 Combined Insurance
Although there are numerous different types of insurance, many insurers offer a combined "Commercial Insurance" policy which covers the most important areas for businesses in one agreement. A typical Commercial Insurance policy covers Buildings Insurance, Contents Insurance, Stock Insurance, Public Liability Insurance, and Employers Liability Insurance. Other areas that are sometimes covered (or offered as optional extras) include Product Liability Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, and Goods in Transit Insurance.
"You should always get
professional advice"
The exact details of the cover will of course vary depending on the nature of the business to be insured, and the cost of the policy.
Just because two policies cost the same, does not mean they cover the same. You should always get professional advice or have your broker look through the fine details before buying any policy.
A broker can advise you on whether such a policy is correct and necessary (E.g.: Small office and home office businesses may need a different policy), and will be able to make sure that the fine print of the combined policy does not miss or limit important areas of cover.
Increasing / Decreasing Your Cover
Many insurance policies allow you to adjust details such as the amount of cover by increasing or decreasing the cost of the policy accordingly.
E.g.:
1. Public Liability Insurance cover can sometimes be raised from £1million to £2million by increasing the cost of the policy by a set amount/percentage.
2. With some policies, increasing the Excess (The amount you pay towards each claim made) from £250 to £500 you will get a set amount/percentage discount to the policy cost. However, in the event of a claim, you will always have to pay the extra amount.
"adjustments can save you a lot of money"
These adjustments can save you a lot of money on the cost of the policy, but you should always consult your broker (or get professional advice) before changing the details of your cover. Any bad judgement could leave you with too little cover, and create huge expenses in the event of a claim.
Home Office Insurance
If you work from a home office, then it is important to remember that your home insurance policy does not cover your business items, and neither does a standard Small Office Insurance policy.
A home office environment will need a specific Home Office insurance policy to make sure that all your business equipment is properly covered. However, some insurers do offer a combined home and business policy, which allows you to cover both your personal and business items under one agreement.
You should always seek professional advice, or arrange for a broker to help arrange a Home Office policy if you have any doubts at all about what is or is not covered.
Key Points
It can appear very simple to take out business insurance; and in some cases it is. However, there are so many different types of insurance and so many critical factors that affect the cost and effectiveness of your policies; that it usually makes good business sense to use a broker to search on your behalf.
A broker can make sure that all important areas are covered, and will usually be able to find you cover at a lower cost than if you bought direct from the insurer. Perhaps more importantly, a broker will be there as a source of advice and help when things do go wrong. They can help put forward your case and ensure the best possible results when you do have to claim.
If you wish to keep direct control of your insurance buying, make sure you check all policy details in full, and ensure you have the right cover before agreeing to payment. Be extra careful if you are buying online; make sure that you are able to check the full terms and conditions, and that you are not getting a "one size fits all" policy that is not fully suitable.
Relevant Articles
|
