A business's physical assets are probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about protection. In addition, you should consider liability risks as well. To ensure your company is protected, you'll need business general liability insurance for sole proprietors.
In the unfortunate event that your small business causes damage or an injury on company property, liability insurance could save your business from ruin. Not all insurance products are the same.
To make smart choices, you should learn the basics of general liability insurance.
What is General Liability Insurance?
In addition to physical damage coverage, general liability insurance covers customers' injuries, property damage, and personal and advertising injury as well. Sole proprietors will have financial protection from expensive lawsuits and you'll be eligible for leases and contracts. Other liability coverage claims include:
- Body injury claims are common against businesses. General liability insurance will cover the medical expenses of anyone injured at your business. A customer who falls in a store or office could file a bodily injury claim.
- Other common liability claims involve property damage and personal assets. The damage to someone's property at your business may make you legally responsible. If you're visiting clients on business, you might damage their property as well.
- Taking someone's work and using it without permission for business purposes can lead to a copyright infringement claim.
- It is possible to suffer an advertising injury when you defame another person, business owner, or company with your advertising.
Sole proprietors may be subject to these types of claims because of your products, services, or business practices. In a worst-case scenario, you could end up going bankrupt without liability insurance for sole proprietors.
What is Not Covered by General Liability Insurance?
Despite being able to cover a lot for small businesses, general liability does not cover everything. It generally won't cover damage done to your company's own property, despite covering some types of damage to rented property.
There are some circumstances in which general business liability insurance won't cover, and you may need other business insurance products for these:
- Illnesses and injuries to employees. If an employee is injured on the job, you must carry workers' compensation insurance.
- Having an auto accident. If you own a car that you use for business, you are financially protected with a commercial auto insurance policy. If you use your personal car or a rented car for work, you can be protected by a hired or non-owned auto insurance policy.
- Professional errors. You are covered if you make mistakes while providing professional services by an errors and omissions insurance (E&O). Sometimes it's called professional liability insurance.
- Cyber liability insurance. Business critical operating systems can be disabled by cyberattacks, electronic data records can be destroyed, or identities can be stolen from an organization.
- In the event that an employee sues for unfair employment practices, wrongfully terminating employees, harassment, or other wrongful acts requires employment practices liability insurance.
- Having your business property stolen or damaged. Theft and damage to property or equipment in your business will not be covered under general liability. To cover these types of issues, you need commercial property insurance.
Why Does a Sole Proprietor Need General Liability Insurance?
The relationship between your business and yourself is seamless if you're a sole proprietor or a partner. Any payments related to a lawsuit against your business fall to you personally. A creditor judgment, in the U.S., usually has a statute of limitations between 10 years to 20 years, but it can last for a longer period, depending on the state.
As a result, you may be exposed to lawsuits for 20 years if you're sued today. That is a long period of time where a lot of things can happen. Compared to the general liability insurance cost, your business may be facing a bill numbering hundreds of thousands of dollars—once you take into account administrative costs, legal fees, legal secretaries, and any settlements or judgments.
It is important to make sure to get the right business general liability insurance for sole proprietors, just as much as getting a good business plan and the funding to run it.
How Can Having General Liability Insurance Help My Business?
Your business can grow, your reputation will grow, and you will gain more customers if you have the right sole proprietor insurance coverage. It is important to have good business insurance in order to be successful.
Reputation for Quality
It is everything to have a good name in the business and it is word of mouth that drives the most business, and customers ask their friends for recommendations. Your good name is even better when you have good insurance.
Potential customers can rest assured that you are responsible when they see credible insurance.
Develop Your Confidence
A new business owner's nervousness is normal when they are just starting out. To work in big, high-paying jobs, you want to expand into new fields. Additionally, you wonder whether you possess the skills, knowledge, or experience you need to complete those tasks.
If you have current and comprehensive insurance, you can better focus on your tasks and ensure your customers are satisfied. You can stretch yourself more confidently if you know that your business insurance company has your back.
Develop Your Business
You need to protect your business from things that may go wrong by getting good business insurance coverage. Your business has enough to deal with without having to consider what you'll do if someone is injured in the workplace, or if a client's property is accidentally damaged or destroyed.
It's easy to focus on making your business flourish when you have solid sole proprietor insurance.
What to Consider When Buying Insurance?
Several factors should be considered before choosing business insurance. In order to minimize risks whenever possible, you should look for the best business general liability insurance for sole proprietors.
Choosing your business insurance should be guided by the following tips.
Identify Your Risks
Your business should determine what kind of insurance it needs. Workers' compensation insurance is likely to be required if you have employees. While professional liability insurance is needed when performing business services.
Considering each risk individually will help you determine how your business is uniquely positioned to deal with that risk.
Locate a Licensed Agent
Insurance agents can help you determine your business's needs and find the best sole proprietor business insurance policy—especially if you're unsure which policy to choose.
Continuously Re-Evaluate
You may need to adjust your business needs as time goes on. Changing your business environment may require a change in insurance provider or coverage expansions.
Choose the Right Business General Liability Insurance for Sole Proprietors
In the event of a claim, questions about different policies, or if you're looking for insurance for sole proprietors, we're here to assist you. Getting the right coverage for your business is our specialty at Stampede Insurance.
Get in touch with us to learn more about business general liability insurance for sole proprietors, contact us at 888-476-0696 at Stampede Insurance Services today!
