Bracing for Impact: A Guide to Essential Construction Business Insurance

In the vibrant heart of South Florida, where the sun meets the sea and the nightlife never sleeps, there’s a rhythm to life that’s as exhilarating as it is unpredictable.

Here in South Florida, we face a unique trinity of certainties: death, taxes, and, without fail, weather-related disasters. While the first two are beyond our control, the latter is a game of chance where savvy preparation can tip the scales in our favor. This is especially true in the construction industry, where the stakes are as high as our towering skylines.

Imagine hurricane season like that one relative many of us have, who always shows up unannounced, causing chaos and leaving you to clean up the mess. This relative doesn’t just overstay their welcome; they can knock out power lines, flood your construction sites, and send materials flying like Marino tossing a football. It’s a reality that, as a business owner in Miami for over 40 years, I’ve come to both anticipate and respect.

So, how do you protect your business against such formidable forces, like unpredictable weather or unexpected events? Think of business insurance like a hardhat for your business; it’s essential protection that covers your head, or in this case, your people, property, and profits. 

It’s a non-negotiable layer of protection that safeguards not just the physical aspects of your projects but the very soul of your business. This coverage extends from property damage and liability to worker’s compensation, it’s a safety net that catches you when a project goes awry.

Ensuring your comprehensive insurance policy is as fresh as your morning cafecito isn’t just smart; it’s how savvy businesses navigate through storms and sunny days alike. 

This is not just about due diligence; it’s about fortifying your children’s legacy against unexpected challenges.

Types of Construction Business Insurance

Understanding the various risks your construction business faces underscores the importance of being properly insured. But what exactly does comprehensive coverage entail? 

Let’s explore the key insurance types every construction business should consider.

  • Property Insurance: Protects your physical assets, from office spaces to construction equipment and tools, against theft, damage, or loss.
  • General Liability Insurance: Offers protection against claims of property damage, injuries, and accidents related to your business operations.
  • Workers’ Compensation: Essential for covering medical costs and disability benefits if an employee gets injured on the job.
  • Builder’s Risk Insurance: Specifically designed to cover buildings under construction, protecting against fire, vandalism, and weather-related damages.
  • Professional Liability Insurance: Shields your business against claims of negligence, providing coverage for errors and omissions made in your professional capacity.
  • Commercial Auto Insurance: For businesses that operate vehicles, this insurance covers damage and liability issues arising from vehicles used for business purposes.
  • Business Interruption Insurance: Compensates for lost income and helps cover operating expenses if your business is temporarily unable to operate.

There’s a lot to navigate, but assisting your trusted Insurance Advisor can be as simple as taking a video on your phone.

QUICK INSURANCE TIP
In the chaos that a storm can bring, having a clear inventory of your tools, equipment, and ongoing work will streamline the claims process, should you need to make one. 

A morning walk around the job site recording a cell phone video for social media could become your most valuable asset after tragedy hits.

The Irony of Insurance

The irony of insurance is that spending money upfront can lead to significant savings down the line. Regular policy reviews can reveal opportunities to trim fat or, conversely, areas where you might need to expand coverage to match your business’s growth. 

It’s a paradox worth embracing, since being prepared can mean the difference between a setback and a shutdown.

The road to recovery can seem daunting, laden with claims to file, repairs to oversee, and operations to restart. Yet, with a solid insurance policy and a trusted partner by your side, this path becomes less of an odyssey and more of a roadmap we can follow together.

Business Insurance Policy Review Questionnaire

Here’s a list of questions we might ask you to help us understand your business and how to best protect it. This could serve as a great starting point to purchase a new policy or review an existing one.

Copy and paste the text below into a Word or Note document.

Has My Business Grown? Consider if there have been changes in your business size, revenue, or the number of employees. Growth can mean you need more coverage.

Have I Added or Changed Locations? New locations or changes in where you operate can affect your insurance needs.

Did I Introduce New Products or Services? Offering new products or services might expose you to different risks.

Are There Any New Equipment or Assets That Need Coverage? Acquiring new assets or equipment increases your business value and possibly your insurance needs.

Have There Been Changes in Regulations That Affect My Business? New laws or regulations can necessitate changes in your insurance coverage to remain compliant.

