Contractors insurance policies range significantly in terms of what they offer. Most will have a business owner's policy (BOP) that will provide:

• General liability insurance
• Property Insurance

You can purchase auto and workers’ compensation coverage separately.
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Why Do I Need Liability Insurance?

Good liability risk management can reduce the chances that your business will be sued, but it can never eliminate the risk entirely. You or a member of your organization can make a mistake that injures someone or damages property. Your mistake could harm the reputation or interfere with the privacy of a customer, client, competitor or member of the general public. When such injuries occur, you may be legally liable to pay damages to someone who suffers a loss due to your actions or inaction.

Everyone in society has a duty to take reasonable care that his or her actions do not injure others. The same rule applies to business entities. Not repairing a pothole in a parking lot, not lighting a dark stairway, failing to train workers how to do their jobs safely and legally or failing to provide directions for the safe use of a product can constitute negligence if a client, customer or member of the general public is injured as a result. The legal meaning of negligence is failure to exercise reasonable care.

The law of the state where the lawsuit is filed sets the rules for the determination of liability and damages. The amount of damages imposed in any particular case is, of course, in part a function of the economic losses the plaintiff can prove he or she has endured due to the defendant’s negligence
What Kind Of Liability Policy Should I Get?

For small businesses the most efficient and least expensive way to purchase liability insurance is usually as part of the Business owners Policy (BOP) which combines property and liability insurance in one contract. Alternatively, a business may purchase a Commercial General coverage separately if needed.

Your liability insurer will pay damages that you are legally obligated to pay as a result of “bodily injury,” “property damage” or “personal and advertising injury,” up to the policy limits and subject to your deductible. Punitive damages are generally not covered, although there may be some exceptions.

Bodily injury means injury, sickness, disease or death; it may include injuries that are emotional or mental, such as post-traumatic stress syndrome or humiliation.

Personal and advertising injury includes libel, slander or any defamatory or disparaging material or a publication or utterance in violation of an individual's right of privacy; infringing the privacy or copyright rights of another in your advertisement; wrongful entry or eviction, or other invasion of the right of private occupancy; and false arrest or wrongful detention.

Who Is Insured?

BOP liability coverage insures a sole proprietor, partners or partners named in the policy "Declarations," but only with respect to their duties on behalf of the business. The spouses of sole proprietors or partners are also covered. If your organization has officers and directors, they are insured, as are your stockholders, but, once again, and this applies to all parties, only with respect to their duties or liabilities in connection with the business. Employees and volunteer workers are insured for acts committed within the scope of their employment in your business.

The number of lawsuits filed by employees against their employers has been rising. While most suits are filed against large corporations, no EPLI Insurance company is immune to such lawsuits. Recognizing that smaller companies now need this kind of protection, we provide this coverage as an endorsement to our Business owners Policy (BOP).

EPLI provides protection against many kinds of employee lawsuits, including claims of:

• Sexual harassment
• Discrimination
• Wrongful termination
• Breach of employment contract
• Negligent evaluation
• Failure to employ or promote
• Wrongful discipline
• Deprivation of career opportunity
• Wrongful infliction of emotional distress
• Mismanagement of employee benefit plans

The cost of EPLI coverage depends on your type of business, the number of employees you have and various risk factors such as whether your company has been sued over employment practices in the past. The policies will reimburse your company against the costs of defending a lawsuit in court and for judgments and settlements. The policy covers legal costs, whether your company wins or loses the suit. Policies also typically do not pay for punitive damages or civil or criminal fines. Liabilities covered by other insurance policies such as workers’ compensation are excluded from EPLI policies.

​To prevent employee lawsuits, educate your managers and employees so that you minimize problems in the first place:

• Create effective hiring and screening programs to avoid discrimination in hiring.
• Post corporate policies throughout the workplace and place them in employee handbooks so policies are clear to everyone.
• Show employees what steps to take if they are the object of sexual harassment or discrimination by a supervisor. Make sure supervisors know where the company stands on what behaviors are not permissible.
• Document everything that occurs and the steps your company is taking to prevent and solve employee disputes.

​Business interruption insurance can be as vital to your survival as a business as fire insurance.  Most people would never consider opening a business without buying insurance to cover damage due to fire and windstorms.  But too many small business owners fail to think about how they would manage if a fire or other disaster damaged their Business Interruption Insurance business premises so that they were temporarily unusable.  Business interruption coverage is not sold separately. It is added to a property insurance policy or included in a package policy.
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A business that has to close down completely while the premises are being repaired may lose out to competitors.  A quick resumption of business after a disaster is essential.

