Friday, April 12, 2013

Tips for Providing Affordable Group Health Insurance Options to Employees

Each year, hundreds of business owners and human resource administrators around the nation struggle to find affordable group health insurance options for employees. Adding to this challenge are the upcoming changes to Houston health insurance benefits and premiums due to reform legislation. In order to overcome these issues, benefits administrators are looking for creative ways to provide affordable insurance to employees, while maintaining adequate coverage.

How to Provide Group Health Insurance That’s Cost Effective

The challenge that businesses face is finding insurance that is both affordable and provides the features and benefits that employees will use. Without buy-in from employees, the company cannot get discounted group rates, which causes premiums to skyrocket. Here are some tips for putting together low-cost insurance benefit plans that employees will participate in.

High Deductible Healthcare (HDHP) and Health Savings Arrangements (HSA)

One of the better ways to help reduce plan premiums, while still giving employees a valuable healthcare plan, is by offering at least one HDHP plan combined with an HSA program. Employees pay lower-than-average monthly premiums to maintain insurance coverage, while putting pre-tax dollars into a special account meant just for medical-related expenses.

Health Purchasing Cooperatives

In some metropolitan areas, small businesses and nonprofit organizations are coming together to create healthcare purchase cooperatives. These cooperatives give businesses more buying power, offering a larger number of low-cost group-discounted healthcare insurance plans with added perks like dental and vision insurance. These arrangements are also eligible for special small-business health- tax credits.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Another option that can be combined with any group insurance plan is the FSA, which gives employees the option to put away pre-tax dollars for certain approved medical expenses. To give employees more for their money, the FSA can be accepted by healthcare vendor networks that accept cash-up-front payments at a reduced corporate rate for employees.

Corporate Wellness Programs and Nurse Hotlines

For a relatively low cost, any business can design a corporate wellness campaign that raises awareness about important health topics, and provide 24/7 access to telephone nurses. Studies have shown that when employees are supported by their employers in reducing health risk factors, such as obesity, stress, and chemical dependency, healthcare insurance claims are significantly reduced, which then lowers health insurance premiums.

Preventative vs. Reactive Care

While many group healthcare plans offer coverage for both preventative and urgent medical care, a few actually offer plan discounts for companies that promote preventive care. Creating a culture of corporate wellness and encouraging employees to get their annual physicals, age-appropriate tests, and ongoing prevention, can help to reduce group healthcare premiums.

To learn more about getting affordable healthcare insurance for your business, give ABM Insurance a call at 1-800-362-2809.

Friday, March 15, 2013

10 Types of Insurance Coverage Every Small Business Should Have

small businessAs a small business owner you are vulnerable to losses if you lack proper insurance coverage. Consequently, there are 10 types of insurance coverage every small business should have.

1. General Liability
Every business, even home-based operations, requires general liability coverage.  If your product or service causes damage to a third party, general liability covers your defense costs and damages if awarded for bodily injury or property damage.

2. Property Insurance
If your business has personal property like inventory, tools, or computers then property insurance covers for theft, fire, and other losses. You should also consider adding to this policy, loss of earnings/business interruption coverage in case you are unable to operate during a loss.

3. Commercial Vehicle Insurance
A Houston commercial insurance policy will cover tools, inventory, etc., which are being transported as well as covering for damages and collisions. Note: personal auto insurance will not cover items being transported for business purposes.

4. Worker’s Compensation
If you have employees, worker’s compensation insurance is the law.  More importantly, proper coverage protects you and your personal assets if an employee is injured on the job.  This insurance covers medical costs and wage loss for the employee, and waives the employee’s right to sue your business if a loss occurs when they accept these benefits.   

5. Errors and Omissions
Also known as professional liability insurance, this type of policy covers your defense and any awarded damages in the event that you fail to render your services, or inadequately perform them.  General liability does not cover this type of loss, so if your business provides a service it is very important to consider this policy.

6. Data Breach Insurance
In today’s technologically advanced world, data breaches can and do occur.  If you store personal or non-public information about your clients or employees on your computer systems or paper filing systems and the information gets into the wrong hands, this coverage will protect your business from the losses that may follow.

7. Life Insurance
As a business owner with financial obligations, life insurance provides you with peace of mind knowing your family will be protected against financial burden in the event of your passing.

8. Home Owner’s/Renter’s Policy
This coverage protects against losses for physical property damage, contents and personal injury within the premises.

