We invited Zensurance.com to share their expertise regarding online business insurance in Canada, to ensure you receive accurate information on this important topic.
Canadian Online Business Insurance Guide
As an online business owner, it’s imperative to have the right insurance coverage that shields your business and your customers from common everyday risks. But do you know how? To learn more, we’ve provided an insurance guide to help Canadian online businesses stay protected.
Do you need insurance for an online business?
Insurance is an absolute must-have for any online business. Having insurance for your business can be the difference between an unfortunate mishap and a total financial disaster. However, many online startups (particularly home-based business owners) believe they may not need it. Some assume their home insurance will cover any business risks they come across. In truth, most home insurance policies have a very low coverage limit that won’t provide adequate protection; other home policies would completely exclude all home-based business claims.
Another misconception when running an online business is that insurance is only necessary for a company with a physical location or large e-commerce operations with a warehouse full of stock. The reality is, online businesses of any size come with their unique risks.
You likely take every precaution to ensure your customers are happy and their personal information is secure when shopping on your site. However, there’s always a chance that something could happen beyond your control. For example, say you experience a cyber-attack that compromises your customer data, or you’re faced with accusations that your product caused injury or damages. In these situations (and many others), you could be held liable for a crippling amount of money. Safeguarding your operations and reputation requires having the proper insurance policy with adequate coverage limits.
How can insurance protect my online business?
There are many coverages available that can be included in a comprehensive online business insurance package. Here are the primary policy types you’ll likely require:
Cyber Insurance: First and foremost, Cyber Insurance is one of the most important coverages for any online business. At a time when cybercrime is highly prevalent, it’s crucial to protect any customer data, including personal addresses or financial information you may collect during a transaction. Cyber Insurance can cover the costs associated with restoring computers and data after a cyber incident, such as legal fees and notification expenses.
Product Liability Insurance: Many online businesses owners will manufacture, sell, or distribute products via their website. Product Liability Insurance covers the cost of claims alleging that your product was defective and directly caused an injury or property damage to a third party (such as a customer).
Commercial Property Insurance: If you store inventory or use specific equipment for your business, it’s important to have Commercial Property Insurance. This coverage provides financial reimbursement should your business-related property be damaged or destroyed by cover events such as fire, flood or theft.
How much does insurance for an online business cost?
The best way to get an accurate idea of how much an insurance policy will cost is to get a quote online. Many important factors help an insurance company determine the coverage you need and the cost of that coverage. Here are some examples:
- The types of products you sell
- Your annual revenue
- Your location
- Years of experience
- Whether you have any employees
- Past claims
What should you look for when buying online business insurance?
It’s essential to protect your business with an insurance policy, but where do you start? Firstly, shop around or use a brokerage to do it for you – there are many insurance companies with a wide variety of coverages. Some companies make it extremely easy to compare policies online to get you the best quote, without any need to meet in person, call, mail or fax. Finally, if you’re comparing different insurance quotes, you should understand each coverage and its exclusions as they may differ between one another.
Author Bio:
Zensurance is Canada’s leading digital commercial insurance brokerage, providing an online platform to help find the best insurance quotes for your business. Our mission is to empower small businesses across Canada to thrive by offering an honest, simplified, and modern approach to insurance.
You may also be interested in reading:
Canadian Law for Online Businesses: Resources and Tools
Canadian Startup Resources: Provincial Business Portals and Gateways
7 Recession Proof Online Businesses To Start From Home
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Very helpful