The Importance of Business Interruption Insurance During a Crisis
What if protecting your business was easier than you ever imagined?
Hopefully, you have already safeguarded your company with reliable business insurance. However, no single policy can anticipate every possible scenario. All it takes is one unexpected crisis to disrupt your income and impact your livelihood.
So, what is business interruption insurance? It’s a policy designed to protect your income during such unforeseen events. Curious about how this type of insurance works to cover loss of income? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
What Exactly Is Business Interruption Insurance?
What does business interruption insurance cover? In short, this is special coverage designed to protect against income lost due to a major catastrophe, such as a fire. It can also protect you against unexpected expenses, supplier issues, or even income lost due to government-forced shutdowns. Your existing policy may not have this coverage, meaning you could be out of luck if you suddenly experience an unexpected catastrophe.
You can add this coverage, but you may still be on the fence about whether you really need it. To make a decision, it is important to understand both the need for reliable revenue protection as well as the key components of loss of business insurance.
Understanding the Need for Revenue Protection
You may think your own company does not need the protection of this special coverage because nothing bad is likely to happen to your company or you feel you could survive a short shutdown. However, such interruptions are part of the three greatest threats facing businesses, coming in only behind cyberattacks. The bottom line is that your own company is in more peril than you might think, making the need to protect it that much more important.
Key Components and Coverages of Business Interruption Policies
While the exact details can vary by plan and by carrier, loss of business insurance policies typically cover lost income after a catastrophe for a period of 30 days, though you may be able to extend that to 360 days. Typically, such policies (whose premiums are tax deductible, incidentally) are designed to last until you can address whatever has interrupted your operation. This may include making repairs and replacing equipment — having plenty of vulnerable equipment is a sure sign you need commercial insurance.
How Business Interruption Insurance Confronts Crises
By definition, business interruption insurance is designed to help you during times of unexpected crisis. However, it can be hard to realize how beneficial such policies are when it is difficult to predict when (or even if) such a crisis will affect your company.
You may or may not need this coverage for your own company. To decide, you need to know more about how this special policy can directly fight revenue disruptions while providing relief from a wide range of catastrophes, many of which you might not have ever predicted on its own.
Tackling Revenue Disruption from Natural Disaster
To understand the need for business interruption coverage, ask yourself: “What would happen if I completely lost my income for a month?” You may be sitting on a surplus of cash that can help you weather unexpected catastrophes. Far too many companies are running tight margins, though, and a month (or more) of disruption thanks to something like a fire or hurricane can completely shut them down. With this policy, you do not have to worry about such an act of God destroying everything you have built.
Navigating Market Turmoil and Economic Uncertainty with Confidence
Even without the threat of natural disasters, entrepreneurs have plenty of things to keep them nervous about their businesses, which is why finding the right commercial insurance is so important. For example, what if your most important supplier suddenly goes under, or what if you face a sudden increase in operating expenses at the worst possible time? Fortunately, this loss coverage can not only protect against these situations but can offer something that every hardworking entrepreneur deserves: confidence and peace of mind in the face of an uncertain future.
Relief and Protection From Cyberattacks and Other Catastrophes
Most who consider getting business loss insurance mistakenly think it will only pay in the event of national disasters. However, this unique policy is also designed to help in the face of other kinds of dangers, including cyberattacks (another of the greatest threats facing modern businesses). The bad news is that any number of threats could temporarily or even permanently disrupt your business. The good news is that a single addition to your existing coverage can help protect against the worst of them.
Coverage Scope: When Does Business Interruption Insurance Kick In?
Generally, business loss insurance kicks in once the physical property has been damaged and ends once the affected property has been repaired or replaced. As usual, though, it is important to check the fine print and make sure you understand what triggers such a policy and what is (and what is not) covered. Only by doing so can you determine which commercial insurance is best for you and your company.
Unpacking Policy Triggers and Covered Perils
Insurance to cover loss of income typically covers natural disasters, including fire, wind, and lightning. Policies commonly cover theft and falling objects, and select policies may cover other scenarios, including cyberattacks. The policy is usually triggered once your company is affected and lasts until things are repaired or until you reach the coverage limit of 30 days (unless you have expanded it).
Exclusions and Limits: Knowing What is Not Covered
Now you have solid answers to the question, “What does business insurance cover?” However, it is equally important to know what is not covered to ensure you are not taken by surprise, especially if you run a small shop.
Below, you will get a better breakdown of typical restrictions, boundaries, and limits. Understanding all of them will help you make the best decision when it comes to protecting your company.
Understanding Policy Restrictions and Coverage Boundaries
In general, broken items are not covered, nor is damage from earthquakes and floods. Utilities are not covered, nor is any undocumented income protected. Finally, communicable diseases, pandemics, and viruses are not covered.
Additionally, you should know that policies are typically limited to a certain amount of coverage over a specified time (like 12 months). As always, it is important to get the right amount of coverage to protect yourself in case the worst happens.
Future-Proof Your Business with Business Insurance Coverage
Now you know all about business interruption insurance. This includes how it works, why it is important, and how it can safeguard entrepreneurs just like yourself. But do you know who can provide the quality of coverage you truly deserve?
At InsureOne, we specialize in protecting businesses like yours. And we have the experience and professional training needed to help your company weather any storm. When you are ready to protect what you have built from an unknown future, come get a quote online. Of course, you can also pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to find an InsureOne office near you.