9. Directors and Officers Insurance
If a lawsuit is filed against a director or officer of your business, due directly to their actions related to your business, this coverage will protect against defense costs and damages.

10. Personal Umbrella Insurance
Additional coverage may be purchased in the event your liability insurances are exceeded during a loss.  Depending on the nature of your business, this can prove invaluable in a loss situation. Call ABM Insurance at 800-362-2809 to discuss your insurance requirements and get a free quote on a policy bundle that will protect you and your business.

Monday, February 18, 2013

What Types of Liability Insurance Are Necessary?

officeBusiness owners face numerous risks anytime they open their doors. It's possible that business liability insurance may be one of the most important investments a company can make. Yet, many small business owners are uninsured. Liability insurance protects a business from mistakes, accidents and other risks that could otherwise financially bankrupt the organization. The following are the most commonly sought after types of liability insurance.

General Liability Insurance

A basic plan that nearly all businesses should have is Houston general liability insurance. It adds a layer of protection to cover any type of hassle related to accidents, negligence claims, or injuries. This policy provides the business with protection from an assortment of risks including the following:
  • The cost of defending against a lawsuit
  • Property damage costs
  • Costs related to bodily injury claims
  • Costs related to someone's medical expenses being paid
  • Libel defense charges
  • Costs associated with defending against slander
  • Cost of settlement bonds
  • Cost of judgments
The risks for this type of insurance are very clearly present. If a customer falls on the property, this policy protects the company. If an employee makes claims that are not accurate and someone sues the business, this policy may help.

Product Liability Insurance

Most companies sell a product. That product, when made, distributed and used properly gives some type of benefit. Yet, mistakes can happen. Product liability insurance provides the company with protections necessary for any organization that manufactures, distributes, sells, or wholesales any type of product. It is a type of liability policy protecting the company from having to pay for losses. This generally has to do with defects that cause a person harm.

Product liability insurance is necessary for most organizations selling something. However, the type, amount, and the need for it range significantly between one company and another. For example, a company selling auto parts will have a higher need for this type of liability insurance than one selling baby clothing.

Professional Liability Insurance

If you do not sell a product, you may provide a service. This also puts you at risk. In this case, though, the defect is not in the product, but in the service. Business owners selling a service need professional liability insurance. It is sometimes called errors and omissions insurance as well. It can protect against risks such as:
  • Errors you make when making a statement or selling the service
  • Malpractice, commonly associated with doctors and medical professionals, but can also be associated with lawyers and numerous other professions
  • Negligence claims
Some types of businesses must have professional liability insurance in order to have an active license. For example, most states require doctors to maintain a malpractice policy.

Business liability insurance may seem complex, but it does not have to be. By having it, though, you reduce the risk of financial loss or even having to shut your doors when someone files a claim against the business. If you give ABM Insurance a call today at 800-362-2809, we would be happy to help you to determine what types of liability risks you have and how adequately to defend against those risks.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

What Is a No-Claims Bonus?

girl holding car keysIn insurance, a no-claims bonus is a benefit extended to those who have not made any claims in the previous year. It is mainly used in the Houston auto insurance industry to mean a reduction in the amount of premiums paid in the following year. Since you are rewarded for each year you do not make a claim, you can enjoy substantial savings on your yearly insurance premiums.

Transfer and Duration of Coverage


Most insurers will allow you to transfer your no-claims bonus from one policy to another. They just need to make sure that the last policy you had expired within a specific number of years, which for most firms are two or three years. This is not an industry-wide regulation, however, because some firms may not recognize your bonus if you have had a break in your coverage. On the other hand, your no-claims bonus will not expire as long as your coverage is intact and you do not make any claims. The percentage of the bonus you lose when you do make a claim depends on your insurance provider.

Protected No-claims Bonus


Most insurance companies have a program called protected no-claims bonus. This program allows you to hold a given number of claims without losing your no-claims bonus. You should note, however, that this protection does not preclude you from paying relatively higher premiums. If you are assessed as a more likely to have more claims, your premiums may rise accordingly. In this case, you only stand to benefit marginally from your no-claims bonus status. Thus, the protected no-claims bonus stands to save you some money even if you do make a claim.

 

Increasing Your Chances for the Bonus


To enjoy your no-claims bonus, you need to do everything in your power to avoid situations that may entail you making a claim. Some of the measures you need to make include:

 

Concentrate while driving


This may sound like a relatively simple advice but the reality is that many drivers get distracted whilst on the road. In fact, you can easily be distracted even while using some of the car technology meant to help you such as satellite navigation.

