If you are one of the millions of Americans that operate a business from your home, then you need comprehensive insurance that protects your business against property damage, business interruption, and liability claims.

Why? While the success of your business is largely dependent on your hard work and ingenuity, one unforeseen event could wipe out all your profits, or even destroy your business. Therefore, to make certain that the effort and money you have invested does not disappear due to a disaster, you must protect it with the appropriate types of coverages.

We recommend that the following steps be taken:

• First, don't assume that your Homeowners Policy protects your home business and risk being uninsured. While it could cover a small amount of business property, it typically does not insure any business-related liability, such as a customer or a supplier being injured on your property.

• Second, identify and purchase the Business Insurance you need by using one of these methods:
  • Add an endorsement to your existing Homeowners Policy
  • Purchase individual insurance policies to provide the coverage you need

  • Purchase a package policy designed for smaller businesses

• Third, if you use a vehicle for your business activities, you need to make certain your automobile insurance will protect you from accidents that occur while on business.

• Fourth, purchase an umbrella policy to provide you with extra limits of liability coverage, and make certain it will cover liability stemming from business activities and business property.

• Fifth, review your business needs at least annually, or whenever there is a significant change in your business.