Starting in 2024, California’s new SB-216 law requires more contractors, even those with no employees, to have workers’ compensation insurance. At first, this law mostly targets high-risk trades such as plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, roofing, and concrete work. Contractors in these fields must carry workers’ comp by January 2024.

• Plumbers
• Electricians
• HVAC specialists
• Roofers
• Concrete workers

*But all contractors will need workers’ comp by 2026.

So, if you’re in one of these trades, you need workers’ comp insurance no matter what. But by 2026, all licensed contractors will need this insurance, regardless of their size or employee count. So it’s a good time to get covered with construction insurance.

Why Workers’ Comp Matters:

• Protects You Financially: If an accident happens on the job, workers’ comp helps cover medical bills and lost wages.
• Gives Clients Peace of Mind: Clients feel safer hiring insured contractors, which can make your business more attractive.
• Helps Attract Workers: Having insurance is a plus for skilled workers who want job security.

Learn more about workers’ comp insurance.

How to Get Ready for SB-216 Requirements

1. Double-Check Your License: Look up your trade classification to see if you fall under this new requirement. If you’re in one of the listed high-risk trades, you’ll need workers’ comp coverage starting in 2024.
2. Find an Affordable Policy: Even if you have no employees, look for a “minimum premium” workers’ comp policy that fits your budget. Pogo Insurance has a great “ghost policy” market that is the minimum premium (cost) per state.
3. Stay Organized with Your Documentation: You’ll need to keep proof of insurance handy, as some clients may ask to see it, and the state could check up on your compliance too.
4. Plan for the Future: If you’re not impacted right now, you still need a policy by 2026—so it’s a good time to start budgeting.

Not having workers’ comp could mean fines, license suspension, or worse—being financially responsible for injuries. So, stay ahead of the game and get insured! Pogo Insurance can help by comparing all your self-employed insurance options with one simple application. (And, we can cover your liability, property, and umbrella insurance, too!) You’ll pay the same price as you would if you bought directly from the insurance company, but with a dedicated insurance specialist who can help you will all commercial insurance. Get a Free Estimate

Why SB-216 Matters for Your Business

The law’s purpose is to make sure contractors in high-risk trades are protected financially if an accident happens on the job. Here’s why it’s beneficial for you:

• Protects You and Your Business: Workers’ comp insurance can cover medical costs and lost wages if you, an employee, or a subcontractor gets hurt. In a trade with heavy lifting, dangerous equipment, or physical risks, this protection can make a big difference. This is particularly tricky with businesses that hire subcontractors. To learn more, check out our Subcontractor Insurance Requirements guide.
• Makes Clients Feel Safer: Many clients only want to hire insured contractors to avoid being liable if something goes wrong. With this insurance in place, you’ll be more appealing to clients and might get more job offers.
• Better for Attracting Skilled Workers: If you have employees or plan to hire, offering workers’ comp can make you a more attractive employer in the skilled trades market.

How SB-216 Could Impact Your Budget and Pricing

Workers’ comp coverage is a new expense, so you may need to adjust your budget or pricing slightly. Here’s how to think about it:

• Premiums: Workers’ comp costs depend on factors like your trade’s risk level, your payroll, and the number of employees (if any). For high-risk trades, premiums can be higher, but for solo contractors, basic plans are often available.
• Price Adjustments: With this new insurance cost, you might need to adjust your project rates a bit to cover the added expense. Be open with clients about the value of insurance—it’s there to protect everyone.

Learn more about cost factors with this Workers’ Comp Cost Guide

What Happens if You Don’t Comply?

If you skip getting workers’ comp insurance when it’s required:

• You could face fines or even lose your license.
• If an accident happens, you could be liable for all medical costs, wages, and damages out of pocket—which could be financially devastating.
• Do I need workers’ comp if I have no employees? Typically, yes. Learn more about workers’ comp with no employees.

Bottom Line

The new SB-216 law is designed to protect contractors and clients alike by ensuring all contractors in higher-risk trades have workers’ comp insurance. It’s a step toward making workplaces safer and more secure. As an artisan contractor, this law means you need to get insured if you aren’t already. By planning ahead, you’ll protect your business, make yourself more appealing to clients, and set yourself up for success as California’s regulations evolve. Get covered with artisan contractor insurance today!

The post California’s New SB-216 Workers’ Comp Law: What Contractors Need to Know appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Are you a home health care provider? Whether you’re an individual who provides home health care services or a health care agency, you need insurance coverage. As a professional who provides home health care services, know that small business insurance will cover you both financially and legally if something unexpected was to happen while you were working.

Home health care professionals include registered nurses, nurse’s aides, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, more!

Why do home health care professionals need insurance?

Because anyone can file a claim nowadays, and for any reason. Even the most professional home health care workers can make mistakes, which could potentially lead to a liability claim or lawsuit. Purchasing small business insurance prevents you from having to pay out of pocket, which could potentially be devastating to your home health care business.

What types of insurance are best for home health care professionals?

Professional liability for home health care professionals

Professional liability insurance is one of the two major types of insurance coverages home health care professionals need. The second is general liability. Professional liability insurance protects you from claims stating that you were either negligent or made errors when providing clients with your health care services.

Professional liability benefits include:

• Paying for bodily injury
• Paying for property damage
• Protecting your business against claims of negligence or misrepresentation
• Protecting your business against paperwork errors

Claim example: You’re at a client’s house and accidentally break something valuable. A PL insurance policy will pay to repair or replace the broken item.

Expect to pay between $50 and $100 a month.

General liability for home health care professionals

General liability insurance is a basic insurance coverage that protects you against claims that are not directly related to your professional home health care services. Instead, GL insurance covers accidents that happen during a regular work day.

General liability benefits include:

• Paying for bodily injury
• Paying for personal injury
• Paying for property damage

Claim example: A patient falls down and breaks their hip and they or their family blames you. A general liability insurance policy will pay for the patient’s medical expenses.

Expect to pay about $30 a month for general liability insurance.

Workers’ comp for home health care professionals

Workers’ comp insurance is necessary as most states require you to have workers’ compensation insurance to protect your employees. This type of small business insurance is especially important for sole proprietors, as it can help cover injury costs not covered by regular health insurance.

Workers’ comp benefits include:

• Having your employee’s medical expenses paid for
• Providing your employees with disability benefits
• Protecting you from a lawsuit when an employee is injured

Claim example: One of your employee’s trips and breaks their ankle while working. Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs.

Expect to pay between $40 and $60 a month.

BOP insurance for home health care professionals

BOP insurance is a type of insurance policy that bundles two or more insurance coverages under one plan. More often than not, a business owners policy is the most cost-effective way for you to save money when purchasing small business insurance.

BOP insurance benefits include:

• Coverage for slip and fall accidents
• Coverage for client property damage
• Coverage for business property damage
• Coverage for business theft

Expect to pay around $52 a month for BOP insurance.

Business auto insurance for home health care professionals

Auto insurance is especially important when you’re a home health care professional. You likely visit many clients throughout your work day, which means you’re driving a lot. Since most states require you to purchase business auto insurance, it’s a good idea to add this insurance policy to your plan as it helps cover the cost of accidents involving your business vehicle.

Business auto insurance benefits include:

• Covering damages caused by your vehicle
• Covering medical bills due to an auto accident
• Covering vehicle theft or vandalism

Claim example: You’re involved in a fender bender while driving home from work. A business auto insurance policy protects both you and your business by paying both bodily injury and property damages. Whew!

The average cost of auto insurance is around $142 a month.

Cyber insurance for home health care professionals

Cyber insurance is becoming more important for today’s small businesses. Studies show that more than half of all small businesses have already been a victim of a cyber-attack. When you choose to sign up for cyber insurance to protect your small home health care business, you’re doing what’s necessary to secure your sensitive information.

Cyber insurance benefits include:

• Covering the cost of notifying everyone who was a victim of the cyber attack
• Paying for necessary fraud monitoring
• Protecting you against data breach lawsuits

Claim example: Someone hacked into your computer, stealing sensitive personal information. Cyber insurance covers the costs to get you back up and running asap!

Expect to pay between $90 and $130 a month.

How much will your business insurance cost?

The #1 question small business owners have is how much is my business insurance going to cost me? In order for you to get an exact cost, you must answer the following questions:

• Where is your business located?
• What’s the size of your business?
• How many employees do you have?
• Do your employees have special qualifications and/or licenses?
• What types of business insurance do you need?
• How much insurance coverage do you need?
• Do you have a history of past claims?

How much will you save on insurance?

Ready to find out how much your business insurance coverage will cost? All you need to do is fill out this form now to get a personalized quote. Once we find your best quote, we’ll contact you to let you know. So simple!

The post Business Insurance for Home Health Care Professionals appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Considering offering vision and dental insurance through your small business? Even though small businesses are not required by law to offer their employees a vision or a dental insurance plan, many business owners choose to offer these types of coverage as a benefit.

Other employee benefits include health insurance, physical health programs, mental health programs, financial wellness programs, virtual connection events, child care, pet insurance, and paid time off. Compared to health insurance, vision and dental insurance are much more affordable, for both business owners and employees.

In this article we’ll cover:

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Adding vision and dental to your small business benefits package
• Small business insurance

Comprehensive benefits package

A comprehensive benefits package is a collection of the most commonly provided and sought-after employee benefits. When small business owners offer their employees benefits, they are adding value to their business. They are also doing what is necessary to improve their employees’ health and overall quality of life.

