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How to Prepare for an OSHA Inspection

December 20, 2021 Blog

If your business is subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections, it’s important to be prepared. Knowing what to expect and how to handle an OSHA inspection can help ensure that you’re in compliance with OSHA regulations and avoid any costly fines. Are you wondering what to do if OSHA knocks on your door? If so, you’re in luck. Experts at Business Insurance Center are here to share some tips on how to prepare a business for an OSHA inspection.

What is an OSHA Inspection?

First things first! What is OSHA? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency that monitors and enforces workplace safety laws. OSHA is a government entity and their Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) are tasked with inspecting any businesses that are subject to OSHA audits to ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.

tips for OSHA inspections

Most OSHA audits consist of three parts: opening conference, walk-around, and closing conference. Citations by OSHA may follow, depending on what the OSHA inspector observed. Technically, employers have a right to request a warrant for an OSHA inspection, however, this may work against your business and give the CSHO a negative impression.

OSHA Audit Preparation Tips

No matter where in the United States you conduct business, you will likely have to deal with OSHA inspections. Many business owners have OSHA inspection checklists, but are still left wondering, what should I expect at an OSHA inspection? What are the 3 parts to an OSHA inspection? How do you survive an OSHA inspection? What is the most important step in the OSHA inspection process? If these questions are running through your head, take a deep breath…we’re here for you! Here’s tips on getting ready for an OSHA inspection and setting your business up for success!

  • Designate a few main employees who will be the contacts for the inspection.
  • Make sure that the designed audit employees are well-versed in the OSHA audit process.
  • Train employees for an OSHA inspection and review requirements regularly.
  • Keep your workplace safety documentation readily available and consistently updated.
  • It’s vitally important to have evidence of a comprehensive Worker’s Comp policy.
  • Formulate a plan for the day of the inspection, including aspects such as how employees will be notified of the audit, where the employee interviews will be conducted, and where the OSHA inspector will be working at your place of business.
  • Prepare an OSHA inspection kit. This should include:
    -A camera for video and photography recording
    -Required PPE
    -Labels or stamps to label necessary information as “confidential”
    -Basic facility information (e.g., type of work performed, number of employees, names of management personnel, list of contact information)
    -Contact information for the local OSHA office
    -Testing equipment (check calibrations and expirations on equipment regularly)

OSHA Compliance Best Practices

While it’s impossible to know everything OSHA will inspect, these are a few key things you can do to make sure your business is ready. Now that you have these tips and expectations for an OSHA visit spelled out, you’re ahead of the game! A large part of being prepared for an OSHA audit is to have full-coverage Worker’s Comp insurance. If you need assistance in getting the best Worker’s Compensation insurance, contact Business Insurance Center today. Then sit back and relax, knowing that your business is fully prepared for your next OSHA inspection!

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Mistakes to Avoid in a Hybrid Business Model

December 20, 2021 Blog

Are you considering a hybrid employee work model for your business? We get it! These unprecedented times have caused significant changes in the world of business and one of those changes has led many business owners to explore the potential benefits of having employees work both remotely and in the office. For many business owners, this is a new concept that you may have never put into practice before. If you’re thinking about a hybrid business employee approach, it’s important to consider a few potential mistakes that you’ll want to avoid for the benefit of your business and employees alike.

what to avoid with a hybrid business model

Hybrid Work Model Best Practices

In 2020, COVID-19 forced businesses across the world to adapt, and during the shutdown remote work seemed a successful solution that enabled businesses and employees to stay afloat. Now that the world is reopening, many employees want to continue remote work. In fact, 58% of workers said they want a fully remote position (FlexJobs survey). This has caused business owners to consider in-person workspace and remote workers.

While implementing a hybrid model to your business can be great news for everyone involved, its success depends upon proper planning. That’s why it’s critical for business owners such as yourself to develop hybrid work model strategies and policies that avoid potential pitfalls including the following common hybrid work model mistakes.

Inconsistent Communication for Remote Workers: Communication is the key to a satisfying employee experience and is necessary for a business’s success. Rather than utilizing a variety of platforms for communication, you may want to consider standardizing which communication tools you use. Avoid announcement boards or in-person methods for communication and instead opt for digital communication forms that can be accessed equally by remote and in-office workers.

