If you’re beginning your journey as a business owner or are already an experienced business owner making sure your business is insured is essential. You’ve been working hard to get your company on the right track, and it’s only natural to want to safeguard your investment.
If you’re brand new to running an enterprise, you might be wondering what information an insurance company could be seeking. (If you’ve previously insured your business but are planning to switch to a different provider, take this as a good refresher!) Here are the most common questions that insurers ask. The most common questions an insurance company might inquire.
Here’s a list of the types of information you could be required to disclose to an insurance company regarding your business
Basic Business Information
- Your company’s registered name, address, and mailing address, and any other contact information
- Your earnings
- Employees number
- Other locations for business, such as off-site storage facilities
- The kind of products you offer or sell provide
- The amount of insurance you’ll need A minimum of $2 million is the typical sum for general liability commercial insurance.
- If a different firm insures you, you’ll have to give your name, the insurance company’s address, and the current amount of your premium.
- Website address
Past Claims
If you’ve just filed an insurance claim on behalf of your company (a maximum of five years after the date of application, The timing may differ depending on the insurance company.) If you have, you could be required to provide information about the incident and the claim amount.
Risks and Exposures
The nature of the business you run depends on the type of business you run. There could be specific risks or exposures that may influence the application. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to be covered – however, it might impact the amount of your premium.
Property Information
Here are a few typical questions that you might get asked about your company’s physical property
- Was construction made with concrete? Steel? Wood? Or a mixture of materials?
- What is the area? Do you have an underground space?
- How old is the structure?
- Are there any alterations to the structure? What did they look like, if there were any?
- Are there burglar alarms in place? System? Do you have a monitoring system?
- Are there sprinkler systems?
- What’s the worth of your stock, equipment, and furniture?
- Are you making any changes to your property (e.g., lighting, flooring, or any other decoration) that could affect how much insurance you’ll need?
You’ve Answered Every Question. Now What?
When you work with an agent, they will give your details to various insurance companies for an estimate. The process can take several weeks, based on the size and complexity of your company. If you’re dealing directly with an insurance provider, its underwriters will examine your data to determine if you’re eligible. Also, the duration to receive an estimate can differ based on the complexity of your business’s risk-related exposures. If your risk exposures are simple, you could need just a few hours to receive a quotation. If the project is more complicated, it could take several weeks.
How Is Your Premium Decided – and Why Are Applications Rejected?
Previous claims, the kind of your business, the threats, and the location and condition of your property are all factors to consider. Each of these elements gets considered when determining the amount of your insurance premium. Insurance companies use this information to assess possible risks. The more risky your business is, the greater the cost will be. You might not even be covered if you have too many chances to consider risks.
Every Business Is Unique
When you’re looking to ensure the business you run, never any “one size that fits all” Every company is distinct and faces specific risks. Therefore, you should make sure your insurance company takes the time necessary to guarantee you have the correct coverage for you.
Are you looking for more information about business insurance? Contact Commercial Insurance, Ottawa at (613) 454-5640.