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One thing all on-location businesses have in common is their need for commercial property insurance. You do not need IBM business analytics to tell you that. Retail, manufacturing, technology or food, you are going to need this type of insurance to protect your assets. Commercial property insurance is protection against property loss or damage to your company building or belongings. For example, many of these insurance policies will cover fires, thievery and natural disasters, meaning that your equipment and other commercial property can be recovered or replaced should any of this happen. Finding the right property insurance policy can be difficult. However, we are here to help with tips on how to find the best plan for your budding business.
Write Down Expectations
Before you talk to an insurance broker, it is a good idea to have a list of your expectations written down beforehand. A clear statement of what you want will help when you are calling several companies in an attempt to find the best deal. You want to ensure that you pick a policy that covers everything for a low cost. This can only be done if you maintain focus and share your needs with the insurance agents.
Do Your Research
Another key way to successfully acquire property insurance for your business is research. If you only call one insurance company and commit to their policy right away, you could be missing out on great savings. Look up popular or local insurance agencies before you call anyone. Take a look at their reviews, regulations and possible policies. Having several options in mind beforehand will help you find the best deal for what you need.
Understand Coverage Options
If you have done your research properly, you should be aware of the coverage options available for commercial property. In addition to the traditional business owner’s policy, or BOP, offered by many business insurance companies, there are others to consider. Larger business owners, especially those expanding international, should also consider policies that address risk management needs. Depending on what industry your business operates within, you may want to consider industry specific insurance policies. Make sure you understand the various commercial property insurance policies available for your consideration.
Know Your Risks
Knowing the risks your business poses is essential if you hope to find a proper property insurance plan. Insurance companies will generate your quotes by measuring the level of acceptable risk within your industry against the total risk of your specific organization. Does your company maintain any extraordinary risk? For example, restaurants may hold a higher risk of fire than a retail store. This can lead to higher premiums for specific coverage.
Avoid Self-Insurance
If you are searching for an insurance policy and find that they all seem too expensive, do not give into the temptation of self-insurance. Any business consulting firm will tell you this. Self-insurance is when an individual or organization maintains a fund to cover possible losses rather than purchasing an insurance policy. This is not ideal, especially for new and small businesses. You would need to save an extraordinarily large amount to cover every potential disaster.
Only What You Need
It can be easy to get roped into packages and duplicate insurance. Overlap policies are costly and cause you to pay insurance that you do not need. Instead, make sure that your needs and expectations are clear. Gather quotes from several insurance brokers. One of them is bound to have a plan that fits what you need and nothing more. Speak with your insurance agent about this and they can help you find the right plan.
Be Honest
It is very important that you share all of your information with your insurance broker. Lying about the potential risks of your business will only lead to you having insufficient insurance. Instead, be honest with them about your company’s potential for loss. They are there to help you find the best policy for what you need.
Purchasing commercial property insurance can be difficult. Shopping around for policies is the best way to find a good deal that covers everything you want. As long as you are honest with your insurance agent about what your company needs, you should be able to find the perfect plan.
Photo from http://www.cameoinsurance.com/commercial_property/
