Common Risks Small Businesses Face

It’s the dream and urge of every small business holder in Laurel, MD, to grow their entrepreneurial venture. If you’re an entrepreneur in this region, how have you positioned yourself for growth? You may be thinking of seeking more capital from investors or getting into a merger. But have you ever thought of the hindrances that could hamper your growth? Business risks that come in different forms are often the biggest challenge in your quest for growth, and here are some to get concerned about when you start a small business.

Liability Risks

Failure to fulfill signed contracts, property damage, or customer injuries may lead to expensive lawsuits that could damage any new business’s image. Virtually all businesses can get a liability risk challenge, but small businesses are more vulnerable, and they can encounter losses that could make them close down. 

Security Risks

The security of the data, goods, and property of any small business is vital. If a small business loses any of these because of theft, fires, or other natural disasters, it may be tough for the company to grow or even sustain its operations. Cyber hackers, thieves, and vandalizes from civil unrest are significant causes of security threats. 

Reputation Risks

A small business’s reputation is its pride, but when such reputation gets damaged, a small business may lose its clients. Employee misbehavior, poor customer service quality, or the selling of counterfeit products are some of the challenges that may harm a business’s reputation. 

Financial Risks

Bad debts and contractual agreements that fail to get honored may put any small business at great financial risk. With such challenges, a small business may fail to pay its employees and sustain its operations, leading to losses. Such challenges often get worse if the seed capital got sourced from loan money. 

Business Interruption Risks

Small businesses can suffer from natural or human-made business disruptions that may include supply chain hitches, state-imposed shutdowns, natural disasters, and changes in business regulations and laws.

How Can a Small Business Overcome Business Risks That Hinder Its Growth?

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial is one of the perfect solutions for small businesses in the Laurel, MD, area. Insurance covers can help a business recover from serious losses and disruptions caused by the cited risks. As such, it’s always prudent to seek some insurance coverage plan from a reputable insurance company such as Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial.

Visit our website if you have any questions regarding business insurance.

Is It Time to Update Your Commercial Insurance Policy?

A commercial insurance policy is very important for most businesses. While there are some types of businesses that don’t need a policy like this, most companies require it. If you’re in the Laurel, MD area and have a business with this kind of insurance, you may want to think about updating it. A lot of companies get a commercial policy and then just renew it every year, but they don’t make any changes. When you have a growing business, changes to a policy can be important. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can help you update your policy so it’s fully protecting your business.

There’s no reason to settle for less than quality protection, especially when you have a company that’s continuing to grow and change. Instead of just keeping the same policy for the long term, it’s important to make sure you’re updating that policy regularly. That way you’ll be sure you have up-to-date coverage that gives you what’s needed for the right level of protection. Depending on the changes to your business since the time you got coverage, a different type of policy may even be needed. Our trained agents can go over the coverage you have and see what updates might need to be made.

If you’re in or around the Laurel, MD area, reach out to us at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial today. We can help you get the updated commercial insurance policy you need, so you can feel safe and protected for your growing company. Whether you’ve only been in business for a short period of time or your company has been around for years, making sure you’ve got the right type and level of insurance coverage can be a vital part of keeping your business operating smoothly for the long term.

What Commercial Insurance Do You Need?

Your business needs commercial insurance. Regardless of the type of business you operate in the Laurel, MD area, you need insurance coverage but the type of insurance your business requires differs according to the type of business.

A solopreneur working from home needs a different set of policies than a retail storefront. A manufacturing plant requires different insurance than a food truck. 

We at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial want you to purchase your insurance policy fully informed. More than 20 types of commercial insurance exist, and you need to know which top the list for your type of business. 

Business owner’s policy (BOP): most businesses need  BOP, which bundles the four most common insurances in one package for a lower premium than purchasing them separately would achieve. A BOP provides business liability coverage and personal and real property coverages. 

Business interruption insurance: most businesses also need this business continuity product that pays for lost income when damage from a named peril temporarily closes the business. It also pays for the replacement or repair of the damaged property.

Commercial auto: this full coverage auto policy is a legal requirement in all 50 US states. It provides coverage for your fleet and all licensed drivers in your company when they operate a fleet vehicle.

Builder’s risk/Construction insurance: temporary insurance that covers commercial buildings while under construction, renovation, or remodeling

Crime insurance: insurance to reimburse your company for losses from burglary, theft, and robbery

Debris removal insurance: after a fire, this insurance policy pays debris removal

Directors’ & officers’ liability insurance: Covers the settlement and legal costs of the board of directors and C-level officers when they are sued

Boiler & Machinery/Equipment Breakdown insurance: if breakdown causes damage to your boiler or other business machinery, this policy pays for its replacement or repair as well as losses from the business interruption

Errors & omissions insurance  (E & O): manufacturing firms, medical practitioners, attorneys, and publications carry this policy type to protect them from lawsuits stemming from accidental error or mistakes that damage another person or persons

Glass insurance: dance studios and retail storefronts purchase this to pay for broken windows and plate glass replacement from vandalism and perils

Inland Marine insurance: only stores like drycleaners that transport and store third party property need this policy type

Liability insurance: every company needs liability insurance to protect it from lawsuits brought by parties it injuries

Malpractice/Professional Liability: pays the settlement, attorney, and court fees stemming from injury to a person or persons when a doctor or other professional fails to uphold the proper standard of care.