 

Maintain Your Car


Ensure that your car is well maintained and serviced regularly. The tires should have adequate threads and should be inflated properly, and the windscreen washers should be functional.

 

Eligible Drivers


Most insurers will only allow a car's owner to benefit from the no-claims bonus, but there are exceptions. A few insurance companies will allow a few other named drivers to enjoy no-claims discounts on your car. This is a great advantage for these drivers, especially when they move to their own policies. You should also note that a no-claims bonus is limited to a single vehicle, and if you buy an additional one, you should not expect the bonus to cover them both.


Call ABM Insurance at 800-362-2809 to get your auto insurance quote today!

Friday, December 21, 2012

General Insurance: 7 Basic Tenets

Insurance contracts are an exchange of risk. In return for the premium payment, the insurance company promises to compensate the insured for a loss to person or property. By pooling small payments from many customers, the insurer can extend large amounts of coverage. To make sure both parties are treated fairly and can trust the transaction, the industry has seven basic tenets of general insurance.

1.  Principle of Uberrimae fidei (Utmost Good Faith):  Both sides, the insured and the insurer, must act with good faith. Each party must give honest information and make thorough disclosures.

2. Principle of Insurable Interest:  The person seeking to benefit from the insurance must have sufficient ownership in the object, property, or interest being insured. For example, you can't take out insurance on your neighbor's house unless you own it.

3. Principle of Indemnity:  The insurer agrees, within the limits of the scope of coverage, to cover the loss. In short, the insurance company promises to "make good the loss" and restore the insured to where they were before the claim.

4. Principle of Contribution:  The insured can only recover for actual losses, even if the loss is less than the limit of coverage. If there are multiple policies, the insured can't double or triple dip. You can't make a claim for the same loss to two different insurers.

5. Principle of Subrogation:  When the insured is paid for a loss resulting from the fault of another, the insurance company has the right to seek legal recourse from that person. In short, if your car is totaled by a drunk driver and the insurance company pays your $10,000, then the insurer has the right to sue the negligent driver to recover the costs of the claim.

6. Principle of Loss Minimization:  The insured has a duty to reduce the chance of loss and to mitigate the loss. If your house catches on fire, you have a duty to call the fire department. After a loss, you have a duty, if possible, to secure the property and prevent further damage.

7. Principle of Causa Proxima (Nearest Cause):  If there is loss because of more than one reason, the insurer must look at the damage caused by the closest factor when paying the claim. For example, your street is flooded during a storm. Your house suffers only minor water damage, but catches fire because of downed power lines. You are insured for fire, but not for flood. The insured must pay the claim because you are insured for the closest or proximate cause of the damage.

The seven general tenets of insurance, at its base, is a code of ethics for both parties to the insurance contract. Any questions? Call ABM Insurance & Benefit Services, Inc. at 800-362-2809 today to review and discuss Houston business insurance or other types of insurance.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Tips for Business Owners to Handle Workers Compensation Claims

construction workersThere is a huge misconception about workers compensation claims amongst business owners. It is a commonly held myth that a workers compensation policy is no more than a finance mechanism for payment of claims. Because of this, many business owners feel they would benefit more from not having a structured system of compensation claims in place. 

The truth is it doesn’t work that way, and workers compensation system involve several complex mechanisms that can help avoid potential to harm any business in more than one way. 

If a business is rated on the basis of its experience, it is important to remember that  every dollar paid on a claim will have its effect on the cost of compensation insurance. Not all employers or business owners possess the funds or expertise to do what’s necessary when employees suffer from injuries. Such poor claims management will only result in increased cost of  Houston workers compensation insurance that an employer would have to pay.

If one wishes to understand the link between insurance claims and increased cost of insurance, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of experience modification factor.

What is an experience modification factor?

To put it in simple terms, an experience modification factor is a system that compares a business’ experience of handling workers compensation claims, which is comprised of claim dollars and payroll, to those of other businesses. These businesses would not be unrelated, randomly chosen ones but would be similar businesses. Businesses with better claims have low factors of experience modification and hence their sum total of workers compensation cost is reduced. Conversely, those with poor claims experience and high factors have an increases total workers compensation cost.

How to have a better claim experience and lower the factor as an employer? 

-     Reporting all claims to the insurance company on time is important

-     Open claims should be paid extra attention. 

-     Closing the claims as quickly as possible is another important task. 

