Category: Cobb Hall - page 2

When it comes to owning a business you will improvise a thousand times.  One place you should never get by is when it comes to your business insurance, especially your general liability insurance.  If you are planning on starting a business, insurance is a must.  You need to determine what type of protection you need, how much insurance you can afford and exactly what is required for your industry.

General liability insurance is commonly known as commercial general business liability.  It is meant to be purchased and carried by business owners to protect the company’s assets and obligations. This insurance covers costs related to property damages and injuries that are caused by you or your employees.  Liability policies for business often also cover legal needs including compensation both monetary and punitive.

Another thing that general liability insurance for your business covers is any damages to property against you as a tenant.  If damage is caused to the property in which the business is located liability insurance makes sure you are covered.  This insurance coverage can also protect you and your business in claims of any fictitious or deceptive marketing and copyright issues.

The question isn’t if you need business liability coverage it is how much coverage is needed and what additional policies are needed to make sure your business is completely covered in all cases.  Although you can purchase general business liability insurance on your own, it is not always in your best interest to.  A business owner policy should bundle liability insurance, property insurance, automobile insurance, umbrella insurance, workman’s compensations policies and more to offer your business comprehensive coverage.

How much coverage is needed will depend on a few different factors including the industry in which your business is in, the risks involved, the location and the number of employees on staff.  Take for instance the difference between a web developer and a roofer.  The risks involved with construction far outweigh those of website developers however this is not to say there is no risk in web design, they just vary in severity.  The likelihood a web developer has carpal tunnel far outweighs his risk of breaking his leg whereas a roofers likelihood to fall and seriously harm themselves is greater.  This being stated you can see how the coverage and amount of coverage will vary greatly between different businesses as will the premiums.

Before rushing out and purchasing the first policy offered you must do research and meet with several different business insurance agents to ensure you are getting the right coverage at a reasonable price.  With any product or service what you will pay from one business to the other varies, even when purchasing the same exact product.  When you own your own business you know every penny counts thus ensuring you are getting the most coverage for your money.

Insurance is never important until you need it but of course as we all know it is too late at that point.  It is always imperative to understand what you are purchasing and it could never be truer than when insuring your livelihood.

As a business owner you take on risks that don’t always meet the eye when you are first diving into starting your business.  One that is often overlooked is the risk you take employing others.  General business liability insurance covers your assets. What type of business insurance protects you against claims when an employee gets hurt on the job?  What protects you and your business from being required to support a claim for wages, benefits and further claims?  The answer is workers’ compensation.

Every business and every job has risk involved. On the job accidents are common and can range from something like carpal tunnel injuries or massive injuries like a machine malfunction causing the loss of a limb.  If someone is hurt at your place of business you will be held accountable for their related medical expenses, income lost and other expenses deemed reasonable.

As a business owner you can insurance yourself from losing everything by adding a worker’s compensation plan on to your business insurance plan.  In fact, each state within the United States has laws in place governing the coverage you must carry to cover your employees.  Insurance coverage will vary from one industry to the next depending on the risks involved within the scope of your business.

Workers ‘Compensation otherwise known as workman’s comp and workers liability are all policies that are carried by business owners to provide protection to the business if an accident does occur and employees are affected.  Most often the policy is carried to provide coverage for medical bills and deductible as well as lost wages during and after the accident until a full recovery can be made.

Most policies also offer coverage that is provided to the owner to cover expenses that occur in legal interventions if a claim is filed.  This is referred to as employers’ liability insurance.  It covers the cost of attorney’s, court costs, docket fees and more. The most important part of any business insurance policy is the coverage it provides to you as a business owner.  Your business is your livelihood and needs to continue to thrive.  Your business not only provides for you but for all of the other you employ as well.  You want to be covered to prevent a simple accident from eliminating your livelihood.

Typically several different coverage options can be added on to a basic workmen’s compensation plan.  One option is to cover employees that work in other areas, even states, beyond the normal day to day operations of the business.  There is coverage that may not be mandated but that can be purchased to cover certain illnesses and coverage that covers dependants if a fatality is suffered by a dependant on the job.

The point is that workmen’s compensation is not optional when it comes to buying business insurance.  The amount and types of coverage above and beyond what the state has in place as a requirement should be considered if the scope of your industry calls for it.  The better your coverage plan is the better you will be covered is something happens to one of your employees.  Being covered keeps your livelihood safe and allows you to continue to do business.

As a business owner it is your responsibility so make sure that you have business insurance to protect you, your business and your employees.  Insurance for your business exists to protect the time, money and effort that you have invested in creating a successful company.  General liability insurance exists to protect your venture.  As a business owner it is up to you to ask the right questions come time to find an insurance provider and insurance policy.

