Running a business in Texas comes with a lot of responsibilities, and one of the most important is making sure you have the right insurance in place. But let’s face it: commercial insurance can be expensive, especially when premiums keep rising year after year.
At Strive Insurance, we help business owners across Texas find smarter ways to protect their operations without overpaying. If you're looking to tighten up your insurance spending while keeping your coverage strong, here are five proven strategies to consider:

1. Bundle Your Policies
One of the easiest ways to save money is by bundling your commercial insurance policies under one carrier. A Business Owner’s Policy (BOP), for example, combines general liability and property insurance into one convenient—and often discounted—package.
Pro tip:
Talk to your agent about whether your business qualifies for a BOP or other bundle options. This can also make renewals and claims much simpler to manage.

2. Raise Your Deductibles Strategically
A higher deductible means you’re agreeing to pay more out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. But in return, you’ll usually see a lower premium.
Pro tip:
Review your claim history and financial cushion. If you rarely file claims and can comfortably handle a larger deductible, this is a smart way to reduce costs.

3. Improve Risk Management Practices
Insurance companies reward businesses that manage their risks well. Installing security systems, conducting regular safety training, and maintaining good housekeeping practices can lead to lower premiums—especially in industries like construction, manufacturing, and hospitality.
Pro tip:
Ask your agent if your insurer offers credits for things like fire suppression systems, safety audits, or having a written risk management plan.

4. Review and Update Your Coverage Annually
Many businesses are paying for coverage they don’t actually need—or missing out on discounts because they haven’t updated their policy to reflect changes.
Pro tip:
Have an annual insurance review. If your payroll, inventory, or equipment values have changed, your coverage should reflect that. You might even be eligible for new discounts based on your industry or claims-free status.

5. Work with an Independent Insurance Agent
Not all insurance agents are created equal. Independent agents—like us at Strive Insurance—aren’t tied to one company. That means we can shop your coverage across multiple carriers to find the best fit for your budget and needs.
Pro tip:
Make sure your agent understands your specific industry. From biotech to real estate to retail, industry-specific knowledge can uncover savings others might miss.

Saving money on your commercial insurance doesn’t mean taking shortcuts—it means making smart, informed decisions. At Strive Insurance, we’re here to help you find the right balance between protection and price.
Ready for a free policy review? Let’s talk. We’ll go over your current coverage, find opportunities to save, and make sure your business stays secure for the road ahead.
 

Property managers handle sensitive financial and personal data for tenants, property owners, and vendors. With cyber threats on the rise, property management firms are increasingly targeted by hackers looking to exploit digital vulnerabilities. A cyberattack can result in significant financial loss, reputational damage, and legal consequences. Here’s what property managers need to know about cyber risks and how to protect their business.
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1. The Biggest Cyber Threats Facing Property Managers
Property management companies are high-value targets for cybercriminals due to the amount of sensitive data they store. Some of the biggest risks include:

• Data Breaches: Hackers target property management databases containing Social Security numbers, banking details, and lease agreements.
• Ransomware Attacks: Cybercriminals lock critical systems and demand a ransom to restore access.
• Wire Transfer Fraud: Scammers trick property managers into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts.

2. How Cyber Insurance Protects Property Managers
Cyber insurance is an essential safeguard for property managers. It provides coverage for:

• Data Breach Response Costs: Covers legal fees, notification expenses, and credit monitoring for affected clients.
• Cyber Extortion & Ransomware Protection: Helps businesses recover from ransomware attacks.
• Fraud and Social Engineering Losses: Covers financial losses from fraudulent transactions.

Without proper cyber coverage, a single cyberattack could result in devastating financial and legal consequences.
3. Best Practices to Reduce Cyber Risk
To minimize cyber threats, property managers should implement strong cybersecurity measures, including:

• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adds an extra layer of security for logins.
• Conduct Regular Cybersecurity Training: Employees should learn to recognize phishing scams and other cyber threats.
• Encrypt Sensitive Data: Protects tenant and owner information from unauthorized access.
• Invest in Cyber Insurance: A comprehensive cyber policy ensures financial protection in case of an attack.

