If you’re a business owner, having business insurance is generally essential. However, navigating the business insurance quote process the first time around is often challenging. If you’re preparing to request business insurance quotes or are debating whether business insurance is genuinely necessary, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Business Insurance?
Business insurance is a form of financial safety net that limits your out-of-pocket expenses should specific incidents occur while operating your company. As stated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), “business insurance protects you from the unexpected costs of running a business.” That includes expenses related to “accidents, natural disasters, and lawsuits,” which are otherwise cumbersome to manage.
Functionally, business insurance is an agreement between you and an insurer. In exchange for paying your premiums, the insurer offers you coverage as outlined in your policy.
What Does Business Insurance Cover?
As mentioned above, business insurance helps cover the cost of incidents that are outlined in your policy. Usually, the coverage addresses accidents, lawsuits, and natural disasters. However, precisely what’s included varies from one policy to the next and based on the type of business insurance you select.
General liability insurance is usually the broadest coverage option, though it focuses on accusations of harm coming from outside individuals or entities. Product liability insurance specifically relates to harm caused by product defects, while professional liability insurance addresses harm resulting from errors, negligence, or malpractice when providing services to customers. For company property protection, commercial property insurance is usually required.
However, other options are also available on the market. Additionally, you can go with a business owner’s policy. That type of policy rolls a group of coverage types into a single agreement. As a result, it’s potentially the most comprehensive option.
How Do Business Insurance Quotes Work?
Business insurance quotes are estimates of the premiums you’ll need to pay to receive a specific type and level of coverage from the insurer. Typically, the process for receiving quotes is straightforward.
First, you’ll provide information about yourself and your business. Next, you’ll review your coverage level options and select what you want included in the policy. After that, the company will review the information submitted and provide the quote. In the quote, you’ll see a breakdown of the coverage you’d receive and the amount you need to pay in premiums.
The amount of time required to receive a quote can vary. Some companies can wrap things up in minutes, while others may take a few days or weeks.
Can You Get Business Insurance Quotes Online?
Yes, you can get a business insurance quote online. There are several insurers and marketplaces that make the process simple. You’ll complete online forms, following the instructions outlined by the website. After that, you can submit the details and potentially receive one or several quotes back in just a few minutes.
The only drawback is that online insurance quotes don’t always allow you to immediately get help if you have questions. As a result, this process works best if you’re relatively insurance savvy. Otherwise, if you’d like guidance, it’s best to call or visit a company and speak with an agent or representative.