As a business owner, you care about your employees. By choosing to offer them benefits, you are taking the right steps to keep your employees long-term. In fact, six in 10 employees say well-being benefits will be a top priority when applying for their next job (Meister, 2021). Since today’s employees are putting a lot of importance on benefits offered, it really is a good idea for you to offer customizable benefits packages to your employees.

A comprehensive benefits package includes a minimum of three of the following perks:

• Health and wellness benefits – medical, dental, vision, gym memberships, etc.
• Time off benefits – personal days, vacation days, sick leave, etc.
• Financial security benefits – profit sharing, life insurance, student loan help, 401(k) plans, etc.

Health insurance

If you are a small business owner that employs less than 50 full-time employees, then the law does not require you to offer your employees a health insurance plan. If you have more than 50 employees, your health insurance plans do not cover vision or dental. Even though you are not required to offer your employees health insurance, know that insura is the number one benefit that employees look for when applying for new jobs.

Why should small business owners offer health insurance?

• To improve the hiring and recruiting process
• To support healthier, happier, more productive employees
• To promote a healthy company culture
• Tax incentives

Vision insurance

A vision insurance policy tends to cover routine eye exams, as well as special offers if there is a need for corrective eyewear. Vision insurance is important as it can help detect serious eye problems during an annual exam. This type of insurance is especially beneficial for employees who work in front of a computer screen for at least five hours at a time.

The HCMS Group performed a study and found that employers offering stand-alone vision benefits saved $5.8 billion over four years. Wow! The reason for these savings is based on eye doctors finding early signs of chronic disease, allowing for earlier treatment. The study also tells us that for every dollar employers invest in vision insurance, they will receive $1.45 back through lower health care costs, improved productivity, and lower turnover rates.

What vision insurance covers:

• Eye exams – eye examinations help detect eye problems at their earliest stages. They require an eyecare
  professional to perform certain tests in order to evaluate a patient’s vision, as well as check for eye diseases
• Eyewear – corrective eyewear options include prescription contact lenses or eyeglasses
  Lens coatings – lens coatings include applying special treatments two one’s eyewear in order to improve their performance, durability, and appearance
• Lens enhancements – lens enhancements include customizing one’s eyewear to improve their visual performance to fit one’s lifestyle
• Surgery – corrective eye surgery, including LASIK and PRK

Vision plan options:
Optional Rider Vision Insurance
This type of vision insurance plan will cover a fixed amount of spending each year.

Ancillary Vision Plan
This type of vision insurance plan will cover a percentage of the cost of eye care.

Top vision insurance companies:

• VSP Vision Care
• EyeMed
• Davis Vision
• UnitedHealthcare
• Humana

Dental insurance

Dental insurance is important as it can help detect mouth-related problems before they get out of hand. Even though most people do not enjoy going to the dentist, annual dental exams are important. As paying for dental services can be costly without dental insurance, every employee appreciates the ability to be able to have access to dental insurance through their employer.

The US Department of Health and Human Services tells us that about 108 million Americans do not have dental insurance. This number is expected to decrease as more small business owners are now choosing to add dental insurance to their list of employee benefits. More than half of today’s small businesses are currently offering dental insurance, with the top reason being they want to remain competitive.

What dental insurance covers:

• Preventive care – preventive care dental services include regular oral exams, routine X-rays, and teeth cleaning
• Restorative care – restorative care dental services focus on repairing or replacing teeth that are either damaged or missing with common restoration procedures including crowns, bridges, and implants
• Endodontics – endodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on treating dental pulp and tissue problems that surround the roots of a tooth. Covers root canals
• Orthodontics – orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on treating teeth that are not in their proper positions. Covers braces
• Periodontics – periodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on the health of one’s gums by preventing, diagnosing, and treating gum disease
• Prosthodontics – prosthodontics is the branch of dentistry that focuses on repairing or replacing teeth using prosthetics, like dental crowns, dental bridges, dental implants, and dentures
• Oral surgery – oral surgery is performed by dental specialists and involves surgical procedures performed on one’s teeth, gums, and/or jaws. Top reasons for oral surgery include gum disease, extensive tooth decay, impacted teeth, bone loss, and being diagnosed with sleep apnea

Dental plan options:
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
This dental insurance plan lets employees pay less when they visit in-network dentists. According to ADA, PPO plans are on the rise and constitute more than 80 percent of the current market. Copayments are necessary for dental services. Includes a deductible.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Employees must choose one dentist or dental facility when choosing an HMO dental plan. Employees pay a certain set cost for their dental services. No deductible.

Indemnity Plan (Fee-For-Service)
Employees have a large choice of dentists when choosing this dental plan. Employees will need to pay a copay for dental services, and potentially additional fees.

Discount Plans
Dental discount plans do not have a network, meaning employees can go anywhere. While employees will get a discount on dental services, they will need to pay for these discounted services out of pocket.

Top dental insurance companies:

• Cigna – this top dental insurance provider has excellent patient reviews and does not require referrals for specialist visits
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield – this large dental insurance provider offers one of the biggest networks of dental providers
• Humana Dental Insurance – this popular dental insurance provider offers a wide range of dental policies, helping to ensure that they have insurance plans that fit any budget
• UnitedHealthOne Dental Insurance – this top dental insurance provider offers patients the ability to get preventative care with no deductible or waiting period
• Metlife Dental – this flexible dental insurance provider has a wide range of both in-network and out-of-network providers patients can choose from
• Delta Dental – this largest dental insurance provider offers comprehensive dental insurance coverage in all 50 states and offers both HMO and PPO dental plans

Adding vision and dental to your small business benefits package

Want to attract and retain the best employees? Show your employees how much you appreciate their hard work. When your employees feel appreciated, you can expect them to be more productive. Be sure to carefully check out any insurance plan details. Does the benefits and pay structure work for your small business? Offering vision and dental insurance also help you stay competitive in today’s job market. It can lead to your small business having a better reputation, which will set you apart from the competition.

Small business insurance
As a small business owner, you want to be sure you are only paying what you have to in insurance premiums. Getting a customized small business insurance quote ensures you are only paying what you have to in insurance premiums. Simply take a few minutes to fill out this form and we will get back to you with your lowest quotes. Ready to save?

The post Guide To Vision And Dental Insurance appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Got dreams of running your own business? Or maybe you already own a small business and have dreams of turning it into something more than it is? There is no better time for you to bring your business ideas to reality.

Your entrepreneurial dreams start with your making a plan. Depending on what your dreams are will dictate what is added to your small business dream plan. What is most important is for you is to be passionate about doing what is necessary to make sure that your small business dreams turn into a reality.

In this article we’ll cover:

• Entrepreneurial dreams
• Small business owners
• How to turn your dream into a reality
• Business plan
• Funding sources
• Business type

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney

Entrepreneurial dreams

Your success will not happen overnight. It will take time, patience, and hard work for you to realize your entrepreneurial dreams. No matter the type of business you choose, you must know your competition, understand your customers, and fully realize your market. Market research is one of the most important things you need to do to understand current trends. Market research is necessary so you can understand current product trends and customer trends.

For those who are not sure what type of business they should start, check out the below business ideas:

• Cannabis store
• Designer
• Fitness instructor
• Home health care
• Landscaper
• Marketing consultant
• Real estate agent
• Social media influencer

Small business owners

Whether you are a natural entrepreneur or someone who has to work a little harder to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true, there is nothing getting in the way of your ability to become a successful small business owner. Even though being a small business owner is a tough job, it is also very rewarding.

Small business pros:

• Freedom
• Flexibility
• Control
• Financial benefits
• Personal satisfaction

Small business cons:

• Lots of responsibilities
• Financial risks
• Stress

Top traits of successful small business owners:

• Passion
• Independence
• Motivation
• Leadership
• A need to help people
• To be one’s own boss
• Not afraid to take risks
• Strong work ethic
• Good problem solver
• The ability to inspire others
• They want to make a name for themselves
• They enjoy a good challenge
• Failure is not an option

How to turn your dream into a reality

In order for you to make your business dream a reality, you must put a lot of thought into the planning process. It will take you some time to gather all of the information you need so be sure you spend the time necessary on the planning process. The majority of the information you find will be added to your business plan.

In addition to your business plan, focusing on the below tactics will help make your business stand out from your competition.

Website
Make a great website. This is the absolute best way for you to let your customers know who you are and what your business is all about. A great small business website will help you build credibility, as well as get more sales. It should be a simple website that offers information about your products and/or services in a simple and easy to understand way. Be sure to include your contact information so people can contact you if they have any questions about your business.

According to Google Search Statistics, more than 2.4 million searches happen through the search engine every minute. Wow!

Branding
Branding your business is really important nowadays. Branding is what connects your business to your audience. A good brand will be instantly recognizable. creating your small business brand helps you turn one-time customers into repeat customers. A good brand helps you stand out from your competition, increase your position in the business market, increase your revenue, and more.

Brand strategy includes:

• Making a logo
• Creating a slogan
• Creating a tagline
• Sharing your story
• Being consistent

More people than ever are looking to give their business to certain brands. This makes it necessary for you to focus on connecting with your customers, as well as create your brand in a way that perfectly describes your small business.