Final Thoughts
Cyber risks are a growing concern for property managers, but with the right protection in place, businesses can minimize their exposure. By securing Cyber Insurance and implementing best practices, property managers can safeguard their clients’ data and protect their reputation.
 

​As businesses navigate an ever-changing risk landscape, the demand for specialized insurance solutions is on the rise. Several key trends are shaping how companies approach their insurance coverage in today's world. Here are the top business insurance trends impacting organizations across industries:
1. Cybersecurity Insurance
With the growing frequency of cyberattacks and data breaches, cybersecurity insurance has become a top priority for businesses. From ransomware to phishing attacks, businesses face significant financial losses and reputational damage if they are unprepared for digital threats.
Key Highlights:

• Coverage typically includes protection against data breaches, loss of revenue due to cyberattacks, legal fees, and notification costs.
• Many businesses are investing in additional cybersecurity protocols and require proof of these measures for coverage eligibility.

2. Environmental and Climate Risk Insurance
As environmental regulations tighten and climate-related events become more common, businesses are increasingly seeking insurance that covers environmental liabilities. Whether it's pollution, contamination, or damages from extreme weather, companies need protection against the financial and legal risks associated with environmental harm.
Key Highlights:

• Industries such as construction, energy, and manufacturing are seeking specialized coverage for environmental risks.
• Insurance products are evolving to include protection against regulatory fines and cleanup costs, as well as property damage from natural disasters.

3. Customized and Niche Coverage
Businesses today are no longer relying solely on standard, one-size-fits-all insurance products. They seek customized coverage tailored to their specific industry, operations, and risk profile. As the need for specialized solutions grows, insurers are offering more niche products to meet these demands.
Key Highlights:

• Coverage options for specific industries such as entertainment, biotech, or technology are expanding to address unique risks.
• Businesses are partnering with insurance brokers who can assess their needs and provide tailored policies that cover specific exposures, such as equipment breakdowns, intellectual property, or global supply chains.

4. Employee-Related Insurance Trends
As businesses continue to face employee-related challenges, there is a growing focus on insurance products that address employee well-being and protection. Employee benefits packages now often include not just health insurance, but also mental health support, disability insurance, and wellness programs.
Key Highlights:

• Many businesses are adding long-term disability insurance, health savings accounts (HSAs), and mental health resources to retain and attract talent.
• Workers' compensation insurance remains crucial as businesses navigate changing workplace conditions, such as remote work and compliance with evolving labor laws.

5. Increased Focus on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Factors
Businesses are becoming more aware of ESG factors and the impact they have on their operations and insurance needs. Insurers are increasingly factoring in how businesses manage these risks when designing policies or determining premiums.
Key Highlights:

• Companies that demonstrate responsible environmental and social governance practices may receive lower premiums and better coverage terms.
• ESG-focused insurance helps businesses mitigate risks related to regulatory compliance, sustainability, and ethical operations.

6. Technology-Driven Risk Management Tools
The integration of technology into risk management processes is reshaping how businesses purchase and manage insurance. From telematics to blockchain, technology is helping insurers assess risk more accurately, while businesses use tech-driven tools to mitigate risks in real time.
Key Highlights:

• Insurers are using AI and big data analytics to offer dynamic pricing, more tailored policies, and predictive risk assessments.
• Businesses can leverage telematics, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and AI to manage workplace safety and reduce insurance costs through risk prevention.

The modern business insurance landscape is increasingly influenced by technology, customized solutions, and new risks such as cyberattacks and climate change. By staying informed of these trends, businesses can better protect themselves against emerging risks and ensure they have the right coverage in place to face today's challenges.
 

Business Insurance Trends
The business insurance world is changing at a fast pace. Technology is continually evolving and businesses must change or die. New technology also brings change in claims and litigation. Often lawsuits filed today are indicators of business liability claims tomorrow.

Business Insurance
Business or commercial insurance coverage is available for almost every conceivable risk your business might face. The cost and amount of coverage of policies vary among insurers.  Also the type of business you are in also impacts cost and coverage.  You should discuss your specific business risks and the types of insurance available for your business with us.

Future Business Insurance Risks

Intellectual Property
This is one of the fastest growing areas of litigation. The average defense cost in 2013 was over $500,000. With more information being disrupted over the internet, claims are sure to increase. Intellectual property insurance coverage protects companies for copyright, trademark or patent infringement, and claims arising out of the company's operation.