Resistance from Executive and Higher Level Employees: It’s vital to have support for the hybrid work model from the top down. If your execs are not on board, this will be evident to the entire team and your work model is not likely to succeed. Get buy-in from your higher level team and monitor to ensure there is no bias for either in-person or remote employees.

Challenges for Remote Workers: Those who have never worked from home are not likely to understand all that remote workers are facing. A way to avoid resulting misunderstandings is to hold training on the hybrid work model itself, where all roles and difficulties faced from each employee group are defined, explained, and made evident. This may involve having everyone work from home for a few days.

Insufficient Equipment: Remote workers will need adequate technology. Remote workers need to know what technology they can take home, if they will be reimbursed for purchasing office equipment or internet bills, etc.

Lack of Proper Insurance: With employees working from home, it’s vital to consider insurance coverage for home-based work, workers comp for remote workers, and cyber risk insurance due to an increased potential for data breaches. Business Insurance Center can work with you to develop a comprehensive business insurance plan that ensures you’ve covered for every scenario, both for in-office and remote employees.

Best Hybrid Work Model Policies

The success of any workplace program hinges on how well it can be implemented and maintained. For hybrid work models, you must have a clearly defined policy detailed in writing. This helps employees and upper level managers understand expectations and ensures proper conduct. A good hybrid work model policy includes:

  • Eligibility criteria for hybrid work
  • Training on the hybrid approach and specialized training for remote workers (such as connecting to your virtual private network on their home Wi-Fi or how to prevent data breaches for home work)
  • Definition of the hybrid work model, such as if there are days a week an employee is expected to work in person, or if there are specific days and hours an employee is allowed and/or expected to work for either group
  • Description of available technology for remote employees to use at home
  • Designation of a main contact or remote employee facilitator (for questions regarding remote work; the regular manager should still oversee regular work tasks)
  • Expectations for in-office employees
  • Processes for setting up meetings, communication, etc.

Best Business Insurance 2021

If you’re ready to give the hybrid business model approach a try, there’s no time like the present! Business Insurance Center agents are here for you every step of the way. We’re happy to sit down with you and review your business insurance to ensure it covers every potential situation your new business model may face. Move confidently into 2022, knowing you’re set up for success!

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Cyber Liability Questions Every Business Should Ask

November 18, 2021 Blog

If you own a business, you know the importance of minimizing risk. What about your cyber risks? Are you prepared to deal with liability for any data breach or hacking that might happen? How will this affect day-to-day operations and your bottom line if it occurs? It’s important to have an understanding of what can happen in the event of cyber incidents so you’re equipped to mitigate them. Protecting client information and the reputation of your business is paramount to the success of your business!

best business cyber liability insurance

Cyber liability risk experts from Business Insurance Center are to help by providing insight on some of the most important things that should be considered when deciding if your cyber liability measures are enough and if your cyber risk insurance includes the proper coverage. Cyber attacks are becoming increasingly common, so there is no time like the present to get up to speed with this valuable knowledge!

 

What Businesses Need to Know About Cyber Risk Insurance

The value of protecting a business against cyber risk is significant, and often the damages are more than just financial. When a data breach or other event occurs in this field it can have lasting effects for businesses no matter how big they may be. Private and public entities alike may suffer serious consequences, from lawsuits to loss of faith. Thus, company leadership should play an active role when making decisions about security measures. Consider the following questions regarding your business’s cyber protection policies and procedures.

  • Has the organization discussed and formalized a business cyber risk budget?
  • Does your business utilize proper technology to prevent data breaches?
  • Do you have or are you considering purchasing cyber liability insurance?
  • Has your management team provided cyber protection employee training to ensure sensitive data is handled correctly?
  • Does your business have a data breach response plan in place?
  • Do you have a comprehensive cyber security program for businesses?
  • Has your leadership team taken the appropriate steps to reduce third-party cyber risks?
  • Do you have a plan or process for staying current on cyber trends, cyber risk news, as well as federal and state data security regulations?
  • Have you appointed a senior team member to be responsible for organizational cyber security preparedness?
  • Have you conducted a cyber risk management analysis to determine where your protection gaps may need strengthening?

