By Ethan Krupp
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December 4, 2023
"It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." — Whitney M. Young Jr. The above quote can pertain to anything, but it is particularly applicable when running a business – be it a physical store or an online presence. An “opportunity” in the business sector could mean anything from finding a cheaper supplier, expanding to a new platform/location, or joining a company merger. All exciting stuff. While opportunities in business are almost always positive, some can be negative. For example, every business has the “opportunity” to: Be named in an employment lawsuit Lose a critical member of the team Have someone in upper management make bad financial decisions Hence, being prepared for any business opportunity is critical to the security of your company and assets. Below, we will discuss the importance of internal-operation business insurance and present, lesser-known coverages (specifically, employment practices liability Insurance, directors and officers insurance, and key person insurance). These types of policies you may want to consider for your overall business protection plan. Business Coverage You Need vs. Coverage You Should Have Picking the right insurance coverage can be a bit overwhelming, seeing as there are dozens of commercial insurance types available on the market and all of them can have vastly different parameters, contingent on your business type, your carrier, your claim history, how long you’ve been in business, the state you live in, etc. Then there are riders and endorsements that can be applied to your policy to suit your specific needs. In short, picking out the right coverage for your business can be a bit overwhelming, so it’s important you: 1.) Understand what policy types are available before you start shopping for insurance. 2.) Work with an insurance broker or agent who can advise and answer your questions. When you are in the initial stages of deciding which policy types you should purchase, you’ll want to break it down into two categories: insurance policies you need and insurance policies you should have.