It is natural and prudent to have small business insurance in place to provide general liability and property coverage in the event of an unforeseen loss or catastrophe on the business property. According to The Hartford’s records and as reported in the Insurance Journal, four out of ten small businesses will file either a property or general liability claim with their insurance company within the next ten years. The reasons for these claims are varied. However, some events and circumstances are more likely to give rise to claims than others. Those facts and circumstances that do result in the filing of a claim also can vary in terms of the cost to the small business and/or its insurance company.
Top Ten Most Common and Most Costly Small Business Insurance Claims
The Hartford’s list of the most common types of small business insurance claims is derived from the company’s own records. The most common small business claims include claims based upon:
- Burglary or theft (about 20 percent of all claims)
- Water / freeze damage (about 15 percent of all claims)
- Damage caused by wind or hail (about 15 percent of all claims)
- Fire (about 10 percent of all claims)
- Slip and fall injuries sustained by customers (about 10 percent of all claims)
- Other types of injuries to customers (less than 5 percent of all claims)
- Defective product/dangerous product (less than 5 percent of all claims)
- Struck by an object injuries (less than 5 percent of all claims)
- Harm to the business’s reputation (less than 5 percent of all claims)
- Car or truck crash (less than 5 percent of all claims)
This list does not necessarily reflect the types of claims that are the most costly to the small business. If a business does not have an applicable insurance policy in force at the time of the loss or event, the business will need to draw upon its own resources to address the lost. The types of claims that are the most costly for small business owners include:
- Burglary or theft (average $8,000)
- Struck by an object injuries (average $10,000)
- Water / freeze damage (average $17,000)
- Slip and fall injuries sustained by customers (average $20,000)
- Damage caused by wind or hail (average $26,000)
- Other types of injuries to customers (average $30,000)
- Defective product/dangerous product (average $35,000)
- Fire (average $35,000)
- Car or truck crash ($45,000)
- Harm to the business’s reputation ($50,000)
What Does This Mean for Florida Small Business Owners?
Small businesses that operate without any type of property or general liability insurance policy in place confront unnecessary risk. The potential cost of premium payments or the belief that you will be able to shoulder the costs of an unexpected event are not good reasons for neglecting to obtain adequate coverage.
Business owners who do have a property and/or general liability policy in place should review the extent of their coverage and ensure that they are adequately protected in the event of a calamity.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].