Law/Ordinance insurance: pays for the business to demolish and reconstruct a building to meet building code standards after the structure incurs irreparable damage from a named peril

Property insurance: reimburses you for the damaged personal or real property when incurred from a named peril.

Tenant’s insurance: reimburses the landlord for building repairs to the leasee’s building improvements when employees of the leasee damage them

Workers’ compensation insurance: when an employee incurs an injury or illness on the job, this insurance pays for their lost wages and medical care

Contact Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial of Laurel, MD, to learn more about commercial insurance and the best combination of policies to protect your business.

Who needs to get commercial insurance in Maryland?

The Laurel, MD area continues to be a great place for anyone to start a business. Those that are business owners here will enjoy a strong local economy and favorable attitude towards small businesses. While this could help you to achieve success, there continue to be risks that come with starting a company here. One way to mitigate these is by getting commercial insurance. There are several situations when someone here will need to get commercial insurance.

Those That Take Out a Loan

One situation when you will need to get commercial insurance is when you are going to take out a loan. Any business lender will want to make sure that their borrowers are well insured as it ultimately helps to protect their investment. If you are going to take out a loan here, you should make sure you understand your insurance needs.

Those that Have Employees

Another situation when you will need to get commercial insurance is when you are going to hire employees. The state of Maryland is similar to other states in that they require all businesses to carry worker’s compensation insurance if they have employees. If you have hired someone to your team, the worker’s comp insurance will provide coverage if they get hurt while at work. Companies that do not have this coverage could be penalized. 

If you are searching for commercial insurance in the Laurel, MD area, it will be very important that you speak with someone that you can trust. Since picking commercial insurance can be complicated, you should call Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. When you reach out to Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial for your insurance needs, you will get the coverage that you need. This can ensure that your business will be properly covered at all times. 

When is commercial insurance needed in Laurel?

The Laurel, MD area is a great place for someone to start a business. This area offers plenty of amenities to small businesses, which can help to ensure that any business is able to thrive. If you are going to start a company here, you need to spend time assessing your insurance needs. There are a variety of situations when you need to get a commercial insurance policy for your small business in Laurel.

When Taking out a Loan or Raising Capital

One situation when you are going to need a commercial insurance policy in Laurel is when you are going to either take out a loan or raise capital. Investors and lenders are aware of the valuable protection that comes with commercial insurance. Due to this, they will want to make sure that you have it at all times. Before closing a loan or equity raise, you will need to meet certain insurance requirements.

When Looking to Hire Employees

Eventually, a small business will grow to a point where they need to hire employees. In Maryland, you are required to abide by the worker’s compensation laws that require you offer this insurance protection. Most businesses that have team members will need to have this included in their commercial insurance plan. Without it, you could be in violation of state law and face penalization.

Those that own a business in the Laurel, MD area need to carefully consider all of their insurance needs. When you want to learn more about commercial insurance, you should call the team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial. The insurance team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial can answer any questions that you have about your insurance coverage options. This will help to ensure you get the protection that you need for your company. 

Does Commercial Insurance Cover Vandalism in Laurel, MD?

Broken windows, graffiti, fire: there are a lot of ways in which a business could be vandalized in Laurel, MD. It causes issues for employees, owners, customers, vendors: pretty much everyone who has an interest in the business. Between damaged inventory, structural repair costs, and just plain chaos in the wake of the event, it’s important for business owners to have an idea of what can be done. Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial wants you to know more about commercial insurance and what you can expect from it. 

Coverage Policies Vary 

If you remember nothing else about vandalism and commercial insurance, you should remember that every policy is different. For the most part, vandalism is generally covered under standard policies, but the deductibles may be higher, depending on the nature of the damage and the circumstances under which the damage occurred.

In some cases, it may be covered by property damage, but in others, you may need additional coverage for the damage. For instance, if the damage is caused by someone associated with the company, such as a partner of a firm, the property insurance is unlikely to cover the acts of someone who is listed on the actual policy. 

Reviewing Your Policy 

When it comes to looking over your policy in Laurel, MD, you should be looking at how claims are covered in the event the property is unoccupied at the time of the vandalism, what constitutes vandalism as opposed to malicious mischief and whether your carrier gives discounts for additional security measures. If you want to learn more about commercial insurance, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial is here to help. Give us a call to go over your coverage or just to request a quote. It’s our privilege to serve the people of Laurel. 

A Guide To Help Laurel MD Residents Find The Right Commercial Insurance Coverage

 Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial offers different insurance policies to residents of Laurel, MD, and many of the surrounding areas. We strive to offer solutions regardless of our clients’ situation. We understand that every person has different needs and we are determined to help our clients find the right insurance coverage.