Business interruption insurance compensates you for lost income if your company has to vacate the premises due to disaster-related damage that is covered under your property insurance policy, such as a fire.  Business interruption insurance covers the revenue you would have earned, based on your financial records, had the disaster not occurred.  The policy also covers operating expenses, like electricity, that continue even though business activities have come to a temporary halt.

Make sure the policy limits are sufficient to cover your company for more than a few days. After a major disaster, it can take more time than many people anticipate to get the business back on track.  There is generally a 48-hour waiting period before business interruption coverage kicks in.

The price of the policy is related to the risk of a fire or other disaster damaging your premises.  All other things being equal, the price would probably be higher for a restaurant than a real estate agency, for example, because of the greater risk of fire. Also, a real estate agency can more easily operate out of another location.

Extra Expense Insurance

Extra expense insurance reimburses your company for a reasonable sum of money that it spends, over and above normal operating expenses, to avoid having to shut down during the restoration period. Usually, extra expenses will be paid if they help to decrease business interruption costs.  In some instances, extra expense insurance alone may provide sufficient coverage, without the purchase of business interruption insurance.

A Professional Liability Update
Architects and engineers have unique exposures.  If they don’t perform to a set of standards they are at risk of being sued and have the possibility of loss of reputation. This is where Architects and Engineers (A&E) errors and omission insurance can help.
A&E Insurance covers liability for alleged or actual damages that result from the performance of professional services.  All design professionals including residential and commercial architects, design/build architects, engineers, landscape designers, and specialty construction consultants, should consider professional liability insurance.

Here are a few actual claims
An architect firm was hired to design an HVAC system in a school.  The design was discovered to have a flaw that caused exhaust to be brought back into the building.  The resulting damages and legal fees totaled over $1,500,000.

An A&E firm designed a 55-unit apartment complex. Three months after completion there was water damage to 25 units totaling $90,000.  It was determined the A&E firm’s window frame design was incorrect and the firm was held responsible for all damages. The A&E firm incurred over $110,000 of expenses in replacing windows and related damage.

There are things A&E firms can do to minimize risks including:

• Communicate all change orders in writing.
• Use AIA forms whenever possible.
• Meet with your client regularly.
• Recognize the warning signs of a lawsuit; no communication, work stops, or the clients are making accusations.
• Educate your team.
• If you see an unsafe condition at the work site, report it.

​As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help. Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote.
 

The EEOC just released the latest numbers relating to employment claims, and they remind us of the need for employment practices liability insurance. 
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• Retaliation was the most frequently filed charge with the EEOC in 2018, followed by race and disability.
• Sexual harassment charges with the EEOC increased by 13.6%, based on preliminary 2018 results.
• Monetary awards recovered for victims of sexual harassment increased by 47.4%.
• The #MeToo movement and resulting publicity have caused visits to the EEOC sexual harassment website page to more than double over last year.

We can offer a very comprehensive and affordable Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) products available in the industry today.  Coverage can include protection against allegations of discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation. Coverage can be further enhanced to include Wage and Hour and Third Party Wrongful Acts.  Get a quick quote and share with your client today.

As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help.   Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote.

​According to the United States Bureau of Statistics, over 953 truck drivers were killed on the job in 2018. That is a rate of about 22 per 100,000 workers. 7% of fatal trucking accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Risk management and safety are important factors to consider when reviewing the overall success for any trucking company.
Operations with a strong safety program receive the best insurance premiums. Because drivers are the most essential factor in contributing to accidents we have provided you with three suggested actions to help reduce the likelihood of claims.

Hire the right person- Make sure they have the skills to do the job. Did you put them in the vehicle to see if they could drive it safely?  Do they know how to safely load the vehicle?  Complete background checks. Make sure they speak and read English well enough to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic and signals, respond to official questions, and be able to make legible entries on reports and records.

Manage fatigue- The critical item here is to educate and make drivers aware of fatigue. Some of the warning signs are drowsiness, yawing, head nodding, lane deviations, and more. Make fatigue awareness part of safety training or pre-shift meetings. Prevention tips for fatigue; stop and walk around, change your routine, open a window, talk to passengers or stop and take a break.

Understanding the road conditions- Wind, heavy rains and heavy traffic conditions pose extra safety threats for truck drivers. Poor weather including rain, snow, or hail, increases the time required for trucks to stop on slick roads, can impede visibility and can cause the truck to sway erratically due to wind gusts. Truck drivers should know how to drive in rainy conditions when to stop driving due to danger, emergency procedures, and how to limit the impact of poor conditions on their driving.
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As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help.   Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote.

Every Texas business has risks, and commercial insurance can respond to many accidents, injuries and claims. But commercial insurance does not cover every risk you may have. The good news is that we have real solutions for your business risks. A short call to us may just help you get a good night’s sleep knowing your business is better protected.

