Insurance – Business Insurance News

Tag: Insurance

3 Unusual Types of Semitruck Insurance

February 26, 2021

If you own a semitruck, then you understand how important it is to carry insurance; however, you may not know how to protect yourself from all the risks you encounter while using it for work. Here are three lesser-known types of semitruck insurance that might be a good fit for your situation.

1. Trailer Insurance

Trailer interchange insurance covers damages you inflict on a trailer that belongs to another party, and with whom you have a written agreement. Non-owned trailer insurance is a similar policy that applies to any borrowed trailer hitched to your truck, regardless of any written contract.

2. Crime Insurance

A motor truck cargo policy pays to replace freight that is stolen or vandalized under certain conditions, such as when it is inside a warehouse. If you are concerned about potential theft by employees, a crime insurance policy is a good supplement.

3. Commercial Property and Equipment Coverage

Commercial property insurance covers damage or loss of a company’s belongings. However, it generally applies only to non-mobile objects. Items that drivers take along in the truck require additional protection by equipment insurance.

Your insurance agent may not have told you about all the unique policies designed to protect your semitruck. Ask which ones are right for you today.

Does Your Insurance Plan Cover Employee Crimes?

January 26, 2021

Employee crimes have been on the rise in the last few years, according to information reported by the FBI. Even a company with tight cybersecurity measures can become the victim of employee theft and other crimes. Thats why its crucial to have adequate insurance coverage for workplace problems.

Examples of Employee Crimes

Employees have been involved in a number of crime claims scenarios. Lets take a look at a few that are the most commonplace in companies.

Theft – This could include such things as money stolen from petty cash or equipment removed from the premises.
Forgery – Money orders or company checks are stolen, forged and cashed.
Altered accounts – Company account information is altered by an employee. This could involve assistance from an outside vendor who overcharges the company for services, and the employee then shares the excess funds with their accomplice.
Improper credit card use – An employee is given a company credit card to book flights and hotel rooms for travelers and then uses the card for personal expenditures.
Data breaches – An employee breaches the companys security system and transfers money to their personal account.

You certainly hope that your employees are honest, but you cant always know their motives. Obtaining a comprehensive insurance plan will protect your company from potential loss.

Do I Need Both Installation Floater and Builders Risk Insurance?

January 20, 2021

Anyone who has worked more than one project in construction knows at least some of the risks that merit purchasing builders risk insurance. However, not everyone is as familiar with installation floater insurance, and many are uncertain whether they need both. Here is an explanation ofinstallation floater vs. builders risk.

Builders Risk

Builders risk is insurance for all the big and small mishaps that might cost you money on a specific project. It also protects subcontractors involved, as well as the manager and property owner. Most policies cover the following incidents:

Extreme weather
Fire
Faulty materials
Accidents

Installation Floater

The word floater refers to a type of insurance that covers personal property that is portable and not tied to a specific location. In the construction industry, installation floater insurance covers the cost of the materials you are installing. A single policy covers multiple projects, and benefits only the party that purchases it. It is a supplement to builders risk, rather than a replacement for it, and can even be used to pay the builders risk deductible.

An installation floater is a policy to consider in addition to builders risk. With the two in place, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are prepared, no matter what happens on the construction site.

The Ins and Outs of Hemp Insurance

January 12, 2021

The hemp industry is growing quicker than ever before, creating countless business opportunities across the USA. Unfortunately, running a hemp business is not without risks. Losses can occur and it is vital that you have the proper protection in place so you don’t have to cover anything out of pocket. A big part of this protection is having the correct hemp insurance coverages.

Insurance Options for Hemp Crops

In 2018, the Farm Bill was passed and hemp crops were classified as an agricultural commodity. This enabled hemp farmers/growers to finally purchase insurance for their crops. If you are a hemp farmer, your best option could be MPCI or multiple peril crop insurance. This type of insurance provides protection against multiple threats including:

Hail
Frost
High Winds
Disease
Drought
Insect damage
Fire
Flooding

Hemp farmers can also obtain crop revenue coverage for years where prices drop or your yield is less than anticipated.

Other Types of Hemp Business Coverage

If you are not a hemp farmer, but you work in some other aspect of the hemp industry, there are options available for you. Some of these include:

General liability
Product liability
Premises liability
Equipment coverage
Loss of income coverage
Cyber liability insurance

Running a hemp business does not come without risks. Purchasing hemp insurance coverage can make all the difference!

Types of Construction Insurance Policies

December 9, 2020

The construction industry provides a steady source of income for everyone involved, from land developers to day laborers. Like any great business, however, construction is not without its inherent risks. Luckily, insurance companies are aware of what those in construction face, and offer many types of construction insurance policies to protect from financial loss.

Workers’ Compensation

Most states require workers’ compensation to protect employees from on-the-job injuries. Depending where you live, there may be options available to lower your premium.

General Liability

General liability is invaluable in the case of claims made by the general public. It covers their personal injuries and loss of property, as well as legal fees associated with claims related to advertising issues.

Professional Liability

Professional liability, also known as errors and omissions, protects your company’s reputation. It covers claims of negligence and breach of contract by helping you pay to defend yourself in court.

Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance is becoming increasingly important in construction. This inexpensive policy protects software and data against hackers and other cyber attacks.

With so many types of policies available, you can feel safe knowing that your business is protected from unforeseen circumstances. Talk to your insurance agent to choose the combination of policies that best fits the construction projects you deal with most often.