If your business leadership team analyzes the answers to these questions, you’re well on your way to having the most comprehensive cyber protections in place for your business. These cyber breach protections are critical for maintaining your company’s reputation and the safety of your valued clients.

Best Cyber Liability Insurance Near Me

Business owners need to be aware of the various cyber risks that are out there. Whether it is a data breach, ransomware attack, or any other cyber attack, you need to know what your cyber risk liability is and how much you should invest in protection. In the battle against cyber risk, Business Insurance Center is your best ally! Call or click to contact our experienced business cyber risk insurance agents today, we’re waiting to help protect your business with affordable cyber risk insurance!

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How To Protect Your Business from Winter Liability Risks

November 18, 2021 Blog

Winter is a major time of year for business owners to take precautions against winter liability risks. With the holidays and winter weather come unique risks of liability for property damage, slip-and-falls, or accidents on your premises. Such liability risks and resulting legal consequences could spell the end of your business, small or large. Protect your business with a thorough knowledge of how to mitigate liability risks for businesses during the winter months.

Tips to Avoid Winter Weather Liabilities for Businesses

Here, Business Insurance Center experts share some tips to protect your business from winter liabilities and what risks you may be facing this winter season.

Winter Storm Protection for Businesses
Winter storms can wreak havoc on your business property but can also create potential hazards for which you’re liable. If clients park outside on your property or walk to your storefront, they may encounter downed trees or branches, potholes, debris, damage and danger from gusting winds, snow build-up, and ice.

must have business insurance

Liability Insurance for Slips, Falls, and Other Accidents
With slick, wet, icy, or snowy walkways come the risk of accidents or falls on your property that result in injury. Protect your business from lawsuits and injury claims by ensuring proper removal of snow, ice, and debris. Take steps to prevent ice build-up on sidewalks and entrances. Make sure your outdoor property is in good repair to avoid tripping or slipping hazards, and that your indoor floors remain dry.

Necessary Insurance Coverage for Businesses in Winter
While you may have accounted for every potential accident or injury on your business property during winter, life still happens! It’s imperative to have comprehensive business insurance coverage without any gaps that leave your business vulnerable. Check that your business umbrella insurance or general liability insurance plan covers risks that are particular to the winter season. You’ll want to ensure that property damage and personal injury insurance is included, as well as workers comp insurance (winter accidents may involve employees too), and business interruption insurance. Set your business up for success through risk management and business insurance planning with the experts at Business Insurance Center! We can help determine where dangerous gaps may exist in your coverage and obtain proper business insurance winter coverage.

Best General Liability Insurance Near Me

The Business Insurance Center is here to help protect you and your business with business liability insurance that you can purchase for just a few dollars per day. What is general liability insurance for businesses? Liability insurance protects against lawsuits over injuries or damages by a business, harm to reputation, errors in advertising, and property damage. It also covers accidents that occur on property owned by the insured business, including related medical costs, bodily injury costs, and legal defense costs in the case of litigation. If this sounds like a good way to protect your business against potential winter weather liability risks your business may face, contact Business Insurance Center now. We provide affordable general liability insurance for businesses of all sizes and types. Click or call our top rated business insurance agents today!

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Crop Insurance 2021

October 18, 2021 Blog

Did you know that the average farm in America has a 50% chance of going out of business in any given year? In the best of times, farmers and agribusinesses are faced with challenges on a daily basis. The weather can be disastrous and as we’ve seen in the past year, life can be unpredictable. That’s why it is important to invest in crop insurance! Today, the Federal Crop Insurance Program protects more than 70 percent of insurable farmland which comes to a whopping 282 million acres! The program provides hundreds of millions of dollars in indemnity payments to farmers each week. Sound like something you’re interested in? Business Insurance Center shares some valuable insider information all about crop insurance and how it can be just the financial protection your agribusiness needs!

What is Crop Insurance?

