Business owners face challenges everyday due to the economic shift in the market and the changing supply and demand relations. However, this satisfaction they get from the work combat all such challenges and give them the reason to continue for long working hours. If you are an owner of a small or medium-sized business there are a lot of burdens you have on your shoulders to cover long walking hours, wear multiple hats, fulfill numerous duties, and more for the success and continuous growth of your organization or enterprise.
In the middle of several duties and tasks that you are responsible to cover, your enterprise requires an insurance program that provides you with affordability and simplicity all bundled together. Business owners package insurance is all about that.
What is Business Owners Package Insurance?
Covering the most significant combination of two important forms of insurance that are commercial property and general liability insurance into a one convenient package is known as the business owners package insurance. It is the most commonly bought insurance policy as it costs less than buying the two coverages individually or separately.
The business owners package insurance also known as business owners policy or BOP is an insurance policy that helps the owners of small businesses to get the help and support they need to continue their businesses in the form of general liability coverages. The business owners policy covers all the protection that is required for all major property and liability risk in a single insurance package for the business owners.
Such insurance policies are custom tailored by the business owners to cover their basic requested coverages in one selected bundle. However, the companies sell premium costs at a lesser cost than the total costs of individual coverages.
Business package insurance that combines business liability insurance as well as business property insurance in one single policy helps you cover your business from claims leading from disasters, theft, vandalism acts, or other unwanted situations. Claims of bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury are also covered by business owners package insurance.
An advantage of business owners package insurance is that the business owners can Identify their needs and customize their policies to cover up additional coverages such as business income for off-premises utility services, data breach, etc. The policy can be custom made to fit your industry’s specific needs and therefore, it is suitable for businesses of all sizes.
In simple words business owners package insurance is a policy that covers all the businesses from facing some risk and financial loss. Additional coverages as crime acts, spoilage of merchandise, fidelity, forgery, and so much more can also be added to the business insurance policy which makes it more feasible and convenient for the owners to consider it.
How does the business owner’s package insurance work?
Many issuers that specialize in small business offer BOP with a proof of insurance document that can help you when signing the lease after you have paid for the insurance policy. Some insurance companies offer policies on standard insurance service office or ISO forms, they also can use their proprietary forms for the same.
The proprietary BOPs that are used by many insurance companies are only variations of the general ISO policy. It consists of a declaration page, a BOP form, common conditions section, and a number of endorsements. The ISO is an organization that aims to offer industry-standard policy by making it is your for small insurance companies to provide official documents that will support the business owners in case they have to stand up in the court.
Understanding more about the policy!
The benefits of the business owners policy falls massively to the business owner’s part. It combines several insurance products including property, interruptions that might occur in the business, and other general liabilities which are generally aimed at small and mid-size businesses to get advantage. Insurance companies pose some requirements that a business must meet to be eligible for the policy.
The coverage that includes events of fire, explosion, wind damage, smoke damage, acts of vandalism, etc. comes under the umbrella of property insurance which is a part of BOP and it is usually a peril coverage. The special BOP form offers open-peril or all-risk coverage which includes a number of different prospects covered by the insurance policy.
Owned, rented buildings, outdoor fixtures, and additions in progress are some things that come under BOP-covered properties. In addition to that, any business owned item or any items that is owned by a third party will also be included in the BOP. Another requirement is that business property must be restricted to the required proximity of business premises such as within a specific number of feet, let’s say 100 feet of the premises.
Other than crime insurance a business package insurance might also cover vehicles and disasters by making special arrangements on the additional coverage inclusions. Some of the businesses also include computer equipment, mechanical breakdown, fidelity bond, spoilage of merchandise, etc. However, all of it depends on the business’s position. One more thing to remember is that every addition to the liability coverages also adds up to the cost of the policy.
What are the requirements for the Business Insurance Policy?
It is necessary for you to remember that all businesses do not qualify for the business owners policy and also eligibility requirements differ among insurance companies. Factors like business location, size of your business, revenue, and class of your business, can affect your eligibility criteria that may be asked by a specific insurance company.
Generally most insurance providers cover the businesses that handle all their projects on-premises and there might occur limitations if a primary business property measures over a specified area. Business classes as the name suggests are always generally eligible for the BOPs which include retail stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, and office-based businesses.
Some eligibility requirements for the small businesses are as follows:
- The business revolves in a low-risk industry
- Business has fever than 100 employees
- The owners house is not being used for the business
- The annual sale of the business lies below $1 million
- The workplace is a relatively smaller commercial space
How does BOP protect your business?