What Were My Biggest Challenges Last Year?  Reflecting on past challenges can help identify areas where your insurance coverage may be lacking.

Do I Plan to Expand My Business in the Near Future? Future plans for expansion can influence the type and amount of coverage you need.

Have My Liability Risks Changed? Evaluate if there’s been a change in the risks your business faces, such as entering new markets or employing more staff.

Is My Current Policy Cost-effectiveReview if you’re getting the best value for your coverage or if there are opportunities to reduce costs without compromising protection.

When Was My Last Insurance Review? Regular reviews ensure your coverage matches your current business situation. If it’s been over a year, it’s time to reassess.

 

Trusted Insurance Advisor

To sum it up, while we may not have the power to dictate the weather, we’re far from powerless in preparing for its impacts. The right insurance doesn’t just protect our projects, people, and profits; it empowers us to stand tall in the face of adversity to rebuild and emerge stronger, ready to face the next storm.

Why You Should Get A Business Owner’s Policy

Why You Should Get A Business Owner’s Policy

If you own a small or mid-size business, it’s important to make sure you’re covered legally for any incidents that may occur at your business. The unexpected is always possible, and it’s better to be protected against anything that may happen.

A business owner’s policy (BOP) can protect you.

What is a business owner’s policy?

A business owner’s policy is an insurance policy that protects small to mid-size businesses and provides protection for all major property and liability risks in one package. Purchasing a business owner’s policy is suitable for all small to mid-size businesses, but it is especially suited to professionals like accountants, CPAs, doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, property management, and any kind of business that does work within their office.

Why do you need a business owner’s policy?

You never know what’s going to happen in your business, so it’s best to be prepared for the unexpected.

  • Someone could get hurt in your waiting room or storefront.
  • A natural disaster like a hurricane, windstorm, or tornado could occur and destroy things in your office.
  • Your data could be breached.
  • You could make a mistake, and someone could sue you for it.

All of these things have the potential to happen and have happened. If you don’t have a business owner’s policy, then you may be financially and legally responsible for whatever happens at your business.

Some of the most common reasons to have a business owner’s policy are if someone injures themselves in your place of business, to protect against data theft or loss, to prevent cars from going through your storefront, and to protect against damaged equipment.

These things may sound unlikely, but they occur more often than you think.

Accidents happen. There are scam artists who make a living off of pretending to injure themselves in small businesses. This often leaves the business owners vulnerable to a lawsuit if they don’t have a business owner’s policy.

Data Loss

With more and more people learning how to hack into computer servers and the internet, data loss and data theft become an even bigger threat. If your business keeps private financial records or sensitive information, then this data could be released out into the public, resulting in a breach of responsibility. This could leave you liable for any damages incurred by your clients or a lawsuit. In the last 10 years, companies like Target, Yahoo, Mariott, and eBay have experienced a data breach. If it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone. Our own government has had data theft issues.

Ransomware

Cybercriminals will even demand money and hold your data ransom demanding that you pay them for it. Around 43% of all ransomware attacks take place on small businesses. With ransomware, a type of malware is used to lock your computer until you pay the ransom to get all of your data and files back. Hackers have been known to slowly delete files until you pay the amount they are demanding.

If data is breached and released with your client’s information, you can be subject to fines. For example, if you run a medical practice and HIPAA data is released, it can be subject to a $1.5 million fine or more. That’s much more than most small businesses can handle, so the small investment into a business owner’s policy is well worth the peace of mind.

Florida Drivers Crash Into Storefronts At An Alarming Rate

It may sound unlikely that a car would drive through the front of your storefront, but it does happen from time to time, especially in big states.

Florida has more cars that crash into buildings and storefronts than any other state. The Storefront Safety Council, an advocacy group for barriers, found that Florida led the nation with 17% of all storefront car crashes in 2014. Other large states like California and New York are also subject to more storefront crashes. If a council exists to tackle a particular issue, odds are the problem is bigger than you think.

In 2018, a car crashed into a Verizon store in Miami causing damage to the property as well as to store merchandise and equipment. Barriers that prevent cars from crashing into storefronts aren’t always required, and people have even been killed from it. In Florida, a 72-year-old driver accidentally hit drive instead of reverse, killing two people in front of a boutique. Accidents happen.