Crop insurance can help protect against losses from unpredictable weather events by reimbursing your crop when the actual yield falls below an established threshold yield level. When you combine this coverage with our other risk management services, like crop scouting or field-specific consulting, then you have more peace of mind knowing that your crop insurance investment not only meets your needs but also protects against unforeseen circumstances too!

Benefits of Crop Insurance 2021

You’ll see several benefits from obtaining comprehensive agricultural insurance that includes crop insurance coverage. Investing at least some funds into this type of coverage is beneficial if you want peace of mind for your family’s livelihood.

Financial Stability with Agribusiness Insurance
Farmers who insure their crops have the ability to engage in long-term business planning because of the relative stability of your cash flow. The amount of money invested in crop insurance will depend on the type and location of crops being grown but it will remain a stable and constant price that will reduce overall costs in the long run.

Turning a Profit in Agribusiness 2021
One of the most reliable predictors of an agribusiness’ ability to turn a profit each year is crop insurance. With the weather being unpredictable and accounting for one-third of crop losses annually, it’s imperative to have a plan in place that will reimburse you for potential financial losses.  why get crop insurance

Getting Agribusiness Loans 2021
Crop insurance enables farmers to borrow money more easily because it provides the proof lenders need that you are going to be able to repay loans. With access to loans, you have the ability to purchase new technology or equipment and invest in innovative trends which often lead to higher yields. What better way to grow your agribusiness?

Importance of Agricultural Insurance

Without adequate insurance, a farmer could lose everything if their crops are hit with extreme weather conditions. The cost of crop insurance 2021 may seem daunting at first but the truth is that you’ll save money in the long run by investing in this type of coverage. There are many different types of agribusiness insurance policies available, so make sure to shop around and find one that best suits your needs.

Do you still have crop insurance questions such as: How are crop insurance prices set? What triggers a crop insurance audit? How much does crop insurance cost? What crops are eligible for crop insurance? We hear you and we’re here to help! For answers to these questions and for more information about how crop insurance can protect your farm business from unforeseen events, contact our team at Business Insurance today!

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Equipment Breakdown Insurance 2021

October 18, 2021 Blog

Farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses can be faced with a lot of expenses when it comes to equipment and it’s vital that you have the right coverage in place. One way to save money in the long run is by adding equipment breakdown coverage to your agribusiness insurance policy. Equipment breakdown coverage will pay out a predetermined amount of funds if your tractor, combine, or other machinery breaks down and needs repair. This can be a great option for the agribusiness world where an unpredictable income makes life difficult! With comprehensive equipment coverage, it’s possible you may need a payout only once every few years, but the insurance may need to cover numerous expenses over time! Yet how do you choose the right protection plan for your equipment? Business Insurance Center lets you in on all the important insurance takeaways about equipment breakdown insurance policies 2021.

best agribusiness insurance

Is Equipment Breakdown Coverage Worth It?

Over the years we’ve seen innovations come onto that market that have made life and work much easier through automation. However, the downside to our innovations is the threat of system failure due to fragile and sensitive technology. Your business depends on functioning equipment to operate and maintain revenue, which means that a breakdown could be devastating. All this leads us towards one thing: proper agribusiness insurance coverage or commercial property insurance against these types of losses to protect your business from financial risks. You’ll pay less in the long run for proper insurance coverage for equipment malfunction or breakdown than you will pay out-of-pocket to cover such expenses. You’d be surprised at some of the unexpected expenses that can come with breakdowns and even more surprised to see the numerous expenses you’ll be reimbursed for with a comprehensive agribusiness insurance plan!

What Does Equipment Breakdown Insurance Cover?

It is important to understand the coverage you receive with your commercial property or agribusiness insurance coverage, as well as what your policy might not cover automatically, such as equipment breakdown!