It is important to first know about the product you are purchasing to protect your business.  A general business liability insurance plan is in place to cover business owners from any the risk of loss due to unforeseen events such as weather, theft or lawsuits.  When you open a business you put yourself at risk therefore purchasing the correct business insurance is a necessity.  There are a few basics that you will want to cover with the insurance agents you interview when addressing your needs for business insurance.

First things first you will want to find out about the companies experience in selling liability insurance to companies with similar products or services to what you will be offering. Your personal insurance agent is not necessarily the best option when seeking out insurance for your business.  You will want an experienced agent in commercial insurance. Personal insurance agents often don’t have the knowledge or background to successfully navigate your business insurance needs.  The last thing you want after purchasing business insurance is to still be exposed to risk. Find a company that offers a background and experience with a variety of insurance liability needs for business owners.

You will want to look into a comprehensive insurance package that fits your wants and needs when it comes to insurance coverage.  There is not a one size fits all policy when it comes to covering your business.  When searching for insurance you will need to find a company that is willing to focus on insurance specifically for the products and services you offer.  They should also be familiar with the community in which your business will be open as well as the ability to point out risks that are unforeseen to you.  A qualified insurance agent will guide you in a direction that encompasses all areas of your business including those you have not previously considered.

Another thing to consider is an agent that is in this relationship with you for the long haul.  It is important to work with someone that knows as your business expands your needs will change as well.  Find a company that is reputable and known for their longevity, providing coverage for businesses that have seen progress and growth and have ensured their policies have grown with them.  Referrals and references are something that should never be taken lightly when looking into companies offering business insurance.  One place to start may be finding other locally owned businesses, similar in nature to yours and asking to talk to them about their insurance provider.  This could lead you into a direction you may have not thought about when it comes to providers of insurance for your business.

There are many providers that will provide your business insurance.  The key element you are looking for is a provider that is providing the correct coverage to fir your needs today and tomorrow.  A trust worthy efficient, knowledgeable agent is necessary in providing you coverage to effectively cover all of your business needs, seen and unforeseen.

Deciding to start a business is the easiest step in being an entrepreneur.  The rest however is an upward battle.  Making a business successful and protecting it against any and all unforeseen possibilities is the real challenges in owning your own business.  With everything in business that could go right there is something equal that could go wrong.  Sort of like Newton’s third law for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  The goal is to prevent and protect yourself and your budding business from an array of unknown, unforeseen disasters.  You can do this with by purchasing adequate business insurance.

With so many different insurance agents offering such a wide variety of business insurance plans how is any one supposed to know what to purchase.  It can be an overwhelming process but one that is indeed important to the success of your business.  The first step is to locate a local insurance agent specializing in business insurance.  You should also have a clear understanding of the different types of business insurance you will be shopping for.

One type of insurance is property insurance.  This is a policy that is purchased to cover a business similar to the way homeowners insurance covers your homes interest.  Property insurance will cover any loss or damage to the business property or lost assets.  This is a must have for all business owners even if the dwelling that your business is located is being rented.  This type of insurance covers the machines and tools necessary to run your business.

Casualty insurance provides coverage for the company against lawsuits and legal liability should injury be sustained on your companies property.  This also includes coverage to property not owned by the business.

When you purchase general liability insurance for your company provides coverage for any damage your business is responsible for in regards to health, property and reputation.  This insurance is a policy intended to cover everything from legal issues to accidents from negligence.  This is the most important coverage you can purchase for your business and for yourself to protect business assets as well as personal assets in some cases.

Business interruption coverage is used to cover and make up for deficits in unforeseen situations such as natural disasters and catastrophic events. Business interruption coverage is there to bridge the gap in lost sales, rent, payroll and more until the business is back up and running following a major disaster.

Umbrella insurance for businesses is necessary coverage to have in case you have reached the limit of what other insurance policies will cover.  This insurance covers and costs above and beyond the original insurance policy coverage.  Basically you can consider umbrella insurance coverage for your business insurance policies.

When it comes to choosing the right coverage for your business it is important to start with an agent that is familiar with businesses similar to yours and their coverage needs.  The agent should be able to help find pitfalls in your business and offer coverage to protect you from them.  Local insurance companies are often the best as they are familiar with the community and location in which you will be doing business and can provide coverage specific to your needs.

The list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to owning your own business is long.  At the top of that list of do’s is to budget for adequate insurance to cover your business from the unexpected.  This will ensure if something does occur you are covered and will not lose everything you have worked so hard to accomplish.