Why You Should Consider Purchasing Cemetery Insurance

November 19, 2020

As the owner of a cemetery, you are responsible for helping people lay their loved ones to rest with as little stress as possible. Despite their somber nature, cemeteries have to deal with the same risks as any other business. There are many things that can go wrong and you need to make sure you have cemetery insurance in case something happens.

Coverage for Negligence

Unfortunately, mistakes that cause damage to others and their property can and do occur all the time at cemeteries. For example, let’s imagine a scenario where snow is not cleared off the walkway at your cemetery and someone slips and falls. If this person is injured, you are liable for their medical bills which could potentially be extensive. Cemetery insurance would cover these costs and help keep your business afloat.

Property Coverage

You also need to have insurance in case someone’s property gets damaged while on your cemetery. For example, say someone’s casket gets damaged while it is on your property. You would be liable for the damage to the casket and you don’t want to have to pay for it out of pocket. Cemetery insurance would cover this and save you a lot of money.

Owning a cemetery comes with a lot of risks just like any other business. Having the right insurance coverage can make all the difference.

How Does a CAB Report Affect Truck Insurance?

November 16, 2020

If you are shopping for truck insurance, then you may be aware that a CAB report affects your premiums. If you are like most people, however, you are probably not sure what CAB is or how it works. Here is a little background on this agency to help you understand its effect on your business.

What Is CAB?

CAB is short for the Central Analysis Bureau. This small, New Jersey-based agency, which only employs approximately 30 people, has been in the business of collecting and selling information about vehicles for the past 75 years. For example, from just a vehicle identification number, CAB can tell you a vehicle’s life story, including the following:

Place of manufacture
Previous owners
Crash history
Violation history

How Does a CAB Report Affect Insurance?

Insurance carriers use CAB reports to estimate risk and calculate premiums. Many agencies use these reports more than they do the client’s actual driving record or vehicle history, and some will deny coverage based on a CAB report alone.

Let the knowledge that CAB is out there, monitoring your fleet, help you be more vigilant in self-inspection. Doing things like checking your taillights, performing routine inspections, and monitoring your drivers’ hours can keep CAB reports working for you and not against you.

Insuring Your Assisted Living Facility

October 26, 2020

Risk management plays an important role in any business, and assisted living facilities are no exception. Finding the right assisted living liability insurance coverage helps protect you against the many risks associated with this type of senior care.

Protect Your Business Against Lawsuits

Liability insurance for assisted living facilities can protect you in the event a resident slips and falls, sustaining an injury. It can also provide coverage if a staff member incorrectly administers medication. Staff members aren’t the only source of potential lawsuits; insurance can also handle claims if a visitor steals a resident’s property.

Obtain the Right Coverage Types

Automobile insurance can cover vehicle accidents if your business transports residents. Coverage for the building can include boiler and machinery insurance, protecting you in the event of a mechanical failure or boiler explosion.

Check for Exclusions

Make sure the policy you’re purchasing doesn’t exclude important coverage. While no facility wants to face allegations of physical or sexual abuse by their staff, it’s important to carry a policy that includes this type of coverage.

Assisted living facilities carry a unique set of risks due to the population they serve. Finding the right insurance requires assessing any specific needs your facility may have surrounding specialized services you offer as well as ensuring you aren’t liable for the actions of your staff.

Learn to Mitigate the Risks in Your Biotech Company

October 12, 2020

To have a biotech company is to have a company with its share of unique risk. The question that you might have is how can you mitigate those risks?

Third-Party Training May Be Helpful

In the biotech industry, you may not want to rely on in-house risk management. If you do not have a chief risk officer or if the upper management is not relaying a message of risk management to the rest of the team, then you may want to consider outsourcing. Third-party experts can train your company on how to mitigate the varying risks of a biotech company.

Insurance Coverage Is a Necessity

No business can survive without an adequate insurance company. Biotech insurance coverage will not only protect your assets in case of a disaster, but it will protect your company against lawsuits. If you are doing clinical trials for medications, there are significant risks. Even with waivers and other contracts, you are still liable for patients. Likewise, you may already have a financial burden because many medications do not meet the market.

All businesses have a certain amount of risk that they have to be accountable for. When you run a biotech company, you have very unique risks that you have to consider with the use of risk management training and insurance coverage.

Liability Considerations for Dry Cleaning Businesses

October 2, 2020

Running a successful dry cleaning business takes a unique skill set. You have to budget smartly, provide outstanding customer service, and have outstanding attention to detail. Despite the methodical organization, you still need to be prepared to deal with the unexpected. Dry cleaning businesses have to contend with a considerable measure of liability exposure, and they need to safeguard themselves accordingly.

Build a Comprehensive Commercial Insurance Package

Good insurance coverage is a fundamental part of a dry cleaning businesss risk management plan. Work with an insurance company that offers dry cleaner programs that are customized to your industrys operations. In addition to providing competitive rates on insurance, an insurer that is experienced in serving dry cleaners can offer guidance about your overall risk management.

Be Prepared to Deal With Claims Quickly and Effectively

Just like any business that opens its doors to the general public, dry cleaning businesses could face liability for accidents occurring on the premises that result in physical injury. They could also be subject to claims for lost or damaged property. Putting customers on notice that you wont be responsible for lost or damaged items may be a deterrent to claims, but it doesnt really offer substantive protection against them. Work with an insurance company that will give you the resources to resolve claims as favorably as possible.