It can be difficult to determine which kind of insurance you need for your small business. Different types of insurance have confusingly similar names; your state, town, or county may have its own insurance requirements; and many industries have coverage specific to them.
Insurance is one of the most neglected small business responsibilities. Not having the appropriate insurance for your small business is a mistake because a disaster can shut down your company permanently, or at least wreak havoc on your assets.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) in New York City estimates that about 40 percent of small business owners have no insurance at all, because many falsely believe they can't afford coverage. The truth is a small business can't afford not to have adequate insurance. Without insurance, you're unnecessarily putting your livelihood at risk. That's also why many landlords, suppliers, and other entities you work with will probably require you to have coverage.
If you're having difficulty determining which kind of insurance your business should have, you might want to check with the following agencies:
- The county or city clerk
- A local chapter of your industry association
- The state insurance office
Below are some of the different types of insurance small businesses use. Click on the type of insurance to get a more detailed description.
Insurance for Your Business
- Business Owner's Policy
- General Liability Insurance
- Property Insurance
- Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance
- Commercial Automobile Insurance
- Umbrella Insurance
- Business Income/Extra Expense Insurance
- Product Liability Insurance
- Extra Equipment Insurance
- Specialized Equipment Insurance
Insurance for You and Your Employees
- Health Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Keyman Insurance
- Workers' Compensation Insurance
CURTESY: http://nigeria.smetoolkit.org/nigeria/en/content/en/34/Small-Business-Insurance-Primer
