How to Choose Your Best Small Business Insurance Policy

Accidents happen, even to the best of us. No matter how careful we are, we can’t plan for a spate of bad luck.

We can, however, be prepared when something does go wrong.

Like choosing the right insurance coverage for your small business. Your industry, special equipment, the kinds of jobs you take — all the unique aspects of your work — will factor into the coverage you need.

But how do you decide?

If choosing small business insurance feels like information overload, we get it: You’re already busy running a small business, and sorting out different coverages may be unfamiliar territory. You might even be tempted to put off buying that first policy (and just hope your luck holds out).

Hang in there. In a few simple steps, we’ll help you prep, compare, and get small business insurance – and you can do it all online!

1. Prepare in advance.

   As a small business owner, you know one thing for sure: Your time is valuable – and always in short supply. You can make your insurance-buying experience fast and easy by taking a few minutes now to assess your small business.

   Consider all the kinds of work you do, where it’s done, and how big your business is. As you’re pulling together those details, try using the checklist below to make sure you’ve hit all the important points.

   Your Work:

   • The general industry you’re in
   • The types of projects you usually do
   • Any seasonal duties
   • Any specializations or areas of expertise
   • Any plans to expand or change your business in the next year

   Size:

   • Number of locations
   • Annual revenue
   • Inventory
   • All cars or trucks you use for work

   Location:

   • Mailing address
   • Physical address
   • Any storage space you own or rent
   • On-site work you do, such as clients’ homes or offices
   • Home-based business activities

   Equipment:

   • Computers
   • Office equipment
   • Furniture
   • Tools
   • Machinery
   • Display fixtures or racks
   • Trailers
   • Signs or marquees

   Helpers:

   • Part-time or seasonal workers
   • Full-time employees
   • Contractors
   • Subcontractors
   • Family members who work with you

   Having these details at your fingertips helps ensure you get the most accurate quotes and appropriate coverage for your small business. It also will leave you feeling more confident and reassured that you have the right policies when the time comes to file a claim.

2. Spend Ten Minutes Online (Really, That’s All)

   Checklist in hand, now it’s time to see what kinds of insurance you should consider and compare policies from different carriers. We know, this might sound crazy – but this is the easy part!

   Give yourself a few minutes, maybe grab a cup of coffee, and share a few details about your small business by filling out our quick online form. In a flash, we’ll go to work to help you find affordable and personalized business insurance.

   You can see exactly what kinds of insurance are recommended for your small business, and you’ll have multiple online insurance carriers to choose from. This means you can compare rates, pick and choose the coverage you want, and do it all within the comfort of your home or office.

   Best of all? The entire process can take as little as ten minutes.

   If you’re still unsure about your options, you can always have a one-on-one chat with one of our experienced insurance agents. Tell us about the business challenges that are keeping you up at night. Do you want to add a new location in a year or two? Are you getting ready to hire your first employee? Or maybe you have a truly unique business situation that requires specific advice.

   It’s just a phone call away.

3. Get Expert Advice

   Buying insurance is a big step, especially for a brand-new business. Remember, you should always feel comfortable with the process – never rushed – while making this important decision. Just because you can get small business insurance in ten minutes doesn’t mean you have to.

   Maybe you’re interested in a little more research and advice from the experts. Knowledge is power, right?

   That’s where Simply U. comes in - the blog where you’re reading this very article! Think of it as an online classroom for small business owners, with information on everything from insurance policies, to marketing, to dealing with less-than-ideal customers.

   The resources at Simply U. can help you understand the ins and outs of small business insurance and how it can protect your success. Plus, if you’re looking for how-to articles or step-by-step guides tailored specifically to your industry, start here.

   You love being an expert in your field. So do we! That’s why we work hard to make small business insurance not just easy to get – but easy to understand.

   Try it for yourself. See how insurance helps protect your business, and compare quotes at Simply Business. We specialize in small business insurance, so you can get personalized coverage at affordable prices.