When looking into insurance for your business there are some things that will help you lower your risks and obtain insurance that fits your company’s needs.

The do’s of purchasing business insurance

The first and most important tip in purchasing insurance for your business is to find an agent with is expertise in all types of insurance policies.  An agent with experience is necessary when it comes making sure you have enough coverage for your business.

Your business insurance coverage should include all the basic coverage such as property insurance with equipment coverage, auto insurance on business vehicles, workers compensation and general liability.  It is important to make sure the coverage that you purchase is inclusive of all of this.

When you finally do get insurance for your business it is important that you store all of your business records including all insurance paperwork together off site.  This way if something does occur all the necessary paperwork is in a place you can get too easily and claim your money without difficulties.

It is important to know who the insurer is as well.  Do research on the company that you plan on getting insured through. It is important to know who you are working with when it comes to insurance and every decision in business.

The don’ts of purchasing insurance for your business

When it comes to insurance for your business never go without.  It may seem like a good idea due to a limited budget to go without insurance to save money but it is never a good idea to go without insurance.  If a catastrophe occurs and you are under-insured or not insured at all then all your efforts will have been in vain.

It is also important to disclose all information to your insurance agent upon getting insurance and when any changes are made to the business.  You need to keep your insurance agent up to date on the changes with your business to make sure that you are never caught without enough insurance.

Tips to help lower business insurance premiums

Insurance premiums, even those in business, are based on the risks involved in the business.  Agents will make evaluations on your business to determine the profit and losses involving your business situation.  In order to bring your risk down, therefore lowering your premium here are some general tips.

Make sure the lighting in and around the office and premise is more than sufficient.  When people can see the world around them they are less likely to have an accident.

Keep the office’s electrical wiring, equipment and all machinery in mint condition.  When the office machines and equipment is kept in good condition, the result will be that the overall condition of the office will be better.  A clean, well-kept environment within your business will result in reduced premiums.  When everything is kept in prime working order and kept organized the environment in general is safer.

Install safety devices such as smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors throughout the business setting.  An alarm system and sprinkler system that is monitored will also help to lower premiums.

As stated above, in regards to paperwork make sure you keep everything associated with the business.   Every purchase that is made along with upgrades to the premise, equipment and such should be documented and kept off premise.

The most important thing in regards to business insurance is to budget for the appropriate amount and variety you will need. Everything from workers compensation to general liability will help to protect you in case of an incident.

Insurance for your business is necessary to protect you from the risks involved on owning your own company. When it comes to insurance for your business there is a broad spectrum of policies to choose from including workers compensation policies, general business liability, property insurance, equipment insurance as well as auto insurance for business vehicles. This allows you to manage the risks within your business and to protect the time and money that you have put into growing your company. When purchasing business insurance you will find yourself protecting the risks within your business that are not within your control.

When considering insurance for your business it is pertinent to realize the importance of having an agent that knows exactly what your business needs are. Many agents sell insurance for business needs however all businesses require a custom insurance plan tailored to the specific needs of your business. When choosing an agent look into a local insurance agency that has that has insured companies within the same scope as yours. Using a local agent is also a good plan as they are close enough to evaluate your business in person.

Understanding the basics is important when it comes to insurance of all varieties including for your business. Purchasing the right policy will protect assets in case of loss due to theft or natural causes. Weather is often a contributing factor when it comes to unforeseen losses to one’s business assets including inventory as well as insurance covering the building.

A mistake new business owners often make is overlooking insurance and not putting the funds in the budget for the correct coverage. Skimping on insurance for your business will only leave you inadequate coverage. When your business doesn’t start out with the correct coverage for your needs it allows the need to go unmet. This is problematic for when disaster of any kind strikes you find out too late that being under-insured leaves you paying for the damages out of your own pockets.

The first area to concern yourself with when it comes to business insurance is to make sure that your coverage covers rebuilding your business property and to replace your inventory as well as business possessions. This includes furniture, store fixtures, equipment, machinery, inventory, personal property used in the business, labor, building improvements that have been made and any contractual obligations you may have within the business. Keeping a list of items included in this category on hand and up to date and checking in with your agent is the best way to ensure that your coverage needs are kept up to date.

Another thing to consider is coverage to make sure your business thrives even if something happens and you need to shut down for a bit of time. A combination of business income coverage, extra income coverage and contingent business interruption insurance is needed to cover the bases if a disaster occurs. Business insurance covers the unexpected. Make sure your business survives the unexpected by purchasing the right amount of coverage as well as the correct type of insurance for your business needs.

