| If you're the owner of a small business, you'll be only | | | | insurance package (that includes separate commercial |
| too aware of the time, trouble and money that | | | | buildings insurance) might provide most of the |
| you've sunk into the enterprise. All of this costly | | | | protection you need. Although the details of precisely |
| investment might be swept away in the blink of an | | | | what is covered, of course, varies from insurer to |
| eye, however, if your premises are struck by an | | | | insurer, some of the key elements to attract many |
| accident or if you face a crippling claim for liability | | | | small business owners are: |
| from any one of a number of sources. By helping to | | | | - Contents insurance - for inside the premises from |
| keep you covered against the financial losses | | | | which your business operates. Although you might be |
| following any such events, small business insurance | | | | renting the office, storage or office space and the |
| has a way of making the difference between your | | | | landlord assumes responsibility for insuring the building |
| enterprise suddenly going under or living to fight | | | | itself, it is worth bearing in mind that any shop-front |
| another day. | | | | or display window typically remains the tenant's |
| The financial calamities that might be lying in wait for | | | | responsibility, not to mention, of course, the business |
| your business are frighteningly numerous and include: | | | | contents; |
| - fire, flood or other natural disasters that leave your | | | | - Public liability insurance - this is typically a core |
| premises in need of repair or rebuilding (the buildings | | | | element of small business insurance and not just for |
| will typically need cover under a separate commercial | | | | those engaged in obviously more dangerous trades |
| buildings insurance policy as SME insurance policies | | | | or services. In even the most sedate of settings, |
| may not include this); | | | | such as a quiet office, for example, a visitor or |
| - loss or damage to the contents (including stock, | | | | member of the public might trip, fall and injure |
| equipment and tools) of your premises as a result of | | | | themselves, holding the business liable; |
| fire, flood, other natural disasters, theft, malicious | | | | - Employers' liability - it is not only members of the |
| damage or vandalism; | | | | public, but employees, too, who might base claims for |
| - claims alleging liability and seeking compensation | | | | damages or compensation for injuries they receive or |
| from customers, visitors to your premises, | | | | property lost or damaged as a result of working for |
| employees and members of the public. | | | | you. Indeed, in many cases, you are required by law |
| Although the perils might seem to be coming at you | | | | to hold adequate small business insurance to cover |
| and your business from all quarters, however, a | | | | such claims by employees. |
| relatively simple and straight forward small business | | | | |