Social media
According to the 2021 Sprout Social Index, 90% of consumers will purchase from brands they follow on social media. This makes it a great idea for you to create one or more social media accounts for your business so you can gain followers. A successful social media branding strategy includes using your brand voice, using strong visuals, telling your story, writing compelling captions, using videos, and being 100% authentic.

Today’s top social media platforms for small businesses include Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Local SEO
When marketing your small business on your website or social media platforms, using local SEO is a great way for you to grow your business locally. Doing so will improve your search engine visibility, making it so more people will find your business over your competition when looking for local services. You will need to do a little research in order to figure out the keywords and keyword phrases you should use to organically promote your business.

Customer service
Customer service is how your company interacts with its customers, both in daily transactions and also as a problem-solving solution when issues arise (8 Reasons Why Customer Service Is Important and a Priority, 2022). Today’s customers have many options when choosing who to give their business to, making it a good idea for you to go above and beyond. By providing your customers with the best customer service possible, you are doing what is necessary to make your small business stand out.

Great customer service:

• Helps keep customers loyal
• Supports better customer relationships
• Encourages referrals
• Strengthens company culture

When customer service is done right, it can greatly boost a business’s bottom line!

Trends
Keeping up with the latest trends around your business will help you predict things that could affect your bottom line. Forecasting allows you to make necessary changes so you can remain relevant. Trends can give you new or better business ideas. Examples of small business trends for 2022 include an increase in digital marketing, an increase in social media marketing, and an increase in using new technologies.

Following trends will help you be a leader vs a follower. And who knows? Maybe your business will be a trend maker one day!

Reviews
As a small business owner, you can expect people to review your business. While you are surely doing everything in your power to make your customers happy, there are going to be times when you receive a negative online review. Even though you may be tempted to ignore your negative reviews, it really is important for you to respond to any negative reviews your business may receive.

Why? Because when you respond to negative reviews, you are doing what is necessary to protect your online reputation. When you do not respond, other people will only see the negative side of the reviewer’s experience. When you do respond, you are acknowledging that you care about the customer’s experience and are open to further discussion so you can try and make them a satisfied customer.

Business plan

A small business plan is the foundation of your business. Creating one is the best way for you to stay on track. A small business plan is also important because it helps determine your future financial needs, as well as is used to help attract potential investors.

According to the SBA and more, a business plan should include:

• Executive summary
• Company description
• Business structure
• The types of products and or services you will be offering
• A mission statement that reflects your values
• A vision statement that is clear and easy to understand
• A SWOT analysis
• A market analysis
• A clear understanding of your customer’s needs
• Business goals and objectives
• Funding request
• Financial projections

Business type

According to the Small Business Administration, the business structure you choose influences everything from day-to-day operations to taxes and how much of your personal assets are at risk. Be sure to do your research to see which structure best supports your small business. Focus on which option gives you the best balance of benefits and legal protection.

Below are the four different types of business structures you can choose from when creating a new small business. The main difference between the four types is how they are taxed.

• S-corporations
• C-corporations
• Limited liability company
• General or limited partnership

Funding sources

While the most common way that small business owners fund their small business ventures is to use their own personal savings, there are many business funding sources available.

• Angel investors and groups
• Bank loans
• Crowdfunding online
• Equity investors
• Partners
• Small business grant
• Small business/tech Incubators
• Venture capital

Protecting your small business dream

What types of small business insurance are you going to need to protect your business dreams? Pogo helps protect small businesses by helping them choose the right types of insurance so they can save money. It only takes about three minutes to fill out our form. Time well spent to see how much you can save!

The post How to turn your dream into a reality appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Are you currently enjoying the freedom of self-employment? Or maybe you are thinking about taking the leap from a regular 9 to 5 job to becoming self-employed? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, the number of self-employed people in the US is now at over 10 million. This number is expected to grow as we head into 2023.

As a self-employed worker, know that self-employed business insurance is necessary for anyone who owns a business. Ready to learn some tips so you can get the best small business insurance rates? Let’s get started.

In this article we’ll cover:

• Self-employment
• Business insurance for self-employment workers
• Types of business insurance for the self-employed
• Home-based businesses
• Tips on getting self-employed business insurance
• How to save money on self-employed business insurance

Self-employment

According to Indeed, self-employed workers can choose from a variety of business structures, including a partnership, sole proprietorship, corporation, S corporation, and limited liability company (LLC). Some business structures are easier to set up than others, making it necessary for you to learn more about business structures if you have not done so already.

Popular self-employed professions:

• Consultants
• Designers
• Home care workers
• Cleaning businesses
• Painters
• Photographers
• Artisan contractors

There are many benefits that come with choosing to be self-employed. Some of the top benefits include job flexibility, determining your own work environment, creating your own work schedule, networking with a variety of people, and of course, being your own boss. There are also many obligations that come with self-employment, like choosing the right type of insurance coverage.

Business insurance for self-employed workers

When you are self-employed, you need business insurance to protect you and your business. Life is full of unforeseen surprises. The last thing you want is for something to happen that causes your business to suffer financial harm. If you are just starting out and need to learn the basics of insurance, check out the ultimate guide to self-employed business insurance. This will help you learn what business insurance is and why you actually need it.

Types of insurance for the self-employed

There are many different types of insurance the self-employed can choose from to fully protect themselves and their operation. What type of insurance should you choose? Well, it depends! Every business comes with its own unique risks, and because of that, policy recommendations may vary,.

In need of a free business insurance consultation? Contact us now with your questions.

Self-employed general liability
A general liability insurance policy is a broad policy that covers many of the miscellaneous things that can go wrong when operating a business. Specific coverages include property damage, third-party bodily injury, and personal and advertising injuries – which refers to libel, slander, and copyright infringement.

Professional liability for the self-employed
Also known as errors and omissions insurance, a professional liability policy helps cover your expenses if you face a lawsuit regarding professional mistakes or claims that you were somehow negligent when offering your goods and/or services. In the event you’re in this situation, this policy will cover legal fees and miscellaneous court costs.

Self-employed cyber liability insurance
Many small business owners wonder – do I really need cyber insurance? The answer is… yes! Surprisingly, data breaches are more common than you’d think. And, once they happen, the majority or small businesses are unable to fully restore the data following a breach. Coverage highlights include customer notification, investigation, identity theft, credit monitoring, and more. The cost of a cyber policy is more than worth it, compared to the expenses that would pile up following an incident.

Business property insurance for the self-employed
Property insurance covers your business property, which includes everything that has to do with running your business – equipment, inventory, the building itself, and more. Specific coverage includes replacing or repairing damaged property due to a covered event, like fires, tornadoes, plumbing pipes bursting, and even vandalism.

Self-employed business auto
A business auto insurance policy helps cover expenses if you happen to get into an accident while using your work vehicle for business related purposes. If your company owns a vehicle, odds are you can’t rely on your personal auto policy to cover it. That’s why this policy is more than essential.

Self-employed workers’ comp
Think you can only benefit from workers’ comp insurance if you have one or more employees? Think again. While workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory in most states if you have employees, you can purchase a workers’ comp policy to cover your medical expenses and lost wages if you happen to get sick or injured on the job.

Umbrella insurance for the self-employed
Forbes advises protecting your business with insurance so you do not experience financial disaster due to something unforeseen, like accidents, damages, or lawsuits. Umbrella insurance is a great option for adding additional coverage on top of existing insurance policies. Umbrella coverage helps prevent the need for you to pay anything out of pocket.

Self-employed home-based businesses

Have a home-based business and wondering if you still need business insurance? Even if you have homeowners insurance, you still need to get business insurance coverage when you are working from home. While 48% of home-based business rely on their homeowners insurance to protect their work gear, what they may not know is that those policies typically only cover up to $500 in work gear.

Tips on getting self-employed business insurance

As someone who is self-employed, you need to make sure your business has sufficient protection. The last thing you want is for unexpected costs to cause you (and your business) financial harm. These tips will help you make the right insurance decisions so your business is covered in case something were to happen. Keep in mind, without insurance, you would have to pay for accidents, damages, and expenses out-of-pocket.

Tip #1. Understand how each type of insurance works
You need to understand your specific industry’s risks so you can select the best types of insurance coverage to properly protect your small business. For example, what kind of accidents, natural disasters, or lawsuits could potentially damage your business? The higher your industry’s risks, the more you may expect to pay in insurance premiums. If you find that you need multiple insurance policies, you can typically package a few policies into one convenient small business insurance plan, which can be cost-effective.

Tip #2. Consider what insurance may be required of you
Did you know that in some states you are legally required to buy certain types of small business insurance? This makes it necessary for you to check with your state to learn about any legally required insurances you must have to properly cover your small business. Even if you’re not required by the state, your hiring party may mandate you carry particular coverages before you begin working for them.

Tip #3. Prioritize coverage over cost
As someone who is self-employed, you may be operating on a budget. While it may be tempting for you to choose the lowest premium, it is more important for you to pay a little bit more to get the right amount of coverage. A limited coverage insurance policy may not sufficiently cover your damages, making it so you are out-of-pocket if you do not prioritize your insurance coverage over your premium cost.

Tip #4. Think about your deductibles
The majority of small business insurance policies require you to pay a deductible before your actual insurance takes over. While you may be tempted to choose a high deductible because this results in lower payments, you must make sure that you have enough money available to pay the deductible if something were to happen and you need to file a claim.