Typically, the following is covered under an agribusiness insurance policy which includes an equipment breakdown insurance plan:

  • Property Damage – Cost to repair or replace damaged equipment due to an accident.
  • Off-Premises Property Damage – Covers portable equipment damaged away from the covered location.
  • Business Income – Covers the loss of income as a result of a covered accident until equipment is repaired or replaced. Also allows for additional time after repair or replacement to ensure that the business is operating at full capacity.
  • Contingent Business Income – Covers income loss after an equipment breakdown at an essential customer or supplier location.
  • Extra Expense – Covers additional expenses used to keep the business going after a covered loss, such as equipment rental fees.
  • Service Interruption – Covers business income and extra expenses after a breakdown at a supplier with whom the insured has a contract.
  • Perishable Goods – Covers food spoilage, manufactured goods or other perishable items after a covered incident.
  • Demolition
  • Ordinance or Law – Covers costs associated with complying with building codes and laws (other than demolition).
  • Expediting Expense – Covers the temporary or permanent repairs necessary for basic business activity.
  • Hazardous Substances – Pays to clean, repair or replace areas that are contaminated by hazardous substances released in a covered loss.
  • Brands and Labels – Reimburses for the loss when having to sell a damaged product for less than retail price.
  • Waive of In-Use Restriction – Pays for damaged equipment that was not in operation at the time of a covered accident.

If you hold an older policy, you may want to review it with Business Insurance Center to be sure it covers any new, high-tech equipment you may have purchased.

Best Agribusiness Insurance 2021

When you need your equipment reliably up and running, a breakdown could be disastrous. The risk is so great now that even with standard property insurance coverage it’s not enough- which means any downtime will cost you money! That leaves only one option: buying equipment breakdown insurance in your agribusiness insurance policy, tractor insurance, and comprehensive commercial property coverage from reliable companies like Business Insurance Center. We’re here to answer any questions you may have about business insurance and provide expert insurance advice to set your financial future up for success!

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Fleet Safety Guide

September 30, 2021 Blog

Running a business is hard. Running a successful business in today’s market can be even harder! An incomplete plan in one area of your company could cost you everything. That’s why it is so important to make sure that every aspect of your company is safe from harm, including your fleet employees and vehicles. Fleet safety isn’t always something that small businesses think about when they start up, but as time goes by and the company grows, there are more moving parts to keep track of and more people involved in day-to-day operations. One of the most important “moving parts” is a solid safety plan for a commercial fleet. Here, insurance experts from Business Insurance Center share some fleet safety program tips designed to keep all aspects of your fleet safe and sound!

Fleet Driver Safety Program

One reason that fleet safety is so imperative is that traffic-related motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of work-related fatalities. We know how much you value your employees’ safety and when you put into place a fleet safety program, you’re working to reduce unnecessary injuries and situations that may lead to even worse consequences. The best fleet safety principles start with hiring and encompass every step of the way after that.

commercial fleet safety tips 2021

Best Practices for Hiring Fleet Drivers
It’s vital to get the right employees for your trucking company, delivery service, or any business that requires a vehicle fleet. Screening and selection of fleet drivers is key! Recruitment procedures for commercial fleet drivers should require a prospective employee to list past driving experience, employers, and types of vehicles driven; list references; and notify you of any motor vehicle violations. Of course, you’ll want to conduct a formal interview, background check, review their motor vehicle record (MVR) and conduct drug and alcohol screening. Only qualified candidates who clear all of these requirements should be considered.

Fleet Driver Safety Training
Another important component to increasing safety of commercial fleets is to mandate a driver safety program for employees. Programs could consist of classroom and on-the-road modules. The best fleet employee training also focuses on defensive driving techniques and behavior modification. You can monitor driver habits to identify potentially unsafe driving habits that require additional training.

Establishing Written Policies and Procedures for Commercial Fleets
Best safety practices for commercial fleets include clear communication of and training on your company’s fleet safety program. All employees should have access to a written safety program for trucking company, delivery service, or any industry which involves fleet vehicles. Having a fleet safety compliance manual is an effective way of communicating what you expect of employees who drive business vehicles. Many fleet safety programs are DOT regulated or comply with OSHA fleet safety regulations. These typically include all driver expectations, procedures for handling and reporting vehicle breakdowns or accidents, consequences of driver failures/damages, and so on.