Starting your own business comes with a lot of anticipation, responsibility and preparation.  When venturing into a new business there is a lot to look forward to and a lot to consider before opening the doors.  One thing that is often overlooked when starting up a business is insurance.  Business owners become so involved and wrapped up in aspects such as capital, funding, licenses, inventory, employees and everything else that often business insurance takes a back seat.  Insurance is essential to the success of your business, no matter what size your business is.

The risks involved in starting your own business are plentiful.  Without insurance business owners set themselves up for a huge fall should a disaster strike.  Unexpected circumstances surround us every day and therefore your business as well.  With basic general business insurance you at least have the ability to protect yourself and your family should anything happen when you are not prepared.

When looking for small business insurance coverage that meets you specific business needs it is wise to understand exactly what is available and what you need to be adequately covered. There are three basic types of business insurance; general liability insurance, property insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.

General liability insurance for business owners is available to cover people who come into harm’s way in or near your business during working/business hours.  If anything happens to any individual that is in your business general liability insurance helps to cover the expenses that will be incurred and will assist in settlement costs that can range from ongoing medical care, surgery, rehabilitation, home modifications and beyond. When you are speaking about physical or emotional care for someone you are considering a large sum of money.  General liability insurance is there to make sure that this is taken care.

The next type of insurance that is important for business owners to consider is property insurance.  Property insurance is available to protect the business in case of a catastrophic event in regards to the physical location and equipment used for the business.  Insurance that covers the property ensures that there are funds to cover renovations.  Many threats surround the physical location of a business including vandalism, theft, accidents and fires. It is so important that in business owners take time to insure their future stake in the business. Rebuilding a physical location along with equipment and inventory is a large cost that many businesses without insurance cannot recover.

Workers’ compensation is the last type of business insurance we will cover.  As the name stats workers compensation, often called workmens’comp, covers and compensates employees that are hurt, injured or disabled in a work related incident.  This insurance is incredibly valuable as it protects business owners from lawsuits if in fact an employee ever sues an employer claiming an illness or job related injury.

Commercial insurance policies should be tailor-made to your business while being affordable and effective.  A quality local insurance agent will understand the needs of businesses from your area along with specific special industry needs you may have.  Whatever you do, when starting a business, don’t forget to look into and purchase business insurance.  It may save your entire livelihood one day.

No matter how successful your business is disaster could strike at any minute and in minutes ruin everything it has taken you years to create.  This is why business insurance, no matter how big or small the company, is so important. Businesses must carry insurance to alleviate the risk involved in unforeseen events.   When cutting costs and shrinking corners in your business expenses make sure you don’t lessen or stop your business insurance.  Sometimes it only takes one event, no matter the size, to completely disable everything you have worked for within your business. Below you will find things to consider when looking into insurance coverage for your small business.

The first thing to consider is insurance that covers acts of God and general business liability.  Acts of God are events that is out of human control such as floods, tornados, hurricanes and storms.  No one can control the outcome of a natural disaster thus why it is so important to have insurance to protect your business from one.  It is incredibly hard to predict a natural disaster in enough time to protect what you have built up from what is about to happen.  Insurance makes it so that you can rebuild and continue running your business once the dust settles.  General liability insurance covers a business owner for accidents.  For instance, if you own a computer repair company and while a client’s computer is in your shop a theft occurs.  Insurance protects you from liability to the client for the missing computer.

Another consideration is the laws regarding business in your state.  Legal requirements for businesses are done at the state level and often have strict rules out the type of insurance that needs to be purchased and how much coverage needs to be obtained.  Check to see about workers compensation, disability insurance and other state requirements.  Using a local in-state insurance agent for your business insurance needs will help to ensure that you are receiving knowledgeable information regarding your states business requirements.

Workers Compensation, property insurance and general liability are all incredibly beneficial types of business insurance coverage however do not help fill in the gap for reimburse lost profits.  The only type of insurance that covers you for reimbursement of lost profits is business interruption insurance.  This insurance keeps you up and running even after a disaster.  Disability insurance can be purchased to keep a steady income coming in shall you be disabled or too ill to run your company.  Likewise, insurance can be purchased for overhead expenses such as supplies and inventory as well if you should become disabled and cannot continue running your business.

Business insurance is purchased to protect your hard work.  When seeking out business insurance it is best to find one agent to purchase insurance from.  This ensures that they have a record of what you have at all times and can evaluate any missing pieces as your business grows and your insurance needs change. Business insurance agents will regularly assess your businesses risks by doing a risk assessment which helps to ensure that as your needs change so does your insurance.