Commercial Insurance

Commercial insurance is important for a number of different reasons. Commercial insurance helps protect businesses in the event that a catastrophe occurs. Repairing serious damages to a building may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Having to cover the cost of large damages can have a long term impact on the future operations of a business. That’s why commercial insurance is so important. However, there are a number of different commercial insurance policies that people can purchase, which can make the process overwhelming at times. To assist Laurel, MD residents through the process here is a guide of the different commercial insurance coverages.

Liability Insurance

Liability Insurance will cover you in the event that someone gets injured. Purchasing policy will protect you against many of the common injury risks that may occur on your property.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ Compensation insurance covers your business in the event that one of your employees is injured on the job.

Mechanical Breakdown Coverage

Mechanical breakdown coverage protects your property in the event that the equipment starts deteriorating. You’ll receive reimbursement for the cost of repairing the property damage and all of the potential missed income while the property was closed.

Commercial Automobile Insurance

Commercial automobile insurance will cover all of your businesses’ vehicles if they are damaged or stolen.

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial Will Help You Find The Right Policy

For over a decade, Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial has helped people find the right insurance policy at the right time. Visit our website today to get a quote.

Do You Really Need Commercial Insurance To Protect Personal Liability?

As a business owner, you’re looking to save money wherever you can. You know the importance of protecting your business with insurance, but it can be tough to walk the line between overpaying and not having enough coverage. You may be wondering if commercial insurance is a necessity for your personal liability within your business. At Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, serving Laurel, MD, insurance professionals are here to explain just why commercial insurance is so important for protecting your personal liability. 

When you have a commercial insurance policy, it protects your personal liability when it comes to being sued. While it can be hard to imagine that anyone could ever sue your business, these things happen often. When your business gets sued, it can cause bankruptcy, or worse. 

Personal liability insurance is there to protect both your personal property and your business assets in the event that someone tries to accuse you of wrongdoing. If you work in a business with a high rate of liability, it’s essential that you have commercial insurance to protect your assets. 

Imagine: you own a company that takes people kayaking. On one of your trips, someone gets hurt. The attempt to sue you for all of their medical bills. In the unlikely event that you’re found liable, your personal liability insurance would go toward paying the bills, rather than having the sum come out of your own pocket. 

Call Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, Serving Laurel, MD

If you’re in the market for a personal liability commercial insurance policy, reach out to us at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial, serving Laurel, MD. We’re here to keep you and your assets safe. 

How Does Commercial Insurance Benefit Small Businesses?

Opening your own business is a huge undertaking, so it’s important to make sure it’s well protected with the proper commercial coverage. With all the expenses of operating your own business, though, you may be wondering what benefits there are to buying commercial insurance.  Our team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial wants to make sure small business owners in Laurel, MD get their businesses started on the right foot with commercial insurance individualized for your business.

Types of commercial insurance 

The type of commercial insurance that may be right for you depends on the type of business you’re operating. Types of commercial insurance policies include auto, liability, and property. Small business owners often choose to get a business package policy (called BOP), which includes liability, property, and business interruption insurance. This type of package protects your business from property damage, claims if someone is injured at your business, and expenses if your business must close for a period of time for repairs. 

Benefits of commercial insurance 

Commercial insurance, like all insurance, helps protect businesses from losses. You’re responsible for a lot more than just yourself when you’re a business owner and must consider protecting your customers as well as your employees. The state of Maryland only requires small business owners to provide worker’s compensation insurance, but it’s not enough coverage to protect your entire business in case of property damage, theft, or a car accident with a company vehicle.   That’s why it’s important to make sure your business is properly covered with the right type of commercial insurance.

Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial is here to help small business owners find the right type of commercial insurance policy.  Call or stop by our office in Laurel, MD to learn more about what insurance coverage is right for your business. 

What Maryland Business Owners Need to Know about Comprehensive Commercial Insurance

Business owners in the greater Laurel, MD area rely on the team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial for their insurance needs. There are a lot of factors that go into choosing the right commercial insurance policy, and they appreciate having these professional agents on their team. Choosing a comprehensive commercial insurance policy involves a lot of thought and deliberation because being underinsured can have a catastrophic effect on the health of your business. 

Comprehensive Commercial Insurance

In addition to finding the right policy features, it can also become complicated determining the proper policy coverage levels. When you work with a professional agent who understands comprehensive commercial insurance you are more likely to get the protection your business needs. Coverage for your vehicles, employees who do work using personal vehicles, litigation liability, and business interruption are just a few of the important areas that carry risk. A comprehensive policy can protect you from those scenarios and a lot more. Business interruption coverage is another feature that can really make a difference if your company experiences a covered event that knocks your production offline. This coverage can allow a business to stay open as they recover from a natural disaster, fire, or other covered situation that has a significant effect on their ability to conduct business as usual. Minimizing risk is the foundation of any successful business!

Is it time to review your commercial insurance policy for completeness? Knowing that you have the protection that is right for your business needs can offer a lot of peace of mind! The team at Mid Atlantic Insurance Financial invites the business owners in the greater Laurel, MD area to call or stop by today and find out more about the available policy options!