Rules and Tips for Fleet Driver Safety
Make sure to continually check on fleet driver conduct, ensuring that they are following basic vehicle operation principles. Commercial fleet employees should be expected to follow these to demonstrate responsibility, protect themselves and other drivers on the road, and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

  • Always use seat belts
  • Drive defensively and never aggressively
  • Respect speed limits and traffic laws
  • Always lock the vehicle and apply the parking brake
  • Take breaks every four hours during long trips and never drive more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period
  • Avoid driving past midnight, in inclement weather (when possible), and when tired
  • Do not drive distracted, never text while driving, avoid phone calls, only using hands-free devices for necessary phone calls
  • Maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle

Fleet Vehicle Maintenance
Having an established plan for fleet vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair is another good way to increase fleet driver safety. Having vehicles that are well-cared for and current on all maintenance reduces the potential for malfunctions or breakdowns that may result in accidents.

Commercial Auto Safety Guidelines

You won’t be able to prevent every accident or stop every vehicle malfunction. What you CAN do to protect auto fleet drivers and reduce commercial fleet accidents is follow these helpful tips for fleet safety. For everything else, there’s comprehensive commercial fleet insurance! Call the Business Insurance Center today, where we insure commercial fleets across the United States. We’re committed to providing fleet insurance coverage that doesn’t leave any gaps. Insure where it matters most: your employees and the financial future of your business!

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Pollution Liability Insurance for Contractors 2021

September 30, 2021 Blog

Every day, contractors face the challenge of safely managing environmental contamination. Contractor reputation can be damaged by single environmental incidents or gradually over time; in some cases, these issues could result in financial loss and even bankruptcy proceedings if not handled correctly. As a contractor, you may be unaware of the risks that come with environmental claims. The unfortunate reality is most commercial general liability (CGL) policies only protect against intentional acts and omissions, or contain exclusions so the policy is not liable when things go wrong environmentally. This leaves contractors at risk for pollution caused by accidents or malfunctions in equipment and vulnerable to pollution-related lawsuits if your work has a negative impact on the environment.

contractors pollution liability insurance

So what’s the solution? How do contractors protect themselves against pollution liability? Many contractors are turning to contractors pollution liability insurance (CPL) from companies such as Business Insurance Center, to get the right coverage in place to remain secure and profitable.

What is Contractor Pollution Liability?

CPL policies offer insurance coverage for environmental situations potentially arising from contracting operations performed by a variety of contractors. This may include:

  • Exposure risks related to site and dirt work, such as excavations, paving, landscaping, drilling, or digging holes
  • Moisture protection against chemical use or materials laden with dangerous particles
  • Disturbance of existing materials when removing/demolishing, which may expose toxic properties or substances
  • Remediation of polluted sites

Insurance for pollution liability for contractors usually covers all types of contracting operations, including contractors who are involved in building construction and environmental firms that remediate polluted sites, to name a few.

What Does Contractor Pollution Liability Cover 2021?

When deciding on the best pollution liability insurance, it’s important to investigate what your plan may cover, as they are not all the same. Some factors you may want to consider include whether the CPL policy covers:

  • Bodily injury coverage for third-parties
  • Property damage and defense against potential environmental damage
  • Cleanup costs as a result of sudden or gradual pollution incidents
  • Losses from civil fines, penalties, and punitive damages
  • Sudden or gradual release of pollutants (some offer full coverage for both, some cover only one or the other)
  • Specific substances that are considered pollutants under the plan
  • Sites or contracts that require a CPL insurance policy that covers predetermined standards

CPL insurance plans are not a one-size-fits-all situation. The best companies for contractors pollution liability plans offer nonstandard policies, where each plan is different and can be modified to cover the specific needs of the contractor. Contractors can select a project-specific policy as a one-time use plan or a comprehensive contractors pollution liability policy for those who consistently work with environmental pollution risks. Additionally, plans can be based on claims-made or occurrence basis. You would be wise to consider a policy that covers the particular pollution risks associated with your area of expertise.

Best Contractor Pollution Liability Insurance

Business Insurance Center has all the top rated CPL insurance policies on the market in 2021. Our friendly insurance agents are standing by, ready to guide you through the process and ensure you get the best contractor pollution liability policy for your protection. Let us take care of the details so you can focus on your projects and make your customers happy! Learn more about our customized and comprehensive coverage for Pollution Liability with a click!