-     Working in close association with the insurance company adjuster to solve any issue could be of great help. 

-     An employer should do  everything in his power to get the injured employee back in good shape and back to work. 

Occurrence of workers compensation claim is unavoidable. It is important that a system is in perfect shape to assist the injured employer in terms of medical assistance, rehabilitation etc. The best way to do this is by being involved in the claims process and shouldering responsibilities. 

For more details on workers compensation claims and insurance, call us at 800-362-2809.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Business Function Insurance



Business events, like parties and dinners can impact the success of your company significantly. These events can be used to reward or motivate you employees, which can improve workmanship and production. That can lead to an increase in sales and profit. If you use the event to increase awareness of your company, it can attract potential clients. 

Business functions are important, but they’re also expensive to plan and host. Regardless of how much planning has gone into the event, there’s no promise that it’ll happen smoothly. There is something called special events coverage that provides protection in case a function is canceled due to weather or there’s a problem with the location. It’s also helpful in preventing loss in case a sponsor falls through or a vendor doesn’t show up or doesn’t carry out their responsibilities as agreed upon.
 Additionally, special events insurance can protect your business from legal responsibilities should an accident occur and someone is hurt or property is damaged. Even if alcohol is the reason behind the accident.

Regardless of whether the venue your function is being hosted at requires it or not, it’s wise to have special events insurance. Keep in mind special events insurance has lots of different options for coverage, as well as varies in regards to deductibles and limits, which makes premiums more affordable and flexible. Nonprofit organizations can use this insurance too, when holding fundraising events. 

Give us a call at 800-362-2809 to find out more about business function coverage and to learn about how other kinds of Houston commercial insurance can protect your business. Our agents will help you figure out the best type of insurance for your business.

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Difference Between Personal and Commercial Auto Insurance



Evident by the names, commercial auto insurance and personal auto insurance aren’t the same. One is meant for your own vehicle, while the other is meant to cover your business (or commercial) vehicle. However, the difference between the two is actually quite subtle. Personal auto insurance covers occurrences that are insurable, such as collision costs, bodily injury, theft, uninsured motorist claims, and property damage liability when caused by your personal vehicle.

There is a different set of liabilities commercial auto insurance covers. For example, imagine the person riding with you in your car isn’t a family member or friend, but instead is a client that’s paying you to take them somewhere. Or imagine your car being stolen with business supplies and equipment in it, which are owned by the client you are driving. In both of these situations, the cost for replacing the stolen items and loss of business resulting from the insurable incident might have a great impact on the claim.

The liabilities and potential cost of claims can be very different depending on whether your vehicle is commercial or personal. One more scenario to consider is if you have employees driving your commercial vehicle while on the clock. Your personal auto insurance won’t cover claims if something happens, and their personal auto coverage probably won’t either, which leaves your business exposed.

To find out more about personal and commercial auto insurance or to receive a Houston auto insurance quote, contact us.

Friday, July 20, 2012

A Guide to Insurance for the Newly Single


For someone rediscovering what it is to be single, you’ve got more to think about than just how to date during this digital era. You also have to look at your finances differently, including your insurance. Being newly single means you’re also newly independent and you might not have a source of back-up income. If you don’t then that means you should use insurance to make one for yourself.

Property Protection
If you’re divorcing or leaving a long term serious relationship, you might have had joint home and car insurance. Now, you have to think about getting these insured independently with your own policies. In regards to your home insurance, make sure you do an inventory of your home. By doing this you’ll know exactly what belongs to you and the amount of insurance you should have for the contents. Educate yourself on rebuilding costs so you’ll decide on the correct limits for your dwelling and if you reside in a flood zone, be sure to also get flood insurance since flood damage isn’t covered under home insurance.
As for auto insurance, speak with your agent about getting the correct liability limits and you can check Kelley Blue Book for an idea of what the value of your car is. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure you include a loss of use benefits for both of your policies. This is important so that in case you have an accident you’ll be able to get a rental car or if something happens that makes your home unlivable, you’ll be able to have a portion of your temporary lodging costs paid for.
Re-Evaluate Your Deductibles
Now that you have only your income, the insurance deductibles you once had with your former partner may not be fitting. Look at your savings and budget to figure out what is affordable for you.