Tip #5. Overestimate your insurance needs
If someone files a claim against your business, it could lead to your going out of business if you do not have a sufficient amount of business insurance coverage. Even dismissed claims can require you to pay legal fees. To give you that extra peace of mind, consider purchasing more than the minimum amount of insurance coverage you need. This additional insurance protection helps ensure you do not have to pay out-of-pocket.

Tip #6. Read your business insurance policies thoroughly
Did you know that every insurance policy will differ from one insurance carrier to the next? Insurance carriers create their own policy that includes limits, premiums, deductibles, and exclusions. This means you need to understand what is covered under every policy, as well as what is excluded, before you make a final purchasing decision. Questions? No worries. Speak with an agent.

Tip #7. Work with top-rated insurance providers
As someone who is self-employed, you should only work with experienced insurance providers. The best small business insurance providers will not only customize plans to help protect your business, they are always available when you need help, have questions, or need to update your insurance package. Pogo works with top providers, offering our self-employed customers the best coverage at the right price.

Get self-employed business insurance quotes

How much will your customized self-employed business insurance policy cost? For you to find out, simply fill out this form to get an online insurance quote. We will compare quotes from 30 top insurance providers in order to find you the best premiums.

The post Tips On Getting Insurance For Self-Employed appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Artificial intelligence can be great. Amazing, even. Good or bad, it is definitely life changing. AI was originally designed to allow computer systems the ability to perform normal human tasks. By using voice and image search, along with NLP (natural language processing), ML (machine learning), algorithms, and statistical analysis, these machines are considered ANI (artificial narrow intelligence). This “weak AI” can focus on narrow tasks with a limited range of abilities.

We are well on our way to AGI, artificial general intelligence, and potentially, although hopefully just theoretically, ASI – artificial super intelligence. With AGI, the technology would be on the same level as us humans. Once technology surpasses human intelligence, it is considered ASI, which is super freaky. Not only would the AI be able to complete tasks and communicate, they would also be capable of developing emotions and maintaining relationships. 

So do we hate AI now?

I don’t know… do we?! AI is great when your hands are full in the kitchen and you want to set a timer, but when it comes to your livelihood and AI taking over your actual job, it becomes seriously problematic. 

Over the past few weeks, the tech industry has laid off over 200,000 individuals. Remember Sandy from customer service? Cut. We’ve got chatbots now. How about Lucas from marketing… The guy that handled all of the retargeting ads? Well, AI can recommend products instead. We used to rely on strategists to segment audiences. Now we have AI to create those targeted campaigns. 

The human touch used to be what made businesses good businesses. It’s the little things. But now tech has become so tech-y that there’s even “sentiment analysis” – also referred to as emotion AI – which uses ML to grab data on how customers perceive their brand. So basically it’s a robot assessing how another robot (chatbot) worked with a client. No, no, no! 

What is this world coming to?

So, let’s do a headcount. We’ve got Amazon, Meta, Apple, Microsoft, Google…. These are many of the big tech players. According to this layoff tracker, there are 269 tech companies that have had major layoffs in 2023. Layoff percentages range from 0-100%. Some layoffs don’t seem too cutthroat with a number like 2%, but then you realize it’s IBM with 3,900 workers now with no job. 

Vacasa, where are your 1,300 employees going to go? PayPal, what about your 2,000? These people have families. Homes. Mouths to feed! A freakin’ robot doesn’t even have a mouth! 

Tech and its resiliency

Silicon Valley: I don’t get you. You’ve gotten through so many hard times… Even the dot-com bust. I mean the only thing worse than that in the late 90’s was the scary skinny eyebrows everyone was rocking. But seriously –  No matter the economic challenge, it seems like you make it to the other side, simply because you’re such a giant.

But if you can handle the rapid rise in valuations due to crazy stacked investments, only to bubble, why can’t you handle employing real humans? I mean seriously, can you not afford to pay your contractors, or full time employees, the salaries they deserve? And work hard for? 

People pride themselves on their work. They want to do a good job. It gives them purpose. So, why take that from them? And give it to a robot? Does the robot need a roof over their head? Does AI need new shoes? What about pay for childcare? We all know how insanely expensive that can be.

Show tech who’s boss

What’s that saying again? Don’t get mad… get even? Yep, that’s it. Getting upset that you’re laid off is completely normal and understandable – but you don’t want to let it get the best of you. Don’t let the big players win! Instead… show them who’s boss. How? Become your own boss.

Why become your own boss

When you’re your own boss, you define your scope of work. You set your hours. You choose how long you want your vacation to Thailand to be. You’ll have complete autonomy – freedom that isn’t possible when you’re working for someone else – let alone a tech giant.

Is working 24/7 for a company that doesn’t necessarily have your back, only to offer you free lunch and a gym pass, really worth it? Life is what you make it. When you work for yourself, you can have flexible work. You’re able to co-work in Buenos Aires. Your commute can consist of rolling out of bed to working at the kitchen table. You can have your cute little toddler running around you, if you so desire. 

How to become your own boss 

First, you’ll need to figure out what you really want to be doing. If you were recently laid off due to the tech layoffs, it’s likely you were working as a designer, consultant, contractor, strategist, engineer… or maybe something different! Either way, decide if you want to maintain your role, or try something new.

Once you have defined your work, you’ll need to find clients. Opportunities exist everywhere… they are truly endless. Put feelers out to your circle, let your peers know you’re open to new gigs. LinkedIn is a great place to spread the word, as are networking events to help get your new business off the ground. 

As you gain more work opportunities, you may even need to expand and hire someone to work for you.

How to start your own business

First, you’ll need to register your business. The requirements will vary by state and entity. If you’re opting to work as a sole proprietor, and plan on conducting your business using just your legal name, you may not even need to register at all. Keep in mind, even if you’re not technically required to register your business, it can still be beneficial when it comes to legal and tax benefits, as well as liability protection. 

Second, you’ll want a bank account. The main benefit of having a business account is that your personal and work-related funds will remain separate. Mixing both assets can impact your legal liability. So if you were to face a lawsuit, for example, your personal funds could be affected. Another great perk about business banking are the tax advantages that come along with it. 

Business insurance for new businesses

Business insurance is definitely something to consider. In short, insurance is “protection against possible events or outcomes”. While it may seem broad, there really is insurance for just about anything. Freelancer insurance and independent contractor insurance are great to look into when you’re just starting out as a self-employed business owner.

Where to start? General liability covers many of the random things that could go wrong when you own your own business – like third-party bodily injury, property damage, and claims against libel, slander, false advertising, and copyright infringement. 

Professional liability is also a nice choice. Also known as errors & omissions, or E&O insurance, this policy protects you against claims regarding failure to deliver promised goods or services, negligence, and professional errors.

Another popular coverage for those just starting out is business property insurance, which protects your work gear, equipment, and supplies in the event they require replacement or repair costs due to fire, theft, or natural disaster.

Looking to save? BOP insurance, short for business owner’s policy, combines both general liability and business property insurance into a convenient package – at a lesser price than purchasing each policy separately. BOPs are awesome because there are a ton of endorsements (add-ons) that can be tacked onto the package at an affordable rate. 

Additional insurance policies you may want to consider are workers’ compensation, cyber insurance, commercial auto, and umbrella insurance. 

So how much is business insurance, really?

I’m not really into sensationalism, but let’s reverse that question. How much is an insurance claim, really? Like… without insurance paying for it? It can add up, that’s for sure.

The smaller your operation, the less expensive your insurance will typically be. The lower-risk your industry, the more affordable your policy will typically be. Let’s say you’re a consultant. Your general liability could be as little as $25/month. Not bad! Property insurance? The average cost is $33/month. Professional liability will cost a bit more, hovering around $75/month.

Check out this business insurance cost guide for your enjoyment. 

The moral of the story 

Don’t give up, and don’t let layoffs get the best of you! Channel the mixed up emotions and spin it off into your own deal. Invest in your future, because if you don’t, who will! 

Don’t be afraid to do your own thing. In fact, get excited! Go spread those wings, and do big things!! Google will cry about it later, missing out on your awesome skills! 

Ready to start your biz? Grab a free business insurance quote. Nice n’ easy.

The post Use Your Tech Layoff as Fuel. Start Your Own Business appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Are you currently working as a consultant? Or maybe you are thinking about taking the leap from a regular 9 to 5 job to becoming self-employed? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, the number of self-employed people in the US is now at over 10 million. This number is expected to grow as we head into 2023.

As a self-employed consultant, know that consultant insurance is necessary for anyone who owns a business. Ready to learn some tips so you can get the best small business insurance rates? Let’s get started. 

In this article we’ll cover:

• Self-employment
• Business insurance for self-employed consultants 
• Types of business insurance for consultants
• Home-based businesses 
• Tips on getting consultant business insurance 

Self-employment

According to Indeed, self-employed workers can choose from a variety of business structures, including a partnership, sole proprietorship, corporation, S corporation, and limited liability company (LLC). Some business structures are easier to set up than others, making it necessary for you to learn more about business structures if you have not done so already. 

Popular self-employed consultant types:

• Business consultants
• Management consultants
• Marketing consultants
• IT consultants

There are many benefits that come with choosing to be self-employed consultant. Some of the top benefits include job flexibility, determining your own work environment, creating your own work schedule, networking with a variety of people, and of course, being your own boss. There are also many obligations that come with self-employment, like choosing the right type of insurance coverage. 

