? The short
answer is: “Yes!” These days there are more ways than ever to make sure
your business is fully protected in the event of a natural disaster, a
product recall, a serious lawsuit, or any other potential danger.
Getting business insurance, however, requires you to do a little
research and analysis because the type of business insurance you
purchase makes all the difference. The right business insurance can mean
the difference between a long and prosperous business life and
professional and personal financial ruin.
You can and should get business insurance tailored to the specific needs
of your business. Part of protecting your business is determining where
you are vulnerable. Every business should have insurance to protect the
business property. This includes the building where the business resides
if the business owns it and all of the contents of that building whether
leased or owned. Should there be a natural disaster like an earthquake
or a flood, you need to make sure your property is covered. Remember,
however, that many types of natural disasters require additional
insurance coverage.
Natural disasters are not the only tragedies that can harm a business.
Power outages, structural failures, gas leaks, etc. can all force you to
close your doors at least temporarily. While you’re closed, you are
loosing money, and that’s why you have to carry insurance to cover
income loss. This is usually included in a business property insurance
policy, but not always. Income loss protection is crucial because a
forced closure can be a tragedy for a business that could lead to
bankruptcy.
Another unforeseen tragedy you have to protect your business from is a
lawsuit. Whether a suit has merit or not has no basis on how much it
could cost you. All businesses are vulnerable to lawsuits in one form or
another, so it pays to have liability insurance. Liability insurance
covers settlement costs, legal fees, and other expenses that come with
defending your business against a lawsuit. There are several types of
liability insurance, however, so you need to make sure that your
business is property covered for its needs.
Commercial General Liability (CGL) is the type of insurance that
protects you from suits brought about because of personal or advertising
injury. This insurance pays for medical expenses and other payments your
business is held responsible for. Most businesses will need this type of
protection. Professional liability insurance covers your business
against suits that arise from service related errors, negligence, or
malpractice. Employment practices liability insurance covers your
business against suits that arise from disputes over things such as
discrimination, sexual harassment, and wrongful termination. It can be
hard to determine how much liability coverage you need because
settlements in these cases run the gamut, but you can use other
settlements in your industry as a guide and discuss norms with your
insurance broker.
There are other types of business insurance that can protect your
business from a tragic end. Worker’s compensation insurance is an
absolute must for any business that has employees. Commercial auto
insurance is required if your business has or used vehicles regularly.
Life insurance is recommended if your business has multiple partners.
Which combination of coverage your business needs will depend on your
industry and the specifics of your company. |