BOP covers major lawsuit risks that a small business can face at any moment of time. These include third party physical injury, property damage, advertising injuries, theft, vandalism, product liability incidence, and so on. Providing a financial backstop for your small business is the first basic function of a BOP which also leverages property managers and major customers.
Both parties that are involved in a lawsuit are seeking reassurance that it will not put them out of business and that resonance can be achieved with the help of a business owner’s policy certificate. It will give them greater confidence that the lawsuit will not affect your stability or footing in a business.
Business owners package insurance can protect your business finances without making you compromise with your financial stability and mental peace. Given below are some factors that can be prevented with the help of a BOP.
- Product liability lawsuit. If your business is involved in manufacturing of products, it can be legally held liable for any injuries that are caused to your customers or third parties because of your manufactured product. However, having a BOP insurance protects you against such claims with financial compensation and other required support.
- Advertising injuries. If an employee of yours or you commit libel, violate copyrights, or defame a third party, a legal action can be taken against your firm or business. Having a business owners policy will secure your financial stability by paying for your legal councils and the settlements or judgements held in court.
- Third-party physical injuries. If your business premises are open to the public then any accident that might occur on the grounds of your business premises that involves a third person such as a customer or a client, then they are in freedom to file a lawsuit against you. The legal and other expenses that will be commanded to pay by you will be covered by your business owners policy.
- Third-party property damage. If you or any of your employees become the reason for the damage of someone else’s property then the reparation or replacement cost of the damaged item that you are responsible to pay will be paid through your business owners policy coverage.
- Business property damage. Fire, thefts, or disaster management are some things that you cannot prevent. BOP insurance covers all such unwanted damages that otherwise
- will be covered by your own pocket. The policy will provide funds to make reparations or replacements of the damage that your business property has encountered.
Reasons you should consider a business owner’s insurance policy
- Your business owns a physical location. Regardless of the fact where your business is located your acids must have the coverage they need for protection. The BOP insurance policy can provide you the required security for your business regardless of the fact that it is running in your home, in a rented or an owned office, in a store, or even in your garage.
- This satisfaction that you get from doing the business of your choice can easily turn into a regret without a proper business owners package insurance. With you getting sued if any third party body injury occurs at your workplace. A BOP insurance can be a great help in such situations by covering all the medical expenses and paying other compensations.
- You may have some crucial assets that can cause you so much financial stress and anxiety if they get stolen or damaged. Whether they are digital assets or physical equipment such as furniture, inventory, cash, or something else, a BOP insurance can help you cover the cost for expenses of those assets if they ever get stolen or damaged.
What are the cost requirements to obtain a BOP?
No exact number can be given as there are so many factors that can affect the cost of average BOP insurance. However most businesses commonly expect to pay somewhere around $500 to $2000 per year for a business owners package insurance policy.
On purchasing a general liability and properties insurance policies separately instead of getting a combined business owners package insurance policy you will end up paying 10% higher rates and that is why DOP insurance has such a demand in the market for small business owners.
Ways you can reduce the BOP Insurance Rates
- Invest in risk management and take precautionary measures.
- Regardless of what type of industry you are doing business in, investing in a rest management program can be the first step to reduce your insurance premiums. Simply it means taking precautions and preventing claims and losses from occurring, giving proper instructions to your employees so that they stay away from making a mistake that can lead to claims of any type of your way to go.
Opting up for safety measures and maintenance to keep your premises in good condition. Most of the time insurers give rewards to the companies that take serious cautious steps to protect their business from getting into trouble.
- Do not pay the entire annual premium in installments.
- It is always advisable to pay your annual premium and tally at once instead of paying on installments. It will save you a lot of money as well as give you a piece of mind and will keep you worry free till the time of policy renewal.
- Do not add extra coverages that you might not need.
- There are a number of endorsements you can attach to your BOP for the additional coverage. But it is important for you to assess your needs to be clear on the prospects you actually need to get covered.
Commercial Coverage Plus
Combination policy aur business owners policy is the right option for a small business owner that simplifies and streamlines the process of preventing risk and compensating for the damages that might occur at any point of time.
This policy provides the scope of wider insurance options for the business owners by ensuring high limits and coverages. At commercial coverage plus in Holbrook, New York, our professionals are always committed to assist you with the right protection policy that fits the requirements of your business.
We understand the needs and requirements of every business are different and therefore, help you find the right policy that secures your business with right coverage. Your current policies can also be reviewed by our dedicated team to make the alterations and additions that fits right. Our skilled minds are always ready for you, give us a call and get a quote right now.