What does a business owner’s policy cover?

The specific coverage in a business owner’s policy varies among providers, but most policies cover property insurance, business interruption insurance, and liability protection.

Property insurance is the portion of the policy that covers damage caused by events like fire, explosions, vandalism, natural disasters, and other related events. This typically covers properties that are owned or rented.

Business interruption insurance covers the loss of income that would result from an event like a fire or natural disaster happening that causes the business to close down. Sometimes, it can also cover the expense of operating a second location.

Liability insurance covers legal responsibility for damages that may occur at your place of business like someone getting injured or products being damaged. It can also cover you in the case that someone decides to sue you for services provided or any mistake accidentally made

In addition to these three components, the policy may cover flood insurance, vehicle insurance, and crime insurance. To get the best coverage for you and your business, it’s best to talk to an insurance provider.

How much does a business owner’s policy cost?

A business owner’s policy typically costs anywhere from $500 to $3500 per year. The average is around $1,200 per year, so for only $100 per month, you can provide protection for your business.

Why choose All Nation Insurance?

We make an effort to understand your business and make sure that insurance companies will pay you for your claims. 100% of our claims have been paid over the last 30 years because we ask the right questions and make sure people get the right policy at the right price. Additionally, we work with quality insurance companies that you can trust to do the best job for you. When a claim doesn’t get paid, it’s often because the policy didn’t contain all of the information or the proper information. We make sure to provide complete and accurate information in our policies by providing the information to the carrier and communicating with you.

Types of Insurance for a Small Business

Types of Insurance for a Small Business

If you own a small business, you might be wondering what types of insurance you should have so that you, your employees, and your assets are protected. There are many different types of insurances out there, and it can be overwhelming to know how much protection is too little, and how much is just unnecessary for your particular business. However, there are some basic types of insurance that every kind of small business needs to consider.

General Liability Insurance

No matter how small your business is, you need to have liability insurance because it will protect you with defense and damages if you, your employees, or your products cause or are said to cause harm to anyone.

Worker’s Compensation

If you are employing anyone, it is very important to have worker’s compensation insurance. It will provide insurance to employees who are injured on the job and it provides them with financial replacement and medical benefits instead of allowing the employee to sue you for the incident. Even if you trust your employees and don’t think they would ever get hurt or do anything to hurt you, this is a type of insurance that you need. Things happen you don’t want to get into a lawsuit or a situation of non-compliance.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance is also known as professional indemnity insurance or errors and omissions. You need this type of insurance if your business provides any kind of service or advice. This insurance will protect you against a client who is making a negligence claim.

Property Insurance

This type of insurance is important if you own your own your own business building, but it can also be important if you have any sort of equipment that belongs to your business such as computers or inventory. Property insurance will protect you if your space or business-related property is damaged, stolen, or vandalized.

What is Commercial Liability Insurance?

What is Commercial Liability Insurance?

Commercial Liability Insurance is a type of coverage, which protects businesses in cases where people make claims against them for property damage, bodily injury, and advertising and personal injury to their reputation due to slander and false advertising.

Commercial Liability Insurance coverage is used to pay people that sustain bodily injury or damage to property, which occurs on a company’s premises or due to their business operations.

Product or completed operations coverage is designed to pay for the expenses the business incurs when bodily injury or property damage for which it is responsible occurs away from the primary site of the business but is caused by the company’s products or their completed work.

Why is Commercial Liability Insurance Important in Miami?

Get a quote by contacting All Nation Insurance at 1 (305) 220-0900.

This is particularly important in cities like Miami where hurricanes, floods, and other types of inclement weather may lead to workers or equipment injuring people or causing property damage. For some companies having an additional form of commercial liability insurance called Excess Liability Insurance is also important. This can help to pay for losses which exceed the financial limit of their basic commercial liability policy. Other types of commercial liability insurance include:

  • Umbrella liability insurance
  • Claims-Made Policies
  • Occurrence Policies
  • Prior Acts or “nose” Coverage
  • Run-off or “tail” Coverage

While the coverage provided by these types of commercial liability insurance policies are fairly comprehensive, there are some types of injuries and damages which are not covered or not completely covered. One such example is the Pollution Exclusion. These exclusions state the policy will not cover a third party’s injuries or damages which are caused dispersal, escape, migration, release, or seepage of gaseous, liquid, solid, or thermal pollutants. This includes acid, chemicals, fumes, smoke, vapor, and other types of dangerous waste products.