Business insurance for self-employed consultants 

When you are self-employed, you need business insurance to protect you and your consulting business. Life is full of unforeseen surprises. The last thing you want is for something to happen that causes your business to suffer financial harm. If you are just starting out and need to learn the basics of insurance, check out the ultimate guide to self-employed business insurance. This will help you learn what business insurance is and why you actually need it. 

Types of insurance for consultants

There are many different types of insurance consultants can choose from to fully protect themselves and their operation. What type of insurance should you choose? Well, it depends! Every business comes with its own unique risks, and because of that, policy recommendations may vary,.

In need of a free consultant insurance consultation? Contact us now. 

Consultant general liability

A general liability insurance policy is a broad policy that covers many of the miscellaneous things that can go wrong when operating a business. Specific coverages include property damage, third-party bodily injury, and personal and advertising injuries – which refers to libel, slander, and copyright infringement.

Lean more about consultant general liability.

Professional liability for consultants

Also known as errors and omissions insurance, a professional liability policy helps cover your expenses if you face a lawsuit  regarding professional mistakes or claims that you were somehow negligent when offering your goods and/or services. In the event you’re in this situation, this policy will cover legal fees and miscellaneous court costs. 

Learn more about consultant professional liability.

Consultant cyber liability 

Many small business owners wonder – do I really need cyber insurance? The answer is… yes! Surprisingly, data breaches are more common than you’d think. And, once they happen, the majority or small businesses are unable to fully restore the data following a breach. Coverage highlights include customer notification, investigation, identity theft, credit monitoring, and more. The cost of a cyber policy is more than worth it, compared to the expenses that would pile up following an incident. 

Learn more about consultant cyber insurance.

Business property insurance for consultants

Property insurance covers your business goods, which includes everything that has to do with running your business – equipment, inventory, the building itself, and more. Specific coverage includes replacing or repairing damaged property due to a covered event, like fires, tornadoes, plumbing pipes bursting, and even vandalism.

Consultant business auto insurance

A business auto insurance policy helps cover expenses if you happen to get into an accident while using your work vehicle for business related purposes. If your company owns a vehicle, odds are you can’t rely on your personal auto policy to cover it. That’s why this policy is more than essential.

Consultant workers’ comp

Think you can only benefit from workers’ comp insurance if you have one or more employees? Think again. While workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory in most states if you have employees, you can purchase a workers’ comp policy to cover your medical expenses and lost wages if you happen to get sick or injured on the job.

Learn more about consultant workers’ compensation.

Umbrella insurance for consultants

Forbes advises protecting your business with insurance so you do not experience financial disaster due to something unforeseen, like accidents, damages, or lawsuits. Umbrella insurance is a great option for adding additional coverage on top of existing insurance policies. Umbrella coverage helps prevent the need for you to pay anything out-of-pocket. 

Home-based consultant business

Have a home-based business and wondering if you still need business insurance? Even if you have homeowners insurance, you still need to get business insurance coverage when you are working from home. While 48% of home-based business rely on their homeowners insurance to protect their work gear, what they may not know is that those policies typically only cover up to $500 in work gear. 

Tips on getting consultant business insurance 

As someone who is self-employed, you need to make sure your business has sufficient protection. The last thing you want is for unexpected costs to cause you (and your business) financial harm. These tips will help you make the right insurance decisions so your business is covered in case something were to happen. Keep in mind, without insurance, you would have to pay for accidents, damages, and expenses out-of-pocket.

Tip #1. Understand how each type of insurance works

You need to understand your specific industry’s risks so you can select the best types of insurance coverage to properly protect your small business. For example, what kind of accidents, natural disasters, or lawsuits could potentially damage your business? The higher your industry’s risks, the more you may expect to pay in insurance premiums. If you find that you need multiple insurance policies, you can typically package a few policies into one convenient small business insurance plan, which can be cost-effective.

Tip #2. Consider what insurance may be required of you

Did you know that in some states you are legally required to buy certain types of small business insurance? This makes it necessary for you to check with your state to learn about any legally required insurances you must have to properly cover your small business. Even if you’re not required by the state, your hiring party may mandate you carry particular coverages before you begin working for them.

Tip #3. Prioritize coverage over cost

As someone who is self-employed, you may be operating on a budget. While it may be tempting for you to choose the lowest premium, it is more important for you to pay a little bit more to get the right amount of coverage. A limited coverage insurance policy may not sufficiently cover your damages, making it so you are out-of-pocket if you do not prioritize your insurance coverage over your premium cost. Still… cost is definitely a factor, so learn how to save money on consultant insurance.

Tip #4. Think about your deductibles

The majority of small business insurance policies require you to pay a deductible before your actual insurance takes over. While you may be tempted to choose a high deductible because this results in lower payments, you must make sure that you have enough money available to pay the deductible if something were to happen and you need to file a claim.

Tip #5. Overestimate your insurance needs

If someone files a claim against your consulting business, it could lead to your going out of business if you do not have a sufficient amount of business insurance coverage. Even dismissed claims can require you to pay legal fees. To give you that extra peace of mind, consider purchasing more than the minimum amount of insurance coverage you need. This additional insurance protection helps ensure you do not have to pay out-of-pocket.

Tip #6. Read your business insurance policies thoroughly

Did you know that every insurance policy will differ from one insurance carrier to the next? Insurance carriers create their own policy that includes limits, premiums, deductibles, and exclusions. This means you need to understand what is covered under every policy, as well as what is excluded, before you make a final purchasing decision. Questions? No worries. Speak with an agent. 

Tip #7. Work with top-rated insurance providers

As a consultant, you should only work with experienced insurance providers. The best small business insurance providers will not only customize plans to help protect your business, they are always available when you need help, have questions, or need to update your insurance package. Pogo works with top providers, offering our consultants the best coverage at the right price.

How much does consultant insurance cost?

The cost of self-employed business insurance varies based on several factors, including the type of work you do, the size of your business, number of employees, location, and more. And, of course, the premium amount will fluctuate per policy, because each insurance policy protects your business against a certain set of risks.

Learn how much consultant insurance costs.

Get consultant insurance quotes 

How much will your customized consultant business insurance policy cost? For you to find out, simply fill out this form to get an online insurance quote. We will compare quotes from 30 top insurance providers in order to find you the best premiums. 

The post Consultant Insurance 101: Basics, Benefits, & Cost appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

What is workers’ compensation insurance?

Workers’ comp is a form of coverage that protects business owners and their employees should they get injured or fall ill due to work-related activity.

Getting injured on the job could include hurting your back from lifting heavy machinery, getting wounded by a sharp tool, or suffering from a shoulder injury due to repetitive motion. Job-related illnesses could include sickness from inhaling harmful chemicals.

What does workers’ comp cover?

With a workers’ compensation policy, you will not have to pay for medical costs resulting from a work-related injury out of pocket. Your policy will cover the medical bills, as well as funeral expenses in the unfortunate event you or an employee die. If you or an employee requires time off work to recover, lost wages will be supplemented.

Employers’ liability, a component of workers’ compensation insurance, protects your business financially from claims regarding negligence or an unsafe work environment. Should an employee file a lawsuit, attorney’s fees, settlements, and other court costs will be covered by your workers’ comp policy.

Who is eligible for workers’ comp insurance?

All businesses are eligible for workers’ comp. Whether you are a one-person operation with no employees, or a large company with dozens of employees, we recommend this coverage to keep you and your business safe.

Business entities eligible for workers’ compensation:

• Sole proprietors
• LLCs
• Partnerships
• S-Corps
• C-Corps

Why do I need workers’ comp?

If you want to protect yourself, your employees, and your business physically and financially, you need workers’ comp coverage. Without this policy, if an accident occurs, you will be held responsible. You will have to take money from your business or you personal pocket to pay for your or an employee’s injury.

Paying for workplace accidents can be very costly. Having to pay for damages out of your personal or your business account can potentially put you out of business. With workers’ compensation insurance, you (and your business) will be financially protected.

What are workers’ comp requirements?

You may be required to have workers’ compensation insurance by the state, or by the party that is hiring you.

Whether the party hiring you is a general contractor or a homeowner, they may require you to have a Certificate of Insurance in order to work for them. Many hiring parties mandate proof of insurance to take the liability off of themselves.

How do workers’ comp requirements vary by state?

If you have employees, many states will require that you have workers’ compensation insurance. However, sometimes there are minimum requirements. For example, if you work in Alabama and have fewer than five employees, you are not required to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Just because you are required to have coverage because you have employees doesn’t necessarily mean you are required to have coverage for yourself. Some entities have the option to exclude themselves from coverage, which would lower their insurance premium.

But, keep in mind… Just because you are not required to provide workers’ compensation insurance for your employees doesn’t mean you will not be responsible in the event of an employee injury. Employers are almost always held liable for their employees. If you have employees and do not have coverage, be prepared to foot the bill if someone gets hurt.

How is workers’ comp different than health insurance?

When you think about getting hurt, two insurance coverages often come to mind: Workers’ compensation insurance and health insurance. But having one, and not the other, can be tricky.

If you have workers’ comp, but end up tripping on the sidewalk and fracturing your ankle outside of work, your workers’ comp policy would not pay the damages. You would need health insurance to cover a personal medical expense. The reverse is also true: If you get hurt on the job, your health insurance may not pay the medical bills. In order to be compensated for work-related injuries, you would need a workers’ comp policy.

How is workers’ comp different than accident insurance?

