Around 40% of small business owners have no insurance at all. If you’re one of them and someone gets hurt on your property, you have no protection. It also means that if your business burns down, you’ll have to pay for the repairs out of pocket.
Insurance is one of the most important things that any small business owner should consider. You need it to protect all your property and equipment, employees, and yourself.
The good news is that buying insurance online makes it possible for you to find a policy that fits your needs without leaving your desk. Here are some tips on how you can get started.
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Get a Quote
It’s best to get a quote from several companies so you can compare rates and coverage options. You may even find that one plan will cover more than another, but at a higher price. It’s worth paying more just in case something happens where extra coverage would be needed.
You also want to make sure your business is covered for all risks. For example, if someone slips in your store and breaks their hip while shopping, you want to have general liability coverage.
General liability coverage protects you in the event that someone is injured on your property or by one of your employees. If a customer falls while shopping at your store, general liability coverage will help pay for their medical bills and other expenses related to their injury.
This type of business insurance may cost a higher premium than others. It’s important to check with different companies so you can see what rates they offer.
Use a Business Credit Card
Business credit cards are usually accepted faster when you’re buying insurance online. You won’t have to wait for an application check.
Get Errors and Omissions Insurance
If you’re in a field that could result in legal claims, consider buying errors and omissions insurance. Companies also refer to this as professional liability protection.
Your need for this type of insurance will depend on the services you provide. If you work as a lawyer or doctor, there is a higher risk of being sued than someone who works with technology.
You can get errors and omissions insurance from an agent or directly from your online insurance provider. Since coverage varies by company and state laws, it’s best to speak with an agent before settling on a coverage plan.
Only Buy What You Need
Don’t buy insurance that covers things that aren’t relevant to your company or industry. If your team travels a lot, buying car rental damage insurance makes sense. However, if you own a construction company, purchasing this type of coverage isn’t smart.
Create a List of Questions
Before you decide which insurance policies to purchase, create a list of questions that help you understand the coverage. For example, if your business is in construction and does a lot of work with lumber, ask about how much damage from water is covered by the policy.
You should also question the maximum amount of coverage and whether there are any deductibles. Ask about what’s not covered by the policy as well.
Check Reviews
Buying business insurance online is a great way to get competitive quotes and find the best policy for your business. However, it’s always important to do your research before purchasing a policy.
It’s hard to determine whether a particular insurance provider has a good reputation on its own. But if you look at websites like Yelp or Google Places, you’ll be able to identify how other customers feel about that provider.
If there are consistent complaints about customer service or problems with claims processing, then those issues might be worth looking into further before signing up for coverage with that provider.
Take Advantage of Discounts
It’s a good idea to take advantage of any discounts that are available. This way, you’ll be able to save money on coverage without having to sacrifice too much in terms of coverage limits.
There are many insurance providers who offer discounts to small businesses or institutions that are female-owned. You can also take advantage of discounts if you are a member of certain organizations.
Speak with the customer service team of your online provider to see what deals they can offer.
Compare Policy Plans
After you find a few providers that seem like they’re right for your business, compare the policy plans from the providers you chose to the others.
You can do this by reading the details of each plan and seeing what’s covered. It’s important to review the fine print of each policy so that you know exactly what’s covered and what isn’t.
Get Help From a Third Party
If you still can’t decide which insurance company to go with, consider getting help from an independent agency. They’ll be able to compare all the plans on your behalf and make recommendations based on your business needs.
Let’s say you were considering signing up for a Next insurance policy. In that case, another company can provide you with an in-depth Next insurance review. This review will tell you whether it’s a good option for your business.
An independent company will also be able to compare your potential plan with others in a shorter amount of time. If you have experts on your side, it will help you come to a decision faster than if you were making comparisons by yourself.
Make Buying Insurance Online Easier
The internet has made it easier than ever to buy insurance. In fact, some companies only offer the option of purchasing policies online. But if you’re not sure which policy is right for your business needs, working with an independent review company can help you find the best possible coverage at a lower price.
They’ll help you make buying insurance online easier than ever before.
If you want all your business decisions to be this easy, we have more tips in our business section. Read our blogs to learn new ways to run a business without stress.