Do you need Commercial Liability Insurance in Miami, Florida?

Depending on the nature of your business, commercial liability insurance may be required for you to obtain your business license. However, if it is not required, it is definitely recommended. America is a very litigious society. People are quick to bring law suits against companies they feel have wronged them in some way. They see companies as easy targets and have no problem finding attorneys that are willing to litigate their cases if they feel there is a chance the client may collect a significant personal injury or property damage settlement.

While those lawsuits may simply be a ploy by an individual and their attorney to get money, the damage they can do to a company that is not properly insured is sometimes irreparable. History is littered with examples of companies that were not properly insured and had to shutter their doors and go out of business when hit with a lawsuit.

With the influx of immigrants speaking a wide range of languages coming into Miami and South Florida at an all time high, the potential for misunderstandings and accidents on job sites is soaring.

It would be unwise for a growing business not to protect their assets by purchasing commercial liability insurance.

All it takes is one misstep, mistake, or product malfunction to trigger an expensive lawsuit. True, small to medium-sized businesses cannot protect themselves from everything that could potentially happen. In Miami, Florida hurricane force winds and torrential rain can knock over signs, shatter glass, or make the sidewalk outside your business slippery and dangerous and lead to personal injury and property damage lawsuits. Still, the responsible thing for business owners to do is try to find the most comprehensive commercial liability insurance they can afford.

The smart move is to be proactive. Don’t delay taking action and have an unfortunate accident happens then lament the fact your business was not adequately insured. At that point claimants may be looking for ways to hold you personally liable and go after your personal assets. Talk with more experienced business owners you know and respect and ask them about the importance of commercial liability insurance. They may be able to give you some insight about steps you can take to ensure your company is adequately insured.

Having commercial liability insurance is a must for any serious business owner. Don’t leave the survival of your company to chance. Speak with other business owners, scour the internet, listen to and follow up on references from family and friends, and do whatever’s necessary for you to find the right insurance agent or company for your business. Sit down with them and tell them your concerns. Also make them aware of your insurance needs. With a little work you’ll be able to find an insurance agent and a company that can provide you with comprehensive commercial liability insurance at a price you can afford.

Creating and growing your own business is an important part of the American Dream. However, one of the responsibilities of owning and growing your business is making sure your employees, equipment, and other assets are properly insured.

Get a quote by contacting All Nation Insurance at 1 (305) 220-0900.

Looking for Affordable Small Business Insurance?

Looking for Affordable Small Business Insurance?

Some new business owners, in an attempt to minimize expenses, may make the fateful decision to not purchase business insurance. Many see business insurance as a luxury or something that only businesses that have been established for a while can actually afford. And while it is true that there is an expense associated with small business insurance, it is essential for every business regardless of the industry, time in business, or their budget.

The Benefits of Worker’s Compensation Insurance

For any business that has employees, worker’s compensation is a must. Worker’s compensation will cover medical bills and a percentage of lost wages for employees dealing with work related diseases or illnesses. Employers who do not have this type of insurance may have to pay out-of-pocket to cover these expenses. Worker’s compensation provides for different types of benefits:

  • Income Benefits – These benefits will reimburse a portion of an employee’s lost wages.
  • Medical Benefits – These benefits are designed to cover the expense of medical treatment associated with the work related injury or illness.
  • Burial Benefits – These benefits will cover some of the funeral expenses of an employee who died in a work-related incident.
  • Death Benefits – These benefits will pay some of the employee’s lost wages to the family of an employee who was killed while at work.

Commercial Automobile Insurance

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between the years 2003 and 2007 more than 35 percent of work-related fatalities had to do with motor vehicles. Between the same time period, work-related automobile fatalities cost businesses on average $500,000, and each nonfatal injury cost them approximately $74,000. Thankfully, the vast majority of these business owners had commercial automobile insurance.
Any business that uses vehicles in the operation of business needs to have commercial automobile insurance. There is a huge difference between having a vehicle insured for a personal policy and having that same vehicle insured for business use. A vehicle that is only insured for personal use may not be covered if an accident takes place while the vehicle was being used for business.

