Almost all experts will advise that you take out a policy that will protect your possessions if your property is damaged. However, many small business owners don’t know what they should look for when they take out an insurance policy. They often fail to take out a policy that provides sufficient coverage in the event everything is destroyed. You are much better off knowing that before an accident and finding a new policy.
Here are several tips to make sure that you have a good policy in place in case of a disaster:
- Always review different quotes. You should always shop around before making any purchase. Property insurance isn’t any different. You want to make sure that you understand both the terms of the coverage and the premium structure.
- Estimate replacement costs carefully. What will it cost to replace the building and its fixtures if it is damaged? You may find that the costs of repairing the building will be more than the value of the building itself. Make sure your policy is sufficient to cover these costs.
- Don’t neglect any essential equipment. Make sure that you keep track of all equipment and other capital that you have on hand. This includes computers, copiers, cooking supplies, freezers and anything else you may think of. Make sure that you provide coverage for anything that you won’t be able to do without after a disaster. You will want to make sure that you can immediately get right back on your feet if something happens to your business.
- Review the policy regularly. A number of factors may change that will affect the costs of replacing your property if it is damaged. Make sure you constantly review these costs and update your policy accordingly. I suggest reviewing your policy every six months.
- Make sure that your policy satisfies all legal requirements. Many jurisdictions have a number of regulations that stipulate what type of coverage you need to have. Make sure that you understand these regulations and ensure that your policy satisfies them.
- Look for flood coverage. Most property insurance policies don’t provide coverage for flood damages. You may need to seriously consider looking for a policy that provides flood coverage if you are in an area where the risk is particularly high. You may want to consider coverage even if you aren’t expecting a flood. Floods can happen in the most unlikely places.
As a business owner, you should make sure that your firm can pick up where it left off if your structure is damaged. You can never predict when a flood will strike or a loose wire will cause a building to catch fire. Make sure that you have property insurance in case anything goes wrong.
Kalen Smith is a business and entrepreneurship writer for Blue Sky Formations.