New Year, New Policy?

It’s a good idea to review your insurance needs annually, so please take a few moments to complete the checklist below. Answering these questions will help to identify whether your existing business insurance coverage is appropriate or if changes  are necessary.

 

Coverage Checklist

 

 General Information

 

  1. Has the name of your business changed?
  2. Have you restructured your company’s ownership (e.g., gone from sole proprietorship)

to LLC or corporation) or added any DBA’s (doing business as)?

  1. Has your business changed owners, partners or officers?
  2. Has the nature of your business operations changed? For example:
  3. Do you now also service the products you manufacture?
  4. Have you changed or expanded the types of products you sell and/or services you offer?
  5. Have you added new locations, expanded into new states or outside of the United States?
  6. Have you closed or moved any locations?
  7. Has the mailing address of your business changed?
  8. Has the physical location of your business changed?

 

Business Property

  1. Do you own the building your business is located in?

If yes …

  1. Have you taken any steps to protect your building? This includes the installation of alarm

or security systems, fire suppression systems and/or surveillance equipment.

  1. Has it been longer than 12 months since you reviewed what it would cost to replace your building?
  2. Has it been longer than 12 months since you reviewed the amount of insurance provided for your

business personal property? Keep in mind that inflation can impact the value of personal property.

  1. Have you entered into any new purchase or lease agreements for your business property?

 

Business Liability

  1. Has there been any increase/decrease in your company’s payroll or sales?
  2. Have you entered into any new customer contracts?

 

Workers’ Compensation

  1. Has there been any increase/decrease in your company’s payroll? This information is necessary because the price you pay for workers’ comp is based, in part, on annual gross payroll.
  2. In the past 12 months, has your employee headcount increased or decreased?
  3. Do you have employees who work from home on a regular basis?
  4. Do you use subcontractors, volunteers or interns?
  5. Do you or your employees travel to other states or foreign countries?

 

Business Automobile

  1. Have you added or eliminated vehicles used in your business operations?
  2. Has the usage of vehicles covered by your policy changed (e.g., distance they are traveling

or what they’re used for)?

  1. Do you use your personal vehicle for business, allow employees to use your personal vehicle

for business or allow employees to use their own personal vehicles for your business?

  1. Has it been longer than 12 months since you reviewed the limits of liability provided by your policy?
  2. Has it been longer than 12 months since you reviewed the deductible(s) required by your policy?

But that’s not all …

Below are additional coverage options that can help protect your business. Consider each statement and check the

ones you’re interested in hearing more about. Your comments will provide guidance about which of these options are just right for your business.

I want to know more about insurance that will help …

Replace my lost business income if:

 I need to suspend operations due to the direct physical loss of power, communication or water services.

(Off Premises Utility Services coverage)

 The third party I rely on for a large portion of my business income (e.g., supplier or manufacturer) is unable to

provide inventory or products due to a covered property loss at their location. (Dependent Properties coverage)

 One of my largest customers suspends operations due to a covered property loss.

(Dependent Properties coverage)

 I use the Internet to generate a portion of my income, and my website is vandalized – prohibiting me from

generating that income. (Electronic Vandalism coverage)

 After resuming operations following a covered loss, I do not regain the income level that existed prior to the loss.

(Extended Business Income coverage)

Protect me if:

 The sensitive personal information (e.g., Social Security number, debit/credit card information, medical  records/charts) I collect and/or store on my employees, customers and/or patients is lost or stolen.

(Data Breach coverage)

 I am sued by one of my employees for an employment-related claim, such as discrimination, harassment or

wrongful termination. (Employment Practices Liability coverage)

 An error or omission is made in the administration of the employee benefits program available to my employees, such as improper benefits advice or failing to enroll an employee when they’re eligible.

(Employee Benefits Liability coverage)

 I suffer a financial loss because an employee steals money, securities or other property owned by my business.

(Employee Dishonesty coverage)

 The computers, data and software used in my business need to be repaired or replaced due to a computer

virus or power failure, for example. (Computers & Media coverage)

 I am sued because one of my employees was in an accident while running an errand for my business such as picking up office supplies, or picking up/dropping off mail at the post office. (Hired & Non-Owned Auto coverage)

 I am sued and my business owner’s policy doesn’t fully cover the amount I am liable to pay. (Umbrella coverage)

Cost saving options

 

Many of the coverages offered as optional are also available as industry-focused, cost-effective packages. This approach provides the flexibility to tailor an insurance program that meets your unique needs while giving you the best option for your insurance dollar.  Give us a call today and we can  go over your policy to ensure it fits your precise needs.

“Choosing insurance is a tremendous responsibility, and we are delighted to assist in that process. We consider your needs personally, and intelligently.”