Products Liability Insurance
Products liability insurance covers a wide range of potential claims related to the sale and distribution of products. These include any injuries or losses due to design defects, manufacturing defects, inadequate instructions or warnings, improper packaging or labeling, breach of warranty, and other similar issues. In addition to covering the associated legal costs, it can also provide coverage for damages awarded by a court in such cases. This type of insurance is critical for businesses that produce, distribute, or sell products as it helps protect them from financial losses if they are held liable for an injury caused by their product.
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Healthcare Professional Liability
As we move well into healthcare reform, we are seeing increased litigation focused on medical providers of all kinds. In 2012, litigation against OB/GYN doctors accounted for over $3.5 billion in claims. Many states have enhanced medical malpractice laws designed to speed up and compensate injured patients.

Cyber attacks
Recent news that Russian cyber thieves stole billions of passwords should create heightened awareness about the risks and need for cyber insurance. The problem, Munich Re explains, stems from the fact that “most traditional property and liability policies provide no cover for cyber risks” although there still may be a duty to defend until such time as coverage is determined.

Social Media
Social media is becoming popular with many businesses, and this increases the liability risks. The combination of personal use and business use combined with privacy laws increases the risk to business of being sued by employees and other third parties. There is definite increased risk of defamation, libel and slander for firms who don’t outsource the service.

Directors & Officers Liability
Most business owners don’t believe they can or will be sued despite statistics that show otherwise. The latest number by Chubb Insurance Company shows that about 20% of firms have been sued for directors and officers negligence. Claims can be made by shareholders, regulators, family members, customers, vendors and competitors.

The day-to-day operations and challenges of running a business can often overshadow the importance of reviewing your insurance coverage. Updating your insurance may not be at the top of your priority list, what with work, home, and personal obligations. Have you ever wondered when you should update your insurance policy? We recommend your take the time to review your business insurance program before each renewal.
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The length of time it takes to renew your policy is determined by the size of your company, the complexity of your risk, and the insurance carriers you use. However, starting conversations two to four months ahead of time has a significant advantage. We have discovered that it allows you to communicate with your insurance broker about various difficulties and ideas. You can talk about potential company developments as well as the various insurance options.

A good market strategy can be condensed to five simple criteria regardless of an organization's size, complexity, or risk profile.

1. Evaluate Your Agent Choices, knowledge of your industry, their ability to develop a relationship or partnership with you and reference checks.
2. Start the process 90 days in advance.
3. Review your risks in relation to your coverage. Are there any gaps in coverage that need to be addressed?
4. Recognize that a low price may not be the best option.
5. Be prepared to negotiate.

Evaluate Your Agent Choices
To begin with, how responsive is your insurance agent? Is it common for you to be left hanging or suffering in the dark for weeks while waiting for a response to your insurance details? Of course, top-tier brokers are also quite busy. A little common sense goes a long way. People who want your business, on the other hand, are more likely to work hard for it.

Consider the following items when selecting your agent

• How many insurers do they represent?
• Are they experienced?
• Look for an agent with whom you can develop a good rapport. If you have an effective working relationship with your provider, you will likely have a better experience purchasing comprehensive coverage.
• Do they have experienced staff?
• Look for a partner not just a vendor.

Start The Process Early
Some agent like to start 120 out from the renewal date, and other say 90 days is ok. We think the more time you have, the better. This gives you plenty of time to plan your strategy and goals, gather data, create attractive underwriting submissions, engage underwriters to consider your options, and get post-binding papers like ID cards, certificates of insurance, and invoices. The idea is never to give an insurer a reason to deny participation because "there isn't enough time.

Review Your Risks In Relations To Your Coverage
The process of risk and coverage review can be important to ensure your proposed coverage meets your goals. If you have an uncured loss due to a lack of understanding of your risk is never acceptable. This gives you and your agent an opportunity to thoroughly review your risks and design a program to meet your needs.
Recognize That Low Price May Not Be The Best Option
Often businesses will look to the lowest cost as the main factor in considering which program to select. This may not be in your best interest. Low-cost insurance can mean that there are coverages missing, restrictive terms, or exclusion you may not want to be included in the quote.

