10 steps to reviewing your business insurance

If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim, your business insurance coverages should reflect your current situation.

After any business changes, we recommend you make sure you still have the right coverage. Here are 10 steps to help you do that.

1. Review your business activities

If you’ve added new products or services, like online sales, you might need extra coverage. Notify your insurer of any changes that affect your operations.

2. Assess the value of your business assets

Have you acquired any new business assets to support your operations? Calculate the value of furniture, telephone or computer systems, tools and other equipment related to your business sector, and check if you still have enough business insurance coverages.

3. Take a look at your inventory

Launching a new product can increase your inventory. Do you still have enough coverages? Your business insurance should reflect your situation.

4. Review your service offer

Some specialized fields involve higher risks. When hiring employees to perform new tasks, you may want to add business insurance coverages or increase the amount of your existing coverages.

5. Update your business income

Did you land a new contract, change your service offer or hire new employees? Your revenue will probably increase, too. Be sure to tell your insurer!

6. See if your neighbourhood has changed

If local businesses change direction or close up shop, your business might be exposed to more risk. Be sure to let your insurer know.

7. Update your service area

If your organization now does business or online sales outside your province or even outside Canada, it might be a good idea to enhance your business insurance coverages to reflect the change.

8. Document all the changes to your building

Doing renovations to the building where your business is located, whether by expanding or improving the facilities, could affect its reconstruction value. Document the changes and send them to your insurer to keep your file up to date and have your amount of coverage re-evaluated.

9. Update your list of security systems

There are many ways to prevent your place of business from being broken into. You may have installed an alarm system or surveillance cameras to protect your business when it’s vacant. Don’t forget to tell your insurer.

10. Talk to your agent

Are you buying a vehicle so you can offer a new service? Are you offering a new service with one of your existing vehicles? You might have to update your business insurance policy.

Your insurance agent can advise you on what steps to take after a change so you can make sure you have the right coverages and avoid a lot of problems in the event of a claim! Don’t wait until it’s time to renew your business insurance to let your insurer know you’re doing renovations to your building, buying new assets or expanding your operations, for example.

If you have any questions about your insurance coverages, contact Desjardins Insurance. Our Desjardins Agents are available and ready to help.