Disability and Long-Term Care
Since you now have only your income to depend on, one of your biggest concerns should be to protect it. Having disability coverage provides you with back-up income in case you’re not able to work. Disability insurance can pay out a lot sooner than Social Security can and it can also be planned to pay more than Social Security.
As you get older, you’ll become less able to do day to day work activities, so it’ll be important to have arrangements for long-term care. When this time comes, you should let your mind decide on the type of care that you are going to receive, not just your budget. When you’re single, you have to be your own supporter, and having long-term care insurance coverage will provide you with the means to do that.

Re-Evaluate Your Beneficiaries
Should you have a life insurance policy with your former partner listed as the beneficiary, you’ll probably want to change that. If you have children, you have the option of making a trust and making it the beneficiary will guarantee that the money you leave behind goes to your children. It’ll be looked after as well, until your children are older and responsible enough to manage it on their own.

Remember the Discounts
Protecting your budget is important so you can have emergency funds set aside, but having to sacrifice your insurance policies to have money available for it isn’t how you do it. To keep from making this mistake, check with your insurance agent about the discounts you might have available to you.
We’re aware of the challenges that the newly single can face, and we’re here to help you manage it all. Call us today to begin creating your independent insurance policies.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Does Your Company need Business Interruption Insurance

small businessA threat that faces every business owner despite of location, industry, product or service, is one of business interruption after a disaster. Without the ability to continue business for an unclear period, the owner could face increasing debt, no income and they may even lose the ability to gain financial footing through their future business prospects.

Usually, business interruption insurance will cover earnings that a company will lose over a set period of time following an insurable event, such as a fire or hurricane. Some policies may also include:

·         Extra expense coverage: If you have to run your business out of a temporary location as you repair and rebuild, you may have extraordinary expenses, which would be covered under this benefit.

·         Contingent business interruption: It’s probable that the insurable occurrence which hurts your business didn’t actually have an effect on your business location, but that of your supplier. If your business experiences a loss due to an incident at your supplier’s location, then this would cover the damages within the specified period and limits.

Together, these benefits can help you to continue to pay payroll and meet your financial obligations while conducting your business in a temporary location or waiting out the repairs to your office.

Getting Coverage

You may be able to secure business interruption coverage through its own policy, or as a piece of your commercial property insurance policy or BOP (business owner’s policy). When applying, you should consider what your losses could actually be before you pick your limit. Consider your gross profits and think about potential sales losses in terms of future sales trends as well as current and past sales experience. Talk to your agent about how your gross earnings fit in with the insurer’s coinsurance requirements, because if you underinsure your insurer could penalize you when you have a loss by reducing your claim payout by the percentage that you underinsured, even if your claim is less than or identical to your limit.

In addition, consider the expenses that you will reasonably be able to suspend while your business is out of service. If you lease your space then you may not need to pay rent during the months that the area is inaccessible and being rebuilt. But you may be forced to pay rent again once the space is restored, even if you need to spend that time restocking.

Business interruption insurance can be a reasonably priced, but important piece of your Houston commercial insurance plan. Give us a call at 888-356-6448 today to talk about just how much it can help defend your business.

Friday, May 25, 2012

The Benefits of Product Liability Insurance

ManufacturingIf you are introducing a new product to the public, either of your own design or your supplier’s, then you have an exciting time of discovery ahead of you. Watching the results as your product finds its way into the homes of all your customers, and seeing the difference that it makes in their lives, is powerful. Although, if you manufacture, design or sell a product, and it is found to be defective, dangerous or lacks proper package warnings then the product could be a liability claim waiting to happen.
By including product liability insurance in your business plan, you can ensure that you get the coverage you need before your product hits consumers’ shopping baskets.

What Product Liability Insurance Protects

There are three incidents that a product liability policy will protect designers, manufacturers and retailers from:
  • Design defects: No matter how many tests you run on your product designs, it’s possible that you missed some angle that makes your design unsafe.
  • Manufacturing defects: If the wrong materials are used when making the product or the production process results in a defect that could damage an individual, then you could be liable for damages. 
  • Marketing defects: Manufacturers have a responsibility to warn customers about potential dangers in their products. If the products you make or sell lack sufficient warnings, you could be sued for damages.
Some might wonder why a retailer could be held responsible for damages that are the fault of a manufacturer or designer. In some states, they may not be, but in other states, retailers will be held liable for at least some portion of damages because they will be considered negligent by introducing these products to their customers. If the product manufacturer has coverage for vendors built into their policy, retailers may not need their own.
The premiums you pay and the coverage you qualify for will be partially dependent on how high risk your product is and whether or not you’ve had claims in the past. It’s important to remember that a general liability policy may not have sufficient coverage for product liability and may even exclude it entirely. If you aren’t sure whether or not your current policy will hold up in the face of a claim, give us a call at (800) 362-2809. We can review your Houston liability insurance policies and offer guidance on keeping your company, and your assets, secure.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