There are cost-saving options when purchasing or renewing company insurance coverage to help you save a large amount of money. If you can persuade your insurance that your risk exposure is modest, for example, your premium can be lowered.

Be Prepared To Negotiate
While a small business doesn't have the same bargaining power as a firm that pays a six-figure premium, there are a few things you can ask for, including:

• Multi-year policies. These are helpful from a budgeting standpoint.
• Can the carrier assist with loss control? Identifying dangers in the workplace, advocating better controls, giving staff training materials, and developing best practices for a safer work environment are just a few examples. Mock Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) inspections help ensure the business is OSHA compliant.
• Deductibles. As a result, assuming more significant risk in the form of a higher deductible should lower your premium. Determine how much your company can afford to pay if you need to file a claim while contemplating this choice.

 
Yes, the renewal procedure can be time-consuming and complicated, with many loose ends. That does not have to be the case. Not if you follow the correct procedures and have a well-defined strategy. A qualified insurance broker specializing in commercial insurance plans may make things a lot easier and more cost-effective.

Commercial business insurance is an important aspect of any business that cannot be ignored, especially if the business premises are leased or rented and even otherwise. Whatever your commercial insurance needs, we can design a protection program that’s right for you.

There are more remote workers in American today than at any time in our recent history. Many employers are embracing this trend, but there are new risks to consider. As a result of this distant work environment, a crucial problem arises in new security threats. In our digital age, businesses have had to improve their cybersecurity, yet cybersecurity dangers have increased significantly due to remote labor. Employees who work from home are at a significantly higher risk than those who work in offices.
Ransomware attacks are also a big concern for more than two-thirds (69%) of IT executives, who anticipate that the hybrid workplace will be a target for ransomware. Targeted organizations faced a threat to their business continuity as a result of these attacks.
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Sharing a computer and using it for personal purposes are two different things. It may seem self-evident, but sharing a business computer with family or roommates can be a security concern. This should be avoided at all costs, especially if your work result contains sensitive customer information.
Cyber Tips For Remote Workers

• Keep devices patched and up-to-date.
• Accommodate the increase of remote VPN workers.
• Proved employee training.
• Require passwords to be updated regularly, use PW managers.
• Use cloud software for file management.
• Use only secure Wi-Fi.
• Have good backup systems

Have a good cyber liability insurance plan in place. Cyber liability insurance is a type of insurance that offers a variety of coverage choices to help organizations protect themselves from data breaches and other cyber security risks. It's not a question of whether, but when your company will be hacked. Policyholders with cyber insurance can also use tools and services to manage and minimize cyber risk both before and after a breach.

For remote employees, cybersecurity necessitates ongoing monitoring. Give us a call if you're concerned about your present remote security practices. We'll examine and put safeguards in place that will allow your remote workers to work securely and productively.

Cyber Liability Risk
Every business is at risk for a cyber breach. Even the White House has experienced a cyber breach. Cyber breaches are now a fact of life, and every state now has mandatory requirements for data breach notification. Statistics show 41% of all cyber incidents affect businesses with fewer than 100 employees. If you store data, including private information on computers, use   e-mail, generate revenue online, or use your computer to control production, manufacturing, or inventory, your company is at risk!
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Best Practices For Cyber Risk
While cyber liability insurance should be considered by every business, in addition, we also recommend specific procedures and defensive programs to limit or reduce your risk.

• Make sure you comply with all state and federal laws
• Have a written cyber breach policy
• Follow all HIPAA laws
• Hire an IT Director, or make one person responsible for network security
• Focus on using long passwords (longer than 13 characters) and change frequently
• Develop notification procedures
• Do not open emails or open attachments from email addresses you do not recognize
• Train employees on the use of laptops and out of office access
• Invest in the latest anti cyber software
• Verify that all your vendors comply with laws and statutes

 
Cyber Liability Insurance
Most business large and small now purchase cyber liability insurance which is designed to cover the costs of investigations, notification, and credit monitoring for affected individuals, regulatory compliance, defending lawsuits, and payment of any resulting judgments or settlements. The level of coverage your business needs is based on your individual operations and can vary depending on your range of exposure.