While workers’ comp coverage is limited to accidents that occur while working, accident insurance provides you 24/7 protection on or off the job. Regardless of whether or not your have health insurance or workers’ comp insurance, this policy helps pay medical and non-medical expenses that result from an accident. Accident insurance stays with you — so even if you change jobs, your policy remains the same.

The great thing about this coverage is that its month to month, with no commitment. And, accident coverage is very affordable, less than $20 per month.

What type of workers’ compensation insurance do I need?

It depends on what you do, where you live, and how many employees you have. If you are a one-person operation with no employees, you may only need a minimum premium workers’ comp policy, commonly referred to as a ghost policy.

Ghost policies are essentially the most affordable form of workers’ compensation on the market. They provide the owner their Certificate of Insurance, while excluding them from coverage. This makes it easy to get hired, and helps you save money. Our ghost policy is unique, because we have combined it with a bonus accident policy, which provides 24-hour accident coverage.

If you are a larger operation, a traditional workers’ comp plan may be the right fit for you. And, you would likely opt to be included in coverage. Regardless of whether or not you include yourself in coverage, your employees will be covered either way. Workers’ compensation is all about managing risk.

Not sure what type of workers’ compensation insurance is best for your business? Chat with an expert to learn about what level of coverage is right for you.

How much does workers’ comp cost?

Workers’ compensation insurance rates depend on many factors. However, the minimum premium (which is the lowest price available) for many states is $750 for an independent contractor.

What determines the cost of my workers’ comp policy?

Workers’ comp rates also depend on what you do, where you live, and how many employees you have. Because this form of insurance is based on payroll, the more employees you have, the greater the cost of your insurance policy.

If you have had workers’ compensation insurance previously, your MOD (which is based on your loss history) will also play a factor in determining workers’ comp cost.

An additional factor is the expense constant, which covers administrative fees. Usually, this fee is around $200.

Check out this workers’ comp cost breakdown to learn more about workers’ compensation insurance rates.

How can I save money on workers’ compensation rates?

Looking for affordable workers’ compensation insurance? Consider a ghost policy. It is the most affordable workers’ comp policy on the market.

Highlights include:

• Minimum premium workers’ comp policy
• Owner is excluded
• Bonus accident policy with 24-hour accident coverage

Get a free ghost policy quote.

Do you have employees?
Compare workers’ compensation insurance quotes.

Pogo Insurance is an online platform that compares prices from dozens of top insurance providers to get you the most competitive workers’ comp rates.

Need additional forms of insurance for contractors?
Take a look at these recommended insurance coverages for contractors.

The post Contractors Guide To Buying Workers’ Comp appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

How can I save money on business insurance?

While there are many ways to find cheap business insurance, the key is to bring down your costs without cutting your coverage. Saving money is only a good thing when you’re not sacrificing financial protection just to save a couple of bucks in the short term.

Having the right insurance coverage is important because it ensures the well-being of your business. Should something happen, you’d likely end up saving money in the long run by having the right insurance policies. But in order to do so, you have to spend a little bit of money up front.

Here are a few tips we’ve put together that can help reduce the cost of business insurance for small business owners and self-employed workers.

Tip #1: Shop around.

Prices vary from company to company, because all insurance carriers have sweet spots. One carrier might specialize in helping artisan contractors, while another focuses on serving consultants. If the carrier is regional, the price is most likely better than other national insurance providers.

Typically, the greater the “sweet spot”, the better the rate the company will have. Taking the time to explore your options can often result in a lower price, and without having to change the coverage you desire.

It’s similar to comparing airlines. They all fly to New York, but how they get you there, and how much it will cost you, vary.

Some policies are less expensive because they lack coverage that most policies include.

The key here is to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples — look at how the policies differ, and what’s included and what’s excluded. Most importantly, make sure you know what you’re paying for.

Tip #2: Understand what you need.

Every business faces risks unique to itself. So, business insurance policies should also be unique, and pertain specifically to those risks.

Having protection is great, but there’s no sense in purchasing coverage that doesn’t pertain to your business. Think about what types of risks you face. From there, you can begin to create an insurance plan based on what’s best for your business.

Not sure which insurance policies make sense for your business? Ask one of our experts.

You can also consider how much coverage you need. For example, a policy with a $1 million / $1 million dollar limit will be less expensive than a policy with a $1 million / $2 million dollar limit.

Tip #3: Get the help of an expert.

Insurance can be tough to navigate. If you’re feeling lost, having someone experienced with the terrain can be extremely helpful.

Working with an insurance expert is the best, especially if they’re familiar with your industry — because they’ll know exactly what coverages and which carriers are the best fit for your business. (Meaning, they can save you money.)

If you’re into DIY, we get it. However, if you work with a licensed professional, they’ll be able to figure out exactly what you need much faster than if you were to start from scratch.

Benefits of working with a Pogo Insurance specialist:

• You’ll get an expert opinion at no cost. Our agents get paid by the insurance provider, not by you.
• Our team knows the best way to bundle coverages and save money.
• Because we work with over 30 insurance carriers, our experts know which companies can provide you the best coverage at the right price.
• Pogo agents compare quotes across all of our partners, so we can ensure low rates.

Insurance agents are trained to understand many of the risks involved in business. Not only can they recommend the right coverage, they can save you money by finding the best company to pair you with.

Working with an expert can only help, and if it doesn’t cost you more, then why not? Get a quote.

Tip #4: Choose a higher deductible.

The relationship between your deductible and the cost of your insurance (premium) is like a seesaw. Basically, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. The lower your deductible, the higher your premium.

A deductible is the amount of money you must pay for a claim before the insurance company starts helping out. If you’re trying to save money up front on business insurance, you can opt for a higher deductible, but make sure you’ll be able to pay the deductible if something happens.

Tip #5: Consider your payment options.

Sometimes you can save money by paying for your policy in full, rather than in installments. If this sounds like something that might work for you, set aside a bit of money throughout the year so you can achieve the full payment. With that, you might be able to reduce your premium without losing any coverage.

Note: Having good credit history and always paying on time can also help cut costs. Be sure to never let your coverage lapse because of cancellation for nonpayment. This could end up resulting in higher rates down the road.

Tip #6: Bundle coverages.

Most insurance companies will provide a discount when you purchase multiple insurance policies. For example, if you’re looking to purchase general liability insurance and commercial property insurance, your insurance provider will offer you a package deal, called a business owner’s policy.

Also known as a BOP, this bundled policy combines two coverages, and it’s less expensive than purchasing each of the policies separately. A business owner’s policy is primarily designed for small low-risk businesses. Check out the prices of a business owners policy.

There are several endorsements that can be added to a BOP. Again, more coverage at a discounted price.

Tip #7: Bundle some more.

If you don’t qualify for a business owner’s policy, there are still other creative ways to bundle insurance.

If the insurance company you are working with sells personal insurance, such as homeowners or auto coverage, they will usually give you a discount if you get multiple lines of coverage with them, so it’s worth checking out.

Tip #8: Manage your risk.

Coming up with a solid risk management plan can reduce your costs significantly.

Think about the answers to these questions:

• What liabilities does my industry face?
• How much would I lose if something were to happen?
• How can I lower the chance of an incident occurring?

If you minimize your risk by setting out good safety procedures, you can keep your rates low by preventing accidents and losses.

Tip #9: Prevent claims.

Insurance companies prefer customers that haven’t had any claims over a period of years, and will sometimes offer a discount for good performance. This is another reason you might want to choose a higher deductible — you won’t be tempted to file small claims.

Note: If you hire workers without insurance, you can be held liable if something happens. This means that the standing with your insurance will be impacted. If you use subcontractors from time to time, show your insurance company that you only hire insured subcontractors.

Tip #10: Find a group.

Many insurance companies will offer a discounted rate for business owners in a similar industry. Ask if they do. For example, if you’re an electrician, you might be able to join an association for electricians, and that association might offer a group discount. There may be a fee to join the group, but just like Costco, you’ll still end up saving in the long run.

Going the route of a professional organization has other benefits, as well. Many offer discounts on professional services or travel options. It’s also not a bad way to network.

Tip #11: Transfer your risk.

If you are adding those working for you as additional insureds to your own policy, that’s an unnecessary added expense for you and your business. What better way to minimize your risk than to take some of it off your plate? Insurance companies actually reward policyholders for sharing risk, or working towards minimizing their risk.

Two primary ways to do this are to require outside contractors to have their own insurance policy, and to avoid using uninsured contractors. Always:

• Make sure they have insurance.
• Ask to be listed on their policy as an additional insured.

When working with outside contractors, be sure they have their own insurance coverage.

In fact, you can take it one step further and ask them to list you as an additional insured on their policy. By doing so, you’ll save money from the cost of an accident or the insurance company raising your rates.

Avoid working with uninsured subcontractors.

If something happens to them while working for you, they can file a claim against you (and your insurance). If you face claims, you will also face a higher premium. The higher the premium, the more you pay.

Tip #12: Trim the fat.

Are you paying for something you might not be benefiting from? If you’re paying for coverage that will never be of use to you, you’re wasting your money.

Tip #13: Price isn’t everything.

Sometimes a bare bones insurance policy isn’t the best deal — maybe the deductible is unaffordable, or it doesn’t provide the right amount of coverage you need. If you’re not getting adequate protection, you could end up losing money in the long run.

Curious what business insurance might cost you?

