When you start a home-based business, buying insurance may not
be your first priority, but you cannot afford to ignore it
either. When the unexpected happens -- and it will -- having
insurance coverage may mean the difference between the success
and failure of your home-based business.
You may not require all types of insurance listed here, but
taking some time now to consider your insurance needs can save
you money and headaches in the future. Ultimately, after reading
this article, the best way to determine your complete needs is
to consult with your insurance agent. Explain to them the
details of your home-based business and he or she should be able
to determine the best insurance coverage for you (and any
employees). Health Insurance
Health insurance should be the first consideration for
yourself and any employees you may have. If you have just left
your current job to start your own business, you may be eligible
for COBRA, which will provide temporary interim coverage. This
will keep you covered while you search for the best health
insurance policy. Disability Insurance
Disability insurance will guarantee that you have some income
should you suddenly become unable to work because of injury or
illness. Having this extra peace of mind is almost always well
worth the extra money you pay. Life Insurance
L
ife insurance will help ensure that your family has the
money it needs should you meet with an untimely death. Some
lenders require that you have life insurance before they'll
issue a loan; this guarantees that the loan will be repaid if
you meet with an untimely end. Business Property Insurance
Business property insurance helps protect you against loss of
inventory or equipment. If your business equipment or inventory
is damaged in a flood, fire, or other disaster, this type of
insurance will allow you to recoup your losses. General
Liability Insurance
Comprehensive general liability insurance is necessary for your
home-based business if you plan on having clients or customers
visit your home. Whether you plan to hold meetings, allow
customers to pick up merchandise, or have members of the public
enter your home for any other reason, this insurance will
protect you if someone is injured while on your property. This
insurance will typically pay for your legal defense should you
face a lawsuit as the result of a fall or other damage that
occurs on your property. Business Interruption Insurance
Business interruption insurance will help your business recover
from natural disasters. It will cover you for income lost during
the disaster, and will pay for operating expenses that continue
to accrue, even though your business isn't up and running.
Workers Compensation Insurance
Workers' compensation insurance is an absolute necessity if you
plan on having employees working out of your home. Without
workers' comp, you'll be responsible for any medical expenses
arising from injuries employees sustain while working for you.
Many home-based business owners mistakenly believe that this
type of insurance is only required by businesses that have a
retail or separate location, but that's not the case. Another
mistake is assuming that only 'dangerous' employers (such as
construction or movers) need this type of insurance. But what if
your employee slips on the stairs or their chair breaks? While
those are both unlikely, they are possible and the less risky
your business, the cheaper the insurance will be.
These insurance plans can help ensure that you are prepared to
face any eventuality that might occur while you are running your
own business. Disasters, accidents, and crises can strike at any
time. By preparing now, you may be saving you and your company
significant financial loss, wasted time, and difficulty.
You may reprint this article on your site or in your newsletter
with proper credit to the author and a simple link to
http://www.hometownquotes.com
About the author:
Matt McWilliams is one of the co-founders of HometownQuotes.Com,
an online insurance quotes web site. He is originally from
Pinebluff, NC and attended Middle Tennessee State University. He
is considered an expert in the field of online insurance
shopping and finding new ways to help consumers save money on
their insurance. For more information visit
http://www.hometownquotes.com
