Self Employed Liability Insurance – An Essential Gift for Business Owners

Self-employed liability insurance sounds intimidating and expensive. When someone asks if you have that kind of insurance, you stare at him blankly, horrified. Your dream has finally arrived and after years of hard work, planning and pining, your 48 flavor home-made ice cream shop is open. You panic at the idea of yet another expense. Is this insurance really necessary? You bet it is and the sooner you get it the better.

Simply stated, self-employed liability insurance is the best protection you can buy to insure the future of your business. People who own and run small businesses often forget to buy the right kind of insurance. Unfortunately, society appears to be sue-crazy. People file frivolous lawsuits all the time and business owners often are not at fault. If someone slips and falls in your store, it doesn’t have to mean the floor was wet. The shopper might have been clumsy and lost his footing. It doesn’t matter. He can and probably will sue you for medical conditions, real or imagined. If you don’t have the proper insurance protection, you can lose your home, your trust fund and other assets as well.

There are many kinds of self-employed liability insurance and the type of coverage you need depends on the kind of business you own. If you own a retail store, the coverage will differ from the kind that an electrician will need. There are general liability policies which also protect against libel and slander. If your business is a service based one, (a rehabilitation center, for example) you may also need a professional liability policy which includes malpractice insurance. Independent contractors who are not considered employees but typically work for others are also good candidates for this type of insurance. They aren’t protected under employee-based policies. Premium costs also will vary based on the kind of coverage required. Ideally, you should sit down with a qualified insurance agent who is experienced in policies for the self-employed and can guide you through the process.

For many, the American dream is all about owning their own business. A dream, however, can be decimated in the blink of an eye. Buying self-employed liability insurance is a true necessity because it will shield you from lawsuits and prevent the loss of your personal assets. Think of it as buying a gift for your business, insuring both its security and future.