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Employee Focus During Covid-19

September 02, 2021 Blog

Covid-19 has made a major impact on the business world, and we have barely begun to understand or experience its effects. Many businesses had to transition constantly over the past 18 months with layoffs, closures, flex scheduling, remote work opportunities, and so on. More employees are working from home than ever before, so employees now face new challenges such as balancing family responsibilities while still contributing meaningfully at work. Additionally, employees have to deal with the stresses that come along with an unstable work environment. As these changes continue in our lives and unfold this year, it will be crucial for companies to maintain trust and confidence within the company culture to stay productive and successfully support employees.  Here, Business Insurance Center shares some best practices for maintaining employee trust within your company during these trying times.

COVID-19 Employee Support Best Practices

Creating a company culture of wellness, trust, and respect during difficult times is an integral part of your business’s success. As an employer, you can take a few simple steps that go a long way in maintaining trust, productivity, and engagement in the workplace (even if it’s a remote workplace!).

1.Maintain Open Communication and Transparency

During a time like this, it is imperative to communicate with your employees on a consistent basis and make them feel included in the process of dealing with these new challenges you are facing together. Having a daily check-in with your employees is a key part of communication and success. This could be via phone, FaceTime, Zoom, or in-person. It’s a great idea to hold both one-on-one communications and group meetings to continue to build a sense of trust and community. Covid-19 has been an isolating time for many people, so encouraging camaraderie will go far in terms of employee and company wellness. Engage your team members by asking questions about how you can help or what’s working or not at different levels within your organization. This will enable potential concerns to be voiced before escalating into bigger issues. Be honest, transparent, and direct about important plans or changes within the company.

  1. Be Consistent

With so many elements of work and life constantly changing, your employees need to know that you are a stable, reliable, and consistent force within the company. This may be challenging during so much instability but your consistent reactions to situations and thinking through each decision builds priceless trust amongst your employees. Knowing what to expect from you provides a sense of security.

  1. Provide Wellness Benefits

Your employees are likely feeling a lot of stress and unease during this time and a way to counteract this is a focus on mental and physical health. Genuinely caring about the wellness of your employees also naturally develops rapport and trust. You can demonstrate this to your employees by providing ample opportunities for them to practice wellness. Offer gym or yoga studio memberships, include therapy in your benefits package, allow extra breaks for a walk or meditation session, encourage employees to share resources for stress relief and wellness ideas.

  1. Protect Data with Cyber Insurance

There is no quicker way to lose the trust of both clients and employees than a data breach. Such a breach can be catastrophic for your business reputation as well as that of your employees. With so many employees now working from home, the risk potential for a cyber breach has exponentially increased. The most effective way to safeguard against this is a solid cyber insurance plan from the Business Insurance Center. Cyber insurance can help with prevention as well as protection for everyone involved in the event that such a disaster occurs. Additionally, having a cyber breach policy naturally builds trust with your employees and clients alike.

Strategies to Support Employees

Covid-19 created a world of change for businesses in the past 18 months. Many companies have had to make changes, such as laying off workers or restructuring. The effects we’ve seen may be only scratching the surface – there will likely continue to be many more transformations over time within this ever-changing environment. Work culture may have felt unstable or scary at times for employees and these new shifts may have affected their trust with management. Yet you can counter the effects of the pandemic by employing these simple strategies for employee engagement during Covid-19. The Business Insurance Center team is here to support you and your employees on this journey by providing a stabilizing comprehensive insurance and benefits plan. Call or click now and we’ll put together a customized benefits package designed specifically for your employees and business. 

 

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5 Best Insurance Coverages for Businesses in 2021

September 02, 2021 Blog

When someone talks about “business insurance,” what generally springs to mind isn’t a way for small businesses to grow. Yet insurance is one of the best ways for you, as a new and growing business owner, to establish yourself as a successful entrepreneur by providing a safety net in case anything goes wrong. Even if you’re a seasoned pro at small business, or are expanding your business, it’s important that you educate yourself on different types of insurance policies available so you can make informed decisions about which ones will protect your company from various perils before they arise. Recent times have greatly changed the way we do business and in 2021, it’s crucial to stay ahead of potential risks. The Business Insurance Center is here to explore five essential types of insurance coverage– no matter what kind of business you run. 

business insurance for small businesses

2021 Best Small Business Insurance

To set your business up for success, you may want to look beyond the business insurance required by law. While small insurance requirements vary by state and industry, many employers choose to go above and beyond the minimum out of an abundance of caution for the business and employees alike. Just make sure you know what kind of protection best suits your industry and business’s needs before making any decisions on what to invest in and who will provide your company’s policy. 