​Part of your business planning for 2021 should include an annual business insurance review. Your business changes, and so do your exposures. After you review some of these items, call our office, and we will be happy to discuss these and more with you.
It’s never been more important to partner with a broker that specializes in your business, understanding your unique exposures, with risk services capabilities and strong carrier relationships.
 
Why Complete a Business Insurance Review?

• Your exposures may have changed.
• COVID-19 has created the need to evaluate everything you do.
• Laws and regulations may have created new liabilities.
• Your policy may have had small changes that require consideration and adjustment.
• You may have too much coverage or to little coverage.

 
COVID-19 Planning

• Do you have remote work policies and procedures?
• Make sure you have a cleaning protocol in place.
• Check your business interruption coverage; it may need to be adjusted and increased.
• Make sure your business follows OSHA guidelines.
• During an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current outbreak of COVID-19, small business owners must prepare for disruption in their business as well as prepare to protect their employees’ health and safety in the workplace.
• Do you have the right kind of insurance to cover business equipment off-premises?

 
Items to Consider When Completing a Business Insurance Review

• Review sales and revenue- Have your company’s annual sales increased or decreased? The more business you do, the greater the potential liability you face.
• Property Values- Have you added any new equipment, purchased or leased a new building?

• Did you purchase any new vehicles?
• Do you sell any of your products in foreign countries?
• Is your safety and loss control program up to date?
• When was the last time someone reviewed your SIC codes for accuracy?
• Are you serving any new industries? This might increase your liability.

 
Have you added any new partners? There might be a need for life insurance.
As a business owner, you can ensure that your company is protected by keeping your general liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and commercial auto policies updated to reflect changes in your business.
 
 

According to insurance experts, here are the top five business risks. The Allianz Risk Barometer surveyed more than 500 managers and corporate insurance experts in 47 countries, to identify the primary challenges facing businesses this year.1 
While these are responses from large corporations, we take away many applications for medium and small businesses. Here are some of the risk issues for 2020.

1. Natural Disasters – These issues are always a concern for small and medium business. We can offer flood, earthquake and wind insurance as your needs arise.
2. Cyber Liability- Cyber liability and data theft is one of the hottest topics for businesses, risk managers and insurance companies. 2019 had some of the biggest data thefts that we have seen. But even more interesting, is that small businesses are exposed more than large businesses. In fact, 25% of data breaches affect businesses with less than 50 employees. A small business has a greater chance of having a cyber breach than it does of having a fire.
3. Government mandates and regulations - There continues to be increased oversight from government in healthcare and financial reporting that creates new risk and liability for businesses.
4. Political and Civil Issues - As seen in 2020, political and civil issues have a direct impact on many small businesses. Having the right kind of business insurance is important to protect your business in the event of civil riots.
5. Business Interruption - If your business has a loss and you are unable to operate for a period of time, you will need financial resources in order to get back in operation. You may even need to continue payroll for a period of time. Business interruption insurance can provide these resources.

We are committed to providing clients with the highest quality insurance plans available combined with some of the lowest possible rates. Whether you are shopping for auto insurance, home insurance, life or business insurance, we can help you obtain the best coverage available with the lowest rate possible. 

All of us value the long term relationship with our clients, and are proud to give families, individuals and businesses the personal attention required when it matters most. When claims arise, we realize that it can be very stressful and will do everything possible to assure timely and complete recovery.
 
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Texas Business Insurance Renewal
Your business insurance is an important part of your risk management program. It is important to have the right insurance coverage, competitive pricing and the right insurer. We have found at least five factors that are important to manage when renewing your business insurance program.

Business Insurance
A business insurance program can include commercial property, auto, commercial liability, employment liability, workers’ compensation, professional liability and excess liability.

Insurance Renewal Tips
Provide complete information about your operation. Paint a picture that describes what you do and how well you do it. You have to sell the underwriter on what is different about your operation and how the insurance company needs to insure your risk, because you are above average.

Use an independent agent. We are best equipped to provide you with the best combination of coverage, price and service.

Combine your property, auto and liability with one insurer if possible. You will receive package discounts.

Have a well-managed safety program.
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Putting a little effort into your business insurance renewal can reap rewards in the form of better coverage and lower premiums. 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.