Business Risks
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Cyber Risk- Cyber Liability continues to be a major issue for many businesses. Is Cyber Liability part of your Business Insurance Program? In today’s data-driven social media world, businesses of all sizes have had a cyber-attack or data breach. Statistics show that 40% of all cyber incidents affect businesses with fewer than 100 employees. With the recent Target breach, many individuals and businesses are considering cyber or identity theft insurance.

Employee Injuries- If one of your employees gets injured on the job, the medical bills and time loss could be significant. Workers’ Compensation Insurance can provide real solutions for your company.

Ownership Changes or Death of Key Staff- If your business does not have key man life insurance, you may have serious problems if an owner of other key person dies.

Environmental Liability- Your business insurance does not cover any claims for pollution or environmental related accidents.

We are prepared to help you manage all your business risks.
As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help. Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote.

A Business Insurance and Risk Update
Employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment for their employees.  Here is an unbelievable fact from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Before OSHA was created 43 years ago, an estimated 14,000 workers were killed on the job every year.  Today, workplaces are much safer and healthier.

Common workplace health and safety hazards include communicable disease, transportation accidents, workplace violence, slipping and falling, toxic events (particularly chemical and gas exposure), being struck by objects, electrocution or explosion, repetitive motion and ergonomic injuries, and hearing loss, according to an article in Inc. Magazine,  by Josh Spiro.
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Here are a few things you can do to continue to protect your employees.  Remember, a safe workplace increases productivity, employee morale, and more importantly, keeps employees safe.

• Provide training to all employees regarding your safety policies.
• Provide safety equipment for jobs that require it.  OSHA provides information to employers regarding personal protective equipment. 
• If an unsafe condition exists, make changes.
• Have OSHA provide an inspection.  OSHA will provide an inspection without penalty if you request it.
• Get your workers’ compensation carrier involved in the process.  They can offer many good resources.

As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help. Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the 

Restaurant Facts
According to the National Restaurant Association, in 2018, restaurants employed over 14 million people and achieved over $600 billion dollars in sales.  Restaurants accounted for about 45% of the total dollars spent on food, and 45% of adults said restaurants are part of their daily life. This is good news for the restaurant industry because it means that there are a lot of people dining in restaurants.  Unfortunately, this also means that there is an increase in the possibility of claims against restaurants.
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Restaurant Insurance
If you own a restaurant, it will be important to have the proper restaurant insurance to keep your restaurant open should the unthinkable happen.  If your restaurant, bakery, catering service, or tavern is going to have staying power, you have to build a plan for managing potential pitfalls, and that includes insurance.

Here are few of the kinds of insurance coverage your hospitality business needs to consider:

1. Property Insurance
2. Liquor Liability
3. General Liability
4. Worker’s Compensation
5. Business Income Food Spoilage
6. Employment Practices Liability
7. Cyber Liability
8. Food Borne Illness Coverage

Without insurance, you would have to pay all court costs and fines out of pocket in the event that someone files a lawsuit over an injury they sustained at your establishment.
As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help.   Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote.

Business Insurance and Risk
Every business faces risks of various kinds. If you have employees you have the risk of employee injury. You most likely buy workers’ compensation to protect yourself from this risk. No owner or manager wants to believe that their business is exposed to great risks; however, many situations may expose your company to lawsuits, liability and substantial expenses. An unfortunate number of these situations go unnoticed by many business owners until it is too late.

Comprehensive risk management is important to the overall success of your business. Unaddressed risks may result in uninsured losses that could potentially cost your business thousands of dollars.

Some Important Business Risks to Consider

The risk of being sued by employees - There are many state and federal laws that protect worker’s rights. These include harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and civil rights. We can provide you with a quote for employment practices liability insurance that will address many of your employment risks.

The risk of lost income - If you have a loss or damage to your building you may not be able to resume operations for a period of time. Your business is at risk for lost revenues. Business income insurance can offer protection.

Cyber liability risk -  If your business accepts electronic payments, handles sensitive customer information or stores key information on the internet, you are at risk. Cyber liability insurance protects against these risks, and is an important coverage option to explore for many businesses.

We Offer a Fresh Perspective to Your Business Risks
As part of our service we can review and examine your business operations and help you identify the important business risks. Then we will design a risk and insurance program tailored to meet your needs. The goal of risk management is to protect your business from being vulnerable. Many business risk management and insurance programs focus on keeping the company viable and reducing financial risks.
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As an Independent Insurance Agency we represent many insurance companies to fit your businesses dynamic needs.  Whether you're a new business or a small business, we can help. Being an Independent Agent means we are not only your agent, but we are your insurance broker as well.  We understand every business and industry is unique, so we will work with you to find the best business insurance coverage at the lowest rate. Contact us today for a free quote