• Workers’ Comp Costs

• General Liability Costs

• Professional Liability Costs

Save on business insurance.

Get a quote and save money on your commercial insurance. We compare prices from over 30 insurance companies to get you the best rate. Free estimates, zero commitment.

The post 13 Ways to Save Money on Business Insurance appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

Your time and attention are crucial to your business’s success.

If a criminal shuts down your network, you can miss out on major business opportunities. While that seems obvious, what you may not realize is how long a situation like this can take to resolve.

The mean number of days it takes to resolve a cyber attack is 46. Repeat: 46 days. That’s a month and a half!

It will not only hurt your bank account but also your reputation.

Reputational damage can be very expensive. A data breach may cause you to lose customers, whether or not they were affected by the breach. In fact, 76% of people say they would move away from a company with a data breach history.

Hackers suck.

Hackers and malware can affect any computer on your network–and they add up to 45% of cyber claims. And if a hacker gains access to valuable items such as customer lists or business trade secrets, you can count on them taking advantage.

From there, you’ll need to consider crisis services like forensics, which is used to find out how your system was hacked. This type of work amounts to 78% of all cyber claim costs.

There’s more?

You’ll have to pay for all of your clients’ credit monitoring services if hackers access sensitive information. The cost of this service runs to about $10 per victim. If you have 300 clients, you’ll have to find $3,000 for credit monitoring alone.

And if that doesn’t sound costly enough, you’ll also need to account for potential lawsuits arising from customer data being compromised.

Don’t think this article applies to you?

Like those in the Hunger Games arena, the odds are unfortunately stacked against you. According to the Ponemon Institute, 55% of small business owners experience at least one data breach, leaving 72% of all businesses unable to fully restore their company’s data.

While you’re great at what you do, you can’t be an expert at everything.

And even if you’ve taken the right steps to protect your cyber assets, the internet and all its weirdos are surely out of your control.

Something that you can do proactively to ensure that your business, self, and clients are protected, though, is to get cyber liability insurance. This type of insurance will cover things like customer notification, forensics investigation, identity theft, and credit monitoring (among other things).

Interested in learning more?

Learn more about cyber liability insurance. Already know that cyber liability is a good fit for your business? Get an online cyber liability quote.

The post The Cost of a Cyber Attack: A Frighteningly Expensive Reality appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

You’re a mom. And an entrepreneur. Before we go on, are you okay? Seriously, have you lost your mind?!

Maybe you enjoy running on no sleep. If you can manage small humans, you can surely manage an entire business operation, right? Right!

Because you are a mom, you have superhuman strength. You’ve got laser focus. And you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty. (No… not what you’re thinking. I think everyone is afraid to get their hands that kind of dirty.)

You got through childbirth, and nothing could be more painful or drawn out than that… right?! Well, I guess that depends on your pain tolerance. Working as an entrepreneur can be extremely taxing mentally, physically, and emotionally. You have highs, lows, and many feelings in between.

This probably goes without saying, but entrepreneurs handle massive amounts of responsibility. And what follows responsibility? Liability. That’s why they both end in -bility. (Just a hunch.)

So, what’s your point?

Here’s the point: if you have liabilities, you should do your best to manage them. Minimize your risk.

You babyproof your house, right? Let’s hope so! You want your baby to stay safe, happy, and healthy. You don’t want anything bad to happen to your little precious babe, and because of that, you cover your bases.

You should have the same mentality when it comes to running your business. In order to ensure it runs smoothly, you need to figure out the best way to protect your operations. And a great place to start is business insurance.

Business insurance for mompreneurs

Whether you’re making organic lotions and potions out of your kitchen or have a large yoga operation, you need protection. If you are accepting payment for your goods or services, you are 100% a business. Which means you should 100% protect it.

I have no idea where to begin. Help!

Every business is unique, so coverage recommendations can vary based on your line of work.

Aspects that affect risk include:

• Interacting with the public
• Your industry
• The type of building you work in
• Your business assets
• Whether or not you’ve had insurance claims in the past
• Where you work
• How many employees you have (including part-time, full-time, contractors, and subcontractors)

Get a free business insurance consultation.

Liability insurance for mompreneurs

Generally, liability insurance is the best place to start. Liability is simply a longer word for “risk”. Three popular liability policies include general liability, professional liability, and cyber liability.

Mom entrepreneur general liability

General liability insurance provides a nice blanket of coverage for many of the random things that can go wrong — in business, not life. So, if baby Charlie starts teething on big sister Emma’s hand a little too hard, general liability would be of no help. However, a bag of frozen peas might be.

This coverage would help, however, if you accidentally damage a client’s property, like a smartphone or a tablet. Bodily injury is also covered under this policy. So, if you work from an office and someone trips over a stack of loose papers, or work from home and a client trips on a mini skateboard, you’re protected.

Non-physical risks are also covered with general liability. You’ll be protected against claims involving slander, libel, false advertising, and copyright infringement.

What happens if a client files a lawsuit?

Lawyer’s fees, damages, losses, and miscellaneous court costs are covered in most insurance policies (not just liability policies).

Professional liability insurance

Professional liability isn’t for every operation, but it’s recommended if you provide expert advice or services.*

*For a living, not for when you’re caught on the phone with your sister for 45 minutes advising her on how to avoid a chatty neighbor.

Also known as errors & omissions, or e&o insurance, this policy protects you in the event that a client claims you failed to deliver a promised service, were negligent, or simply made a professional mistake. Simply put, professional liability protects you against a dissatisfied client. It’s an important type of coverage for people like designers, consultants or photographers.

Let’s say you’re a marketing consultant. You advise a client to make a move, and it ends up being the wrong move. The client is suffering from a financial loss and may blame you. Or even worse, they may file a lawsuit against you.

Paying the damages yourself would seriously hurt your personal pocket, and maybe even Emma’s future college fund. But with professional liability, you’d be protected.

Let’s make one thing clear

No one likes bills. Big bills, or small bills. They’re all bills, and they’re all annoying. The great thing about insurance coverage is that if something happens, the insurance company pays these very expensive bills for very crappy situations. Not you.

Do mompreneurs need cyber liability insurance?

Cyber liability sounds like a big deal. Like it’s this big, complicated thing for big, complicated operations. Well, it’s not just for large companies. In fact, hackers are statistically more likely to go after smaller organizations, because they don’t have the same security in place compared with large operations.

You don’t have to be in IT to face cyber liabilities. If you handle any sensitive customer information, even something as simple as credit card information, you should consider this policy. It doesn’t matter if you sell homemade organic dog treats for $12, or high-end custom jewelry for $2,000. Hackers don’t discriminate.

Cyber liability has an assortment of benefits, but here are a few:

• Customer notification
• Forensics investigation
• Cyber extortion
• Regulatory fines and legal costs
• Identity theft
• Credit monitoring
• Reputation management
• Third-party services
• Equipment for business interruption

How to protect your business property

This one’s easy. Business property insurance protects your business property. All kinds of commercial property can be covered with this policy — anywhere from computers to smartphones, inventory, and even an office building.

If your gear gets damaged due to theft, natural disaster, vandalism, fire, or what have you, this policy will help cover losses. And you can customize the policy to pay for losses based on the replacement cost or actual cash value.

Food for thought on home-based businesses

48% of home-based businesses rely on their homeowners or renters insurance to cover their business items.

Unless these businesses are working with a laptop from 1999, they’re pretty much out of luck, because homeowners policies typically only cover up to $500 in business property damages. That’s why it’s very important to protect your commercial property with the right kind of insurance. (In this case, that’s business property insurance.)

Learn more about why home-based businesses need more than homeowners insurance.

What if my work property leaves my business premises?

Business property coverage ends after you’re 500 feet away from your work premises. If you’re bringing your work equipment, inventory, or tools off site, check out inland marine insurance. It protects commercial property in transit.

Do mompreneurs need workers’ compensation?

If you have employees, it’s a no-brainer, and it’s even legally required most of the time. But you should consider workers’ comp even if you don’t have employees.

When you think of workers’ comp, often you think of contractors. Especially if you work from a desk, not a rooftop! So why on earth would workers’ compensation insurance be a fit for you?

To start with, it helps cover expenses involving an employee’s job-related illness or injury. This can also apply to yourself.

Just because you’re not operating a jackhammer, doesn’t mean there’s zero risk of a work-related injury. Let’s say you make a living by creating stuffed animals with textiles dyed from fruit. You might sew your hands together. That’s a little dramatic, but there are all kinds of things that could happen, like developing carpal tunnel.

Workers’ comp becomes more important for event planners and other types of professions that are more physical.

Business auto insurance

Alright, moms, listen up! If your company owns a vehicle, you need business auto insurance. Why? Because if you get in a fender bender making deliveries for your floral company, your personal auto policy typically will not cover the damages.

Hired & non-owned auto insurance

If your flower business has employees delivering bouquets in their personal vehicles, this policy protects them (and you) in the event of an incident. The coverage also extends to vehicles you rent, hire, or borrow on behalf of Stems ’n’ Gems.

Learn more about hired & non-owned auto insurance.

Do mom business owners need umbrella insurance?

Insurance policies have caps on how much they will cover if something bad happens. Umbrella insurance is also known as excess liability insurance. This coverage boosts the limits of your existing policies.

If there are potential risks that your company may face that are outside of the typical limits, you can add an umbrella. For example, you live in Colorado. It’s very snowy and icy, but the local market is depending on your 8:00 am artisan bread delivery.