Purchasing insurance for your home is an essential puzzle piece for all homeowners.  Like many expenses with owning a home, your insurance is something that is negotiable. When it comes to homeowners insurance and finding a reasonable rate without wasting hours going from agent to agent instead start your search online.  When looking for affordable insurance don’t skimp on service or coverage.  You don’t have to sacrifice either and with the help of online quotes it has never been easier to find complete home coverage at a reasonable rate with an agent that is going to provide you with the service you deserve.

The largest way to conserve funds on your homeowners insurance is to stop assuming that all insurance providers offer the same coverage.  The first policy offered is not always the best for your situation and your needs.  A lot of companies overcharge for fillers.  Getting quotes from several companies allows you to see the difference in coverage and weed out the expensive, non-essential, over priced fillers.

Another method to save money on your homes insurance to know exactly what is covered and by eliminating provisions that are no longer necessary.  For instance, many people pay flood insurance when they live by a body of water.  Pay a land surveyor to come in and determine how far the flood plain/zone is from your structure.  Paying flood insurance when unnecessary is ridiculously expensive and unnecessary when a simple survey could eliminate the need for it all together.

Research the company as well as the insurance they offer for your home.  It is not a good deal to save on insurance premiums if when the need arises for a payout they are unavailable and hard to be reached.  Making a claim should be as easy as paying your insurance premium.  The agent should be available to you.  When you pay your insurance premium you essentially pay the agents salary.  They work for you and should help guide you through the purchase of insurance as well as processing a claim if necessary.

For your insurance to work for you, no matter what coverage you choose or agent you select to provide it make sure that you keep a detailed list of your homes inventory and upgrades.  One necessary provision is that your coverage pays the replacement value on all of your homes contents and not on the value of the item at the time of the incident.  Many companies pass off lower quality policies to entice clients into purchasing their home insurance.  If your home burns to the ground, you will need to replace the structure and contents.  You won’t be able to do this with a check only covering what the value is deemed to be at the time of the incident.  You need replacement value in your insurance provisions.  You need to buy a like kind and quality of the items you lost and this cannot be done using the value of the item as it has aged and depreciated.

As always insurance is as much about coverage and price as it is about service.  Check with family and friends for referrals.  Check out all online reviews and do some face to face meeting after an online quote gives you a reasonable expectation of the cost of having insurance provided by each company.

Purchasing insurance for your home is an essential puzzle piece for all homeowners.  Like many expenses with owning a home, your insurance is something that is negotiable. When it comes to homeowners insurance and finding a reasonable rate without wasting hours going from agent to agent instead start your search online.  When looking for affordable insurance don’t skimp on service or coverage.  You don’t have to sacrifice either and with the help of online quotes it has never been easier to find complete home coverage at a reasonable rate with an agent that is going to provide you with the service you deserve.

The largest way to conserve funds on your homeowners insurance is to stop assuming that all insurance providers offer the same coverage.  The first policy offered is not always the best for your situation and your needs.  A lot of companies overcharge for fillers.  Getting quotes from several companies allows you to see the difference in coverage and weed out the expensive, non-essential, over priced fillers.

Another method to save money on your homes insurance to know exactly what is covered and by eliminating provisions that are no longer necessary.  For instance, many people pay flood insurance when they live by a body of water.  Pay a land surveyor to come in and determine how far the flood plain/zone is from your structure.  Paying flood insurance when unnecessary is ridiculously expensive and unnecessary when a simple survey could eliminate the need for it all together.

Research the company as well as the insurance they offer for your home.  It is not a good deal to save on insurance premiums if when the need arises for a payout they are unavailable and hard to be reached.  Making a claim should be as easy as paying your insurance premium.  The agent should be available to you.  When you pay your insurance premium you essentially pay the agents salary.  They work for you and should help guide you through the purchase of insurance as well as processing a claim if necessary.

For your insurance to work for you, no matter what coverage you choose or agent you select to provide it make sure that you keep a detailed list of your homes inventory and upgrades.  One necessary provision is that your coverage pays the replacement value on all of your homes contents and not on the value of the item at the time of the incident.  Many companies pass off lower quality policies to entice clients into purchasing their home insurance.  If your home burns to the ground, you will need to replace the structure and contents.  You won’t be able to do this with a check only covering what the value is deemed to be at the time of the incident.  You need replacement value in your insurance provisions.  You need to buy a like kind and quality of the items you lost and this cannot be done using the value of the item as it has aged and depreciated.

As always insurance is as much about coverage and price as it is about service.  Check with family and friends for referrals.  Check out all online reviews and do some face to face meeting after an online quote gives you a reasonable expectation of the cost of having insurance provided by each company.