What to do after a Fire

Putting your life back in order after a traumatic event can be difficult. Rebuilding after a fire though, can be especially challenging. You’re not only coping with the emotional aftermath, but, you will also need to organize your salvageable possessions. Arranging temporary housing for your family until your home is livable again only compounds the issue. When you’re prepared for the destruction that a fire brings BEFORE it happens you can be better equipped for a disaster should it happen to your family. House on Fire
  1. First and foremost make sure your family has a safe place to stay should a fire happen. You will need to have a place to sleep, clothes to wear and a place to bathe. If you take medications, wear eyeglasses, use prosthetics, or need any other essentials you should contact local charitable and emergency management organizations for assistance. If they cannot provide for you, they will most likely be able to point you in the right direction.
  2. Contact your family to let them know you’re in a safe place and where you can be contacted. A fire could be a big story for local news stations and leaving your loved ones to find out about it that way could cause unnecessary stress.  You can also ask a friend to post a message on Facebook or other social networking sites to alert other friends and family that you are safe.
  3. Do not visit your property or the remains of your home until you get the all-clear from the fire department.
  4. Call your insurance agent to file a claim as soon as possible. You should do your best to leave the remains intact until the claims adjuster arrives. Do not sort through the rubble or begin any cleanup efforts until after the insurance adjuster has met with you and completed the list of personal effects that are missing or damaged. You should also give your adjuster your home inventory. If you do not have a home-inventory, there are several home-inventory apps you can download to your mobile phone. The home-inventory will then be backed up to a server where it is safe and can be accessed when needed. Complete a home-inventory before disaster strikes rather than scrambling after one has happened.
  5. Salvageable items can be removed after an adjuster has begun the claims process. Don’t assume that just because an item looks intact that it actually is. Find out how to properly clean and restore them so you’re sure they are safe to use.
  6. Let your post office know to forward or hold your mail until you are able to come back home. You should also consider having your utilities temporarily shut off since you’ll not be using them for some time.
For more details about how to safely handle yourself after a fire, you can visit the U.S. Fire Administration website. Call us to discuss your Houston home insurance options in the event of a fire to your home or business at 888-356-6448.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Types of Business Personal Property Coverage

Houston Business InsuranceIn order to protect property owned by your company it’s wise to invest in Business Personal Property Coverage. For your commercial property to be covered it must be on or within a building in the business premises. Items in a vehicle or items located within 100 feet of the business are also covered.
There are a total of five different classes of items covered:

  • Property of others that is in the care, custody or control of the insured: Some businesses, like repair shops, hold onto the property of their clients while they are working on it or with it for business purposes. This property can still be damaged or stolen while in the business’ possession and, therefore, needs to be covered so that the business is not liable for its customer’s losses.
  • Leased personal property with contractual requirement to insure: Not all equipment used by a business might be owned by them. Instead, many businesses lease or rent bigger, more expensive items like computers, copiers or machines. In this case, if a lease or rental agreement contract requires that the business owner insure the property, it becomes covered under the business personal property coverage.
  • Tenants improvements and betterments: If you rent or lease your office or retail space, and you make improvements to that space by adding shelves, lights, or other fixtures and alterations, then tenants improvements and betterments will reimburse you for the value of these improvements if they are lost or damaged in an insurable incident. Remember, the property owner’s business insurance policy will not cover your property or betterments.
  • Exterior building glass: This class is also for tenants of buildings. Many businesses have special, decorated and lettered glass for their business’ front. If this glass is damaged in an insurable incident, it might not be covered by the property owner’s policy since it is considered under your care and custody as the lessee or renter.
  • Property owned by the business and used in the business: Most contents or property will probably fall into this category. It covers all property and equipment that was purchased by the business and used in the business. This could mean machines, computers, ovens, etc. There may be special exclusions or conditions for property that is used for both personal and business needs.
Your business is your ticket to success and financial freedom. Protecting it with the right insurance coverage ensures that your business will continue to provide for you after an insurable event. You can also be assured that you will not lose your personal assets trying to recover from one.Call us today at 888-356-6448 for a free Houston Business Insurance quote.