You hit an ice patch and have a terrible accident. Your business auto policy covers up to $500,000 in damages, but the costs of your accident totaled in $750,000. With umbrella insurance, the additional $150,000 would be taken care of. Otherwise, your personal bank account would have to pay the difference.

So, what now?

Now that you have more of an understanding as to what business insurance policies might be a fit for your mompreneurial endeavors, you’re ready to get an online business insurance quote.

With one simple quote form, we compare over 30 insurance companies to get you the best coverage at the lowest price — including liability, property, workers’ compensation, and more. Our experts work for you, not a commission. All quotes and advice are free.

The post Why Business Insurance is a Must for Mompreneurs appeared first on Pogo Insurance.

If you work for yourself and are wondering a) what the heck is business insurance, and b) why you need it, you’ve come to the right place.

If this is your first time delving into the very confusing and sometimes overwhelming world of business insurance, fear not. We all know that insurance experts speak their own language, which makes it hard to understand everything you need to know.

That’s where I come in. My name is Hannah Sullivan and I am not your typical insurance expert. (Hi, Hannah.)

I do work in the industry though, as a designer, and I want to share my take on it. Here, you’ll learn what kinds of insurance you need when you’re self-employed.

I work for myself. Do I need insurance?

If you are a business of any sort, then yes, you should have business insurance. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on your own, you have a team made up of a few friends, or you’re running a big shop. If you’re accepting payment for your goods or services, you’re a business.

Starting a business ain’t easy, so protecting your hard work is definitely something to think about.

Self-Employed Insurance Requirements

What kinds of workers need business insurance? All kinds. Here are a few that come to mind:

• Freelancers
• Consultants
• 1099ers
• Independent contractors
• Home-based businesses
• Entrepreneurs
• Startups
• Small business owners
• Mompreneurs
• New businesses
• Old businesses
• Side jobbers
• Solopreneurs

What types of business insurance do I need?

You’re probably thinking, “I don’t even know where to begin. Help!”

Don’t worry. The types of business insurance you need depends on the types of risk you face. That’s why the first step to figuring out what insurance policies to look for is figuring out what your business risks are. This is important to know before getting started, because it can affect what types of coverage you need and how much you’ll pay. The type of protection you need heavily relies on the line of work you do.

Every business has its own unique risks. Your insurance plan should protect you from liabilities that may arise from your business. This is where an insurance agent can help out big time.

Elements that can affect risk include:

• Your industry
• Where you work
• The type of building you work in
• Your business assets
• Whether or not you’ve had insurance claims in the past
• How many employees you have (including part-time, full-time, contractors, and subcontractors)
• Interacting with the public
• An insurance underwriter will assess your risks and come back to you with a quote, including the rates and terms of the policy (or policies) that fits your business best.

Note: Some clients might also require you to have a certain amount of insurance before they’ll hire you for a job, especially if you work as an independent contractor.

Liability insurance for the self-employed

Liability means “risk”. Owning your own company has risks, and that’s why liability insurance is a great place to start for self-employed business owners. Three popular liability policies include general liability, professional liability, and cyber liability insurance.

Read: Self-Employed Liability Insurance Guide

General Liability Insurance

Basically, a general liability policy covers your bases for many of the common things that can go wrong when you own a business. This policy will protect you from a financial loss if you happen to damage someone’s property, or someone injures themselves tripping over your equipment.

Property damage and bodily injury are not the only benefits of general liability insurance. Nonphysical risks, like personal and advertising injuries*, are also covered.

*Non-insurance speak: General liability also covers claims involving copyright infringement, slander, libel, and false advertising.

Not only that, if someone files a lawsuit against you, your court expenses, lawyer’s fees, damages, losses, and so on, may be covered.

Note: Defense costs are pretty much included in all policies, so I won’t repeat this notion going forward.

Professional liability insurance

Not every business requires this type of insurance. However, if you provide expert services or advice for a living, it’s very important. People like designers, tech consultants or photographers can benefit greatly from professional liability insurance.

Professional liability insurance (also known as errors and omissions or E&O insurance) protects you in the event that a client claims your business made a mistake, was negligent, or failed to deliver a promised service.

Non-insurance speak: Professional liability is basically protection against an unhappy client. Yep, it’s that simple.

If you’re a consultant, you give advice for a living. If your advice results in any type of financial loss for your client, you may find yourself facing a lawsuit if your client is peeved enough.

That jerk of a client could very well sue you. Paying the damages would seriously hurt your pocket, but with professional liability insurance the fees would be taken care of.

Can we all agree that having someone else pay for very expensive, very crappy, situations is almost always better than paying out of your own personal pocket?

Note: I feel this very strongly, but I will also refrain from making this same point in every section.

Cyber liability for self-employed businesses

You might be thinking, “That sounds pretty intense. It’s probably only for big companies.” And if you are, you’re wrong. Cyber liability insurance protects any business in which a customer’s personal info may be stolen or exposed.

Okay, that does sound a little intense. But here’s the deal: Anyone who uses tech to do business should have a cyber policy And as for big companies– yes, they usually do have strong security systems in place.

And that’s exactly why, statistically, hackers go after smaller organizations.
You should think about getting cyber liability insurance if your business handles sensitive customer data (even something as simple as credit card information).

Cyber liability has an assortment of benefits, but here are a few:

• Customer notification
• Forensics investigation
• Identity theft
• Credit monitoring
• Reputation management
• Third-party services
• Equipment for business interruption
• Cyber extortion
• Regulatory fines and legal costs

Business property insurance

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Business property insurance protects… well, your business property. Pretty much all commercial property can be protected under this policy– from smartphones to computers, photography equipment, and even the office building itself.

Should something get damaged due to theft, fire, vandalism, natural disasters, or whatever, this policy will have your stuff covered. You can choose to have your policy pay for losses based on the replacement cost or actual cash value. For more on that, go here.

A very important note about home-based businesses and property damage

Home-based businesses often rely on their homeowners or renters insurance to cover their business items– 48% of home businesses, in fact.

Unfortunately, what some may find out a little too late is that those policies will typically only cover up to $500 in work-related damages. That’s why it’s very important to protect your commercial property.

Learn more about why home-based businesses need more than homeowners insurance.

I have work property, but I take it with me to meetings, shoots, events, and other places.

Business property insurance is limited to your business premises (there is typically a 500-foot coverage radius around the building). If you typically take your tools, gear, or equipment with you off-premises, you should consider inland marine insurance, which protects commercial property in transit.

Looking for a deal?

A business owner’s policy, also known as a BOP, combines general liability and business property insurance into a single package policy. You get better protection at a lower price than by purchasing each coverage on its own.

Another great thing about business owner’s policies is that it’s easy to tack on many other endorsements (Non-insurance speak: You can easily add extra coverage to a BOP.)

Workers’ compensation

Also known as workers’ comp, or workman’s comp, this type of insurance is great for self-employed business owners with or without employees. Workers’ comp helps cover expenses incurred due to an employee’s job-related illness or injury.

Examples of such expenses include medical costs and lost wages due to taking time off work to recover. This policy not only protects your employees, but it protects your business as well. Medical costs can be extremely expensive. Paying for them out of pocket could potentially hurt your business, or maybe even sink it.

Workers’ comp policies aren’t always optional. Many states require employers to have the insurance by law. But you should consider workers comp even if you don’t have employees.

Read: Self-Employed Workers’ Compensation Guide

Business auto insurance

You need this if your company owns vehicles. Why? If you are driving your car for a work-related reason (even something like errands) and something happens, your personal auto policy typically will not cover the incident.

Learn more about business auto insurance.

Hired & non-owned auto insurance

This kind of auto insurance provides liability protection for vehicles you borrow, rent, or hire. It also pertains to employees who use their personal vehicles on behalf of your business.

Learn more about hired & non-owned auto insurance.

Umbrella insurance

Do self-employed business owners need umbrella insurance? It depends. Umbrella insurance is also known as excess liability insurance. Insurance policies have limits on how much they will cover if something bad happens. Umbrella insurance boost the limits of your existing policies.

So if you have extra liabilities that your company may face, then yes, you should consider this policy, as it can help pay for the extra expense of unexpected disasters that could put you out of business.

For example, let’s say your business auto policy covers up to $500,000 in damages. You’re in an accident, whose costs add up to $650,000. With umbrella insurance, the additional $150,000 could be covered by your policy. Otherwise, you’d have to pay it out of your own pocket.

How much is business insurance for the self-employed?

It doesn’t cost as much as most people think. The price of business insurance depends on how much risk you face. For example, a data entry professional will pay much less than a large corporation.

The price of your insurance plan will depend on things like your profession, the size of your business, and the kinds of things you want to protect.

A small self-employed business might pay around $500-$900 a year, while a large corporation could pay over $50,000 a year.

There are so many variations when it comes to commercial insurance that best way to figure out exactly how much it will cost you is to get a free online quote. That way you can see exactly what your options are and take it from there.

We can save you money.

Now that you have more of a grasp on what policies might be a fit for your business, you can fill out a simple form, and we’ll compare over 30 top insurance providers (for free) to find you the right coverage at the most affordable cost. No hidden fees and no obligations.

Comprised of experts with over 30 years experience, Pogo works with top national insurance companies, making our rates very competitive. Our experts work for you, not a commission. All quotes and advice are free.

Further Reading:

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