Commercial Insurance | Boizelle Insurance Partnership

3 Services Great Business Insurance Policies Offer

The very best business insurance policies offer you more than just a piece of paper outlining what they do and do not cover. They also offer valuable services that benefit your business in a variety of ways. These services should not only take care of you when something goes wrong but help you avoid it in the first place. Do you have a great business insurance policy? Find out for sure by thinking about how well it measures up when it comes to the following services.

1.Trusted advice: This is where your insurance agent should shine. Whether it’s quote time, claim time or anytime in between, your insurance agent should be someone you can count on. They should understand your business and its unique risks so they can recommend the right coverage. This matters because the last thing you want is a coverage gap that could put your business at financial risk.

How ERIE measures up: ERIE is represented by independent agents in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Like you, each agent is a local business owner who cares about the community. Your Boizelle Insurance agent will take the time to get to know you and your business so they can recommend the coverages your business really needs to be fully protected.

2. Risk control services: A good business insurance policy doesn’t just help you when bad things happen—it also helps you prevent bad things from happening in the first place. That’s where a risk control consultant comes in. Risk control consultants who work for an insurance company help business owners by evaluating potential hazards and recommending measures to help a customer reduce risks. Just a few of the ways they do that is by assisting with resources for the development of disaster recovery plans, conducting workplace surveys, providing resources to help a customer become aware of OSHA regulations that impact the business and more.

How ERIE measures up: As a part of many ERIE policies, you have access to a locally based risk control consultant who can evaluate potential risks in your business and recommend measures to help you reduce those risks. ERIE—which was the first insurance carrier to fly a drone to investigate a claim—was the first insurer to outfit commercial risk control consultants with Google Glass. ERIE recently conducted a test program of risk control consultants who used Google Glass during typical business visits.

3. Great claims services: Quick to act, compassionate, knowledgeable—these are all things that you want from your insurance company when it comes time to file a claim. Unfortunately, many people find out too late that their insurer’s claims service is less than stellar after going through a claim. To get an idea of whether your insurer will stand by you, talk to current customers who’ve been through a claim with that company. It’s also a good idea to check out ratings from respected research companies like J.D. Power.

How ERIE measures up: ERIE’s award-winning claims service has a reputation for getting customers back in business fast. That responsiveness is part of the ERIE mission of being Above all in Service®. It also helps that ERIE has claims offices in every state in which it does business, meaning help is never too far from home.

Not entirely convinced your business insurance policy is up to snuff? Then talk to Boizelle Insurance. We can evaluate your current policy and tell you more about the great services you should be getting in addition to great coverage.

By: Amanda Prischak, Erie Insurance

Are You Covered When a Customer Claims Harassment, Discrimination?

You probably never want to imagine that a customer would sue you or your business for discrimination or sexual harassment, but it does happen unfortunately.

Customers, vendors, clients or other non-employees may allege that one of your employees engaged in a wrongful act such as sexual harassment or discrimination (age, sex, race, disability, etc.).

“Businesses that deal directly with the public generally have more vulnerability to customer claims or third-party claims,” said Christie Lucas, vice president and business insurance product manager at Erie Insurance. “Given the very nature of their business, they have more exposure to these risks.”

Businesses that deal with the public routinely could include restaurants, retail stores, auto dealerships, contractors, hotels, religious institutions, schools, medical offices and real estate professionals, among others, Lucas said.

Are you covered?

The next question in your mind should be are you covered? Many business owners may not realize —or realize too late—that they have a gap in their insurance coverage.

Most standard Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) policies generally offer a measure of protection against lawsuits brought on by employees alleging wrongful acts (sexual harassment or discrimination) or wrongful termination. But EPLI generally does not cover you when a customer sues you for discrimination or sexual harassment.

What is third-party coverage?

To narrow the gap in coverage, you may want to add third-party EPLI coverage, which you can purchase and add to your policy as an endorsement. An insurance professional like Boizelle Insurance Partnership can tell you more about the benefits of the coverage and cost.

In addition to checking on your insurance coverage, it’s equally important to do all you can to prevent third-party claims. Businesses should have harassment and discrimination policies in place and conduct employee training routinely.

Erie Insurance customers have access to loss prevention resources from Hartford Steam Boiler, ERIE’s partner in offering this coverage. For example, you would have access to online resources such as model employee handbooks, policy checklists and a library of web-based training topics. A legal helpline is also available so you can connect with an experienced attorney to talk about specific issues and concerns. If a covered claim occurs, you’ll also have access to claims professionals and attorneys who have experience with these sensitive matters.¹

¹ Coverage and associated services provided under an arrangement with The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company.

By: Erie Insurance

When Should You Buy Insurance For Business?

Sometimes businesses just happen. You’re providing care, making clothing alterations or offering writing advice to friends, families and neighbors—just because it’s what you do. Then, one day, someone recommends you and someone you don’t know asks, “How much for your service?” Are you ready to charge? How much will you have to pay taxes? And when should you buy insurance for business?

These questions, when they come up, are both exciting and daunting. But whether you’re an accidental entrepreneur or one who’s driving a startup with a business plan in mind, insurance should be top of mind. It’s a financial tool that can help you protect your investment and manage your liability.

Here are five types of insurance to consider:

Property and General Liability – Property insurance helps protect the business’s property, such as computers, equipment and building. It can also protect your income against unexpected loss due to fire (for example). Liability insurance protects business owners from claims of injury or property damage incurred by others as a result of your operations.

Auto Coverage – Just like you insure your personal vehicle, you may need coverage on vehicles you use for business.

Business Catastrophe Liability – These polices extend the amount of coverage on your general liability, commercial auto liability, professional liability and employers liability policies so you’ll have more protection in case of a catastrophic situation where you’re held liable. (AKA, someone decides to sue you.)

Employment Practices Liability – This is an endorsement you can add to your property and general liability insurance to protect you specifically in case an employee sues you for sexual harassment, discrimination or other common employment issues.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage – This insurance provides coverage for injury or disease sustained by your employee arising in the course and the scope of their employment, regardless of negligence on your part and may be required to comply with your state’s workers’ compensation law.

When insurance isn’t required by law, it’s up to you to decide how much coverage you need and for what assets. But navigating the choices can be difficult. The 2013 U.S. Small Business Commercial Insurance Study from J.D. Power and Associates reports that face-to-face consultation positively impacts a small business’s experience when it comes to insurance.

If you’re an accidental entrepreneur or a startup looking for help, contact Boizelle Insurance Partnership at 800-783-2421.

By: Catherine Amick, Erie Insurance