Protecting Your Business Property with Insurance

As a business owner, you have worked hard to be able to afford the property you own. It is only logical that you should take steps to protect your investment. Business property insurance in many cases will reimburse not only the cost of the property that was damaged or lost, but it will also reimburse the actual loss of earnings for up to 12 months. Coverage is provided to replace things such as computers and other work-related equipment. Certain policies even offer coverage for the money a business spends researching the products they will purchase to replace what was lost. Even individuals who have a home-based business should look into getting this type of insurance.

Protect Yourself with Liability Insurance

We live in a society that is enamored with lawsuits. Even if a business owner feels that the chances of them being sued is little to none, getting liability insurance is still a good idea. Annual premiums for general liability insurance usually run between $750-$2,000 depending on the type of business. That is a small price to pay when compared to the tens of thousands, if not millions, of dollars a business owner may have to spend battling their case out in court.

General liability insurance helps to protect the company’s assets. It will cover certain obligations that a business owner may have, such as the medical costs of a client who gets injured while on the business’s property. It also helps cover the expense of legal defense and any settlement or award paid out if the business owner is successfully sued.

To get a quote or speak to an affordable small business insurance agent, call (305) 220-0900.

Why Do Restaurants Need Restaurant Insurance?

Why Do Restaurants Need Restaurant Insurance?

Restaurant insurance is vital to the success of a restaurant. The possibility of accidents occurring in your business and on the premises are great. To see what I mean, check out these statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Food Services and Drinking Fatalities, Injuries, and Illnesses report and the injuries, illnesses, and fatalities report.

  • 120 – fatalities in the food services and drinking places industry
  • 69, 950 – incidents involving work place accidents resulting in loss of work
  • 10 – average median days away from work due to injuries
  • 168 – cases per 10,000 full time employees

These statistics are alarming and demonstrate why restaurant insurance is so important. Accidents such as fires, slip and fall incidents and even people who get sick from eating your food can be covered by your insurance.

What is Business Insurance?

All businesses need insurance coverage in order to protect them from potential losses due to slip and fall incidents, fires and so forth. Having restaurant insurance also prevents business owners from losing property completely. Property unlikely to be recovered after a fire, severe weather incident or other unexpected event are personal items, expensive equipment and business vehicles. With the proper restaurant insurance coverage, a claim can be filed to recover losses including any medical expenses occurred by employees and customers.

Having insurance avoids being sued!

When a business owner fails to obtain and maintain business insurance, that person opens him or herself up to being liable for any judgments being settle against him or her and their business. The judgment can garnish wages, bank accounts, and some small businesses may be held personally liable for debts through person assets. As you can see, obtaining the right restaurant insurance coverage can protect your from liability claims.

Types of Business insurance you can obtain

There is more than one type of business insurance available, however several of these may be packaged together into one lump policy. It is up to the business owner and their insurance agent to decide which plan is right for them. Below is a list of some of the different type of insurance available.

Property and Casualty Insurance

Whether you are renting or leasing the physical location of your business, property insurance will cover it when flooding, fire, theft, tornado and or an earthquake occurs. Casualty only covers the operation of the business, which of course is grouped with property insurance.

Commercial Auto Insurance

This insurance type covers your business due to any loss or damage to company vehicles as well as damaged that may have occurred from the company’s vehicle to others.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers you if someone decides to sue you for negligence. A prime example of this would be in a slip and fall incident due to factors within your control or beyond your control.

Business Interruption Insurance

This insurance comes in handy when a business’s normal operations are interrupted and cash flow and profits becomes abnormal. This could be due to severe weather events, for example, if you harvest orange crops and Souther Florida is hit by an unexpected storm that destroys your crops, you may or may not be able to recover your losses.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is needed to cover yourself as well as your employees when in need of medical care.

Life and Disability insurance

Life and Disability insurance will be needed in the event of death or disability of key owners, partner and employees may occur. Read more about Key Man Insurance.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance

If you have employees, it is required by law to participate in the worker’s comp program. This insurance covers employees who are injured on the job.
These insurance plans can be combined but it would be cheaper to find a plan that offers the types of insurance coverage needed instead of purchasing them separately.