General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses

In plain terms, general liability insurance protects a small business from losses or lawsuits related to your business. It also covers various types of claims including defective merchandise or services and product or operations liability. This type of coverage typically includes medical expenses and attorney fees in the event you are legally responsible for a bodily harm claim or property damage. It’s most beneficial to select a policy that includes the four main components:

  • Premises liability: covers expenses related to lawsuits of a non-employee who is injured on your business property.
  • Personal injury: protects against lawsuits related to a third party suing for physical, financial, or mental injuries. 
  • Advertisement injuries: deals with misinformation, copyright claims, slander, etc., lawsuits against your company.
  • Products liability: guards against claims related to injury caused by your goods or services

 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Injuries, illnesses, or other physical ailments from the job are covered by workers’ compensation insurance. If an employee is hurt or killed while performing his/her duties, this coverage will pay them for lost wages and medical bills as well as a portion of their income if they can no longer work. Injuries happen even in workplaces where all possible safety precautions have been taken, so it’s important to have workers’ compensation insurance so employees who are injured aren’t left without the financial resources they need to get back on their feet again. If you want to make sure that your employees are properly taken care of, then worker’s compensation is a necessity rather than an option. For you as the business owner, workers compensation insurance protects from civil suits made by disgruntled workers who feel they have been treated unfairly. Additionally, it’s a successful way to demonstrate your loyalty and concern for your employees. 

Commercial Property Insurance for Small Businesses

Commercial property insurance is something that every business owner should have. It doesn’t matter if you’re leasing space or own it outright, commercial property coverage can be a valuable asset for your company in the event of unforeseen disasters such as theft, fire, and other related events. Commercial property insurance usually covers not only building damage but also equipment used to perform day-to-day tasks like computers, furniture, industry tools – everything necessary for running a successful operation! The best business insurance agencies offer a stand-alone policy for commercial property or as a part of a comprehensive business owner’s policy that includes commercial buildings and property. In some cases, it may also be offered in an all-inclusive package to cover losses from natural disasters such as fire damage or storm/hurricane-related destruction. Commercial property policies are usually available on either replacement cost basis – which pays the actual cost needed to replace any items with like items without regard for depreciation. The other form of reimbursement is current market value. This includes deducting costs based upon wear and tear over time, or its actual cash value.

Cyber Liability Insurance for Businesses

Cyber liability insurance is a must for any company that operates online. This type of coverage protects your business from cyber attacks or interruptions causing a loss in data, revenue, and trust with customers. Cyber liability insurance protects internal business, financial, and employee information (by covering first-party losses) as well as customer’s information (covering for lawsuits or other third-party injuries resulting from a cyber attack). With a small business cyber liability policy, your business will have an added layer of security. This is a must in current times so that you and your customers feel confident doing commerce on an internet platform.

Employment Practices Liability 2021

Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) is a form of employment-related policy that covers wrongful acts which occur during the hiring process. The most common types of related claims include discrimination, wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and retaliation. Business EPLI policies will pay for your company’s legal fees in defending against lawsuits as well as judgments or settlements if you lose the suit. It is important to note that these policies typically do not cover punitive damages, civil fines, or criminal penalties. 

Insurance for Small Business Owners

When it comes to small businesses, there are plenty of pieces that can fall through the cracks. That is why Business Insurance Center has been a business insurance provider for over 30 years, specializing in providing comprehensive and customized coverage so you don’t have to worry about anything but your company! Call or click for more information about how we can help you protect your greatest asset! 

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If any policy provision is in conflict with the information provide on our website, blog or by any of our agents, kindly note that the policy language is controlling and supersedes all other sources. For more information, please contact your local office of The Nowell Agency.

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