Claims & Payment Center
Client Login
Careers
Home-based Business Coverage: What Protection Does it Offer?
If you conduct business in your home, insuring your business properly is part of a solid risk management plan. Common coverages for home-based businesses include personal business property, professional liability, business income, personal and advertising injury, loss of business data, crime and theft, workers’ compensation and auto coverage. Depending on the type of home-based business you have, not all coverages apply, and other coverage options may be available.
Coverage Options
Based on your business needs, you have three basic coverage options to choose from, depending on your level of risk:
1. Homeowners Policy Endorsement: This provides the least amount of coverage and, therefore, is not ideal for most home-based businesses (depending on the level of risk). While it may provide enough coverage for a freelance writer with one computer and no business foot traffic, it’s not enough for someone who employs others, has clients visiting his or her home or has valuable business equipment and/or inventory.
2. In-home Business Policy: More comprehensive than a homeowners policy endorsement, in-home business coverage is a stand-alone policy that provides higher amounts of coverage for business equipment and liability.
3. Business Owners Policy (BOP): A BOP bundles property and liability insurance into one policy. Created specifically for the small- to mid-size business, a BOP covers your business property and equipment, loss of income, extra expense and liability. It is the most comprehensive property and liability option. It does not include workers’ compensation, health or disability insurance, which are available as separate policies.
What’s Your Risk?
While most homeowners insurance policies do cover a limited amount of business equipment—computers, copiers and printers, to name a few—it’s likely that what you own is worth more than your policy’s limits. Also, your homeowners liability insurance probably won’t cover any injuries that may occur to the employees or clients that you have on your premises. What’s a home-based businessperson to do?
We’re Here to Help
Properly insuring your home-based business is crucial to protecting both your business and your home. At North Risk Partners, we understand the small business owner’s personal and business needs, and can help you tailor coverage that’s as unique as the products and services you provide. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you insure your livelihood.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be exhaustive. Additional risks may affect your coverage needs. Contact your North Risk Partners Risk Advisor for a complimentary coverage review today.
Don’t have a Risk Advisor? No problem. We’ll help you find one.
The content above is provided by Zywave, a company committed to providing educational resources to the insurance and risk management industry. Content and material included herein is intended to reflect North Risk Partners’ service offerings and knowledge within the insurance and risk management industry. Zywave does not represent North Risk Partners. Content is provided strictly for editorial and informational purposes.