All it takes is one puddle of water to ruin everything you’ve worked hard for. It may sound crazy, but if a customer was to slip and fall because of a leak in your roof, they could sue you.
Without public liability insurance, you’d be responsible for legal fees, medical expenses and more out of your own pocket. For many small business owners, this could spell the end of the business.
No matter how hard you try to create a perfect business, you never know what might happen. Protect the business you’ve worked hard to build by ensuring you get the right liability insurance for your business.
1. Look Beyond Premiums
It’s easy to simply compare premiums and pick the cheapest option. The only problem is cheap isn’t always better. Small businesses are usually strapped for cash, which is why nearly 40% of them don’t have insurance. The truth is, public liability insurance is affordable.
Look beyond the insurance premiums to ensure you’re getting optimal coverage and a deductible you can afford. After all, if the deductible is too high, the insurance may not benefit you as much as you’d like.
2. Read All The Fine Print
It’s important to talk to your agent about the fine print. Make certain you know exactly what a policy does and doesn’t cover. Every policy is different and there may be exclusions. You want a policy that has you covered when a customer gets hurt or a customer’s product is damaged while in your care.
3. Consider Coverage Levels
Obviously, you can reduce your premiums by changing your coverage levels, but the best public liability insurance policy still needs to cover your legal fees and the average lawsuit costs, should you lose the case. For instance, one business owner in Colorado found himself having to choose between fighting a lawsuit or closing his business. Without the insurance to fight, he was left with the possibility of losing his restaurant.
Your coverage levels are important. It’s better to pay slightly higher premiums now than discover you don’t have enough coverage when it’s too late.
4. Ask About Ways To Reduce Your Premiums
One of the ways your premiums are calculated is based on your risk level. Different types of businesses have different risk levels. For instance, a retail store has a higher risk of accidents versus a small web design firm that does most consultations online.
It’s possible that you can make changes to your business to make it safer. Ask about your risk level and anything you might be able to do to put yourself in a lower risk category. This can save you money, while still getting a great policy.
5. Try To Get A Custom Business Policy
Depending on the type of business, a custom business owner’s policy may be enough to cover you. These policies bundle property and liability insurance into a single policy. This saves you money on having multiple policies. However, you should look at your coverage amounts carefully. Sometimes, the liability coverage is lower in a bundled policy. You can get additional coverage if you feel the amount is too low.
6. Compare Your Options
Most importantly, take the time to compare your options. Just like shopping for car insurance, your premiums will vary from one insurance company to another. Compare premiums, coverage levels and customization options to pick the right policy for your business’s needs.
Meet with insurance agents to discuss your needs and concerns. You don’t have to figure out coverage all on your own. Ask questions to make sure you understand what you’re covered for and any ways to reduce premiums. You should also compare how your policy will grow with you. As your business grows, you’ll need a policy that’s easy to change to meet your needs.
Want to make sure your Colorado business is covered? Contact the friendly team at Insurance Town & Country today to discuss your coverage needs. Feel free to call us directly at our Denver office at 303–388-7216 or our Castle Rock office at 303–688-1251.